Day 1: Rome
Arrive at the airport in Rome & transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2: Rome
Today, enjoy the Vatican’s artwork & architecture. Marvel at the Sistine Chapel’s masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s Last Judgement behind the altar. The ceiling fresco, depicting scenes from Genesis, took him four years to complete (1508-12).
Day 3: Rome
Enjoy a day on your own in Rome.
Day 4: Rome
Board the bus for meetings at the Institute for the Deaf & the European Union of the Deaf. The vision of the EUD is that deaf people all over Europe have equality in all aspects of life. Its main objectives include: The recognition of the right to use an indigenous sign language; empowerment through communication & information; & equality in education & employment. Students will gain an understanding of the political side of deaf life in Italy & make comparisons to the rights of U.S. deaf citizens.
Day 5: Rome – Florence
Depart for Florence. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 6: Florence
After breakfast, visit the National Residential School for the Deaf, continuing to compare the Italian & American deaf experiences. You’ll tour the school & learn about the students’ daily routine.
Meet with NRSD students & enjoy the opportunity to interact & learn some basic Italian Sign Language (Florence dialect). The group will discuss observations & comparisons made during the visit, synthesizing the experience into a meaningful lesson.
Day 7: Florence
Enjoy breakfast before starting the day’s activities, arranged by the professor.
Day 8: Siena
Depart for Siena & check in to your hotel upon arrival.
Day 9: Siena – Bologna
This morning, visit the Siena Art Institute & the Pendola Institute. Meet with faculty & students at the school.
The Siena Art Institute Onlus has a strong commitment to deaf accessibility, in association with partner programs at the Siena School for Liberal Arts & the Mason Perkins Deafness Fund. The Institute offers courses in LIS (Italian Sign Language) & ASL for students, members of the community & certified interpreters.
Day 10: Bologna – Padua
Visit the Gualandi Residential School. Tour the school & learn about the residents’ daily routines. Meet with students in the school & have an opportunity to interact & learn some basic LIS (Bologna dialect). After leaving the school, take some time to discuss comparisons observed during the visit. In the afternoon, travel to Padua & check in to your hotel.
Day 11: Padua
Depart for the Padua Residential School. Tour the school & learn about its daily routines. Then, take some time to interact with students & learn some basic LIS (Padua dialect).
After leaving the school, the group will synthesize the experience into a meaningful lesson by discussing observations & comparisons made during the visit, then blog about what they learned. Next, visit a local
deaf club. Meet deaf people from the area, enjoy local stories in LIS & try your hands at signing with Padua locals!
Day 12: Padova – Venice
After breakfast, depart for Venice. Enjoy a meeting at the Ca’Foscari University of Venice Department of Linguistics & Comparative Cultures. Then, tour the facilities & attend a lecture comparing Italian & U.S. cultures, given by one of the country’s few deaf teachers.
Later, check in to your hotel.
Day 13: Venice
After breakfast, enjoy your last day in Italy. Tonight,
gather for a farewell dinner.