• Italy

Overview

This exciting course will take participants on a journey of discovery to Italy where they will compare & contrast American & Italian Deaf Cultures. Participants will visit schools, political organizations & clubs
for the deaf, all of which will off er a glimpse into deaf life in Italy.

Highlights

  • Students will learn samplings from local dialects
  • Institute for the Deaf & the European Union of the Deaf – Gain an understanding of the politics of deaf life, including citizens’ rights
  • National Residential School for the Deaf – Interact with students & staff
  • Siena Art Institute & the Pendola Institute – Discuss deaf accessibility with students & staff
  • Gualandi Residential School – Talk with students & staff to learn more about daily life
  • Ca’Foscari University of Venice, Dept. of
  • Linguistics & Comparative Cultures – Lecture from a local deaf teacher comparing Italian & U.S. cultures
  • Padua Residential School – Discuss observations & comparisons

Itinerary

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.