Volunteering Abroad

An important component of the Study Abroad Italy Program in Syracuse involves integrating students into the local culture and community.  For many, being a volunteer abroad represents an opportunity, one that they simply haven’t had time to realize back home where they juggle work, school, and a busy social life. As a volunteer, students will have the opportunity to explore their own culture, ideas and expectations with respect to the local realities they will encounter while giving back to their host community.  The relationships made as a result of these experiences can be life long and life changing for both students and locals alike.

Study Abroad Italy, with its local non-profit partner organization for this initiative, Vita e Cultura, Amici di Max, aims to offer assistance to the local community by placing volunteers in important local projects that range from arts education and language initiatives in local schools, to working with immigrants, the elderly, and the disabled.  These projects vary from term to term based on the needs of the community and the host organizations.

Current Projects

After School Projects: Hosted by the local MCAS program, this project works with groups of the most disadvantaged children of the Ortigia Historical Center, collaborating with local schools, various local artists and specialists in creating innovative after-school programming.  The themes and types of classes run depend on local need as well as specific student experiences.   

English Language Assistants: These programs have a rather wide range of possibility, depending on the available classes being taught at the local school site and SAI student strengths and skills.  To date students have worked with English language teachers, assisting and helping to initiate class structure and style.  SAI students have also developed and executed art projects that have included mural installations of children’s art works as well as taken part in workshops in music, visual arts, audio visual and photography.

Big Brother & Sister: These encounters take place at the local school site and work with schools in the Syracuse community in establishing a one-on-one link between study abroad students and local children.  The spirit of this initiative is in developing the trust and friendship of the more disadvantaged children at school sites with specific project goals and initiatives being created by students, faculty and little brothers /sisters. 

Associazione Chiesa Bosco Minniti:  This local organization works with immigrants, mainly from West and Northern Africa, assisting them in becoming legalized in Italy, find jobs and assimilate into the Italian culture.  The organization provides housing, legal assistance, job placement as well as a number of social/cultural events and formation classes.  SAI students will provide support in all of these areas as well as cultivate events/activities involving other students and the local community that can range from pot-luck dinners to international soccer games.

Past Initiatives  

Consorzio Plemmirio: The human impact on the beauty that surrounds us here in Syracuse is an important reality for both students and locals. The Consorzio Plemmirio represents and protects the Marine Reserve of Plemmirio and is active in a number of areas ranging from education about the environment in local schools, organizing eco-friendly marine tourism initiatives and protecting the environment through beach clean-ups.  This volunteer project offers SAI students the opportunity to get involved in the planning and execution of the various social-environmental projects promoted by Consorzio Plemmirio.

Associazione Amici di Strada:  This program is also hosted by the Bosco Minitti Church and works with groups of at-risk youth.  This program organizes weekly meetings with its members to discuss upcoming events and workshops as well as creating an open forum for the group’s members to express their lives and personal issues.  Students take part in such meetings, as well assist in organizing social and cultural events. 

Arci Ragazzi Summer Art Camp: After local schools close for the summer, children are left with lots of spare time on their hands.  This free time can lead local kids into some less than positive environments.  For this reason, ARCI Ragazzi, a national Italian Organization that works with disadvantaged children nationwide in developing programs that focus children’s energy towards the arts through activities.  During the Summer Sessions, students can support these art programs donating their time to improve the outlook of others.

Esibarte: A relatively new local initiative that works with local youth in producing theatrical performances & video production, starting with the selection of the piece to be performed, costume design, music and performance.  The project of developing theatrical/video work is as much about the journey (preparation) as it is about the final destination (performance), with pieces often-times being used to discuss larger issues that may touch the lives of its group members.  The group works closely with the director in project development, and SAI students help and assist in all areas.

Student Quotes

I’d say without a doubt this was one of the most positive and helpful educational experiences I’ve had. Working with Italian children and being able to communicate in Italian and English has both given me an incredible burst of confidence in my lingual ability and shown me how I can make an educational impact on someone other than myself.
-Dorian, Spring 2008

Culturally, my experience working at the primary school was invaluable. I was able to get to know the students, professors and other faculty at the school and interact with them several times a week. There was a definite connection with everyone at the school that carried over into my daily experience as well. Seeing my students or professors out on the street was a great way to acclimate to the environment and fell part of the community.
-Aaron, Spring 2008

Spectacular!!! Some of these experiences are the highlights of my life. Through my internships I not only became more confident in myself and more proficient in speaking Italian, but also made many Italian friends. I do not believe I would have been invited by Italian locals for coffee or dinner at their houses as much as I did without these internships.
-Donald, Spring 2008

This was one of the most positive aspects I believe to studying abroad. I loved making personal
relationships with local Italians. Seeing my students and their families out in Ortigia and saying “ciao” was one of the best things. Also, knowing that I was able to make an impact on these kids, just as much as they had on me was very uplifting. I really feel like this program helped me to really experience the larger Italian culture. I would recommend it to all study abroad students.
-Rosemary, Spring 2008

My time spent in the preschool here in Ortigia will be some of the most important memories I’ll have from my study abroad experience. Not only did it make me feel more comfortable with the community and living in a foreign country, but it was also a way to relax and just enjoy my time here. The kids in the school were amazing and I completely fell in love with them. I would highly recommend the internship program for anyone coming to Ortigia in the future.
-Catherine, Spring 2008

By volunteering at the elementary school, I was able to get a better feel of how the rest of Italy lived through seeing the kids all the time. I think this internship was an essential part of studying abroad. This experience has been priceless; being able to see your kids at the local shop and even saying hi in passing in the street really makes you fell like you are a part of the community. The only hard part is leaving the kids you have bonded with for the past 10 weeks.
-Linh, Spring 2008

This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. The collaboration of family, culture, teaching and
personal growth made this experience something that will stay with me forever. There is nothing
greater than seeing your students out on the town, this personal relationship brings you into the
community impacting your life as much as theirs.
-Samantha, Spring 2008