This summer, nine Gallaudet University students traveled to Siena, Italy, through Gallaudet’s longstanding partnership with the School of Liberal Arts’ Deaf Studies Department at the Siena Art Institute. Led by the Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Global Learning, Rowena Winiarczyk, G-’10, known as Rue, students participated in an intensive three-week academic and cultural immersion program from June 3–25. Through the program, they immersed themselves in Italian Sign Language (LIS), Italian deaf culture, and Italian.
Gallaudet students who participated this year are pictured above, left: Back row, L-R: David Figueroa, Tina Tremblay, Prashant Parmar, Eliandy De La Cruz, Nayley Colmenares Rodriguez, and Joshua Victor Cypert. Front row (L-R): Hadassah Sklar, Christian Jimenez, JoElla Ocasio Bailey
Beyond the classroom, students discovered life in Siena, explored neighboring cities and towns, and connected with members of the local deaf youth community. For Junior Prashant Parmar, the experience was his first exposure to Europe, Italy, and the Italian language and culture. “I absolutely loved it. I learned so much from meeting people from different backgrounds, learning a new language together, experiencing the amazing food and local culture, and creating memories that I’ll continue to cherish,” said Prashant.
The Gallaudet-Siena partnership is over 20 years old, and continues to look ahead and build for the future. The Siena School is exploring the addition of a community-based learning project in Greece for Gallaudet students to participate in, to precede the study abroad program in Siena. During this year’s Go Global Fair on November 11th, faculty from the Siena School will be in attendance for the campus community to engage with directly to learn more about the program.
Keep up with Education Abroad and join the next cohort studying in Italy. Get a behind-the-scenes look at students’ travels and learnings in Siena here and by following @gallyabroad on Instagram.
