Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

SU Abroad students give back to Florence community through volunteer program

Monday, November 27, 2006, By News Staff
Share

SU Abroad students give back to Florence community through volunteer programNovember 27, 2006Daeya Malboeufdmking04@syr.edu

“Not only taking, but also giving back” is the volunteer program motto developed by Syracuse University in Florence (SUF) and highlighted in an official visit by two SUF students to the Giosue’ Carducci elementary school Nov. 22, joined by U.S. Consul General Nora Dempsey and Daniela Lastri, the Florence town councilor for public education.

In the SUF Volunteer Program, students are asked to push their boundaries during their time abroad, engaging the city in a direct and novel way. Student volunteers visit elementary schools where, utilizing a didactic approach developed by Volunteer Program Coordinator Vittoria Tettamanti, they read American children’s books to Italian elementary school children during their English classes. In past semesters, the volunteer program featured Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Snow White” by the Brothers Grimm, while this semester the choices are Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” as well as his “Foot Book.”

“The interaction of SUF students with the local community is extraordinary and unique, and with my presence I want to show my support for this wonderful initiative,” says Dempsey.

Volunteers incorporate storyboards, flash cards and role-playing (wearing black or red hats to distinguish their character roles) into their English “lessons.” “The kids really began to understand all the rhyming words — it was great,” says SUF student Natalie Virga. “They really liked when we would over-exaggerate words. I was Sam and made sure they knew I did not like the eggs in the beginning.”

The Italian school children receive an activity booklet and a certificate of participation at the end. They will be invited to participate in art and writing contests, with copies of Dr. Seuss books as prizes.

“Involvement, sharing, engaging and immersion are key words in this initiative,” says SUF Director Barbara Deimling. “With this program we would like to see our students engage the world in a very direct and even pragmatic way that is also highly rewarding for the students.”

Interest in the SUF Volunteer Program is very high, both from SUF students and participating schools. Nearly 20 percent of the students have applied to become volunteers, and 11 percent have done the workshop and gone to at least one class. On the other side, about 50 schools have applied, with 250 classes, reaching out to 5,000 Italian school children.

The SUF Volunteer Program brings together Syracuse students and Italian children in a rewarding collaboration based on cultural and linguistic exchange, at the same time furthering SUF’s goal of contributing to and enriching the host community. As Tettamanti noted: “The idea is that our students work together in order to leave something behind, to not only take from this experience but also give something back.”

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Syracuse Remains Among Nation’s Elite Programs in Graduation Success Rate
    Wednesday, December 6, 2023, By SU Athletics
  • Tax Expert Available for Supreme Court Case
    Wednesday, December 6, 2023, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Streaming Wars: Expert Believes Bundle Discussions Could Lead to Acquisitions
    Wednesday, December 6, 2023, By Christopher Munoz
  • Focus Group Participants Needed: Transgender and Transitioning in the Workplace
    Wednesday, December 6, 2023, By News Staff
  • In Memoriam: Phil Quartararo ’77
    Wednesday, December 6, 2023, By Genaro Armas

More In Uncategorized

‘Time, Talent and Treasure’: Alumna Phaedra Stewart ’91 Gives From the Heart

Maxwell alumna Phaedra Stewart ’91 finds it difficult to look at the world without seeing opportunities to connect with people, raise their spirits and empower them to make their lives better. A self-described serial entrepreneur (some might say a serial…

Syracuse Views Fall 2023

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

University’s NCAE-C Designation Renews Through 2028

Syracuse University has been designated once again as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) through the academic year 2028. The program is administered by the National Security Agency (NSA) with a goal of promoting and supporting quality…

Law professor available to discuss ruling that Trump committed fraud for business properties

Reporters looking for a legal expert to help explain the issues facing the Trump businesses after a judge ruled  that former President Donald Trump committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets, please see comments below from legal professor…

Syracuse Views Spring 2023

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.