Service Learning

During my study abroad trip, I signed up to do some volunteer work in order to gain a better understanding of the people living in Italy. I spent multiple days at an activity center for adults with special needs to work on their social skills and be taken care of during the day. This lovely place was called Gli Aquiloni or “the kite.”

 

Here my classmates and I worked on making pottery with the residents and making pizza together! Each event ended with us eating a snack (or pizza) together and celebrating our experience. I was most excited about this experience as many of you know that I absolutely love working with the special needs community. I have dedicated the last 4 years of my life volunteering and now interning at different nonprofits that work with children and adults with special needs and disabilities. Additionally, I spend my junior year of college researching autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and how this correlated to motor coordination and school readiness!

All in all to say, I am very passionate about this community and was so excited to interact with people born in raised in a different side of the world! The hardest part about my experience at Gli Aquiloni was the language barrier. As they all spoke only Italian or were nonverbal, this made for more difficult conversation. This was a great example of how nonverbal communication and showing eagerness to engage in the activity mixed with compassion goes a very long way. By the end of each day, many of the residents were asking if I’d come tomorrow in which I’d reply excitedly, “dormani (tomorrow)!”

 

I really enjoyed getting to also meet the staff at Gli Aquiloni as they were all so loving and passionate about their job. They truly did a great job making a safe space for their residents and fun experience for their volunteers!

 

Here are some pictures from my volunteering at Gli Aquioloni!!

I also helped to coordinate an event through my study abroad school, Sant’Anna to celebrate diversity and the underrepresented populations in Italy called “Orgoglio“! This party was open to all residents in Sorrento as well as the school itself! Myself and two other classmates worked together to make decorations, do activities, and make the overall party a success to celebrate those from different cultures, backgrounds, languages, and lifestyles!

 

My primary focus during this party was to make an interactive, colorful, art piece for all guests to interact with. Within five canvases, I asked guests to write the words: love, celebration, freedom, passion, and peace in their own language or a word related to the prompts. Together these five canvases created a large heart that will be displayed in Sant’Anna! 

 

Here are some pictures of our Orgoglio event!

I had a wonderful time doing all of these volunteer experiences as I believe that giving to others is the best thing ever! In total, I spent 20 hours doing service work in Italy to serve the local community!