Both the Lorenzo de’
Medici (LdM) and AACUPI sessions held on November 15 in Palazzo
Vecchio for Florens 2010 were a reminder of just how much the foreign
study abroad community does to give back to the city of Florence.
LdM’s lecture focused
on empowerment and how this emerging theory can promote cultural
heritage as well as personal and social growth; the AACUPI session,
Learning Through Experience, highlighted meaningful examples of
community involvement by study abroad students.
In that session, Mary
Beckinsdale, director of Studio Art Centers International, showed
examples of frescoes by students who were commissioned by local
hospitals to brighten pediatric and oncology wards as well as waiting
rooms and nurses’ offices. Monica Giovannini, director of Richmond
College, described a student project that involved with workshops and
restaurants on via Santo Spirito to help re-create a sense of
community.
Syracuse University
Florence students provided testimony of their engagement with the
city: Jenece Reyes read a moving story of her volunteer experience
with cancer patients at Careggi and Meyer in the company of the famed
Milano 25 taxi. Costanza Menchi from Florida State University and
Gilda Carina Conte of Rsa-Ra Ist. San Silvestro described the
meaningful interactions that have taken place over two years between
150 students and the residents of a retirement community.
Finally, Fairfield
University representatives Joanne Maddux, director, and Lisa Friend,
academic internship coordinator, discussed the philosophy behind the
community service programs at AACUPI member schools. Through the many
civic engagement programs offered, students act upon their
convictions for the welfare of others and evaluate their own personal
growth. Moreover, students, the city, and its residents all benefit
in the process. Source www.arttrav.com
