INTENSIVE THREE-WEEK IMMERSION FOR DEAF STUDENTS
June 19^th - July 11^th 2009 . Siena, ITALY

Program Description
Our language program brings together Italian and American students in a unique academic and cultural experience.
In this intensive three-week program American students will have the opportunity to learn Italian Sign Language (LIS) and written Italian, both in class and through interaction with Deaf Italians. At the same time Deaf Italian students will be learning ASL and written English. All students will thus benefit from the possibility of having linguistic models on the premises.

The culture component of the course will introduce American students to Italian culture and, where appropriate, specifically to Italian Deaf Culture.
The program is developed for motivated students who wish to explore and engage in a new culture and community through the challenge of learning its language and discovering its cultural heritage. The course is timed so that students can participate in the Palio festivities, a once in a life time experience: the famous horse-race run in the historic square, Il Campo.
Language and culture classes will meet daily and the school will also organize optional excursions in and around Siena and other fun activities.

All students will live in self-catering apartments in the center of Siena.

To see some of our previous work with the Deaf community, please visit our vlog

Course Hours
LIS, Cultural Studies and Italian: 75 contact hours

Faculty and Staff
LANGUAGE
Debra Cole, MA in Linguistics; EdD candidate, Columbia University; ASL/English Instructor, New York
Luigi Lerose, PhD candidate in Linguistics, University of Klangefurt; LIS Instructor, Siena School

CULTURAL STUDIES & ACTIVITIES
Rita Sala, MA in Sociology; professional interpreter and vice-president ANIOS (National Association of Sign Language Interpreters); Deaf Culture Instructor, Siena School
Carlo Di Biase, Degree in Art and Art History, Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti Genova; LIS Instructor, Genova
Joseph Hill, PhD candidate, Gallaudet University; 2008 Fulbright Scholar
Scottie Allen, MA in Deaf Studies, Gallaudet University

Program Consultants
Debra Cole, MA in Linguistics; EdD candidate, Columbia University; ASL/English Instructor, New York
Elena Radutzky, Director Mason Perkins Deafness Fund, Rome

Program Dates
Arrival in Pisa June 19^th
Ground transport is arranged from Pisa. Should you decide not to use this service and make your own way to Siena, we request that you inform us and that you be in touch with our office to organize your arrival in Siena.

End of program July 11^th
Please make sure your return flight leaves no earlier than 1 pm on Saturday 11^th, to allow you time to get to the airport.
The Siena School organizes ground transport for students’ arrival only.

Costs
Cost breakdown:
- Tuition                                                                         1.400,00€
- Apartment Rental                                                           450,00€
- Program Fees:
      cultural visits
      bus pass                                                                    
      final dinner                                                                 500,00€
      wireless internet at the program center
      transcript
      loan of a cell phone
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