One group of students volunteered in Peru, while another studied in Italy, as part of the Sophomore International Experience.
Despite her family tree having no branches that trace back to Italy, Kaitlin Sidorsky ’11 (Rocky Point, NY) felt like a native as she spent two weeks in the country earlier this spring as part of Bryant’s Sophomore International Experience.
“It was truly a unique experience to live as Italians do and learn about their history and culture,” says Sidorsky, who was one of a group of 30 students who lived and studied in Italy for two weeks. The trip was lead by David Lux, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Lori Johnson, assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and director of Academic Advising; and Elisabetta Misuraca, lecturer in Italian.
Sidorsky valued the opportunity to see firsthand what she had studied in books and on the Internet throughout the spring semester. “In many college classes, I’ve been able to read about different places around the globe,” she says. “For the first time, I was able to visit what I studied, which made me appreciate it that much more.”
She encouraged future SIE participants to take advantage of everything the trip has to offer – as she did. One day after climbing the 436 steps to the top of the Duomo in Florence, she joined her classmates for a walking tour of the city.
“Although I was exhausted,” she says, “I will never forget the experience as I ended up seeing one of the most beautiful and historic churches I have ever been to.”
A helping hand
While one group of students immersed themselves in Italian culture, another team spent the beginning of their summer break south of the equator volunteering at a women’s shelter in Peru. Twelve students spent 10 days interacting with children in the shelter and learning about the plights of their mothers. The students also raised more than $1,000, donated 560 pounds of clothes and toys, and helped paint the shelter’s dining room.
“This was really an amazing trip,” says Todd Degnan ’11 (Mechanicville, NY). “No matter how good we have it, there are always opportunities to help others in need.”
One of the most poignant moments came on the first day volunteering at Casa de Mantay, when the director spoke passionately about the complicated and sad situations of the mothers at the shelter.
“Personally I was suppressing tears, and I know her words inspired and motivated our group to give all that we could during our short time volunteering at the shelter,” says Katie Gorham, ’10 (Perry Hall, MD), who was part of a group of three students from Bryant’s chapter of Amnesty International that organized the trip.
Gorham, who also volunteered last summer at an orphanage in Kenya, says one of the most satisfying parts of the trip was assembling a team of students who were passionate about making a difference.
The Bryant group in Peru at Machu Picchu, an ancient site of the Incan Empire.
“We all complemented one another,” she says. “We developed some great relationships and we able to achieve a lot in ten days.”
One of the students, Ronnie Blanchard ’12 (Bristol, RI), knew firsthand the impact the trip to Peru would have. The Peruvian descendent visited Lima last April to volunteer in the poor, rural part of the capital city. As expected, the trip left quite an impression.
“I will most remember the looks on the children’s faces,” he says. “Some were clean and others were covered in soot, but all were happy."
Adds Kevin Concannon ’10 (Beverly, MA) “It was amazing to me how much they had been through yet they were still smiling and pushing on.”
Bringing the books to life
Both trips provided a forum for students to take their learning outside the walls of the classroom.
For the students exploring Italy, their prior study of the country’s history and culture gave them a vivid background.
Top row (L-R) Kaitlin Sidorsky ’11 (Rocky Point, NY), Kristina Aceto ’11 (South Portland, ME), Laura Kopek '11 (Meriden, CT) and Amy Howell '11 (CLifton Park, NY). Bottom row (L-R) Corinne Schweitzer '11 (Andover, MA), Elizabeth Caledonia '11 (Brockton, MA) and Meaghan Delaney '11 (Centerville, MA) in Fiesole.
“Our predeparture research made the daily tours come to life,” says Kristen Aceto ’11 (South Portland, ME). “It was surreal to see such great monuments as the Coliseum and the Roman Forum.”
Before the trip, each student was responsible for studying different noteworthy attractions. “Each time we visited a new place, someone in the class knew about it and could tell us about what they learned,” says Victoria Royals ’11 (Torrington, CT).
When showing her pictures of the trip to family and friends, Amy Howell ’11 (Clifton Park, NY) keeps finding herself saying that the pictures just don’t do justice to the real thing. “No book or picture will ever compare to what you actually get to see through your own eyes,” she says.
Bryant students in Peru volunteering at Casa de Mantay.
In Peru, the students learned firsthand about the volatility of a developing country when their volunteer work was disrupted for one day when the city was shut down by rioting.
“The trip takes them to a whole different level and brings challenges that they likely have not encountered,” says Patricia Gomez, a lecturer of modern languages who accompanied the students to Peru along with Associate Professor of Modern Languages Tony Houston. “This was definitely an experiential learning opportunity that can’t be replicated in the classroom.”
Despite her family tree having no branches that trace back to Italy, Kaitlin Sidorsky ’11 (Rocky Point, NY) felt like a native as she spent two weeks in the country earlier this spring as part of Bryant’s 
While one group of students immersed themselves in Italian culture, another team 
