Spaghetti fundraiser marks a decade for NU Brantford’s Italy trip

A group of Nipissing University Brantford students are sharing some Italian culture and food before they head to Italy for an international teaching placement.
The students are hosting a spaghetti dinner at the Rossini Lodge to raise funds in support of their trip.  The dinner, held on March 18 from 5 – 8 p.m., is open to everyone.  Tickets are available at the door, $10 for adults and $5 for children.

All proceeds raised from the dinner will be used to purchase teaching supplies for the students to use when teaching in Italy.

The group heading to Italy includes 42 students and faculty members Dr. Christine Cho, Dr. Julie Corkett and Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams. The trip departs on May 1 for a 21-day placement.  Students will be will be teaching English in the schools of Sulmona, in the Abruzzo area of Italy.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the international practicum to Italy organized by Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education, and the Brantford community has been a big supporter.  In 2009, just four days before the Nipissing students were scheduled to depart to Italy, the city of L’Aquila was devastated by an earthquake and the students had to travel to northern Italy instead.  The Brantford Italian community assisted the University of L’Aquila by fundraising $34,000 to purchase technological equipment that had been destroyed by the earthquake.

“Brantford can be proud of how the community has always stepped up to support this trip and our educational partners in Italy,” said Cantalini Williams.  “The relationship between the Brantford Rossini Lodge, the Hamilton Dante Centre and our faculty has sustained this practicum. More than 300 students have benefitted from the Italy practicum, gaining valuable knowledge, skills and insights into the curriculum, classroom management, and teaching strategies of an international education system. Students consistently return from this international practicum with wonderful learning experiences and lifelong memories.”