Students on Arcadia's study abroad program at the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy have completed a unique volunteer project with a local farm in Umbria, Italy. The Orsini Family's Agriturismo, a small-scale farm producing wine, olive oil and fagiolina beans, welcomed the students into their home and business over several weekends to help with the harvest.
Since 2005, Arcadia has maintained a deep, long-standing relationship with the Orsini Family, originally taking students to volunteer on the farm as an orientation activity. Because of such strong student interest in this event, Arcadia began to coordinate with Lisa George, Community Engagement & Student Services Intern at The Umbra Institute, to expand the opportunity beyond orientation week. The students worked hard to contribute to the farm and experienced the warmth, fun and camaraderie of a wonderful Italian family and community. Ms. George describes the experience in her blog(!!!!).
Other volunteering events that Arcadia Students at The Umbra Institute can take advantage of include a UNICEF workshop helping make Pigotta (or, Raggedy Ann) dolls and to raise money for vaccinations of mothers and children in third world countries. Students could also tutor local High School students in English.