Dream Trip to Sicily
Donation protected
Greetings friends and family!
This fall, I have the incredible opportunity to travel to Sicily for three months. I will be staying with a wonderful family helping their daughter learn English, working with her Monday through Friday for a few hours in the morning and afternoon. They have been extremely welcoming, and I couldn’t be more excited about this life changing experience.
As most of you know, I received my elementary teaching credential and masters degree just over a year ago. While living and teaching in San Diego, the students I have worked with inspire me daily. I strive to give them moments that build their confidence, encouraging them to follow their passions, interests, and dreams. This fall, I have the opportunity to follow my own dream by volunteering in a town called Trapani, on the west coast of Sicily about a half an hour away from Custonaci, where my grandma Maria was born and raised. Luckily, she still has relatives that live there, so I will be able to meet and spend time with them, which is incredibly exciting. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with my grandma’s stories about her childhood, about her town, and what daily life was like. As a little girl, I can remember sitting at the kitchen table asking her to translate words from English to Italian, recording diligently in my notebook, while she was busy bustling about in the kitchen (one of her favorite places) :) Her famous meals bring our family together. She puts so much love into each meal she makes, and always remembers everyone's favorite dish. She is the glue that holds our family together and is very loved.
One of the things I am most excited about is sharing what I’ve learned abroad with my family. I feel extremely honored that I will be able to bring back pictures and stories for everyone, connecting them to a place they may not all be able to visit. My grandma’s children, my cousins, and our sweet great grandchildren will be able to see where our beautiful matriarch came from. It’s an opportunity to learn about our family’s history, culture, and customs, connecting us to a distant part of the world. I’m specifically interested in learning more about Custonaci, Trapani, and the surrounding area. I’m especially looking forward to sharing my experience with my grandma when I return, showing her how things in Custonaci look now, compared to the last time she visited. My hope is that my recordings of this trip, compiled with stories my grandma has shared over the years will work to keep her memory alive for years to come. I’m also confident that this experience will enhance my teaching practice and, hopefully, will encourage my students to have faith in following their own dreams. Experiencing the world first hand will be eye opening for me, broadening my perspective, increasing my knowledge, giving me more to offer my students when I return.
Because it is a work exchange, I’m considered a volunteer so I will not have an income. While I have worked to save up all that I can, any additional funds would be greatly appreciated! Donations will go toward some weekly meals and travel expenses. Having additional funds to travel around the island while I am there would give me a much better picture of Sicilian culture, food, art, and architecture. The more I am able to explore and experience during my time in Sicily, the better picture I will be able to gain of Sicilian culture as a whole.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post. I am kindly asking you to please consider donating to support my journey to Sicily. I am very excited to share my adventures with all of you!
With love,
Victoria
This fall, I have the incredible opportunity to travel to Sicily for three months. I will be staying with a wonderful family helping their daughter learn English, working with her Monday through Friday for a few hours in the morning and afternoon. They have been extremely welcoming, and I couldn’t be more excited about this life changing experience.
As most of you know, I received my elementary teaching credential and masters degree just over a year ago. While living and teaching in San Diego, the students I have worked with inspire me daily. I strive to give them moments that build their confidence, encouraging them to follow their passions, interests, and dreams. This fall, I have the opportunity to follow my own dream by volunteering in a town called Trapani, on the west coast of Sicily about a half an hour away from Custonaci, where my grandma Maria was born and raised. Luckily, she still has relatives that live there, so I will be able to meet and spend time with them, which is incredibly exciting. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with my grandma’s stories about her childhood, about her town, and what daily life was like. As a little girl, I can remember sitting at the kitchen table asking her to translate words from English to Italian, recording diligently in my notebook, while she was busy bustling about in the kitchen (one of her favorite places) :) Her famous meals bring our family together. She puts so much love into each meal she makes, and always remembers everyone's favorite dish. She is the glue that holds our family together and is very loved.
One of the things I am most excited about is sharing what I’ve learned abroad with my family. I feel extremely honored that I will be able to bring back pictures and stories for everyone, connecting them to a place they may not all be able to visit. My grandma’s children, my cousins, and our sweet great grandchildren will be able to see where our beautiful matriarch came from. It’s an opportunity to learn about our family’s history, culture, and customs, connecting us to a distant part of the world. I’m specifically interested in learning more about Custonaci, Trapani, and the surrounding area. I’m especially looking forward to sharing my experience with my grandma when I return, showing her how things in Custonaci look now, compared to the last time she visited. My hope is that my recordings of this trip, compiled with stories my grandma has shared over the years will work to keep her memory alive for years to come. I’m also confident that this experience will enhance my teaching practice and, hopefully, will encourage my students to have faith in following their own dreams. Experiencing the world first hand will be eye opening for me, broadening my perspective, increasing my knowledge, giving me more to offer my students when I return.
Because it is a work exchange, I’m considered a volunteer so I will not have an income. While I have worked to save up all that I can, any additional funds would be greatly appreciated! Donations will go toward some weekly meals and travel expenses. Having additional funds to travel around the island while I am there would give me a much better picture of Sicilian culture, food, art, and architecture. The more I am able to explore and experience during my time in Sicily, the better picture I will be able to gain of Sicilian culture as a whole.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post. I am kindly asking you to please consider donating to support my journey to Sicily. I am very excited to share my adventures with all of you!
With love,
Victoria
Organizer
Victoria Bernazzani
Organizer
San Diego, CA