UNF students gain global perspective on deaf education in Rome

Students and alumni from the University of North Florida’s Silverfield College of Education and Human Services (SCOEHS) traveled to Rome, Italy this summer for a transformative study abroad experience centered around the International Congress on the Education of the Deaf (ICED). Led by SCOEHS faculty members Dr. Caroline Guardino and Dr. Dawn Wessling, the program brought together students from Deaf Education, ASL/English Interpreting, Psychology and Nursing to explore the intersection of language, culture and education on a global stage.

The weeklong experience included participation in ICED 2025, one of the field’s leading international conferences focused on advancing best practices for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. Students attended keynote sessions, panel discussions and symposia, engaging with scholars and practitioners from around the world.

Dr. Guardino chaired a symposium titled Immigrant Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Additional Language Learners: Considerations & Recommendations for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices. She also presented two international research studies, one based on interview findings and another on focus group findings, conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Canada and Germany. The research explored how educators across global contexts implement responsive teaching strategies with d/Deaf multilingual learners.

“This conference not only allowed us to share UNF research with a global audience but also helped students see firsthand how international collaboration can shape the future of education,” Dr. Guardino shared.

For many students, the opportunity to attend ICED was particularly meaningful. “Going on this trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” one student reflected. “The International Congress on the Education of the Deaf only happens every five years. The last time it was held in Italy was the infamous Milan Conference of 1880, where Alexander Graham Bell advocated for a ban on sign language in favor of oralism. Since then, the Deaf community has made significant strides in recovering from this rhetoric and reclaiming the importance of sign language.”

Outside of the conference, students immersed themselves in Roman history and culture. They visited iconic sites such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. A hands-on Italian cooking class and several cultural outings offered students opportunities to connect across disciplines and reflect on how culture shapes language, identity and learning.

“Visiting historic sites was amazing from the Colosseum, which was a stone’s throw from our hotel, to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican,” the student added. “My biggest takeaway was from our tour guide, Susanna, who emphasized the importance of ‘being someone who enjoys life’ and embracing the present.”

The interdisciplinary nature of the group allowed for rich conversations around how different fields, including education, interpreting, psychology and nursing, approach support for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Students left the program with a renewed sense of purpose and a broader perspective on the value of language, community and connection.

This study abroad experience exemplifies UNF’s commitment to preparing professionals who are thoughtful, informed and ready to make a difference both locally and globally.