Di Mauro-Jackson's ‘Gruppo Italia 2019’ is bound for Europe over summer break

Each summer, Dr. Moira Di Mauro-Jackson, senior lecturer in the Department of World Languages and Literatures, leads a group of students to Florence and the Amalfi Coast, Italy, for a five-week study abroad program that highlights the importance of service learning and volunteering while teaching Italian life, language and culture.

While abroad, the students assist an elementary school English teacher and help in a senior center, supporting the residents playing tombolone (an Italian version of bingo). In the Amalfi Coast, they engage a group of Italian individuals in occupational therapy activities such as cooking, dancing or making pottery, while learning about the country’s history, culture and language.

“I have so much fun every year in Florence and the Amalfi Coast with my faculty-led Study Abroad program, and this gives me the opportunity to do research abroad,” Dr. Di Mauro-Jackson shared of her annual trip. “My greatest joy is to teach foreign languages and their cultures in a fun and facilitated environment while maintaining the quality of the immersion courses taught on campus and in Italy. I love to see them grow and mature under my guidance.” 

She received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Education in 2017 and has been teaching students French and Italian at Texas State University since the ’90s. She credits her passion to attending then Southwest Texas State University as an international student in the early ’80s and feels that teaching students and directing the Study Abroad program is her way of paying it forward.

The Service-Learning Excellence (SLE) Program qualifies these courses as a SLE-Designated classes. ITAL 1410, 1420, 2310, 2320, 3308, 4390 and HON 3397H, 3391W and 4391 have received the Service-Learning Section designation.