All posts by Anna Faiola

The Impact Hurricane Irma Had On An SPC International Student

Hurricane Irma

By now, many of you have heard or seen the historical catastrophe Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Irma was an impact on our nation; the biggest threat Florida ever had. I personally never been in such situation not knowing what to do or feel as an international student coming from overseas. I was handling it well until my area that I live in turned into a mandatory evacuation. When I heard that, I began to panic not knowing what would happen if I stay. My brother and I started looking for tickets to Texas and unfortunately, every flight was fully booked. It reached to the matter that we started looking for renting a car to drive all the way to Dallas. After hours of looking for tickets online and making phone calls, we gave up and decided to stay at our friend’s house that happens to live in a safe area. For the whole night I was overthinking about what will I do and how am I going to handle this if something happened. I even started thinking about my family, wondering if I’m ever going to see them again if this hurricane hits us.

At 6 AM, I decided to look again online for tickets. And surprisingly I found a flight that’s taking off in two hours. And so I booked that flight and with no hesitance, I woke my brother up, told him that I found a flight. We changed our clothes, took our suitcase and gunned through my car. We rushed to the airport and checked in. Thankfully the flight had an hour delay, so I had time to go wash my face at the restroom. My experience with this weather was great and bad. Great? Yeah, because I got the chance to visit my aunt that lives in Dallas, and the chance to eat from a fast food restaurant called “In-N-Out” that’s only located in California and Texas.

World Science Day for Peace and Development November 10th

diverse cultures

World Science Day for Global Understanding

What is it?
The World Science Day for Peace and Development draws attention to the important role of science in and for society and shows that science, peace and development are interlinked. By tying science more closely to society, World Science Day for Peace and Development strives to ensure that people are informed of new scientific developments. Objectives of World Science Day for Peace and Development are to promote solidarity for shared science around the world, to use science to benefit societies, and to draw attention to the challenges that science faces. We invite everyone to take place in celebrating science on this day. The success of the World Science Day for Peace and Development is based on the active involvement of many partners, including civil society, scientific and research institutions, professional associations, the media, science teachers and schools.

What’s this year’s theme?
This year’s theme is “Science for Global Understanding”. Global Understanding is key to peace and sustainable development in that it promotes knowledge sharing among people for action and change. Science is thus central to Global Understanding, as it not only helps us to understand the world and each other but assists in designing, developing and implementing the change we aim for.

How can I participate?
It’s easy to be part of this year’s World Science Day for Peace and Development! You can start as small as telling people about this day and incorporating its message into speeches, lectures or discussions you attend. Taking it a step further, you can organize an event like an open house of your institution, a visit to a science museum or a classroom discussion. Make sure to connect with others and to spread the message about the importance of science for sustainable societies using #worldscienceday and following@UNESCO on Facebook and Twitter!

2018 China Rising Star Study Tour Now Taking Applications

2018 China Rising Star Study Tour

The International Consortium invites students to participate in the winter 2018 China Rising Star Study Tour, sponsored by the China Education Association for the International Exchange (CEAIE). This two week study tour will be held from January 7 to January 20, 2018 in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, with a focus on arts and design. Forty American students, along with students and faculty members from Chinese higher vocational colleges, will participate.  Activities will include workshops on student artistic creation and design, site visits, and cultural experiences.

CEAIE will pay for all participant expenses in China, including lodging, meals, in-country transportation, academic programs, and cultural tours.  Participants will be responsible for paying for their international flights, Chinese visas, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

Students eligible to participate in this study tour must:

  • Be US citizens
  • Be 18 to 30 years of age
  • Have an interest in China and Chinese culture
  • Be willing to promote education exchange and cooperation between China and the US

The application deadline is November 10, 2017.

About the Program

The China – U.S. Rising Star Student Study Tour is a flagship student exchange program under the framework of the China – U.S. High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in the sector of vocational education. AASCU’s International Education Office, as co-sponsor of this initiative, along with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) selects students from its member universities featuring programs focusing on a variety of thematic areas of vocational education and applied learning, to experience two weeks of intensive training and study in host Chinese higher vocational colleges. The 2018 Winter tour will focus on different areas of art and design.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support and funding by the Ministry of Education of China.

Goals of the 2018 China Rising Star Study Tour

  • Strengthen cross-cultural communication skills of student participants;
  • Improve the professional capacity of the student participants, and
  • Facilitate the increase of students studying in China in the vocational education sector

For more information, please contact Mandy Lautzenheiser at mandy.lautzenheiser@rockets.utoledo.edu.

SPC Center of International Programs

Study Abroad Scholarships Deadline September 27, 2017

Study Abroad Scholarships Deadline September 27

Mark your calendar: Study Abroad Scholarships Deadline September 27, 2017

Did you know that St. Petersburg College offers various scholarships that can help you fund your dream study abroad program?  The scholarship deadline is THIS Wednesday, September 27, 2017 – apply now before it’s too late!

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarship guidelines:

  • You must be degree seeking
  • You must be in good academic standing
  • You must meet all Study Abroad program qualifications listed here
  • The Study Abroad scholarship will NOT cover the entire cost of the Study Abroad program
  • Filling out a scholarship application does NOT guarantee award of funds

Essay questions:

The scholarship application will require two essay questions. Your answers to these questions are an important consideration of the scholarship selection committee.  Please provide clear responses that directly address the questions below, giving concrete examples.  Each essay must be at least 150 words or more.  We suggest that you draft your responses first in a word document to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or misspelled words. Remember, these scholarships are very competitive, so ensure your answers will provide a clear representation of why you would be deserving of the scholarship.

Scholarships like the one I got can make a huge difference in your college experience. Having the trip to look forward to helped me stay on track and finish my last semester. I think that students should take advantage of all the great scholarships SPC has to offer. I got to visit a foreign country that I had never expected to go to.” – Karah (read more)

The Study Abroad scholarship that I received from SPC was the best gift I could ask for. Before my study abroad program I never traveled overseas so this was a first for me.” – Shelby (read more)

Questions? Email us at studyabroad@spcollege.edu or call us at 727-341-4735.

 

SPC Study Abroad Scholarships Deadline is September 27, 2017

Study Abroad Scholarships Deadline

The Study Abroad Scholarships Deadline is September 27, 2017: have you put in your application yet?

Thanks to these amazing scholarships, study abroad is now within reach at St. Petersburg College!

See below the full list of study abroad scholarships available for all programs.

Program Amount Deadline
Greece $2,000 Sept 27, 2017
Honduras $2,500 Sept 27, 2017
Ireland/Scotland $3,000 Sept 27, 2017
New Zealand $3,000 Sept 27, 2017
Spain $2,000 Sept 27, 2017

Scholarship guidelines:

  • You must be degree seeking
  • You must be in good academic standing
  • You must meet all Study Abroad program qualifications listed here
  • The Study Abroad scholarship will NOT cover the entire cost of the Study Abroad program
  • Filling out a scholarship application does NOT guarantee award of funds

Essay questions:

The scholarship application will require two essay questions. Your answers to these questions are an important consideration of the scholarship selection committee.  Please provide clear responses that directly address the questions below, giving concrete examples.  Each essay must be at least 150 words or more.  We suggest that you draft your responses first in a word document to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or misspelled words. Remember, these scholarships are very competitive, so ensure your answers will provide a clear representation of why you would be deserving of the scholarship.

Past scholarship recipient quotes:

“Scholarships like the one I got can make a huge difference in your college experience. Having the trip to look forward to helped me stay on track and finish my last semester. I think that students should take advantage of all the great scholarships SPC has to offer. I got to visit a foreign country that I had never expected to go to.” – Karah (read more)

“The Study Abroad scholarship that I received from SPC was the best gift I could ask for. Before my study abroad program I never traveled overseas so this was a first for me.” – Shelby (read more)

Don’t miss this opportunity! Apply now to one of our SPC Study Abroad Scholarships.

Questions? Contact Anna Faiola via phone at 727-712-5883 or via email at faiola.anna@spcollege.edu.

Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair Coming September 19

Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair

Attend the Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair and learn about SPC Study Abroad programs!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to study abroad? Do you have an urge to travel the world? Are you interested in expanding your horizons and step out of your comfort zone?

If you answered yes to these questions then you should attend the upcoming Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair on September 19, 2017 at the Clearwater campus in ES 104 from 12pm-2pm.

During the fair, you will hear information on the all available study abroad programs offered by St. Petersburg College. Faculty and students from the programs will be there to present each opportunity, highlighting the important details that you will need to know. After the presentation they will be around allowing you to get to know them one on one and to ask any questions you may have.

Not sure if you are eligible to study abroad? Attend the fair and a study abroad representative will go over the guidelines and qualifications with you in person. (These qualifications are also available online, click here to view them now.)

Want to learn more about the available scholarships? A study abroad representative will be able to show you all the scholarship options currently available. (These scholarship options can also be viewed online by clicking here.)

What to expect from the Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair:

  • Explore different Study Abroad options . . . and learn how you can earn college credit while traveling the world!
  • Meet SPC Study Abroad faculty and learn about what courses are available for each program
  • Learn about scholarship options

Here’s what past study abroad students have to say about their experience:

“My Service Learning Study Abroad experience with SPC was truly amazing and is something that I will hold dear to my heart. I’m so grateful to have gone on this trip. It makes me appreciate all the things I have available to me just living in this country.” (Click here to read more about Chelsea’s experience)

“Studying abroad in Bonaire was the most memorable experience! Not only do you get to meet new people, try foreign foods and experience a new culture, you also receive college credit.” (Click here to read more about Brianna’s experience)

Questions? Contact Anna Faiola by email at faiola.anna@spcollege.edu or by phone at 727-712-5883.

See you at the Fall 2017 Study Abroad Fair!

My beautiful country, Colombia by Maria Clara Novoa

Maria Clara Novoa

Story written by SPC International student Maria Clara Novoa

Maria Clara Novoa dancing cumbia

Colombia. Yes I know what you are thinking Shakira, coffee, Sofia Vergara and guerrilla. My name is Maria Clara Novoa; I am currently studying my AA degree towards psychology at SPC. I am from Bogota, Colombia and I am about to show you the best of this beautiful country including a little bit of my life, and not just what most of people know about my country.I was born in the capital of Colombia, Bogotá. It is the largest city in Colombia with more than 7 million inhabitants. Colombia has a variety of climates and ecosystems that anyone would be happy to experience. We do not have seasons, I know it is hard to believe, but Colombia has the same weather throughout the year, with the exception of some rainy seasons and a slightly colder weather. Colombia is mostly a Catholic country. We like to celebrate every saint’s day, which is why we are the second country in the world with the most holidays. In addition, we have many traditions like the typical dances that represent our history and culture; for instance cumbia, salsa, and folclor.

Maria Clara Novoa doing rafting in San Gil, Santander

One of the things I love and appreciate about my country are the landscapes and beautiful mountains. Since I was a child, I loved to hike and reach the top of the mountain to enjoy the landscape. Besides all this, there are endless tourist places to visit and different activities to do. One of my favorite activities are the extreme sports that you can do in any part of Colombia like rafting, paragliding, diving, windsurfing, and rappelling. Thanks to our different terrains, mountains and rivers we can enjoy many sports and different physical activities. Furthermore, Colombia is the second biggest exporter of cut flowers in the world besides having millions of different species of butterflies, birds, and orchids.

Finally, I encourage you to experience all of this activities and beautiful things about Colombia. I guarantee that you will not regret it, and that you are going to want more of it! If you want to experience a bit of Colombia, talk to any Colombian and believe me, they will demonstrate our culture and tradition from the moment you meet them.

-Maria Clara Novoa, International Student from Colombia

Attend the Honduras Study Abroad Info Session – 9/19/17

Honduras Study Abroad Info Session

Attend the Honduras Study Abroad Info Session and learn more about this once in a lifetime program directly from the Study Abroad professors.

Have you heard about the St. Petersburg College interdisciplinary study abroad program to Honduras? Travel to Honduaras with Professor Sara Brzezinski and Professor Jim Wallis from May 6, 2017 until May 20, 2017 as you earn college credits.

Want to learn more about this program and get a chance to meet Professor Sara Brzezinski and Professor Jim Wallis? Stop by the Honduras Study Abroad Info Session on September 19, 2017 from 12:30pm – 1:30pm at the Tarpon Springs campus in NU 462. Bring your questions!

Available courses
Students must enroll in at least one course from the list below. If desired, students may enroll in both courses, for a total of 6 credits. Students must talk to an advisor to ensure they have met all college enrollment requirements AND course prerequisites.

  • CLP 2140 – Abnormal Psychology – Sara Brzezinski
  • BSC 2362 – Tropical Ecology – Jim Wallis

What’s included in the program cost: Accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in itinerary. Private vehicle transportation unless otherwise noted in itinerary.

What’s NOT included in the program cost: Flight, transportation to and from the Tampa airport, in-transit meals, travel/health insurance, passport fee, excursions and tours not included in the program, tuition, books, personal expenses and souvenirs.

$2,500 Scholarship is available – Deadline is 9/27/17

Studying abroad is within reach at St. Petersburg College thanks to the amazing study abroad scholarships. This year there is an exclusive $2,500 Honduras Study Abroad scholarship. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Click here to submit the application before the deadline of September 27, 2017. The scholarship is very competitive, so please fill out the application very carefully paying close attention to the essay questions!

Need additional funding? More options are available!

Click here to view all other study abroad scholarship options offered by SPC as well as options for external study abroad scholarship.

Please contact a Financial Assistance Services counselor before applying to a study abroad scholarship to see how it may or may not impact your financial aid packet.

Have questions?

Contact Anna Faiola by email at faiola.anna@spcollege.edu or by phone at 727-712-5883.

See you at the Honduras Study Abroad Info Session!

2017-2018 SPC Study Abroad Programs and Scholarships

Study Abroad

The Center for International Programs is proud to welcome the 2017-2018 academic year with ten different, life-changing study abroad programs available to our students. By participating in a study abroad program, students are given the opportunity to take an SPC course in a different country. Studying abroad gives students the opportunity to earn college credits while stepping out of their comfort zone and experiencing new cultures, allowing them to gain a different perspective on life.

Study Abroad
Celeste in Jamaica

“Study Abroad showed me the difference between knowing about the world and knowing the world; not one of my college courses or textbooks could have taught me that.”

-Celeste, Jamaica Education 2015 study abroad participant

The following is a list of the 2017-2018 study abroad programs with their respective courses:

  • France & England – HUM 1020, HUM 2950, PHI 1600, PHI 1600 H, PHI 2103
  • Germany – ENC 1101, ENC 1102, ARH 1000, ART 1300C
  • Greece – LIT 2210, HUM 1020, HUM 2210, HUM 2262, CLT 2373
  • Honduras – BSC 2362, CLP 2140
  • Ireland & Scotland – ANS 3440
  • Italy High School – REL 2300, INR 2002
  • Jamaica Dental – DEH 2702C
  • Jamaica Education – EDE 4942
  • New Zealand – LIT 2110, LIT 2120, ANT 2410
  • Spain – All Spanish levels including SPN 2949

Did you know that SPC offers study abroad scholarships? 

Below is a list of the available scholarships:

Program Amount Deadline
France $2,500 Sept 27, 2017
Germany $2,000 Aug 28, 2017
Greece $2,000 Sept 27, 2017
Honduras $2,500 Sept 27, 2017
Ireland/Scotland $3,000 Sept 27, 2017
Jamaica Dental $1,000 Aug 24, 2017
Jamaica Education $1,000 Aug 24, 2017
New Zealand $3,000 Sept 27, 2017
Spain $2,000 Sept 27, 2017
Study Abroad
Ronelia in Spain

“The study abroad scholarship was my passport to experience the world which started a journey to a better me and hopefully a more tolerant and collaborative global community member.”

-Ronelia, Spain 2017 study abroad participant (click here to Ronelia’s incredible story on our blog)

If you want to study abroad but are not sure how it works and don’t know where to start, stop by one of our offices and we will be happy to walk you through the process. Think you are too busy or that it’s too expensive? That’s what Maryclare thought too, click here to check our her blog post and read about her experience.

Center for International Programs office locations:

  • St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, SA 111 (map)
  • Clearwater Campus, AD 152 (map)
  • Tarpon Springs Campus, DE 442B (map)

Questions? Contact Anna Faiola by phone at 727-712-5883 or via email at faiola.anna@spcollege.edu.

Application Is Now Open For SPC’s New Zealand Study Abroad Program

New Zealand Study Abroad

Join St. Petersburg College faculty and students on the New Zealand Study Abroad program. This life-changing experience will grant you the opportunity to expand your worldview in a two-week immersion program. Travel between the dates of May 10-26, 2018.

Application deadline: January 22, 2018

Please note: While the deadline for this program is January 22, 2018, there are limited spots available! So we encourage all interested students to apply as soon as possible to reserve a seat in this program.

Available courses:

Professor: Jessica Magnani

  • LIT 2110: World Literature I – 3 credits
  • LIT 2120: World Literature II – 3 credits

Professor: Joseph Leopold

  • ANT 2410 – Cultural Anthropology – 3 credits

Think you can’t afford to study abroad? Scholarships and other ways to fund your study abroad program are available. Click here to apply to the $3,000 New Zealand Study Abroad scholarship offered by St. Petersburg College. The deadline for the scholarship is November 1, 2017.

Scholarship details:

To qualify:

  • You must be degree seeking
  • You must be in good academic standing
  • You must meet all Study Abroad program qualifications listed here
  • The Study Abroad scholarship will NOT cover the entire cost of the Study Abroad program
  • Filling out a scholarship application does NOT guarantee award of funds

Essay questions:

The scholarship application will require two essay questions. Your answers to these questions are an important consideration of the scholarship selection committee.  Please provide clear responses that directly address the questions below, giving concrete examples.  Each essay must be at least 150 words or more.  We suggest that you draft your responses first in a word document to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or misspelled words. Remember, these scholarships are very competitive, so ensure your answers will provide a clear representation of why you would be deserving of the scholarship.

 

Want to learn about other scholarship opportunities available for other Study Abroad programs at SPC? Click here!

Want to learn about other study abroad opportunities available to St. Petersburg College students? Click here!