“Diving at a reef called “Alice in Wonderland” we saw a lot of amazing stuff. My favorite was the basket stars all tangled up in the gorgonians. They were everywhere and the colors were amazing!!!!” – Jody Hartlove, Bonaire 2015 Study Abroad student.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiMVBUvO5vk
In February 2015, a group of six SPC students from the Latinos United club attended the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Upon their return, the club applied for a Foundation grant to assist them with their 3rd Annual Latinos United Banquet, which they were grateful to receive. With the assistance of the Foundation grant the students were able to hold a very successful Banquet on April 16, 2015, at the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus. “We wanted to bring the experiences we learned at USHLI back to SPC to show everyone what we have learned, so we decided to host this banquet” said Reldys Romero, co-president of the Latinos United club. Fellow SPC students, faculty and staff were all invited to attend this elegant banquet as the six participants gave presentations on their learning experiences USHLI.
“Our goal is to try and do better for people out there and do good in the community” said Juan OQuendo Jr., SGA Representative, “I really hope that we got to share that message with everybody, what leadership is all about.” The group was able to successfully host this event thanks to the assistance of their passionate and supportive advisor, Roxana Levin. “It’s been such a pleasure to work with this very enthusiast group of students” said Levin, advisor of the club and also lead faculty of the Spain 2015 Study Abroad program, “it has been an amazing journey and I’m very proud of them.”
To create a cultural tapestry for the evening, the Latinos United club opened the event by serving delicious tapas then later offered an exquisite dinner. The event also embraced the musical aspect of the culture as two elegant flamenco dancers surprised everyone with their beautiful moves. The flamenco duo included one of our very own Study Abroad students, Rachael Nelson, who will be participating in the Spain 2015 Study Abroad program. Nelson wasn’t the only Study Abroad student who participated in the Banquet. Reese Drew, a member of the Latinos United club, is also a Spain 2015 Study Abroad program participant.
The Center for International Programs congratulates the Latinos United on hosting such a beautiful, cultural evening.
Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. is sponsoring an International Bazaar event.
The event will take place April 22-24, 2015 at the Clearwater Main Library (100 N. Osceola Avenue, Clearwater, FL.)
Funds raised will be used to support the Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. Student Exchange Program as well as other Sister Cities activities. For more information on this event, view this flyer.
For more information on upcoming international events, please click here to visit the SPC International Programs website.
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You’re invited! Come and celebrate the success of the Latinos United Club:
For the past three years, the Latinos United Club has attended the USHLI conference in Chicago. The conference provides leadership training to club members who are selected to attend. Read more about the 2015 conference trip here. To showcase the knowledge members acquired while in Chicago and to reward members for their hard work, the Latinos United Club organizes an annual Banquet. Consequently, this year is the 3rd Annual Banquet.
The Banquet is free and open to all SPC students, faculty, and staff who register by April 10th! The Banquet will feature prizes, food, and drink with leadership workshops followed by an awards ceremony and dance! Attire is semi-formal and you must register to receive a welcome packet upon arrival.
RSVP and register by April 10th through the survey provided to confirm your attendance!
For any additional information, please contact: Leylin Alvarez.
Eleven internationally-minded SPC students participated in the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs on February 26 – 28, 2015, using this unique three-day opportunity to mingle with over 2,500 session attendees and 41 speakers. In addition to attending sessions headlined by such illustrious guests as Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, students attended seminar luncheons which provided information about careers in the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Foreign Service. We hope someday, these SPC students will be the ones wearing suits and sharing information about their international careers to a new group of bright young minds.
Click here for more information on the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs.
Click here for more information on SPC International Programs.
Had the opportunity to visit Cuba in late January for a long weekend. Quite a study in contrasts: energy and lethargy, poverty and promise, beautiful renovated historic sites aside crumbling buildings and infrastructure. As part of a large group of business and government leaders, I was more curious than anything else. Even with the recent easing of relations and restrictions, travel to Cuba is highly regulated, and as a public institution in Florida we are not able to establish exchanges or other partnerships.
But change is coming. You can see that in spite of a country that has seriously deteriorated first as a result of the U.S. embargo and then the fall of the Soviet Union, there is momentum away from a strict communist state and toward small pockets of capitalism. Citizens can rent out rooms and the best restaurants (Palidars) are run by chefs.
From take-off to landing, it takes less than an hour to travel to another world. We were fortunate to be visiting the weekend the first official state department delegation was meeting their Cuban counterparts. We saw Andrea Mitchell broadcasting live from the square. And we got a great ride through town in a ’56 Chrysler convertible.
It was a great time to visit: pure Cuba warts and all. The beautiful bones. Before the fast food joints and chain hotels arrive….
Post writted by: James Olliver, Provost, Seminole Campus, St. Petersburg College.
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Did you know that the largest human migration in history is taking place right now in Asia? Every year, millions of people make their way home to celebrate the Lunar New Year (also widely known as the Chinese New Year), effectively shutting down all business operations to welcome the year of the sheep. Some of the countries that celebrate this holiday include China, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet and Vietnam.
Why is the Lunar New Year so important? It goes way, way back. If you don’t know the history, you can learn a little bit about it here. Oh, and did you want to see what the largest human migration in history looks like? Go here for a fascinating look!
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Save the date! You’re invited to the St Petersburg Conference on World Affairs on February 26-28, 2015, hosted by USF St Petersburg.
This three-day conference is open to everyone (students, faculty and staff), and will consist of 15 panels covering today’s major issues. Want to discuss how to formulate a better foreign policy? Global warming? How to cooperate with China and our neighbors?
Click here to sign up!
Transportation available for SPC students, faculty and staff from the Tarpon Springs, Clearwater and St. Petersburg/Gibbs campuses.
For more information on SPC International Programs and international events, click here.
For more on events at USF St Petersburg, click here.
Dominic Gianfrancesco, a Spring 2014 SPC graduate, is the first student to participate in SPC’s newly established international internship! Gianfrancesco interned as a business analyst for Tech Data in San Jose, Costa Rica for six weeks in November/December 2014.
“Tech Data is appreciative of the opportunity to partner with St. Petersburg College in support of their international internship program” said Marian Morlock, Director of Human Resources at Tech Data. Morlock continued, “internships are a win for students, academic institutions and employers. They provide invaluable hands-on experience to supplement what is learned in the classroom. Low in cost and high in value, internships prepare students for the workforce while creating talent-ready job applicants.” Jason Krupp, Director of Workforce Services, agreed, stating that this was a “great example of how internships lead to increased employment opportunities, and how SPC teams worked together to help a student connect with one of our areas top employers.”
Ramona Kirsch, Director of SPC International Programs, added, “this type of international partnership is an important collaboration in which an academic institution and a global corporation see first-hand the essential role that global competencies and international job experience plays in a graduating student’s ability to be competitive in the marketplace and to secure employment.”
Along with his daily work at Tech Data as an intern, Gianfrancesco was also immersed in Costa Rican culture full of delicious food, soccer, volcanos, white water rafting, hiking, and zip-lining! In his final blog Gianfrancesco wrote, “Overall, I could not have asked for anything different. I see great things ahead of me and I am extremely thankful to everyone at both St. Petersburg College and Tech Data for supporting me through this journey”. Follow Dominic’s journey through the weekly posts he submitted to the SPC International Blog.
Upon his return to the US, Gianfrancesco was offered a job with Tech Data, which he graciously accepted! SPC would like to congratulate Dominic on completing the first SPC international internship and for securing immediate employment in a great company!
Click here to read all of Dominic’s blogs
Click here for information on SPC International Programs
Learn more about SPC’s Costa Rica Spanish Study Abroad Program
For information on SPC Study Abroad Programs
Click here for more information on SPC Internships
The US Teaching Assistantship Program provides the opportunity for students from the United States to work as secondary school teaching assistants in communities all over Austria. Students will gain classroom experience and also serve as linguistic and cultural ambassadors for the United States in secondary schools throughout Austria.
Applicant Qualification: Applicant must be U.S. citizens, have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement (or be completing one when they apply), and ideally be interested in careers in education or public service. A working knowledge of German is also required to facilitate on-site orientation and work.
Duration: U.S. teaching assistants are employed from October 1 – May 31 of the school year.
Status and Salary: U.S. teaching assistants teach 13 hours per week, usually at two different schools, under the supervision of licensed teachers and supervisors. U.S. teaching assistants will receive a net salary of approximately €1,105 per month.
Deadline: Complete applications are due January 15, 2015 for the program year 2015-2016.