All posts by Edina Kurtovic

Free Language Learning Workshops!

Events, International Students Events, News, Tips & Opportunities,

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For students learning Spanish, English, or any other language

Wednesday, March 4 at 12:30 – Second Language Learning Strategies –Library

Presenter – Dr. Fernando Ojeda

This workshop will focus on strategies to enhance second language learning. Typical problems will be proposed that hinder second language learners, and personal experiences will be shared from the classroom to highlight the strategies and identify problem areas.

 

Wednesday, March 25 at 4:00 – Mini-Grammar Lesson for Non

Presenter – Judy Macdonald-Native Speakers –Library

Learning how to use articles correctly in another language can be difficult. This workshop is designed to teach advanced level non-native speakers of English three simple rules to get it right every time!  (Bring a writing sample if you wish.)

 

Wednesday, April 29 at 4:00 – Strategies for Timed Writing Exams –Library

Presenter – Professor Melanie Paden

Learn how to reduce stress and focus on effective strategies for planning, writing, and proofreading an essay exam within the time limit. This workshop is excellent preparation for the EAP final writing exams.

To learn more click here!

SPC 2015 Innovation Grant for Study Abroad!

Bonaire, News, Study Abroad,

turtleHeading out to the Dutch Caribbean this May, Jennifer Fernandes and her study abroad students will be exposed to a unique habitat: an island desert that contains one of the world’s most pristine coral reef ecosystems. The main projects on this program are working with the Coral Reef Restoration Foundation and with the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire.

In correlation with this program’s goals, they were awarded the SPC 2015 Innovation Grant! These grant funds will go toward the use of underwater equipment to:

  • Document/capture underwater life for students to be able to identify for assessment purposes.
  • Document/capture students performing underwater research with the Coral Restoration Foundation in Bonaire and Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire for students to have.
  • Develop a partnership with Coral Restoration Foundation and Sea Turtle Bonaire to continue sending students to help with research and restoration projects and possibly to help students obtain internships or future employment.
  • Utilize the photos and footage filmed to help promote study abroad at SPC.

For more information on:

Congratulations on receiving the SPC 2015 Innovation Grant for the Dutch Caribbean- Ecology and Conservation of Bonaire Study Abroad Program!

Cuba: What’s the New Normal?

Events, News

spw-color-logo-266x300Cuba: What’s the New Normal is a session topic to be presented at the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs. Panelists will debate the pros and cons of Cuba policy, how we deal with Castro’s Cuba as a constant discussion, and particularly now that President Obama has announced the establishment of formal diplomatic relations. Throughout the conference, speakers and sessions will focus on a variety of other international matters as well.

Join us from February 26-28, 2015 at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg University Student Center.

Visit the Program/Schedule for information on the sessions and times.

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A Decade of Preparing Globally Competent Teachers

News, Study Abroad

kidsA huge part of teacher preparation is making sure that our teachers are globally aware and prepared for the students that will enter their classroom. Universities and Colleges have made great strides toward the internationalization of teacher education but there is still a long ways to go.

A recent article posted by Education Week lists three main things that have and have not changed with internationalizing teacher education. According to the article, only about 4.1% of teacher education candidates study abroad within their programs – education majors are the lowest numbers to participate, generally speaking.   Clearly what needs to change is more participation by education majors in study abroad and making internationalization of teacher education a high priority”.

The good news is, SPC has been providing an excellent study abroad program for our education majors since 2012!  “So, we are part of the ‘4.1!’ I have to say that I’m proud that the COE is part of promoting global education” says Professor Cher Gauweiler, who has led the Jamaica Study Abroad Education Practicum through SPC’s College of Education.

View the complete blog article.

To see what SPC is doing to encourage internationalization, visit our website.

A total list of all of SPC’s Study Abroad Programs.

SPC Study Abroad Jamaica Education for pre-service teachers in the College of Education.

LIADO’s 12th annual San Gennaro Festa in Safety Harbor

Events, News

saintEach year LIADO, The Italian-American Women of Today, organize the spectacular San Gennaro Festa to celebrate and share the wonderful Italian heritage.
In the beautiful city of Safety Harbor, Florida, you can enjoy Bocce Courts, Zeppole and Cannoli, Homemade Pasta Fagioli & Meatballs, Cannoli and Meatball Eating Contests, Pizzelle-Making Demonstration, Genealogy Booth, Live Italian Music, and much more during the event!
The event will be held:

  • Saturday, February 21, 2015 — 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 22, 2015 — 11 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Whether you are Italian or simply love all things Italian, join us!

Visit the San Gennaro Festa website for more information!

SPC travels to the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference

Events, International Students Events, News, Success Stories,

image1From February 12-15, 2015, a group of six students from the Latinos United Club at the Tarpon Springs Campus participated in the annual USHLI conference in Chicago, Illinois. Attendees were able to participate in very interesting sessions and forums as well as listen to speeches from very well-known Hispanic political figures such as Bill Richardson, Henry Cisneros, and Antonio Villarraigosa.

Roxana Levin, faculty on the trip, recounted, “Most importantly, I was very proud of bringing such a wonderful group of students who represented St. Petersburg College among 1500 students and advisors/faculty from around the country. It was an amazing experience of leadership and networking”.

Leylin Alvarez, a Latinos United Club Member who attended the conference said that, “It [the conference] was amazing!!… Every trip with SPC has taught me that no matter where you are from, life will guide you where you belong. I don’t know where my final destination is but I can truly say that Latinos United, SGA and USHLI have gave me the most valued experiences in my life.”

The students, along with Roxana Levin and Dr. Juan, are shown in the picture above. The students who attended the conference include: Leylin Alvarez, Reldys Romero, Alyssa Fonseca, Sarah Mazzeo, Josue Isaola, and Juan Oquendo.

Roxana Levin also leads a Study Abroad trip to Spain through SPC! Click here for more information!

The First Virtual Study Abroad Fair February 25!!

Events, News, Study Abroad

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When? February 25, 2015, from 12:00 to 8:00 PM EST | Attendance is Free!

The first Virtual Study Abroad Fair, hosted by CollegeWeekLive, IIE, and the U.S. Department of State, is a unique opportunity for U.S. students to learn more about the benefits of study abroad, program options, potential host countries and funding opportunities. Students and families can log in from 12:00 to 8:00 PM EST to watch live presentations and chat with representatives from all over the world.

Click here for more information.

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Interested in Austria? Salzburg College Comes to St Petersburg/Gibbs Campus February 11!

Events, News, Student Resources, Tips & Opportunities,

sDrop by the SS Lobby at the SP/Gibbs Campus on Wednesday, February 11 and chat with a representative from Salzburg College in Austria! Find out more about wonderful Study Abroad opportunities offered through Salzburg College and how YOU can get involved.

Event Information:

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Time: 10:00-4:00 PM

Location: SP/Gibbs campus SS Lobby (first floor)

For more information on Salzburg College, please visit their website.

To learn more about upcoming international events, please visit the SPC Center for International Programs website.

Global Engagement Institute: Ebola in 2015

News

GEIEvery year has its share of significant world events. 2014 is no exception! From the rise of several crises worldwide to life-threatening incidents here and there, the past year left a number of ordeals that humanity has to address. Ebola is just one of those urgent matters that hopefully 2015 will be the year in which the Ebola virus is completely defeated. So what is happening with this virus and what is the current situation?

Read more about this topic in the new blog post!

Visit the general blog for more articles from the institute!

“A New Look at the Old World” Conference

Events, News

dDaytona State College is hosting a conference called “A New Look at the Old World” on Feb. 6, 2015! The conference will consist of sessions that include:

– The Value of Languages and Intercultural Competence in the Global Workplace.

– Elephant in the Classroom: New Perspectives on Teaching Islam and Europe

– All that Jazz:  Russia & the Cold War

– The Conscious Rise of Social Protest Through Symbolism in ASL Poetry

– Don’t Reinvent the Wheel!  Use Your Language Textbook Creatively for a Student-Centered Classroom

– Florida’s American Association of Teachers of French will hold a function along with this conference beginning Friday evening and continuing through Saturday.

More information that you need to know:

– To register, email: cornelr@daytonastate.edu (Please put Feb. 6 Conference Registration in the subject line.)

– We will have certificates of attendance, We will award CEU credits for secondary school teachers (new this year).

– There is no cost.

– We will serve breakfast (provided by DSC) and lunch (provided by Vista Higher Learning).

– Hampton Inn near Daytona State for more info. They have given us a $79 room rate which includes a hot breakfast.  The rate is from Feb. 4-8. The rate is per room, not per person.