All posts by Edina Kurtovic

Workshops- Leading Candidates to US Citizenship

February 2, 2015Events, International Students Events, News, Tips & OpportunitiesInternational Events, Tips & OpportunitiesEdina Kurtovic

Group workshops in American history & government to prepare for the United States Citizenship Exam. All welcome and free of charge.

The intent of the course is to help those seeking citizenship, but all students and members of the community are welcome.

The workshops include brief lectures by professors (5 minutes) and one on one reviews with SPC students of the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) government and history materials that are tested on the Naturalization Exam.

There are four workshops this semester. All take place on Friday mornings from 9 am to 11 am at the Clearwater Campus in ES 127. Each class is independent and it is not necessary to register in advance.

February 6th – An Introduction to the Founding Fathers; George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson
February 20th – Special Presentation for Community Relations Director, Kristen Smith of USCIS, will explain the naturalization process.
March 20th – The three Branches of the United States government; Legislative, Executive and Judicial.
April 17th – United States Civil Liberties, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War

It is a great opportunity for learning and fellowship. Our student ambassadors look forward to meeting and guiding people through the basic lessons. Each lesson is prepared by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service and includes vocabulary and language objectives.

If you have any questions please contact: preston.suzanne@spcollege.edu or call (727) 791-5963.

Study Abroad and Earn College Credit!

January 29, 2015Events, NewsInternational EventsEdina Kurtovic

Spring Study Abroad Fair 2015

Tuesday, Feb. 3^rd, 6-8pm
SPC’s Clearwater Campus: 2465 Drew Street Clearwater, FL 33765
Room: ES 104
Free pizza will be served!

Join us for the Study Abroad Fair at St. Petersburg College!

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
Enter for a chance to win the $200 Study Abroad Deposit Fee Waiver!

Available 2014-2015 programs:

Australia
Bonaire
Canada
Costa Rica: (Learn more at the upcoming Meet and Greet Feb 9^th, CL Campus in ES 314 at 5pm)
Ecuador: (Learn more at the upcoming Meet and Greet Feb 16^th, TS Campus in GA 421 at 5:30pm)
Ireland
London
Italy High School
South Africa
Spain: (Learn more at the upcoming Meet and Greet Feb 26^th, CL Campus in ES 314 at 6pm)

Check out the student posts right here on our Study Abroad Blog for an idea of what the programs entail and what experiences past travelers have had!

We look forward to seeing you there!

The White House Focuses on Study Abroad!

January 16, 2015NewsInternational NewsEdina Kurtovic

The White House and its staff has been focusing on a goal to raise awareness of the benefits of cross-cultural education and cultural exchange through study abroad. This goal will boost international student mobility across borders and will broaden students’ visions about the world. As an important driver of public opinion, the media have the ability to use their influential voices to educate readers about the importance of study abroad and encourage more U.S. students to engage in meaningful travel. This was the goal of the White House Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship which occurred on December 9th, 2014.

A key point also in focus at the summit was that “Right now, only 1% of U.S. students study abroad each year. To enhance America’s economic vitality, future security, and global leadership, we must exponentially increase study abroad opportunities for all students”.

Study abroad is one of the best ways to provide students with the foreign language and cross-cultural skills necessary to compete and thrive in today’s global economy.

For more information on the White House Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship visit the NAFSA blog post and the blog posted by the White House.

For more information on our programs, visit SPC’s Study Abroad Programs.

New International Student Orientation

January 8, 2015International Students Events, NewsInternational StudentsEdina Kurtovic

On January 6 & 8, 2015, the Center for International Programs welcomed 25 new students for New International Student Orientation. These students hail from 11 different countries (Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Kuwait, Laos, Philippines, Scotland, Senegal, Venezuela, and Vietnam).

Pictured are new and current students from the Clearwater Campus. Students met with Peer Mentors and forged networks to enhance student success.

International Education helps all!

January 8, 2015NewsInternational NewsEdina Kurtovic

download The U.S. Department of State sponsors international exchange programs to build and sustain a democratic and prosperous world for everyone.

They promote world collaboration through language learning, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, women’s and girl’s empowerment, and climate change awareness. Watch the full video to get a better idea of how study abroad can change your life!

International education is for everyone. Learn more about how you can study abroad today!

For information on U.S. Department of State:

For information on SPC Study Abroad opportunities:

Teaching in Jamaica: Priceless

December 27, 2014Jamaica (Education), Study AbroadJamaica (Education)Edina Kurtovic

Photos taken by the SPC Jamaica Education Study Abroad Students.
Jamaica Education 14

SPC students loved every second of teaching at Kendal Primary School in Jamaica!

December 21, 2014Jamaica (Education), Study AbroadJamaica (Education)Edina Kurtovic

Photos taken by the SPC Jamaica Education Study Abroad Students.
Jamaica Education 15 10390313_10200185239030456_4795731395476987356_n Mt. Airy Lunch time with some of our new friends!

TED helps people around the world learn new languages!

December 18, 2014International Students Events, News, Tips & OpportunitiesInternational News, Tips & OpportunitiesEdina Kurtovic

TED today shares ideas from a broad spectrum — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Encouraging international blending, TEDBlog has released a new article about how to learn a new language. Some participants in TED’s Open Translation Project have shared their secrets to mastering a foreign language.

They boil down to these seven important points:

Get real
Make language-learning a lifestyle change
Play house with the language
Let technology help you out
Think about language-learning as a gateway to new experiences
Make new friends
Do not worry about making mistakes

Learning a new language can be difficult but TED can help! View the article to read more about the seven points to remember while learning a new language!SPC Study Abroad offers language learning opportunities through these programs:

Spain – Spanish Language Immersion. Click here to learn more.
Costa Rica – Emphasis on the medical field, business or law enforcement. Click here to learn more.

San Martino Festival: Italian American Club

December 3, 2014Events, NewsInternational EventsEdina Kurtovic

The Italian American Club: Bocce League of Pinellas County presents the San Marino Festival! This festival is a fund raising party and the proceeds will go to benefit the Bocce League.