SiS Newsletter - March 2012

Newsletter Archive

Recent News March, 2012

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• All children should learn foreign languages.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17466166

• Dual-Language Programs Growing In California.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/dual-language-programs-gr_n_1372804.html

• Spanish makes up half of all language classes.
http://www.oudaily.com/news/2012/mar/13/spanish-makes-nearly-55-percent-all-language-class/

• Learn Spanish Discovering Northern Spain.
http://www.timesunion.com/business/press-releases/article/Now-Learn-Spanish-While-Discovering-Northern-Spain-3436983.php

• Students prepared for a global marketplace.
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/global-languages/Content?oid=1979328

SiS Student Ambassadors

• Danielle Boucher

SiS on the road

• Study in Spain will be traveling throughout the US again this academic year.

Amigos del español

• Ben Stiller

Institution Profile

Madrid, Sal y Ven con Nosotros

Interview Lounge

• José Lezcano

 

Danielle Boucher

My fascination with Spanish culture began as a young teen while reading book about a road trip to Sevilla. I loved everything I read about, from the tiny, winding streets to the everlasting sunshine. My interest furthered during high school when my family hosted an exchange student from Valencia. His descriptions of his modern yet historical city enthralled me.

Several years later, after much indecision, I decided to study Spanish at the University of Kentucky. To further my knowledge of Spanish language and culture, I spent the last academic year living in Sevilla with a Spanish family. Studying Spanish and going to Spain were two of the best decisions I have ever made. I will always greatly cherish my time there, from the tiny winding streets and sunny afternoons by the river, to the full splendor of Semana Santa and la Feria de Abril.

When I returned to the States and learned of the student ambassador position, I realized it would be a great opportunity to share my experiences abroad. As Student Ambassador in Kentucky, I have participated in a variety of events promoting Spanish culture. My favorite was the Cena Española when we cooked and ate empanadillas de atún, croquettas de espinacas, tortilla española, and arroz con leche —all recipes I had learned from my Spanish host mother. The Study in Spain ambassadorship has provided me the perfect opportunity to share and continue devoloping my passion for Spanish culture.

 

 

Study in Spain will be traveling throughout the US again this academic year

Following the path of 2011, in 2012 Study in Spain will keep its participation in the most important education fairs and events.

Since its opening, the Embassy of Spain-Trade Commission Miami, with the support of ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade) and EDUESPAÑA have carried Study in Spain all across the US in an effort to promote international education in Spain.

The rewards have been undeniable, as Spain is the third preferred destination for American students worldwide.

This is a brief preview of the projected participation of Study in Spain. The dates and/or events may be subject to changes.

APR
NECTFL, Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Laguages
21-22 APR
Baltimore, MD
Study in Spain information booth.

MAY
NAFSA CONFERENCE AND EXPO
May 28 - June 01
Houston, TX
Official Pavilion of Spain. Islands 819-833, 918-932, 919-933, 1018-1032

JUN
EDUCATION ABROAD WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS W2
June 18-24
MADRID, SPAIN
Participation of 15 U.S. university administrators, faculty and study abroad program administrators.


Read more...

 

 

Ben Stiller
Actor

You had some lines that were in Spanish, how is your Spanish?
Is not fluent. I do understand a little bit and I can say a word here and there. I’m working on this new movie and I have some more lines in Spanish. I definitely want to learn Spanish.

For what movie are you learning Spanish?
Neighborhood Watch that’s coming up and I’m excited about that. It should be fun. It’s got a great cast. It’s a rated R comedy about aliens coming to the suburbs with Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade.

Can you keep a conversation in Spanish? (Speaks Spanish)
No. (Laughter) You speak to fast in Spanish.

Why are you interested in Spanish?
Many people in this country speak Spanish. My kids speak Spanish. I would love to understand what they say when they talk in Spanish (laughs)

What was it like to work with Eddie Murphy as an actor and a producer in Tower Heist?
I really had been a fan of Eddie’s for a long time, I mean we are pretty close in age, but he’s been a star for so long, and so kind that I feel like I grew up watching him as a teenager, in my 20s, even though we are close in age. And so he’s kind of iconic, and I think he’s extremely talented and one of those guys who has sort of a mystique about him, you don’t really know who he really is and he has this ability to go really big and broad but he also is a really good actor and so working with him, I was a little bit kind of wanting to, it’s that thing where you are not totally comfortable with somebody because you don’t know them in the beginning and you are kind of being on your best behavior, (laughs) you want to try and do your best, because you respect him and that was a sort of good place to come at from the beginning I think, we started to, I think we both sort of were respectful of each other, but also, didn’t really know each other, and it was interesting for the movie because that was sort of a little bit of the dynamic of the movie too.

Do you think you never could escape becoming an actor when it comes to your background?
I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s about escaping or not because this was something—for me, it was never really about being an actor. It was more about being wanting to be a filmmaker – making movies and directing. The acting was something that I enjoyed also but I was never focused on that. I mean I guess I was when I was younger in addition to the directing but…

Did you ever think about something else non-showbiz?
I thought for a little bit about archeology. {Laughing} I know it sounds silly but…

Why is that?
Because I like history. As a kid, I loved history. That’s why I did Night at the Museum movies because I grew up going to the Museum of Natural History and loved going and looking at all those dioramas in the past and all that stuff and Ancient Egypt. I was interested in that.

What drew you away from it?
Well, I never really was that committed to studying like that. As a kid, I was not a great student. I loved movies more so I think when I saw Jaws when I was 10, I was like that was what I wanted to do.

How about your kids? You were surrounded by only people working in show business more or less. Will you be disappointed if they don’t end up working in that business or would you be happy?
Oh yeah. You know what? I really don’t have a preference. Either way I’d be happy as long as they’re happy doing what they want to do. I mean I’d be sort of thrilled if they ended up doing something outside of show business. I think that’d be kind of novel in our family. {Laughing}

You are pretty active on Twitter, how has that changed the dynamic with the fans?
It’s a really interesting thing, I’m a pretty private person, so I’m not one of those people who are like sort of like comfortable saying, my wife and I are going on a date, and I feel like Twitter, that’s the most interesting kind of Twittering, is when people are telling you things about your life that you are interested in, but I kind of don’t feel that comfortable with that, so it’s kind of interesting when and I don’t feel comfortable like in terms of doing work for our foundation and trying to spread the word about the need in Haiti or I work with Project ALS, we are trying to find a cure for ALS, things like that, we do charity work, or social causes, that’s a really great way to connect with people, and I find it fun, it’s fun a lot of times, it’s fun to get the feedback from the fans and people, fans and not fans, (xxxx-laughs) it’s crazy, there are a lot of insane people out there in the world. (Laughter) Or at least insane Twitterers, but overall, it’s great to be able to say hello to somebody in Russia, or something like that, or connect with somebody, follow with somebody that you find interesting, even if they are famous or not famous.

What would you say if any is the key to your success?
I honestly do not have any insight into that. (Laughter) Honestly I don’t, I mean I feel very fortunate to have a career and have opportunities, I love doing what I do and but how that works, the path I think for me is sort of a constant with me is that I’ve always enjoyed what I do and I’ve always sort of worked at it and felt when times weren’t happening, I would just sort of try to find a way to do what I wanted to do, to create somehow. But I think this is such a crazy business, there’s no formulas for it at all, cause there’s so many talented people who don’t work as much as they should, and I don’t know how that balance works and how that, I sort of think it’s just the luck of the draw.

And maybe it has to do with the characters that you have played.
Well I think any actor in terms of movies, if you are in movies that connect with people, that’s what allows you to keep making movies, that people go to the movies, so it’s being able to work with people that I think are making films that are, that connect with people. And characters, all I ever try to do when I’m playing a character is try to find whatever the connection is that I have personally with that character, whether it’s a little bit or a lot, and that’s where we go from trying to find the reality, even in a silly movie.

Do you still have to fight for some roles or do you’re in the position now to pick and choose basically?
You know I think anybody who’s an actor, if you’re going to be in other people’s movies, you’re at the mercy of how people see you. If you want to go outside of the box with something, then you do have to put that out there, if you’re interested in it, you know or if somebody, it depends. It’s not like there’s a movie and there’s a director and something you’re interested in and you put yourself out there for it.

So you’re still nervous to get rejected sometimes when you really wanted the role?
Yeah, I guess. It’s a strange thing because once you have options, it’s up to you which way you want to go. So if you’re willing to put yourself out there, it’s great. Some people are going, “You know want. I’m just happy to do my thing.”

Speaking of that, how do you feel about aging as a comedy actor? Do you see any difference 10 years ago?
Why, do you? {Laughing} What are you trying to say?

At a certain age, for women, it gets difficult than for men to do comedy.
Well, at any age for an actor. I mean actor, talking about being at the mercy, is as you grow older, as you change as a person that affects the roles that you play.

In comedy in particular?
I think in movies. I mean in movies, there’s an age range of roles. For women, it’s much harder I think across the board anyway. It’s just harder because there’s less interesting roles written for them. For actors, you know, it’s just a natural thing because it’s just always been in movies. When you’re young, you play younger roles; when you’re middle aged, you play middle aged roles; when you’re older, you play older roles; and who goes to see the movies and who plays lead roles in movies obviously is determined but that’s just part of life. I think that’s something you just have to accept. It’s not you’re going to spite against but that’s just the reality of movies too.

You met with a Norwegian Crown Princess do you remember that?
Yeah.

Can you just talk to me a little bit about how that experience was to meet her?
Well, she was very nice (laughter) I was talking to her, we were sitting at the table, and she was nice, she was saying, yeah, I had just gotten to New York, and it’s been a crazy week here and we were talking about CGI I guess, what was going on, and I didn’t know who she was and I said oh that’s great and so what do you do? She goes, I’m the Princess of Norway. (Laughter) Oh, that’s cool. (Laughter) She didn’t lead with that, she didn’t tell me. And I was like, I should have checked her name on the name thing, oh yeah, Princess of Norway. She was beautiful and she was really nice, but she was really unassuming, and it was funny, I had told my wife right after, I was like, I had this conversation with this woman, she was really nice, then she told me she was the Princess of Norway. Now usually in New York if somebody tells you that you think they are insane, (laughter) like a bag person or something, but she was definitely the real thing. No, she was very nice.

Did you meet the Princess of Spain?
No, I think it was just her.

 

 

Madrid, Sal y Ven con Nosotros

Name: Isabel Balmaseda Gómez
Position: CEO
Address:
C/ Cochabamba, 17, Escalera Derecha, Bajo C
28016 Madrid. España
Tel: + 34 91 457 47 79
Fax: + 34 91 457 47 77
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.salyven.net/

Description:
“Sal y Ven con Nosotros” is a company, specialized in accommodation in Madrid for North American groups of students, which has over 20 years of experience. They welcome all the students who want to learn Spanish, enjoy the Spanish culture or have a linguistic stay in Spain, under their slogan “Housing specialists for American students”.

The company provides:
- Insurance of civil responsibility, 300,000 €
- Student accident insurance, disability or death, 30,000 €.
- All families have home insurance.
- Guidance in the city the next day of the student’s arrival.
- Service to accommodate students.

Accommodations:
They have several types of accommodation.

• Shared apartments: Housings are fully furnished and equipped (Dishes, cutlery, electrical appliances, sheets, blankets, pillows…) and internet connection. All the rooms have a bed, a desk, a chair, a lamp and a bedside table. Aparments located in the neighbourhoods of Madrid, ideal places to discover the Spanish culture and its ways on living. There is also weekly cleaning service of common areas such as living room, bathroom and kitchen.
• Family homes: A stay with a Spanish family is the ideal choice for a student to really speak Spanish outside the language courses and get used to the Spanish way of living. Our families are selected for their kindness, involvement in the adaptation of the students as well as for the comfort of their homes. These stays include laundry services, cleaning of rooms and replacement of sheets and towels once a week. Students may choose from two different meal plans: breakfast and dinner or breakfast, lunch and dinner (all included). All families have internet access.
• Dormitories: Most of dormitories have double rooms, daily cleaning, living rooms, tv room, laundry room, internet access and all meals included.

For more information:
Web: http://www.salyven.net/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/salyven.alojamientosmadrid?v=wall
Phone: + 34 91 457 47 79
Fax: + 34 91 457 47 77
Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Address:
C/ Cochabamba, 17, Escalera Derecha, Bajo C
28016 Madrid. España

 

José Lezcano

When was the last time you have been to Spain?
The last time I went to Spain before the December 2011 Eduespaña trip was in July of 2011. I was in Barcelona for the International Festival of Latin American Song, a program founded and continued by Colombia-born soprano and musicologist Patricia Caicedo. I serve as guitarist at the festival, accompanying singers and performing a solo recital.

What do you enjoy most about Spain?
I believe what I enjoy most about Spain are its people. Also, I have long been a deep admirer of Spanish culture, not just music, although a large portion of my repertory as a concert classical guitarist is Spanish music by composers such as Rodrigo, Torroba, Turina, Falla, etc. And I love Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona for their energy, crowds, food, excellent public transportaion, and nightlife. The Spanish countryside is also beautiful with its olive groves and castles in the distance.

What do you think are the advantages of Spain as a destination for American students?
I think that my students in the music program, particularly, would benefit from a Spanish study away experience. To hear Spanish music at the source, to learn from teachers who have grew up and live in Spain. And students in the course that I wish to offer, which is tentatively titled Spanish Music, Society, and Culture, will benefit greatly from an on-site course.

Could you describe the Study Abroad programs your university has with Spain?
Currently, programs that I know of are language immersion study-away courses in Sevilla and Salamanca. But students have studied in other Spanish cities, I know.

How satisfied are, in general, American students going/studying in Spain?
I have never heard any complaints from American students who have gone to study in Spain. Of course, mature students know and expect that the food, customs, accomodations, and creature comforts will be different (not better or worse) than they are in the United States.