SiS Newsletter - September 2012

Newsletter Archive

Recent News September, 2012

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• Spain, #3 preferred study-abroad destination.
http://chronicle.com/article/Top-Study-Abroad-Destinations/129706/

• Spain as the link between mother and son.
http://www.philly.com/philly/travel/20120902_Language_of_a_mom_s_love__and_a_son_s_origin.html

SiS Student Ambassadors

• Diana Donnarumma

SiS on the road

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

Amigos del español

• Sofía Vergara

Institution Profile

• Melon District

Interview Lounge

• Torian Lee

 

Diana Donnarumma

"As a SiS Ambassador, I would use my love for the Spanish culture and language to influence my peers to study abroad in Spain, so that they may have the same life changing experience that I did. During a meeting and/or event I would engage my peers with my bubbly, outgoing personality to reach out to other and generate excitement. I believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the experience of studying in Spain, not just the Spanish majors. The proposed rated activities not only will occur, but will be hosted with excitement and emotion, which I will be able to initiate. Additionally, I have lived with host families three times in my life, which were all hosted in Spain. The summer of my sophomore year in high school I studied in Madrid with a family who spoke no English. I really feel that is the best way to learn Spanish, thus I will greatly encourage speaking in only Spanish. The next summer, I spent a month in Castellon de la Plana. Then, this summer I just received 6 credits at the Universidad de Cantabria in Santander. A common belif is the that perfect path to anyone’s heart is by delicious food, so at social gathering the Spanish cuisine will make my peers feel a little more accustomed before they decide to partake in this life changing adventure. I am very excited to host all the activities listed in 3.2 and have others’ lives be changed by my influence. If accepted, I have no doubt that I will represent Spain in an incredibly positive manner and become one of the top ambassadors."

 

 

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.

NOVEMBER
ACTFL - American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
November 16-18
Philadelphia, PA
Spain group participation of Spanish providers.

DECEMBER
STUDY IN SPAIN Annual Meeting and Student Ambassador Award Presentation.
Washington, DC
Reception and award ceremony for the top-10 SiS Student Ambassadors.

DECEMBER
Spain Workshop.
December 10-16
Madrid and selected cities
Spain Participation of 15 U.S. university administrators, faculty and study abroad program administrators.


Read more...

 

 

Sofía Vergara
Actress

Sofía Vergara, the Colombian former Univision TV host who became famous in Latin America for her flirty personality, voluptuous physique and Latin lovers, never intended to be a scene-stealing funny girl on American TV. But that's exactly what she is on ABC's new hit comedy Modern Family. Sofia is the new hot Latina that is coming with the movie New Year’s Eve. With her we talked in Los Angeles about her role of the sassy Gloria, a Colombian icon that she created.

You play “Gloria” in “Modern Family”. What is it about her that you like so much?
Oh, everything. She is the perfect character for me. I get to keep my accent, to speak Spanish, I get to play a Colombian, I have a kid. She is me! (Laughs). And it helps that she has money too.

How has your life changed since you got the part in “Modern Family”?
It’s changed a lot, of course. Money wise I am much happier today than I was before (laughs). But I have been in this business for 22 years. I was used to attention, but this show has taken it to a whole new level.

How do deal with your sex symbol status?
Well, at my age it’s a surprise, no? – I am competing against girls that are 15 years younger than me. I am proud to be competing against them.

Were you always fascinated by the United States?
You know I grew up in a city that was only two hours away from Miami. So, we came to Miami a lot. I grew up very Americanized. I had a fun childhood.

You always seem so happy. Is that a misconception?
No, it’s not. You know, my mother has been through a lot in her life. But we always felt that we didn’t have the luxury to get depressed. You have to live your life. You have to keep living, even when things are not that great all the time. Even in Colombia during the bad times, we would party and have weddings. You never lose hope that things can get better. That’s my philosophy in life. Always keep going.

So why do you think "Modern Family" is such a success?
I don't know. It is a combination of many things. I think it is luck, first of all. I think also we have a great cast. The casting was amazing. We all like each other. We all have chemistry. The writers are amazing, Chris Lloyd and Steven Levitan, the creators; they know exactly what they want from the show. So it's mainly, you know, good luck.

When you were first approached to play this crazy woman with this sense of humor, could you imagine that the show would be a success and even with the awards?
No. No. You never know with television, and I did read the script, and I thought this is a great character for me. This is perfect. I get to be Colombian, have the accent; have a kid; be an immigrant, so it was like fantastic for me. I never thought even from the pilot I started getting recognized in the street. And to be, you know, like one of the most watched shows right now, it's like totally, for all of us, it's unbelievable.

How important is it that the character is Colombian? And what do you think of the jokes about Colombia that make it on the show?
I love it. I think it is fantastic. Everybody loves it. Colombians, we don't get offended because it is not like they are inventing things. It is not like the writers are inventing things about Colombia. It's a reality of what Colombia was and what we can do? We have to laugh about it. The country has changed. It is not like that is happening right now, in Colombia, thank God. So I don't get offended at all. I think it is hilarious. I think it's funny.

So do you get recognized a lot in the street by the fans? And what sort of reactions?
Yeah, it is crazy. You know what; I think in person I look a little bit smaller than on the TV. So people just stare and stare, like “she is... maybe she is not.” The moment I open my mouth, "I knew it." So it's like when I go out with people they are looking at me and its like, "Mom, don't talk now. We are going to be here all like an hour more taking pictures and we need to go." As long as I don't speak I'm safe.

So is there a lot of your personal stuff and from the other actors and maybe the writers as well in the shows since all of you have families?
Well, yeah, for them it is very easy, for example, to write for Julie and more normal families. They all have family sisters, but for them to write for a hot Latin woman, I thought it was going to be a problem, but they are great. They are fantastic. It's like they have created this character so perfect for me. And, of course, the more they know me, the more they get ideas, —sometimes they listen to me telling a story about what happened to me at Christmas or just what happened to me on the weekend.

Does the cast get the chance to improvise in Spanish or add in things when you are filming?
You know what, we don't need to. The script is so fantastic and the group of writers are so amazing that, I'm telling you, even for me when I was worried at the beginning, "How are they going to know how a Latin woman thinks," they write my mispronunciations now. They know me so well we don't even have to — you know, — usually they write like and, "Gloria says something in Spanish" they let me say whatever I want. They are not going to tell me what to say in Spanish. And of course I say something that I think is funny, but it is a lot of fun.

There are not a lot of Colombian icons. Penelope Cruz, she is Spanish and there is Salma Hayek, she is Mexican. So you think you've become like an icon to this country, that you are showing people a window?
Well, I love it because there is not really known actors. We have Shakira which is one of the biggest singers right now. She is from Barranquilla, my hometown. But there were no really household names on national TV. And for me it's been amazing to, you know, represent Colombia. Not only represent me as a Colombian actress, but with the show that I'm able to show a little bit of Colombia not only the stereotype things about the bad things, about the Mafia or whatever, but also about the food or the real essence of the personality of a Colombian person. They are very happy, yeah.

How does your family feel about it in Colombia?
Oh, they love it. They love it. Sometimes I have to say, you know, names of Gloria's family and I always use my real family name like, Rosa Marina, Daniella, Paula, Sofia, they are all my cousins and they are all like, "Ahh. You said my name."

(c) America Reads Spanish

 

 

Melon District – Student Residence Halls Statement

MelonDistrict is a new concept of accommodation for national and international students who are looking for a place to live in Barcelona. This innovate proposal was born to address the needs and modern lifestyles of a dynamic and demanding public.

Description:
Urban locations, an international atmosphere, and a wide range of services based on demanding quality standards are the key aspects that define the MelonDistrict model, giving it this distinct style that goes beyond a simple accommodation service.

MelonDistrict’s priority is to offer flexible accommodation that is adapted to the requirements of students who come with different purposes, to study, to work, or simply to travel. This flexibility makes it the ideal option both for long stays as well as for medium or short stays.

Rooms are grouped into MelonFlats, modern units boasting contemporary interior design with a complete balance between privacy and a social atmosphere. Each MelonFlat includes between 8 to 10 rooms, all with private en-suite bathrooms and a shared kitchen/living room.

Our Residence Halls
Melon District Poble Sec opened in 2007 and has 97 rooms.  Melon District Marina opened in 2009, has 500 rooms and is currently the largest student hall in the city of Barcelona.  Melon District has two new projects under development in Paris and in Prague.

For more information:
Gabriela Fernández
Marketing

MelonDistrict - Rent a Bedroom S.L.
Av. Diagonal 538 5º 2ª 08006 / Barcelona
Tel +34 93 217 88 12 / Fax. +34 93 416 08 45
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.melondistrict.com

 

Torian L. Lee, J.D.
Director
Center for Intercultural & International Programs
Xavier University of Louisiana
St. Joseph Student Resource Bldg., Room 312
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125-1098
(504) 520-5490 / FAX (504) 520-7920
www.xula.edu/ciip

When was the last time you have been to Spain?
- March 2012.

What do you enjoy most about Spain?
- The culture, the people, the opportunity to learn about its history and tradition.

What do you think are the advantages of Spain as a destination for American students?
- A visit to Spain would compliment the Spanish language instruction many students had in high school or college. Spanish history and culture will truly provide students with an intercultural experience they will not forget.

Could you describe the Study Abroad programs your university has with Spain?
- Xavier University currently works with Study Abroad Provider programs that allow students to study in a variety of cities in Spain.

How satisfied are, in general, American students going/studying in Spain?
- Am an not satisfied with the number of Xavier students in Spain. I hope to establish direct connections with Spanish Universities for academic collaboration in the areas of student, faculty and cultural exchange. We truly want to have students from Spain on Xavier’s campus and vice versa, and to promote university to university projects.