SiS Newsletter - May 2010

Newsletter Archive

Recent News May, 2010

• Silvia Iranzo, Secretary of State of Commerce, to present the Student Ambassador Award at the 2nd Study in Spain Annual Meeting
The event seeks to recognize the work done by the top Student Ambassadors of the Study in Spain program, with the highest award to be given to the best SiS Student Ambassador of the year. Read more...

• Spain will be represented at NAFSA Conference 2010
The Spanish institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), along with Universidad.es Foundation, is organizing the official participation of Spain in the 2010 NAFSA Conference and Expo, which will be held on June 1-4, at the Kansas City Convention Center, Missouri. Read more...

SiS Student Ambassadors

• Soha Salamah, SIS Stident Ambassador at SUNY - THE COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT

SiS on the road

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

Amigos del español

• Gael García Bernal

Institution Profile

• Universidad de Zaragoza

Interview Lounge

• Fátima Serra

Silvia Iranzo, Secretary of State of Commerce, to present the Student Ambassador Award at the 2nd Study in Spain Annual Meeting

The event seeks to recognize the work done by the top Student Ambassadors of the Study in Spain program, with the highest award to be given to the best SiS Student Ambassador of the year.

This year’s event celebrates a Reencuentro España-New York with representatives of local U.S. higher education institutions in attendance, directors and coordinators. Student participation is also welcome.

The event takes place at the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, at NYU, starting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 27th.
For more information, contact the Embassy of Spain-Trade Commission Miami, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , tel 305-446-4387

 

Spain will be represented at NAFSA Conference 2010

The Spanish institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), along with Universidad.es Foundation, is organizing the official participation of Spain in the 2010 NAFSA Conference and Expo, which will be held on June 1-4, at the Kansas City Convention Center, Missouri.

NAFSA is the leading organization in the U.S. promoting international education, exchange and global workforce development, and its conference is the association’s annual main event, being also the largest worldwide.

It gathers its almost 10,000 national and international members, representatives of higher education institutions, including presidents and deans, directors of international programs and study abroad advisers, language professors and programs administrators, overseas educational advisers, community volunteers, and administrators of sponsored exchange programs.

The Conference and Expo provides excellent opportunities to companies and institutions in Spain, for the promotional of their educational offer, products and services, in this major geographical area.

Since the first Pavilion of Spain in the 2000 conference with 19 companies, the participation of Spain has shown a continuous increase in every edition. This year, throughout the exhibit space of the Pavilion of Spain, you will be acquainted with 47 companies and institutions involved in the teaching and promotion of the Spanish language, whose representatives will be present to meet your best quality educational needs.Once again, Spain will be represented at the NAFSA Annual Conference, which will take place in Kansas City (MI) from May 30 to June 4.

Soha Salamah, SIS Student Ambassador at SUNY - THE COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT

The reasons for becoming a student ambassador are endless. With the activities that I carry out, not only am I able to learn more about the Spanish culture but I can share the wonderful culture with other students. The intimate setting of Café Espanol really allows me to get to know other students while practicing Spanish. I get to work closely with the faculty of the Foreign Language Departments and create great relationships with professors and students. Working with the professors to make the activities come to life is remarkable. I have been able to cook traditional Spanish tapas with my professors and then share the delicious treat with other students. Participating with the study abroad fairs has allowed me to work closely with the International Education Office on campus and talk about the wonderful opportunities we have here at The College at Brockport. Being a student ambassador has been a great opportunity and has opened many doors for me on my school campus.

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

The 2009-10 academic year will once more have the Study in Spain program participating 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.

MAY
NAFSA: ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS
MAY 30- JUNE 04
KANSAS CITY, MO

JUNE
EDUCATIONAL WORSHOP FOR US HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (W2)
JUN 14-20
SPAIN

JULY
AATSP - AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE
JUL 10-13
GUADALAJARA

AP COLLEGE BOARD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
JUL 14-18
WASHINGTON, DC
Read more at: http://www.spainedu.org/index.php/meet-us.html

Read more...

 

Gael García Bernal
Actor

Gael García Bernal, a 30-year-old actor from Guadalajara, Mexico whose rise to stardom has made him a citizen of the world, had his big breakthrough with the film Amores Perros and keeps reaching new heights, undeterred by any barriers Hollywood may put in his path. What makes him special is that he goes against the tide and only takes the best projects, or perhaps ones in which his friends are involved. Occasionally, he has the chance to do both, as is the case with Rudo y Cursi, a Mexican film in which García Bernal stars alongside his friend and “brother,” Diego Luna.

Where are you living at the moment?
I’m in Madrid but my books are in Mexico, so that’s a clear sign of where I live.

Which books are those?
Off the top of my head, I remember a novel by a Mexican writer, Cristina Rivera Garza, La muerte me da (Death Hits), and The Odyssey, (which) I’d never read as is, only excerpts. And it’s amazing, a wonderful journey.

What was your first book?
As a little boy, I read whatever I could get my hands on: Asterix and the Encylopedia Britannica. I also remember Un hilito de sangre (A Trickle of Blood) by Eusebio Ruvalcaba.

And what was the last book you read?
El libro salvaje (The Wild Book) by Juan Villoro. (It’s a) really entertaining book for young peoplethat I read on an airplane.

What’s a good cure for jet lag?
Is there such a thing? If I’m really tired I sleep, but I read a lot and watch films.

Can a love for cinema win out over books?
They’re two muses that open up like unknown dimensions. When you go in you get hooked; it’s as if you fly, navigate around in there. But every book is a different relationship. The bad thing is there are so many things to read and I don’t have time for all of it.

 

 

Universidad de Zaragoza

Universidad de Zaragoza has more than five centuries of history (it was created in 1542). In the course of its more than 400 years of history the University has established itself as a center of excellence, research and teaching, where many renowned scholars and scientists –among them one Nobel laureate- worked and still work. Today 34,291 students study at its 22 faculties and colleges. 1,796 foreign students from more than 75 different countries as well as dozens of visiting professors and researchers contribute to its international atmosphere.

Located in the Spanish region of Aragón, Universidad de Zaragoza has its headquarters in the city of Zaragoza, the chief town of the region and the sixth largest city of Spain.

Universidad de Zaragoza is the main centre of higher education and technological innovation in the Ebro Valley and has great prestige among the group of both Spanish and European universities it has relations with. It offers a wide range of high quality study programs in life/health sciences, natural sciences, law, economics and business, social sciences and humanities.

Improving the International relations is a priority in the global strategy of Universidad de Zaragoza. Academic bilateral agreements with US Universities (George Mason University, San Diego State University, Troy University, University of Idaho, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Rhode Island, University of Texas at Austin, University of Idaho and MIT) allow the exchange of students and other academic collaborations. Currently, Universidad de Zaragoza aims to develop programs of study abroad with U.S. universities.

Specific and more detailed information about Universidad de Zaragoza, such as academic programs, academic authorities, University regulations and admission and registration dates and procedures can be found at:

http://wzar.unizar.es/servicios/ingles/insti/prese.htm and
http://wzar.unizar.es/servicios/inter/folletosingles.htm (English) and
http://www.unizar.es/ (Spanish)
Contact address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Fátima Serra

Dr. Serra came to the United States as an International student to UMASS Amherst as a member of the cultural exchange between the University of Oviedo and UMASS. What started as a year abroad experience before committing to a life-time job in Spain, turned into a life-changing experience.

Upon the completion of her doctoral dissertation in Hispanic Literatures in 1996, she joined the Foreign Languages Department at Salem State where she is a Professor of Spanish Language and Literature.

Dr. Serra coordinated a summer study abroad program in Oviedo, her alma matter for the last 10 years. She views the international experience as a vital component of her professional and personal life. In the same spirit, she joined the CIE at Salem State as study abroad advisor in 2004. She loves the opportunity of helping students embark in the advantages of an international education.

When was the last time you have been to Spain?
My last in Spain was in January 2010

What do you enjoy most about Spain?
Social life, friendly people and beautiful surroundings are the most enjoyable aspect of the country. No matter the time of the day or the evening you can gather with other people of all ages in public place; strangers you never met are friendly and inclusive. And all this social interaction takes place amidst spectacular historical and architectural settings.

What do you think are the advantages of Spain as a destination for American students?
Definitely the topics mentioned above. The friendliness of the Spaniards makes it easy for American students to practice the language and get immersed in the culture right away. The physical and geographical space, gives them an awareness of the history of the old continent and the relationship to their own.

Could you describe the Study Abroad programs your university has with Spain?
We have a close relationship with the Universidad de Oviedo. Every year a group of our students do summer language courses in Oviedo. We also have some semester students attending their university.
Also, we have a significant number of students who choose different destinations in Spain through American study abroad program providers that have liaison with Spanish institutions. The most popular destinations are Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla. Among the institutions our students have attended through providers are: Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Suffolk University, Universidad Pablo de Olavide.

How satisfied are, in general, American students going to Spain?
All our students without exception have had the best time of their lives in Spain. I have been involved with students going abroad to Spain for over ten years and we have not had any unhappy returning student. They love the Spaniards, the life style, the culture the scenery and their professors.