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March 2011 Education Abroad Center eNews

Features

International Events & Extras

Quarter Abroad Spotlight: Florence, Italy


Program Dates: August 31 - December 16, 2011
Application Deadline: March 17, 2011
Taught in English and Italian

**Info Session: Friday, March 11th, 12:00pm - 1:00pm, at the EAC**



Benvenuti a Firenze! Your sixteen-week stay in Florence includes an accelerated Italian language track, plus film and culture classes, for a total of 23-28 units of UC Davis credit!

This one-of-a-kind learning experience is amplified by the quaint and historic ambience of one of Italy's most celebrated cities. Enjoy housing in shared student apartments in the historical district in Florence, while getting the opportunity to experience Italy in the fall!


Enrollment

Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Online Application


Academics

The program consists of Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced Italian—depending on your prior Italian language experience. In addition to the intensive language sequence, all students enroll in an Italian cinema course, plus two additional culture courses taught in English and Italian. Learning is experiential and many courses are taught outside the classroom to provide exposure to both Florence and the surrounding Tuscan region. Optional internships and volunteer opportunities are available.




Excursions and Day Trips

Excursions to Lucca, Bologna, Cinque Terre and Venice are included. Also included in the program are museum passes, a boat tour on the Arno River, and cooking classes. Learn to cook Italian cuisine the way it was meant to be prepared.





Education Abroad Program (EAP) Spotlight: Tanzania



Come experience Tanzania, learn about its diverse people, and observe the excitement and challenges of development firsthand. Through courses in various academic disciplines, excursions, and community service, gain a direct understanding of Dar Es Salaam and the nation at large. Study of Kiswahili language helps you appreciate the optimism shared by those you will meet and engage in volunteer service in local schools or non-profits.



Academics

While in Dar es Salaam students will be enrolled in the University of Dar es Salaam. Program activities include a Kiswahili Language and Culture Practicum, opportunities for volunteer activities or independent study, and courses taught by local faculty. Subjects include African studies, development studies, history, legal studies, aquatic and biological sciences, media studies, and communication. Local and regional excursions including visits to Zanzibar and national parks are also provided.


Duration

Spring Semester: mid-January to early June

Housing

You will live in the University of Dar es Salaam residence hall on campus and share a double room with a Tanzanian student.

Full Details: EAP Program Website

UC Davis Summer Abroad Spotlight - Reykjavik, Iceland



Are you fascinated by the idea that our physical Earth is constantly evolving and reforming? If so, come stop by the EAC and explore Summer Abroad's, "In the Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland's Geology and Sagas." In this program, you'll spend four weeks examining the interplay between Earth and its human inhabitants through history, including consideration of acute events such as earthquakes and eruptions. Under the guidance of three UC Davis faculty—Robert Zierenberg, Chip Lesher, and Gry Barfod—students will get the chance to use Iceland as their classroom as they complete 8 units of UC Davis credit in GEL 115 and GEL 198.



The program will also feature field trips to such places as Hveragedi Geothermal Greenhouses, Skaholt, and Hekla Volcano! These excursions will bring students face to face with the material discussed in class and will allow them to see Iceland's geological wonders first-hand. Time outside of instruction will grant students the freedom to explore the exciting city of Reykjavik where they'll be staying through the program's duration.

Students of all majors are welcome to attend, as well as students from other universities and non-students alike! The only prerequisites of the program are that participants complete GEL 1 and be of upper-division standing upon departure. The program runs from July 16 - August 13, 2011. Spaces are limited.


Program Overview


Instructors:
Robert Zierenberg
Chip Lesher
Gry Barfod

Language:Taught in English

Max Enrollment: 26

Program Coordinator:
Jennie Konsella-Norene





Independent Program Spotlight: University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Prague, Czech Republic

Have you ever dreamed of living and studying in a medieval city? USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium) gives you the opportunity to do so with the Politics, Culture, and Art Studies program in Prague, Czech Republic! This program is offered during the full year, fall and spring semesters, and summer. Those who spend time in Prague find themselves in awe of its beautiful art and architecture, and its unique cultural aspects that set it apart from other Europeans cities. Students who participate in this program will live in apartments in the heart of the city while studying at the Charles University Institute of Language and Preparatory Studies. This university, the oldest in Central and Western Europe, offers courses in politics, literature, history, business, psychology, sociology, the arts, and Czech language classes. Participants will discover the cultural and historical richness of Prague through weekend trips to castles and other significant sites around the country. In addition, there is an optional one-credit Vienna and Budapest Field Study course that is available to students.

In Prague, students will experience a unique walking city of curved streets winding around marvelous courtyards full of outdoor festivals, modern and traditional literature, street art, and medieval architecture. Not only is exploration to regions within the Czech Republic accessible, but travel to nearby European countries is safe, easy and inexpensive. The program is ideal for students interested in a cultural engagement both inside and outside the classroom.

For more information (including application deadlines) on the semester and yearlong programs visit the website (see also: summer program website)

Global Citizen Spotlight: Robert Keatinge

Studying French in Paris and scoring an internship in a Bordeaux chateau? Really? Yes! That is exactly what senior and Viticulture and Enology major Robert Keatinge did for an entire academic year. As a participant in the EAP UC Center Paris program in the summer and fall of 2008, and the University of Bordeaux in the spring of 2009, Robert took classes in French cinema, literature, language, and winemaking. Initially deciding between studying abroad in France or Australia—between the new-world innovation of Australia's wine-making and the old-world tradition of France—Robert says "I ultimately chose France since I hoped it would give me a classical basis for understanding the world of wine and would also allow me to learn a new language."

In his first semester in UC Center Paris, he did a home-stay with "a woman who spoiled me with exquisite French dinners and engaging conversation." The following semester, in Bordeaux, Robert opted to live in an apartment with French students so that he could "peel away another layer of French culture." There, he split his time between the University of Bordeaux's main campus and its prestigious wine institute—spending weekends in the city's college-age scene or traveling through the South by train. While he traveled extensively throughout the program (his favorite destinations: Barcelona, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Florence), Robert also spent much of his time in France—experiencing the true Parisian lifestyle. "The French hold a much higher regard for quality of life" says Robert. "To them, eating is a ritual that should not be performed while rushing down the street. They take their time to do things, which can sometimes appear overwhelmingly slow to busy Americans." Robert enjoyed his stay so much that he returned the following Fall Quarter to complete two internships that he secured while studying abroad: the first, at a chateau in Bordeaux where he helped the winemaker with harvest operations while living on a centuries-old family plot of land; the second internship was in Paris, where he worked within the wine division of an established liquor company, conducted a 50-page study on the French sauvignon blanc market—allowing Robert the opportunity to meet with various sommeliers, bartenders, and wine merchants around Paris.

After studying winemaking in France for over a year, completing two internships, and mastering a new language, Robert returned with a heightened sense of what he wanted to do once he graduates. His experience abroad taught him to "slow down and savor life's experiences" and it gave him the "experiences that simply could not be matched anywhere else." The most important advice that Robert would give to someone studying abroad: "Don't hold back. You're about to have one of the most profound experiences of your entire life. You may be feeling somewhat anxious… just embrace each new experience as it comes to you and make the most of even the most challenging situations. Bon courage!"

Faculty Spotlight: Robert Zierenberg

Robert Zierenberg (a.k.a. 'Z') is one of three instructors for our brand new Summer Abroad program "In the Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland's Geology and Sagas." He received his Bachelors degree from U.C. Berkeley and his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Z believes that geology is best taught in the field and that we can understand the story of earth by studying the rocks. One of his favorite countries to teach volcanoes and hydrothermal systems is Iceland, where active volcanism is beautifully displayed and the interrelationships between geology, culture, and history are readily apparent. Volcanic eruptions have changed the course of Icelandic history for more than 1000 years, and can still affect every day life—as demonstrated by last year's eruption of Eyjafjallajokull.

Z fell in love with Iceland after living there for 9 months through a Fulbright Fellowship. Iceland is an ideal site to understand the interactions between geology and people. He is eager to have the opportunity to introduce students to the beauty and wonders of this little-visited island astride the Mid Atlantic Ridge Seafloor Spreading Center (full details).

Scholarship Spotlight

GO! Overseas Scholarships

Go! Overseas scholarships are available to students currently enrolled in, or in the process of applying to, study abroad programs. Scholarships are awarded each year (up to $1000 each and are awarded based on the creativity and analytical thinking displayed through writing samples and/or video submissions. The deadline for fall semester scholarships is September 15th, 2011. Apply now!

Upcoming Deadlines

April 1st (UC Davis Summer Abroad)

Looking for an incredible way to spend a month of your summer? Check out the wide variety of our 38 Summer Abroad programs. From Istanbul, Turkey to Buenos Aires, Argentina! The deadline for all of these programs is April 1st. For more information visit: https://summer-abroad.ucdavis.edu

**Full list of study abroad deadlines**

Other News

Aggies Abroad Social Network Launches

WHAT: An Aggie social network for the University of California, Davis community—a place to get inspired by and stay connected to other travelers. The Aggie Network is a social media hub (fully integrated with Facebook and Twitter)—blog, post photos and videos, join regional groups, and much more.
WHERE: UCDavisAbroad.com

2011 UC Davis Study Abroad Photo Contest

RULES: http://ucdavisabroad.com/page/photo-contest
LIVE ALBUM: http://ucdavisabroad.com/photo/albums/eac-album-photo-contest-2011

First-Steps Workshops

WHERE: Education Abroad Center (EAC) Conference Room
WHEN: Sessions offered DAILY: Monday-Friday 1:00pm
WHAT: The EAC is here to help you begin your search for the study abroad program that is best for you! Take the first step and drop by for a 30-minute general advising session to learn more about opportunities for all majors and budgets

Global Recipe Spotlight: Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta

Italian bruschetta (pronounced "brusketta") is an appetizer from central Italy that has been around since the 15th century. It's a great dish to enjoy with the beautiful spring weather that's right around the corner. All you'll need...

Ingredients

  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 4 cups fresh spinach, torn
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 8 sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil, chopped
  • 1 (1 pound) loaf focaccia bread, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

  1. Place the chicken, olive oil, and vinegar in a bowl.
  2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
  3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken 7 minutes per side, or until juices run clear. Cool and shred.
  4. In a large bowl, mix the cooked chicken, spinach, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes.
  5. Brush the focaccia bread with olive oil, and cook 1 minute per side on the prepared grill, or until lightly toasted. Place portions of the chicken mixture on the toasted focaccia to serve.

UC Davis Education Abroad Center, 207 Third Street, Suite 120, Davis, CA 95616, Tel (530) 297-4633, eacucd@ucdavis.edu
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Homepage Photo Credit: 'Camel Ride in Morocco' by Grace Diebel (Spain '10)