Imagine strolling through rustic vineyards, taking in the sights and sounds of a colorful street festival or exploring a tropical rain forest.
USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Study Abroad programs, organized by the Global Engagement Office, provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students to explore and expand their horizons while earning college credit and gaining a broader appreciation of other cultures.
Below is a glimpse of some of the programs planned for this summer. For details and to apply, visit the USFSM Global Engagement Office website at usfsm.edu/academics/global-engagement or contact Director of Global Engagement Amela Malkic at amela@usf.edu.
France & Italy
Open to all students, USFSM History & Culture of Food & Beverage spotlights the rich history and influence of French and Italian cuisine, and what better place to study than these two host nations?
For four weeks, from May 26 to June 21, students will explore the enduring food traditions that underscore these Mediterranean cultures. Stops include vineyards, local farms, markets, breweries and a cheese house. Students will also engage in cooking classes and collaborative discussions with chefs, food scientists and hospitality experts.
Organized by USF Sarasota-Manatee professors Dr. Joe Askren and Dr. Ken Caswell, the excursion is open to students of any major, 18 or older, with an interest in French and Italian culture and language. To learn more or to apply to the program, visit educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=23719.
Costa Rica
USFSM Field Research Experience Abroad-Costa Rica runs from June 25 to July 9 and is open to all USFSM students with a 2.5 GPA or higher, but traditionally is a favorite of biology students.
Led by USFSM organic chemistry instructor Dr. Edie Banner, this unique program allows students to sample life as field biologists. Dr. Banner leads a small, select team deep into the Costa Rican rain forest to explore and examine the habitat’s unique features.
Students travel by foot along extensive trail systems of the La Selva research station in a lowland tropical rain forest then head south to Las Cruces to experience a pre-montane habitat. Additional visits include a wildlife rescue ranch, coffee plantation and a community of indigenous Boruca villagers who engage in intricate weaving and mask carving for festivals.
To learn more or to apply to the program, visit educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=23332.
Merida, Mexico
Nestled within Mexico’s lush Yucatan Peninsula, Colonial-era Merida serves as the backdrop for two trips organized by USFSM. Both run from June 26 to July 31.
USFSM Spanish Language and Latin American Culture in Merida, Mexico, is open to all students who have passed SPN1120 (Spanish I).
A cultural and linguistic immersion program, this five-week course led by USFSM Spanish instructors Roberto Jimenez-Arroyo and Michael Fehily includes a half-day of language and cultural instruction at the Habla language studies institute.
A fascinating melting pot of cultures (Mayan, Spanish, French, Arab and Caribbean), Merida reflects the deep cultural diversity of Mexico as a whole. After class, students are free to explore cobbled streets, colonial architecture and Merida’s colorful plazas with market stalls and nightly events. On weekends, students enjoy guided tours, including trips to famed archeological sites Uxmal and Chichén Itzá, as well as the massive Lol-Tún cave system.
To learn more or apply to the program, visit educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=23254.
The other Merida trip is for School of Education students who have reached internship level and completed the following prerequisites: SPN1120, EDE 4323, EDE 4223, EDF 3604, EDF 3122, TSL 4240, RED 4333 and EEX 4084.
Clincal Education I Internship, Merida, Mexico, will allow two teacher candidates to intern Monday through Thursday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Habla summer language camp.
Teacher candidates will work with young children in a bilingual, arts-integrated learning atmosphere focused on the fundamentals of literacy development. Children will engage in reading and art-making activities. On Fridays and Saturdays, the teacher candidates will participate in cultural excursions.
To learn more or apply to the program, contact Dr. Helene Robinson, helene2@usf.edu, or Katherine Ceasar, kkw2@usf.edu.
USF Sarasota-Manatee to hold online MBA session
Professionals, undergraduate students and recent graduates are invited to learn about MBA degrees at USF Sarasota-Manatee during a special online information session on Thursday from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The session can be viewed anywhere with online connectivity. Check out USFSM’s graduate programs, chat live with professors and learn about the admissions process.
To register, visit usfsm.edu/admissions/campus-experience and click the link, Master’s Online Info Sessions.
Learn about master’s degrees at USFSM
USF Sarasota-Manatee will hold an information session about master’s degrees Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the campus, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail.
The free session is for professionals, undergraduate students and recent graduates who want to learn more about USFSM graduate programs. Attendees can meet with professors, graduate students, alumni and learn about the admissions process.
To register, visit usfsm.edu/admissions/campus-experience and click the link for Master’s Info Sessions.
Scholarship deadlines approaching
USFSM’s Office of Admissions reminds students that scholarship application deadlines are quickly approaching. Here are the cutoff dates:
- February 1: Scholarship Application Deadline for Foundation Scholarships (Freshmen)
- March 1: Scholarship Application Deadline for Foundation Scholarships (Transfer)
For more about Foundation scholarships, go to: usfsm.edu/admissions/scholarships-and-financial-aid/foundation-scholarships.aspx.
USFSM seeking student designs for conference brochure
USF Sarasota-Manatee is seeking creative minds for the upcoming Southeast, Central and South American Federation (SECSA) conference, set for March 1-2 at USFSM.
SECSA is asking students to design this year’s conference brochure. The winning USFSM student will receive a $100 prize. Send submissions in a PowerPoint document to Dr. Faizan Ali, faizanali@usf.edu.
SECSA is affiliated with the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE), which is supported by hospitality and tourism educators. CHRIE is comprised of six federations. For more information visit, chrie.org.
Dr. Turner invited to Faculty Learning Community
Kudos to USFSM’s Dr. Timothy Turner, who has been invited to participate in USF’s Global Citizens Project’s Global Action
Faculty Learning Community.
An assistant professor in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Dr. Turner will be involved in planning the Global Citizens Project for USF students.
Known as Operation: Global Action, this innovative program is a faculty led, week-long immersive and interdisciplinary experience for USF undergraduate students. The program’s aim is to offer a transformative experience that inspires students to take action.
Overall, the goal of the Global Citizens Project is to prepare USF students for success in a global society.
Seminar to explore Artificial Intelligence
USF Sarasota-Manatee will host a free seminar, The Business of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the campus’ Selby Auditorium, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Learn about topics related to artificial intelligence, including wireless mobile applications; A.I. in eco-arts education; pattern recognition; generation, visualization and image processing; video/image editing; audio visual media; data analytics; and voice recognition.
Dr. Ehsan Sheybani and Sarah Gentry will lead the discussion.