Clemson students Catie Silva, Sarah Burton, Kylie Cash, Marina Velo, Fatema Bhagat pose with Seville resident director Carlos Valencia. (Photo courtesy of Graciela Tissera.)
Dr. Carlos Valencia, Resident Director of the Clemson in Seville Program, talked about the program highlights during his presentation on September 19 and at the Study Abroad Fair on September 20, 2017. Dr. Carlos Valencia received his doctorate in 19th-century Spanish literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before teaching at Wake Forest University and the University of Richmond. Among Carlos’s professional interests are the application of new technology to Spanish language instruction and the incorporation of volunteer work into curriculua as a sociolinguistic and cultural learning tool.
Sean Cosh at the Study Abroad Fair. (Photo courtesy of Graciela Tissera.)
The following students also participated to share their experiences in the Seville Program, Spring 2017: Carine Brown (L&IH), Fatema Bhagat (L&IH), Sarah Burton (L&IT), Kylie Cash (L&IT), Sean Cosh (Minor in Spanish), Kate Czerkawski (L&IH), Catie Silva (L&IH), Marina Velo (L&IH), and Melissa Williams (L&IH). The students talked about classes, trips, business and health internships, group projects, and how the professors abroad helped them to reach their goals in education. The International Spanish Program and Internships in Seville, Spain is a unique program designed for students in Modern Languages-Spanish, Language and International Health, Language and International Trade, and a minor in Spanish. Those who wish to embark on this journey are rewarded with the chance of a lifetime to explore Spanish culture and to experience working in a number of different business and healthcare environments. For more information, please contact Dr. Graciela Tissera, Program Director (gtisser@clemson.edu).
Melissa Williams, Kate Czerkawski and Carine Brown at the Study Abroad Fair. (Photo courtesy of Graciela Tissera.)
The International Festival is an annual event that symbolizes Clemson’s commitment to celebrating identities and cultures from around the world. The festival features ethnic-based foods, local craft and non-profit vendors, and entertainment and activities for all ages. The festival is hosted by the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center.
Coloring activities for children at the French Club booth. Photo courtesy of Michelle Koval.A game of pin the flag on the Eiffel Tower at the French Club booth. Photo courtesy of Michelle Koval.
This year’s festival was held April 9 at Bowman Field. Several student-run language clubs had booths with activities and food. The Spanish Club sold nachos and T-shirts, while the French Club had coloring sheets for children and a game of pin the flag on the Eiffel Tower. The Japanese Cultural Association offered traditional Japanese food at their booth. Festival attendees also learned more about the Department of Languages‘s activities for students throughout the semester.
The Spanish Club booth. Photo courtesy of Mirelly Buitrago.The Japanese Cultural Association booth. Photo courtesy of Jae Takeuchi.
Senior Lawrence Reed interprets the dialogue between speakers and audience at the American Sign Language Club’s Spring Seminar. (Image provided.)
American Sign Language Club hosts Spring Seminar
The American Sign Language Club hosted its annual Spring Seminar in the Student Academic Success Center in April. This year’s seminar featured five interpreters of the Deaf (all from South Carolina) fielding questions from the audience regarding the interpreting profession, Deaf Culture, and personal experiences. The interpreters included Glendia Boon of Columbia, Callie Marsh of Piedmont, Phoena Kelly of Columbia, Nancy Dunn of Greenville, and Susie Spainhour of Belton. According to the speakers, there is tremendous demand for interpreters, and opportunities are available once an individual is trained and certified.
Creative Inquiry students present research
Language and International Health majors Maggie Boyd, Lisa Dueñas, Rebecca McConnell and Meg O’Sell presented their research on “Health and Business Topics in Film” at the Southeast Coastal Conference on Languages and Literatures at Georgia Southern University, Savannah, Georgia, in March. The research was conducted in a Creative Inquiry class under the direction of Graciela Tissera. The following papers were presented: “Times of War and Alternate Existences in Pan’s Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro” (Maggie Boyd), “The Aura by Fabián Bielinsky: Perceptions of Death in an Elusive Reality” (Lisa Dueñas), “Europe under Fire: The Intricate Worlds of Survival” (Rebecca McConnell), and “Confronting Death, Duty, and Love in Felicitas by Maria Teresa Costantini” (Meg O’Sell). The presentations were made possible through competitive travel grants awarded by the Creative Inquiry Program.
Clemson student Ainsley Wingard presents a program about brushing teeth to children in Santiago, Dominican Republic, as part of her Creative Inquiry research. (Image provided.)
Several students presented their Creative Inquiry research at the Focus on Creative Inquiry Poster Forum at Clemson University in April. Caleb Addis, Lisa Dueñas, Meg O’Sell, Danielle Stephens, José Hernández, Rebecca McConnell, Maggie Boyd, Taylor Rouse, Jennifer Bolta, and Courtney Sipes presented their research on “Health, Business, and Gender Topics in Film,” mentored by Graciela Tissera. Emily Blackshire, Jardin Dogan, Chelsea Frasier, Eandra Hall, Jada Jones, Nigel Jones, Thomas Offerle, Katelyn Ragland, Andrea Rojas, Elizabeth Villegas, Kendyl Williams, and Ainsley Wingard presented their research on “International Health and Hispanic Culture,” mentored by Dolores Martín and Graciela Tissera. Several of this latter group of students traveled to the Dominican Republic during Spring Break 2015 to participate in health-related service learning activities and to conduct research on topics such as domestic violence, postpartum depression, infant and maternal mortality, Kahler’s disease, sexual abuse and cardiovascular health. The research projects in the Dominican Republic were made possible through competitive travel grants awarded by the Creative Inquiry Program.
Language and International Health Program hosts symposiums
The Language and International Health Program organized its sixth and seventh symposiums at Clemson University in September/October 2014 and February 2015. The symposiums focused on international health programs with the following presentations: “Major Issues Affecting Foreign Language Healthcare Interpretation” by Daniel Holcombe, Arizona State University; “International Studies and Internships in Seville, Spain” by Carlos Valencia, Director of CINECU; and “Building Healthy Communities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic” by Arelis Moore, Clemson University.
Students earn awards at spring ceremony
Olivia Meers, Meg O’Sell and Anna Williams win Language and International Health awards at the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities spring awards ceremony. (Image provided.)
The following students received Department of Languages awards at the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities Awards Ceremony in April.
Sierra Axtell – Jordan A. Dean, Sr. Annual Award in French Studies Brittany Bentz – John Bednar Award of Excellence in French and International Trade Kristin Buhrow – Clemson Chinese Laoshi Award for Best Achievement Turner Cotterman – Draexlmaier Language Award for Excellence in German Nicole Cyr – Draexlmaier Language Award for Excellence in German Courtney Dukes – Gallaudet/Clerc Award for Excellence in American Sign Language Tory Garland – Clemson Chinese Laoshi Award for Best Beginner Maria Hawkins – JAASC Award in Excellence in Japanese Chris Henry – Clemson University German Club Award Benjamin Leder – Language and International Trade Award for Excellence in Japanese August McRaney Lehnert – Coccia Foundation Annual Award (Italian) Meg O’Sell – Language and International Health Award of Excellence in Research, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese Award, and the Blue Key Academic and Leadership Award. Olivia Meers – Language and International Health Award of Excellence Lawrence Reed – William Stokoe Award (American Sign Language) Anna Williams – Language and International Health Academic Honor Award Aurelia Wurzel – American Association of Teachers of French Award
