Dickinson Launches New Virtual Global Classes for Alumni, Students, Parents, Staff

Global Signpost

Travel, Learning and Adventure—Without Leaving Home

Calling all lifelong learners and adventurers! Dickinson alumni can explore the world from the safety and convenience of home this spring through live, interactive, global courses developed just for them. Dickinson experts in Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Spain will present five fun and in-depth courses focusing on global cities, people and cultures. The courses are open to alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends of the college. Each includes several classes taught by Dickinson professors, staff and friends of the college living all around the world. 

Participants can virtually explore the streets of Bologna and soak up its artistic, architectural and culinary heritage; discover French food culture and how it contributes to quality of life; appreciate the beauty and significance of tango in Argentina; reduce stress through the Danish language; learn about the scope of sustainability work in Spain; celebrate the diversity of Brazilian culture; discuss art, food, activism and sustainability in Italy; and much more.

“We are so happy to have faculty at our global studies centers work with us to create these opportunities,” says Laura Wills, associate director of alumni relations. “We know our alumni are lifelong learners and global citizens, and we’re excited to offer these courses as a way to help Dickinsonians continue to engage the world together.”

Alumni may take all classes within any course or courses, or take classes a la carte. Registration is currently open for all of these global adventures, and the deadline to register for the first course, Art and Literature Around the World, is Jan. 25.

The courses are (all times noted are in Eastern Time):

Art and Literature From Around the World

Jan. 28 to March 4; Dickinsonians, including Dickinson parents: $50 each class or $200 for entire course. Friends and family: $60 each class or $250 for entire course.

Global Cuisine

Feb. 4-April 15Dickinsonians, including Dickinson parents: $50 each class or $200 for entire course. Friends and family: $60 each class or $250 for entire course.

  • À Table: The Art of Mealtimes in France: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2-3 p.m. 
    Learn how mealtime culture affects health and well-being for study-abroad students in France and the French--and how you can incorporate easy French recipes and mealtime traditions into your life. Livestreamed from Toulouse by Julia Carnine, director of the Dickinson-in-France program.
  • Quintessential Bologna: The Ultimate Italian Foodie Destination: Monday, Feb. 15, noon-1 p.m. 
    An overview of Italian cuisine and its importance in Italian culture, focusing on Bologna’s Emilia-Romagna region; includes a virtual tour. Led from Bologna by Luca Trazzi, lecturer in Italian and chair of Dickinson’s food studies program; and Ellen Laird ’02 and Elena Giulia Dall’Acqua, administrative chair and program associate for Dickinson-in-Italy, respectively.  
  • Málaga en la Mesa: From the Mountains to the Beach: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-noon 
    Exploring the city’s food scene. Led from Málaga by Nedra Sandiford ’10, program coordinator, Dickinson-in-Spain.
  • Russian Food Culture: From Fermentation to Organic Gardening: Wednesday, March 10, 1-2 p.m. 
    Discover Russian food traditions, the role of home gardens and the connection between Russia’s climate and cuisine. Includes a demonstration and a sneak peek at a traditional Russian home kitchen. Led by Alyssa DeBlasio, associate professor of Russian.
  • Simply Put: It's All About Tasting Wine - Thursday, April 15, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
    Learn about world viticulture, regions, varieties and wine production and tastings. Then taste a cabernet sauvignon. Led from Mendoza, Argentina, by Alfredo Draqueis, agronomist of UNCUYO, National University of Cuyo.

International History and Culture

March 3-April 14; Dickinsonians, including Dickinson parents: $50 each class or $200 for all. Friends and family: $60 each class or $250 for entire course.

  • Bremen: A Jewel in Northern Germany: Wednesday, March 3, 1-2 p.m. 
    A deep dive into Bremen’s 1,200-year-old history and rich culture with Janine Ludwig, director of Dickinson’s Bremen program.
  • Norwich “Walking” Tour: Herstories: Wednesday, March 10, 2-3:30 p.m. 
    View Norwich’s most famous sites through the lenses of women whose legacies played major roles in local history and culture. Led by Karen Lordi-Kirkham, professor of theatre and director of Dickinson’s Norwich humanities program.
  • Argentinean History, Immigration, Tango and Lunfardo: Tuesday, April 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
    Knowledge of Spanish is essential for this class, which includes listening to music and analyzing lyrics and discussing the creation of Argentina State, the impact of immigration waves and the histories and importance of the tango and lunfardo. Led by Eliana Torres, Dickinson’s resident director in Argentina.
  • Moscow: From Soviet City to the Global "Smart One"Wednesday, April 7, 1-2 p.m. 
    Tracing how, along with the changes in the urban space, technology improves Muscovites’ everyday lives and businesses. Led by Irina Filippova, director of the Dickinson-in-Moscow program.
  • Danish Words to Reduce Stress, Explained by a Dane - Tuesday, April 13, noon-1 p.m. 
    Danes are some of the happiest people in the world, and they also happen to have a lot of cool words for ways to be happy, like hygge, pyt, samfundssind, overskud and other Danish words that connect to well-being for Danes and everyone. Led by Marie Helweg-Larsen, professor of psychology. Registration deadline: April 12.
  • Brazil: Mixture of Cultures - Wednesday, April 14, 3-4 p.m. 
    Exploring how Brazil’s racial mixture can help us understand this huge country. Led by Marcelo Borges, professor of history and the Boyd Lee Spahr Chair in the History of the Americas.

Sustainability Beyond Carlisle

March 8-24; Dickinsonians, including Dickinson parents: $50 each class or $150 for entire course. Friends and family: $60 each class or $200 for entire course.

The Study Abroad Experience

May 6-13. Dickinsonians, including Dickinson parents: $50 each class or $150 for entire course. Friends and family: $60 each class or $200 for entire course.

  • My French Savoir Faire: How Study Abroad Shapes a Professional ‘Me,' Part One and Part TwoThursday, May 6, and Tuesday, May 11, 2-3 p.m. 
    Helping alumni articulate their skills as they relate to study-abroad experiences. Includes Dickinson-in-France alumni testimonials and professor feedback on your CV and personal statement. Plan to spend two hours of homework time between the sessions. Led by Julia Carnine, director of the Dickinson-in-France program and Laura Raynaud ’01, administrative director of Dickinson-in-France.
  • How to Discover Other Sides of a Country Through Study Abroad: Wednesday, May 12, 3-4 p.m. 
    Presenting the ways students discover new career paths and gain interpersonal skills, career opportunities and job prospects through study abroad. Led by Giselda Pereira, resident director of Dickinson’s Brazil study-abroad program and a Dickinson contributing faculty member.
  • Viva Bologna: History and Memories of Dickinson’s Oldest Program Abroad: Thursday, May 13, 2-3 p.m. 
    Led by Bruno Grazioli, resident director of the Dickinson-in-Italy Italian studies program; Ellen Laird ’02, administrative director; and Elena Giulia Dall’Acqua, program associate.

Classes like these allow alumni to experience the scope of today’s study-abroad programs at Dickinson in the company of several generations of fellow alumni from around the world. And, in addition to social-distance-friendly Dickinson at Home events, class audits and other alumni services, they keep Dickinsonians’ spirit of community and adventure burning bright in challenging times.

“Dickinson has long been recognized for excellence in study abroad; there’s a deep pool of knowledge and a great deal of enthusiasm among Dickinson faculty and staff at the college’s global centers,” says Bruno Grazioli, director of the Dickinson-in-Italy Italian studies program, who worked closely with Dickinson’s Office of Alumni Relations to coordinate the program. “We are thrilled to be able to share that knowledge—and the sights, sounds and stories from around the world—with alumni, some of whom may have studied abroad on our programs.”

For full descriptions of global classes, and to register for classes, please click the links above or reference the global adventures page. Contact alumni@dickinson.edu with questions.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS 

Published January 13, 2021