NUMBERS are adding up!

OK folks... the FIRST deadline (for priority registration) has passed. The NEXT deadline is coming up on October 23rd. So far, there are 18 students who have submitted their deposits, but I know that there are more of you out there planning to go. Get your deposits in as soon as possible, because numbers count... the more of you there are, the more likely that Study Abroad will continue to be offered in London, Paris and Florence in the future. We are hoping to see the numbers for Florence go over 20 sooner rather than later. If you need to convince parents of the value of the program to your future, bring them with you to our next informational meeting. The next meetings will be at DVC October 20 at 3:00 and at the SRVC at 6:00. In the meantime, e-mail me with any questions or concerns you might have.

Orientation/informational meetings continue!

So far, we have had three meetings at DVC and one at LMC. Attendance has been very good, with over 50 participants, students (mostly) and parents combined! There have been many good questions and between Aleks and myself, I think we've managed to answer them all. Several students have already submitted their applications and deposits! Obviously, money been a central concern to all those interested, and there have been many inquiries regarding financial aid and creative financing. Questions regarding scholarships and financial aid should be addressed to either the Study Abroad Office (linked from this page) or the Financial Aid and Scholarship Offices at DVC, which have the most experience with the program. Questions about the academic aspect of the program can be fielded by either the Study Abroad Office or myself. Questions about living and studying in Italy should be addressed to me by following the link to my e-mail on this page. Additional meetings are planned, and more may be added as needed. Watch this space. I hope to see you there!

Orientation/Information meeting schedule
Tuesday, September 29 San Ramon Valley Center 6:00–7:00 Room W135
Tuesday, October 6 Los Medanos College 6:00–7:00 Library Conference Room 2
Thursday, October 8 Contra Costa College 3:00–4:00 Student Service Center Conf. Room B
Tuesday, October 13 Brentwood Center 7:00–8:00 Room 4
Tuesday, October 20 San Ramon Valley Center 6:00–7:00 Room W 135

BREAKING NEWS!

Carolyn Seefer, another veteran instructor in the Florence Program (Sp 2007) has designed a short-term course just for you! You can arrive in Florence dazed and confused OR, you can hit the ground running by enrolling in Carolyn’s class. It’s your choice (but I know what I’d do!)

Simply put, this course will help you prepare for your trip. You will learn how social, dining and business etiquette in Italy differ from the good ol’ US of A. Lectures, videos, field trips, and guest speakers will present important milestones in Italian history, common Italian phrases, typical Italian foods, the Italian way of doing business, basic Italian geography, economic issues in Italy, currency, and Italian art, music, and literature. You’ll also learn the rather important ways you can use technology to communicate with family and friends while abroad. So, if you’ve made your choice to go, do everything you can to make it the best choice you’ve ever made!

Sign up for: BUS 150P-2452
Florence: Preparing for Your Study Abroad Trip
Tuesdays, 2:30-5:45 p.m.
BFL 104 (DVC)
November 10-December 15
1.5 units

Orientation/Information meetings begin!

We had our first orientation meeting today at DVC. I was very pleased with the turnout, with 16 or 17 students in attendance. Study Abroad Coordinator Aleks Ilich and I shared a video that featured our students from a recent program talking about the city, the people, the classes, the travel they experienced and the friendships they made. It was quite entertaining and did about 90% of our job, which is communicating the life-altering value of studying and learning in a foreign country (and Italy in particular!) We followed up with the inevitable Powerpoint presentation that laid out the requirements, facts (and costs) of the program, which gave us plenty of opportunities to comment and stimulated quite a few questions from the students. We also reminded students not to miss this opportunity, because the Study Abroad Program may not be offered for a semester or two (after the Florence Program of course) due to the State budget crisis. Please review the schedule below and pick the meeting that suits you best!

Orientation/Information meeting schedule
Tuesday, September 29 San Ramon Valley Center 6:00–7:00 Room W135
Tuesday, October 6 Los Medanos College 6:00–7:00 Library Conference Room 2
Thursday, October 8 Contra Costa College 3:00–4:00 Student Service Center Conf. Room B
Tuesday, October 13 Brentwood Center 7:00–8:00 Room 4
Tuesday, October 20 San Ramon Valley Center 6:00–7:00 Room W 135

Time flies: Mark these dates!

If you want to go, these dates will help you plan:

October 9 Priority Application Deadline (Applicants guaranteed first priority for home campus classes)
October 23 Application Deadline to guarantee flights
November 2 LATE Application Deadline (on a space-available basis)
January 16 Pre-Departure Meeting

What will you see?

This is a view from my favorite street in Florence…Via del Studio. While the cupola (or dome) of the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) dominates the skyline, it also defines the identity of the people of Florence. They speak with pride of being born “in the shadow of the dome” and when away from Florence, suffer from “dome sickness”. So, as you walk the streets, you can often expect to look up and see (sometimes unexpectedly) this magnificent structure. As you look further in this blog, you will see many additional city views and historical/cultural sights that are part of being a Florentine (even if only for a semester!)

What will you study?

This is a manuscript copy of a page from Dante's Inferno. While you might study the Inferno in my course, your copy will be easier to read! You will earn 12 transferable college units. A minimum of six units must be selected from my DVC/LMC offerings, including SOCSC 162: Italian Life and Culture and one of the following: ART 5: The Visual Arts; ARTHS 196: Medieval/Renaissance Art History; or, HUMAN 111: Medieval/Renaissance Humanities. The remaining six units may be selected from the above, offerings from the other colleges or from Italian language courses offered by AIFS.

The College of San Mateo offers courses in Philosophy, Social and Moral Issues and Critical Thinking; Cosumnes River College offers courses in World Literature, World Mythologies and Composition; Santa Rosa Junior College offers courses in Art Appreciation and History, Humanities and Italian Literature. (See these college websites for specific course numbers and descriptions.)

Where will you study?

The school is located in the large tan building with the arch at upper right, which fronts on the Piazza della Repubblica. This square is very old, marking the location of first, the Roman forum, and later the Mercato Vecchio or "old marketplace" and then the Jewish Ghetto. It was later completely renovated (or ruined according to critics) when Florence was, briefly, Italy's capital. The site is in the heart of the old city (see the map link on the left) and in walking distance of all student apartments.

Late-breaking news!

Don't let the State's budget crisis overshadow your plans!
There is a possibility that future CCCCD Study Abroad programs may be unavailable after the Spring, 2010 Florence Program. To avoid disappointment, sign up to go to Florence today!

How safe is the city?

As this is important to you, important to your parents and important to your instructors and AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study, which provides all non-academic student services), you’ll be reassured to know that the “old city” (where you’ll be living) is very safe, even after dark and even – parents, stop reading here – very late. The students, faculty and AIFS support staff are a kind of community that bonds for the duration of your stay in Florence.

Where will I stay?

Apartments. With kitchens and a variety of unique features that make each one different and difficult to describe. You’ll live with one, possibly two students, and if you enroll in the program with a friend, you can arrange it to live with them too! All of the apartments will be located within walking distance of the school you’ll be attending, and as there’s not much public transportation, walking is the best way to get to know the city of Florence.

What will I pay?

I know what you're thinking... ARE YOU CRAZY? In times like these? Well, yes, the cost might seem high at the moment, but you should consider the following. First of all, the trip is, as of this writing months away. If you adjust your priorities (Say to yourself, “Well, I could buy this download for my I-Pod, OR, I could go to Italy!” Second, the cost includes accommodation. Believe me, you could not live in Italy, much less Florence, for three months for that kind of money. Remember, you’ll be taking the same type of GE, transferable courses you would be taking on your home campus, but you’ll be doing it in Italy! Seriously, for the amount of money you’ll spend, for the program, the air travel, food and discretionary travel, you’ll gain far more in terms of changing your life than simple dollars can measure.
Study Abroad site
Cost comparisons (PDF)

A bit of personal philosophy

While you'll have other professors from other colleges that comprise the educational aspect of the program, I will represent your campus (DVC, LMC, or CCC) and teach at minimum, two of your courses. I would like to introduce myself to you by including a personal statement as to why I wanted to be your instructor.

Quite frankly, I am much better qualified to go to Florence now than I was in 1999. My professional and personal experience in the time since then have allowed me to mature in all the roles I play and the Study Abroad Program provides me with the best venue to offer my present and future students the benefit of that experience.

While I am without question fully an American (with all the inherent tension between idealism and cynicism that that identity implies) I feel “at home” in Europe in general and Italy in particular. Part of it is my experience as a designer and artist. Part of it is the knowledge I have of Italy, its buildings, art and history, but more, it is a kind of ethical and spiritual resonance I feel that harmonizes with Renaissance Humanist faith in the transformative power of education. I should like to share, and I hope inspire, that kind of feeling in my students. The courses you take from me will reflect these values.

Lastly, I simply want to see and experience Florence again. My learning curve would be very short. I know where to shop (and where not to!) I know the rhythms and rigors of day-to-day life in the city, where things are, how to get there, and mostly, I know how things work. I am really glad to be going back! I hope you'll join me. (If you have questions, you can e-mail me at kalexander@losmedanos.edu.)