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.)
Good looking blog! I'd love to see one that showcases your art. Do you have digital photos of all your paintings?
ReplyDeleteFrom one Italian at LMC to an Italian in spirit....la dolce vita! Have a blast, Ken
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