Photos from 2011 Global Student Leadership in Korea

French and Spanish Major Stefanie Stoops at the "Global Student Leadership 2011" conference in Korea.

AU French and Spanish major participates in South Korea student conference

Stefanie Stoops, a French and Spanish major, participated August 10-18 in a student conference in Daegu, South Korea through Daegu Health College. Stefanie reports, “It was exciting to interact with students from 10 countries (Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Thailand, and the U.S.). One of the most important things I learned at this conference was that different perceptions of an individual’s role in society lead to totally different views of the world. For example, Koreans have no problem eating from a communal plate or spontaneously eating off someone else’s plate. However, in the West, we would consider such practices rude and unsanitary. Koreans think more about the group, while Westerners think more about the individual.” Stefanie also got to experience Korean culture, including the food. She learned that Koreans LOVE spicy food, especially kimchi. The students visited the world culture expo in Gyeongju and learned about the Shilla kingdom, which lasted 1000 years. They also shopped at a traditional Korean market. Stefanie considers the conference a fulfilling experience, and  she feel s blessed that she was chosen to represent Ashland and the U.S. at the conference.

AU Foreign Language Professor recognized for 25 years of service

On August 17th, 2011, President Finks recognized Barbara Schmidt-Rinehart for her 25 years of service to Ashland University.  Congratulations!

 Barbara Schmidt-Rinehart, Professor of Foreign Languages, earned a B.A. in Spanish and membership in Phi Beta Kappa at Ohio University, a M.Ed. from Ashland University, and a Ph.D. in Foreign Language Education from the Ohio State University.    She was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student in Education at AU when she received her M.Ed., was one of the first two recipients of the Taylor Teaching Award in 1987, and received the Ed Allen Award for Outstanding College Foreign Language Instructor from the Ohio Foreign Language Association in 1988.  She teaches courses in Spanish and in language teaching methods and chaired the Foreign Languages Department for 13 years. Barb’s service to AU in the area of international education has been noteworthy.  Besides her work in language teaching, she established and has led for more than 20 years AU’s summer Spanish program abroad, first in Mexico and more recently in Costa Rica.  She has served numerous years on AU’s International Programs Committee.  She established the Ashland Foreign Language Alliance for high school language teachers in the area and was a member of the Academic Programs Committee of the College Consortium for International Studies for many years. She is recognized nationally as an authority on the impact of home stays and host family interactions on language learning.

Interested in foreign language careers? Try our book list.

Here is a link to AU's Career Services books on foreign languages, careers abroad and domestic careers with an international focus.

Jennifer Rathbun's translations published in Seattle Journal for Social Justice

The Seattle Journal for Social Justice published Jennifer Rathbun's translations of Juan Armando Rojas Joo's poetry in their summer issue dedicated to understanding human trafficking and its victims. Pick up your own copy at AU's Center for Nonviolence on the first floor of Bixler.  

2011 AU Grad commences position at Highland HS in Indiana

2011 graduate Chelsea Springer is teaching Spanish at Highland High School in Highland, IN, near Chicago. Chelsea double-majored in Spanish and French Education. Chelsea is excited to be teaching in a school that offers French, Spanish, German, and Japanese. School started on August 16.

To learn more about how the study of a foreign language enhances your career opportunities view this presentation.

Foreign Language Enhances Career Opportunities

Summer 2011 AU Costa Rica Study Abroad Immersion Experience

Thirteen A.U. students studied at Conversa Centro Linguístico in Santa Ana, Costa Rica for 4, 6 or 8 weeks. Students participated in a linguistic and cultural immersion experience by studying Spanish for six hours each day, living with a family, and participating in cultural excursion.  Three education majors also participated in a 2-week field experience in an elementary school.

Left to Right:  Miriah, Nicole, Curt, Calley, Kendall, James, Da'Vell, Josh, Rachel, Susie, Tiffany (behind), Camille, Christina.

View our slide show to gain a better insight of our time in Costa Rica.

Left to Right:  Curt, James, Susie, Tiffany, Rachel on an excursion to the Poas Volcano.

Da'Vell enjoying the fresh fruit of Costa Rica!

Nicole and James studying in the hammock lounge.

The following students participated in the Summer 2011 Costa Rica Study Abroad experience:

4 weeks:       Tiffany Baker

Joshua Bates

Curt Cunning

Rachel Jenney

Christina Neely

James Robinson

Kendall Sánchez

Da’Vell Winters

6 weeks:       Nicole Buhr

Susana Strobel

                        Camille Talarico      

           

8 weeks:       Miriah Keller

                                    Calley Taylor

For more information, contact:

Dr. Barbara Schmidt-Rinehart
Program Coordinator
214 Bixler
419-289-5131
bschmidt@ashland.edu