Globalize Your Education: Study In Italy

IUSB is heading back to Florence in 2016! Finals week has come and gone and we at the International Programs urge students to consider studying outside of the United States. Professor Dora Natella is leading students back to Italy in the pursuit of expanding intellect and experience! Students will stay in apartments provided in partnership with the Santa Reparata International School of Art. The program is from May 19^th to June 17^th 2016. The deadline for applications is February 5^th, 2016. It is imperative for students to start the process of getting a passport! Start planning now!

The rolling hills of Tuscany. Photographs by Ryan Shields

A streetview in Florence, Italy.

IU South Bend students at Piazzale Michelangelo.

Exploring the Forbidden City–La Habana, Cuba

On December 17, 2014, President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced the monumental decision to begin normalizing relations between the United States and Cuba.  In doing so, the two presidents initiated the process that will chip away at over 50 years of international discord.

Classic Cuba- Photograph by Hanna Osthimer

A month prior to this historic announcement, I traveled to La Habana (Havana), Cuba aboard a ship along with 500 other students.  This was the final destination of a study abroad program, Semester at Sea, with an itinerary that included 14 other countries.

Along El Malecon- Photograph by Hanna Osthimer

At this time, U.S. citizens were limited in accessing the island nation only 90 miles off the coast of Florida.  A visa granted on the basis of higher education allowed us an exclusive look into the country we had only read about briefly in textbooks.

If you were to ask me about Cuba before I visited, I would have only been able to recount simple phrases, hollowed of any cultural significance: Bay of Pigs, the Tropicana, and Cuban cigars.

Yet, in traveling to the country, I learned of the warmth, openness, and resilience of the Cuban people.  I learned that the Cuban people are divided on their view of the United States, oscillating between resentment and yearning.  Perhaps most importantly though, I learned about myself.

The fact is that Cuba is an impoverished nation where the majority of its people live in a state of hunger and need.  Yet, the collective outlook is one of joy and gratefulness to reside in an island paradise where life moves slowly and without the stress of wanting more, more, more.

The greatest lesson learned from Cuba remains in my heart today as I remember to appreciate all that I am fortunate enough to have.

Now almost a year after my visit, President Obama and President Raul Castro continue their commitment for change.  Just last week the two leaders met at the United Nations in light of Pope Francis’s visit to both countries.  Progress has already been made, with each nation reopening embassies in the capital cities.  I look forward to even more positive change in the months and years to come.

Would you consider traveling to Cuba, either for tourism or educational purposes?

Blog post written by Hanna Osthimer.

Inspiration Comes Easy in Venice

For IUSB students studying in Italy in 2015, the three days in Venice were three of the most exhilarating days.

Venice at sunset. Photographs by Ryan Shields

Each day, students went to a different contemporary art festival or exhibition before being set loose to shoot photography in beautiful Venice.

 

IUSB students take a much needed rest at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

The featured collections at the Guggenheim were that of Charles Pollock (1902-1988) and his brother, Jackson Pollock (1912-1956).

Peggy Guggenheim is buried in her museum, along with her many pets.

The Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice is a collection from some of the most renowned artists in contemporary art. With this caliber of inspirational material at hand, students had no trouble finding the enthusiasm for exploring their own artistic notions.