Department of World Languages

Macedonian Ambassador Visits EMU!

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

Left to Right: Consul General of Macedonia, Igor Dukoski; Honorary Consul of Spain, Coral Lopez-Gomez; EMU CAS Director of International Initiatives, Betsy Morgan; and Ambassador of Macedonia to the US, Zoran Jolevski

This past Tuesday, June 26, we were delighted to have had the opportunity to host the Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to the US, the Honorable Zoran Jolevski, accompanied by the Consul General of Macedonia, the Honorable Igor Dukoski. The Honorary Consul of Spain and Director or EMU’s Ambassadorial and Consular Corps Liaison Office, Coral Lopez-Gomez, also arrived to escort the Ambassador. The purpose of the Ambassador’s visit was to discuss opportunities for academic partnerships and exchanges between Eastern Michigan University and universities in Macedonia.

The Ambassador’s visit began with a campus tour, led by Dr. Betsy Morgan, Director of International Initiatives for the College of Arts and Sciences and World Languages Professor. Throughout the tour, the Ambassador was able to see EMU’s beautiful campus, and even had the chance to talk directly with EMU students working in the Polymers and Coatings laboratory.

The tour concluded at Welch Hall, where the Ambassador, Consul General, and Honorary Consul met with President Martin, Provost Schatzel, and Dr. Burwood, Director of International Programs. We are excited to further collaborate with the Macedonian Ambassador and Consulate to forge academic partnerships. Stay tuned for more information on future partnerships resulting from the Ambassador’s visit.

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Irish Festival This Weekend!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

This weekend, take a trip to Kalamazoo and experience the Kalamazoo Irish Fest, where you’re certain to have a good time. There will be a variety of Irish food/beverage and craft vendors as well as a main stage scheduled full of performances. Musical acts include traditional Irish/Celtic music, contemporary bands, dancers, and bagpipers.

Once you’ve had your fill of musical entertainment, you can visit the Heritage Village, where you can have a cup of tea or coffee in the Irish Tea Room. You can also take a lesson in Medieval Lettering or watch a traditional weaving demonstration.

Details:
June 22 and 23, 2012
Arcadia Creek Festival Place
Kalamazoo, MI

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Free Concert This Weekend!

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

The Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Free Pops Concert will take place this Saturday, May 26, at 2 p.m. in Depot Town’s beautiful Riverside Park. Musical numbers promise to be diverse, from Broadway and movie soundtrack favorites to patriotic and jazz tunes! Bring along a blanket and some friends to enjoy some great music in the park! Afterwards, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the delicious Depot Town restaurants!

Details:
May 26, 2012
2 p.m.
Riverside Park
15 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti

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Alessandro’s Tiramisu

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

One of EMU World Languages’ heritage Italian students, Alessandro Iuliani, recently shared his home made tiramisu with us. (Thank you, Alessandro!!!) It was so decadent and delicious that we just had to share his recipe with all of you! If you want to make a truly Italian dessert that is sure to impress, try your hand at Alessandro’s Tiramisu!

Ingredients:
savoiardi (lady fingers)
cooled espresso
500g Mascarpone cheese
4 egg yolks
4 tablespoons of sugar
semi-sweet cocoa powder (for garnish)
baker’s chocolate shavings (for garnish)

Directions:
To make the cream, mix the sugar and egg yolks together. Then add Mascarpone cheese and mix completely.

After cream is completed, using a 12 X 9 pan dip savoiardi (lady fingers) into cooled espresso and allow to absorb espresso, being careful not to allow the savoiardi to crumble apart. Layer espresso-laden savoiardi to completely cover bottom of the pan and spread cream over top.

Repeat layers as desired. (Most tiramisu has 2 or 3 layers.)

Top off with sprinklings cocoa powder and shavings of baker’s chocolate.

Enjoy!

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Discover Turkey!

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

Event Details:
When: Friday, March 23, 2012- 3:00-4:30
Where: 425 Pray-Harrold

Come on a virtual vacation and discover the culture of Turkey!

The Consul General of Turkey, Fatih Yıldız, Chicago, and Honorary Consul General of Turkey, Nurten Ural, Detroit, will be here to present and discuss various aspects of Turkish culture! Delicious Mediterranean refreshments will be provided, and LBC credit is available!

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Guest Lecture: The Importance of Learning Japanese in Michigan

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

Courtesy of: Motoko Tabuse

Event Details:
When: Monday, April 2, 2012- 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Halle Library Auditorium

Join Consul General of Japan in Detroit, Kuninori Matsuda, as he discusses the importance of learning Japanese within the modern day global context. Mr. Matsuda will explore the benefits of being proficient in the Japanese language while going into detail about the breadth of opportunity for Japanese language speakers right here in Michigan.

Mr. Matsuda, in his capacity as Consul General of Japan in Detroit, seeks to advance important initiatives of the Consulate, including the promotion of trade and business development between Japan and the United States, supporting the study of Japanese language and culture throughout Michigan and Ohio, and nurturing the excellent relationship between the United States and Japan through various educational and cultural activities and exchanges.

Mr. Matsuda joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following his graduation from Tokyo University in 1982. His assignments have included Director of Overseas Public Relations, Director of Russian Affairs, and Minister at the Embassy of Japan in Israel. He assumed his current position as Consul General of Detroit in August 2010.

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Attend the NAFTA Panel Discussion!

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

We are excited to announce the upcoming NAFTA Panel Discussion which will take place on Tuesday, March 20 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in room 300 Strong. The distinguished panel will consist of the Consul General of Canada, Roy Norton; Consul General of Mexico, Vicente Sanchez Ventura; Professor of Economics from American University, Dr. Robert Bleaker; and Professor of Political Science from the University of Windsor, Dr. Stephen Brooks. The discussion will be moderated by EMU Professors of Political Science, Dr. Volker Krause and Dr. Richard Stahler-Sholk. Come to learn about the implications of the North American Free Trade Agreement, how it has affected the relations between the three governments, and how the agreement has influenced jobs, wages, and labor rights in the three countries. LBC credit is available! Contact the Department of World Languages with questions at 734.487.0130.

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Polish-American Day at EMU – Feb. 11

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

Courtesy of Raymond Rolak

On Saturday, February 11, 2012 Eastern Michigan University will be hosting Polish-American Heritage Day along with their scheduled basketball doubleheader. The women will take on Kent State at 2:00 p.m. and the men host perennial Mid-American Conference power Ohio University at 4:30 p.m.

The afternoon will be highlighted with a juried Polish art show, educational and historical exhibits. Polish dance troupes, folk music and Polish food items will also be featured. Children’s activities will be in abundance and the ever popular EMU mascot, ‘SWOOP’ will entertain. The ‘EMU SPIRIT’ dance team will be conducting a pregame dance tutorial for the attending dance groups.

For out-of-town visitors there is a special basketball package available. Polish fraternal organizations, Polish National Alliance and PRCUA are sponsoring the dance activities. The E-Club, an organization of athletic letter winners will be presenting this year’s Hall of Fame inductees during halftime of the men’s game.

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Chinese Week 2012 at EMU

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Sarah Krizan

Press Release courtesy of Eastern Michigan University, Geoff Larcom

Chinese Week has become an annual tradition at Eastern Michigan University, not only to celebrate the rich Chinese culture, but to involve EMU students and Ypsilanti community members in this festival.

Mei Hua Tongxue Hui, the American Chinese Students Association, is pleased to present the annual Chinese Week at EMU. The 2012 festivities run from Jan. 30 to Feb. 4, and the community is invited.

All events are free and open to the public. Eligible students can also earn Learning Beyond Classroom (LBC) credit for most events they attend.

A roundup of events includes:

• Monday, Jan. 30: Kung Fu demonstration from 3-4 p.m. in Room 310B in the Student Center, followed by Chinese Brush Painting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Village Common Room.

• Tuesday, Jan. 31: Presentation by Professor Noelle Lechner on “Chinese Visual Culture” from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Student Center Room 350.

• Wednesday, Feb. 1: Presentation on “Tourism and Miao (Hmong) Women’s Traditional Handicraft in Fenghuang, China” from 4-5 p.m. in Rom 310B of the Student Center. Ice Skating will take place at Big Bob’s Lake House, weather and ice conditions permitting.

• Thursday, Feb. 2: Chinese games, from 3-5 p.m. in room 310B of the Student Center.

• Friday, Feb. 3: Karaoke with the Office of International Students in room 300 from 3-5 p.m. The movie, The Karate Kid (2010 version) will be shown in the Student Center Auditorium from 7-9:30 p.m.

For more event details, visit acs- association.blogspot.com or email Yen-ling von Meister at ychouvon@emich.edu or call 734-604-2562.

Posted in Odds and Ends, World Languages Events | 1 Comment

Intensive German Study Abroad Summer Program in Duesseldorf and Berlin 2011

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Sarah Krizan

By Margrit Zinggeler

Four EMU German students, Casey Ahlbrandt (Business German minor), Corman Cabose (LIT German) Brendan Keely (German/History), Jonathan Strelczuk (LIT German) traveled individually to Germany and met with Prof. Margrit Zinggeler in the most famous brewery “Kneipe”, the Urige (http://www.uerige.de/start/) , on July 3. We had prepared for the program during winter semester and now it has become reality and we all made it safely to Duesseldorf and the students practiced their German along the way. We embarked on a Rhine-River cruise (see photo) and enjoyed a pizza dinner – Duesseldorf style (see photo). On Monday morning, July 4, while you back home celebrated Independence Day, our students sweated taking the difficult, grammar based placement test (see photo). The afternoon reward was getting up to Rhine-Tower for a stunning view over Duesseldorf and in the evening there was a party for all incoming international students. Classes, held at different locations in Duesseldorf, began on Tuesday: every day from 9:00am to 1:00pm is now class. In the afternoon of July 5, we visited together the Baroque Benrath Castle. The following day, after class, we took the train to Köln (Cologne) to visit the most stunning cathedral in the world which is practically on the steps of the main station. We climbed the over 150 m church tower while and admired the treasure exhibition and then enjoyed the most delicious German Mettwurst-dinner, with an unbelievable Sauerkraut and the best mashed potatoes we ever had, all of course with the famous Kölsch! (see photo). During the week that Prof. Zinggeler was in Duesseldorf, we walked all over the Altstadt, visited many churches and monuments, and of course the famous Heinrich Heine Museum. The university is named after the famous writer Heinrich Heine who was born in Duesseldorf. On Sunday, July 10, a bus brought us to Amsterdam. Why Amsterdam? Well, it’s on the program of the IIK (our university affiliated German language school). It gave us a European (and notorious) perspective of an old city. By now the students are already experienced travelers, can communicate in German in any situation and on their own for the rest of the month. Then they travel to Berlin and have two more weeks of intensive German courses while exploring the most interesting and beautiful city in Europe! The students live in Duesseldorf with families and in Berlin a dorm is more practical. They all fell in love with German culture and they work on a video project for EMU-German-American Day 2011: “Komm mit nach Deutschland!”