Arcadia University President Dr. Jerry Greiner recently joined Professor Stephen Hillier, Vice Principal International of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two universities, building on a long-standing, successful partnership between Arcadia and the University of Edinburgh.

Professor Hillier is responsible for implementing the University of Edinburgh’s “Internationalization Strategy ” and hopes the strategy will enable the University to see “clear benefits in terms of having even more vibrant, internationally-focused staff and students who are open to and working with the best minds worldwide."

The Arcadia Center in Barcelona hosted its bi-annual language exchange earlier this month. Program students met with students from the Escola Universitaria de Turisme (www.ceta.edu.es), and had the opportunity to practice their Spanish and Catalan, as well as exchange impressions, ideas, and get to know local students. As a follow-up to the language exchange, our staff in Barcelona will host a Language Exchange Party in November.

Anthony Grayling, MA, DPhil (Oxon), a Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London, delivered a lecture entitled Freedom, Safety, Terror to Arcadia London Internship students on September 15th. The lecture focused on how governmental attempts to combat widespread threats pose a great risk to our civil liberties. Terrorism was specifically addressed through a discussion on our technology-driven culture of surveillance. Professor Grayling's presentation widened student perspectives on questions of ethics and morality, and led to a lively debate.

In addition to his position at Birkbeck, Professor Grayling is a Supernumerary Fellow of St. Anne's College, Oxford, and is the author and editor of many books on philosophy and other subjects. His most recent work is a biography of William Hazlitt and a collection of essays. He holds positions as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and has been involved in a United Nations human rights initiative, among other professional and academic affiliations and activities. He has also contributed to the Guardian, the Observer, the Financial Times, the Economist, the Times Literary Supplement, the Independent on Sunday and the New Statesman; is a frequent broadcaster on BBC Radio; and serves on a number of editorial boards for academic journals.

 

Arcadia University's collaboration with SHAWCO is highlighted in the Chronicle of Higher Education, in the August 10th article, "A South African Student Charity Becomes A Study Abroad Destination." Arcadia's unique Community Development Summer Program in Cape Town offers students the opportunity to contribute to communities in need while developing leadership skills.

Students earn credit while tutoring students in reading, mathematics, science or information technology. The program is offered in conjunction with SHAWCO (Students' Health and Welfare Centres Organization), an organization founded and governed by the students of the University of Cape Town.

As student ambassadors, Zimmaro and Gowat will be sharing their experiences with other students and promoting study abroad in Australia at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 

 They will be also be working closely with the AEI coordinators as well as the study abroad offices on their home campuses organize events and information sessions with the goal of increasing awareness and interest in study abroad in Australia.  
 

Studying abroad in Sydney not only fostered cultural awareness and sense of independence, but also personal growth. Scuba-diving the Great Barrier Reef, hiking through the Outback, and living with Australian students were only a few of the numerous highlights of my time there. My semester abroad was a truly remarkable experience, and I cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to embark upon such an adventure.

I specifically would like to emphasize how great it was to go through the Arcadia program. The staff both in the US and Australia were incredibly helpful and supportive through the entire process, and I hope you all know that your efforts do not go unnoticed.

- Lauren Zimmaro

Brooke Sheffer, a rising senior at George Washington University had the distinct honor of serving as “annunciatrice” (announcer) at the Accademia Italiana’s 25th annual fashion show, “25 Years of Design & Love” last semester in Florence.  The event, which took place on April 18th, was entirely student-run and showcased more than 300 creations designed by students in the Accademia’s fashion design and costume design departments, and held together with a multimedia exhibition prepared by the interior, product, and graphic design students.  Among the approximately 3,000 invited guests in attendance at the show were fashion giants  Carla Fendi, Ottavia, and Rosita Missoni as well as designers Andrea Branzi, Alessandro Mendini and Alberto Alessi.