McLauchlan's Moldovan Musings

Thursday, February 28, 2013

USFSP International Week, International Research and Cultural Exchange

I was able to participate briefly in USFSP's 2nd Annual International Research and Cultural Exchange. (The event conflicted with my US Constitutional Law 2 class....) Faculty in all Colleges are involved in global research, teaching, and service projects. Here are some pics taken as we were just starting to set up for the event.

with Psychology Professor and event organizer, Vikki Gaskin-Butler

One of my slides for the PPT slideshow during the event

Our "global classroom" with Svetlana Suveica's class at Moldova State University's American Studies Center

The Education Abroad table. Including materials about the fabulous alternative spring break opportunity in Moldova!

It has been great to work with Wendy on the logistics of organizing my Study Abroad course

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Foreign Service Nationals visit St Pete

The International Council of the Tampa Bay Region recently hosted a delegation for the State Department of foreign service nationals who work for U.S. Embassies.

I was delighted to be invited to join the delegation for a reception at Duncan McClellan's gallery in the Warehouse Art District in St Petersburg -- where I could greet my friend and colleague from the U.S. Embassy in Moldova, Valentina!

For more about the IC TBR http://www.ic-tbr.org/

For more about Duncan McClellan Gallery http://dmglass.com/

Sunday, February 10, 2013

USFSP ULIM Joint Course Shared Experiences Spring 2013!

Many thanks to my colleague Larisa Patlis for this amazing graphic depicting our upcoming shared course!

USFSP ULIM Student Exchange, International Week, Live from Chisinau!

Here are the details on how to join our event from Chisinau!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Moldovan Student Exchange Kicks Off International Week at USFSP!

Come join us on Monday, February 25th at 9:00 am in the University Student Center Coral Room!

For our international videoconference linking USF students who will travel to Moldova in an Alternative Spring Break Study Abroad course with their colleagues at the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM) in Chisinau.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Southern Political Science Association Conference January 2013

Larisa (colleague from ULIM, at USFSP as Carnegie Fellow) and I presented at the Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting in Orlando in January.

We received valuable feedback on our paper, "Devolution in the Republic of Moldova: Transnistria and Gagauzia Compared"

The conference was held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando....so we also had fun with the ducks!

with the Duckmaster of Peabody Orlando: Donald!

After the conference, we took a road trip to St. Augustine. About to celebrate its 450th birthday, St. Augustine is the oldest continually occupied European-established city in the U.S. We had fun exploring the fort (Castillo de San Marcos), climbing to the top of the lighthouse, and riding around the old town at night in a horse drawn carriage.

And then we spent a magical weekend in DisneyWorld!

meeting Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom!


And we were thrilled to take the boat from Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge to meet another friend from Chisinau, Moldova who was also visiting Orlando. Then we took the boat ride back for more rides, the electromagic parade, and fireworks!