Hotel Europa

Part of my work while in Chisinau is to finalize logistical arrangements for the Study Abroad course I am developing for the Spring 2013 semester.  Of primary importance is to secure housing.

I looked at several possibilities, but I was most impressed when I met with the Marketing Manager of the Hotel Europa (affiliated with ULIM). I believe this hotel has all of the amenities that we will need.

See also the hotel's website

http://www.europahotel.md/photo.html

Walking Around Chisinau

City Hall

Archeological Museum. We need to go back, because it was closed for renovations

The puppet theater.

In Stefan cel Mare park.

Peggy loves these fitness playgrounds.

The Opera and Ballet Theater. Last time I was here it was for the Biden visit. We are so disappointed that there won't be any performances while we are here!

The Government Building

Biblioteca Nationala a Republicii Moldova

We visited the National Library. There was an interesting exhibit about Bessarabian history on the ground floor.

You can learn more about the Library here:

http://www.bnrm.md/

Muzeul National de Ethnografie si Istorie Naturala

Peggy and I have some time to enjoy Chisinau after she gets home from camp. On Wednesday afternoon, we visited the National Ethnographic and History Museum.

USM American Studies Center

Moldova State University was abuzz with activity as prospective students were completing admissions paperwork.  The American Studies Center was being used for graduate admissions, so we met in a different sala.

It was an honor to be presented with the recently published book, Intercultural Communication in the New Millennium, edited by the President of the American Studies Center, Dr. Elena Crestianicov.  This book includes articles from international conferences organized by the ASC from 2010-2012.  I am so pleased that it includes a contribution from me, "Integrating Civic Engagement into Higher Education Curriculum in the United States."

We met to discus lectures, seminars, roundtable discussions, international conference that might be developed in conjunction with my study abroad course. Helen has a very collaborative approach, and we will have further discussions once her colleagues from the ASC return to campus in mid-August. I am excited about the ideas we generated about possible programming when my students are in Chisinau.  Helen also had many helpful suggestions regarding our itinerary/excursions.

After our meetings at the ASC, my dear colleague Svetlana and I (whom you know well if you have been following this blog -- it was she and I who collaborated on the USFSP-USM joint research project on human trafficking) enjoyed a cup of coffee at the new Tucano coffee shop.  (I had read about it from friends' postings on facebook when I was back in the States and was eager to find it.) We talked more about my research project, and it was so helpful to get her feedback. Svetlana also will assist me in arranging interviews with key figures related to my project.

It was so good to be back at Moldova State meeting with my dear colleagues, collaborating on research and teaching projects.

Both Helen and Svetlana were Fulbright Scholars to the US. It is truly remarkable, the international network of scholars developed by the Fulbright program. I should have mentioned also that Dean Coada and the Director of the Library, Zina, from ULIM were Fulbright Scholar as well!

Speaking of network of Fulbright scholars, Svetlana and I submitted a proposal to present a paper about our "global classroom" at the upcoming Fulbright Association Conference.

Morning Routine

Peggy is at a summer camp program at her old school (where she attended Kindergarten) while I am working during the day.

Here are a few photos from our morning routine. 

She takes a taxi to camp, a Mercedes in which she watches Tom & Jerry cartoons in Russian.

Of course the bright spot is skyping with Ramsay!  Madeira Beach is 7 hours behind Chisinau, so when it is Midnight in Florida, we are having breakfast.