UNC Charlotte Alum Reports from Spain

Spring semester. Some of you are anticipating your graduation and foray into the next step of your life. It's likely that when spring fever hits, those who are not experiencing senioritis will still have a strong urge to do something other than school - at least for a little while. A former UNC Charlotte student took advantage of his academic schedule to study in Spain, pursued an internship in Mexico during a summer and is now living and working in Spain for a while.

A former guest blogger for NI, Ron has now launched his own blog with snippets and commentary on daily life in Spain and his experiences living and working abroad. So, after you flip through a few NI posts, check out Sin Salsa Blanca for videos, pictures and glimpses of what could be your next great adventure.

For information on how to study abroad during your academic year or during the summer, visit the Office of Education Abroad website for more information.

Student One-Act Play Festival- Rowing to America: The Immigrant Project

The UNC Charlotte Theatre Department is presenting a series of one-act plays later this week which explore the experience of immigration, emigration and migration. This collaboration with Crossroads Charlotte is part of an ongoing effort to build social capital in the Charlotte community. Dr. Susan Harden explains that social capital is “the strength of our social networks with each other, how much we trust each other, and how much we do for each other in terms of reciprocal relationships.”
Following the Friday evening performance, there will be a panel/discussion which is a great opportunity for anyone attending to ask questions and offer comments on their own experiences.

Performance details and contact:
Thu- Sat Feb 24-26
8:00pm
Robinson Hall Lab Theater
$5 general admission

Egypt Analysis

In light of recent events, NI has compiled a list of a couple of resources and articles that may be helpful for anyone interested in understanding the current situation in Egypt. If you know of other resources that have been useful in understanding deeper the various dynamics of Egypt and the region, please feel free to add them to the list as well - this is certainly not meant to reflect a comprehensive set and additional sources are welcome.

http://www.wilsoncenter.org/topics/pubs/Egypt%20at%20the%20Tipping%20Point.pdf

http://chronicle.com/article/Whether-They-Flee-or-Stay/126170/

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/01/31/turmoil_in_egypt_leaves_colleges_scrambling_to_protect_students

http://www.brookings.edu/

History Condensed

We’re all pressed for time so it helps if you can get an overview of things in a quick and accessible way.

There’s the Reduced Shakespeare Company, various versions of five-minute makeovers and 30 minute gourmets, the Wall Street minute, the guides to almost anything tech for Dummies, and Cliff Notes to literature.

But here’s a video clip that will make you really appreciate the power of statistics, history, GIS applications, and video technology know-how:

Enjoy!!

http://www.flixxy.com/200-countries-200-years-4-minutes.htm

Great Decisions 2011

When you hear the phrase "great decisions 2011" you may be thinking of your recent new year's resolutions, how to best manage your class loads, what you want to be when you grow up or where to find a job after you graduate. All important. NI proposes adding one more: the future of U.S. foreign policy.

Each year, the UNC Charlotte Office of International Programs and the World Affairs Council of Charlotte host a community lecture series based on the compiled resources and suggestions of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA). FPA conducts extensive research to determine eight topics of foreign policy significance for the upcoming year and compiles information about each topic into a "Briefing Book." In Charlotte, we choose 6 of the 8 topics and ask local experts to provide a 45-minute presentation with 45 minutes set aside for Q&A. The topics up for discussion in 2011 are Crisis in the Caucasus, Horn of Africa, Global Governance, Sanctions and Proliferation: North Korea and Iran, Responding to the Financial Crisis and Germany Ascendant.

It's a great way to supplement your classes in an ungraded environment. You hear perspectives from faculty at UNC Charlotte, Davidson University, a Fulbright Scholar at Duke University and Winthrop University and have an opportunity to ask questions and raise issues that might otherwise be ignored. Each lecture is held Tuesday evenings at Charlotte Country Day School at 7:00 PM from Tuesday, January 18 to Tuesday, February 22. For registration details and more information, visit: http://oip.uncc.edu/great_decisions.htm.

Prince William's Engagement

The news of this royal engagements are all over headlines everywhere! Prince William, son of the late Princess Dianna, proposed to Kate Middleton last month in Kenya. These two have a long running history of an "On again off again relationship" that always proved that no matter what they retreated back to one another. No matter the distance Kate and Prince William kept their personal squabbles to themselves and were loyal to their relationship.
This royal relationship has come as an utter surprise to everyone other that their immediate families as Prince William asked her parents for her hand in marriage. This 9 year relationship has finally reached the ultimate commitment, as their wedding is scheduled to take place late summer 2011.Queen Elizabeth, Prince William's grandmother is estatic about the engagement and is very proud that Prince William will be marrying Kate. She thinks she is a lovely girl, as the rest of his family adorea her.
Their relationship started as a genuine friendship 10 years ago as they were in college together in Scotland. They held a press interview just to
shed a little light on their recent engagement and express how happy they were this time has finally arrived. Prince William proposed to Kate with his mothers engagement ring. This is extremely sentimental as Princess Dianna expressed that she would love for him to give it to his fiance' if she would accept it. Kate graciously accepted and the two are pleasantly planning for the ceremony!
This will be an event to remember and already scheduled guests are: Elton John, a close friend of Princess Dianna's who is said to perform, The Obama's, and Sean Combs to mention a few.

2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Guest blogger: Maddy Baer

Recently I learned about the International Climate Champions initiative of the British Council. The International Climate Champions initiative is part of a range of activities within the British Council designed to build understanding of and drive action on climate change.

In 2008 the program launched in 13 countries (Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States) and then grew to encompass more than 800 International Climate Champions in 29 countries.

In 2009 the program expanded to 60 countries across the globe, recruiting over 1,300 young people who are passionate about and committed to taking action on climate change. These champions are not only leaders in their communities but are also participating in international peer networks, both in person and online, to share ideas, projects and experiences. Participants range in age from 11-35.

I spoke with participants from Indonesia and China who were returning from the conference in Cancun. During their visit, they met with fellow participants from 28 countries as well as spending time with the government delegations from their respective countries. Young men in their late 20’s, one was pursuing graduate work in mathematics, the other a Fulbright Scholar working on his PhD in agricultural economics. When they complete their U.S. studies, they will return to home and work to motivate young people to advocate for, and devise solutions to the challenges presented by global warming.

To learn more about the program and initiatives, opportunities to lead, innovate, and research go to: http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/climatechange/.