Introduction: Mark

Hi I'm Mark Lattanzio.  I'm a junior English major with concentrations in Writing and Rhetoric and Irish Studies.  I am a DJ at Villanova's radio station, WXVU, where I play all types of electronic music, and I am on the Media Relations committee of Villanova's new student-run homeless shelter.

I studied abroad in London two summers ago where I interned with Brentford Football Club.  I loved living in a city and being able to experience new things everyday.  While I was there I visited Scotland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.  This past fall I visited Costa Rica as part of a school service trip.  We helped the local community with a beach restoration project and their efforts to protect sea turtle nesting sites.

I have played and followed soccer from a young age and it has contributed to me having a more global view and a broader understanding of different cultures.  Soccer has helped my Spanish improve and I plan on learning Portuguese before I travel to Brazil for the World Cup in 2014.

 

Blog Post #1 Introduction

Hi everyone, I'm Meghan. I'm an English major from Pittsburgh, Pa. I'm also pursuing a Writing & Rhetoric Concentration, as well as a Spanish minor. At Villanova I'm a member of Pi Beta Phi and I'm a Co-Copy Desk Chief for University newspaper, The Villanovan. I love writing fiction, however I'll probably initially go into the field of journalism or publishing.


In the fall of 2010, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Queen Mary, University of London. I spent three and a half months exploring London and various parts of Europe. Living in London was an eye-opening experience which I took note of in a blog that I kept while living there.


I love to travel and although I'm able to go to Buenos Aires with the class, I have plans to travel in Europe and Asia in the next few years.

Welcome to the VU/Argentina Blog!

Hi There Everyone!

I hope you will enjoy sharing information about yourselves and your culture on this blog.  Each week I have given you a topic to write about, and hopefully we will all get to know each other and our countries better this way.  Blog Assignments can always be found under the Blog Archives area on the right side of the blog.  Just look for January and then "Blog Assignments."

First of all, please click on "New Post" and introduce yourself.  Say a little about your life and current activities--and don't forget your picture!  You will see that Dr. Hollis was the first to post on the blog.  Now you be next please!  This will be “Post #1:  Introduction: Your Name.”

Always number your posts and give them a title.
Peace!
Dr. Hollis

PS--Don't hesitate to click on the Comment button to leave a comment about an epal's post.

Post #1--Introduction: Dr. Karyn Hollis

Hi Everyone-- Dr. Hollis Here.
This is my 21st year at Villanova! I've been very happy since I got here. One reason is because before VU, I spent 5 years at Dickinson College, and I was tired of the small town life (Carlisle, PA). I am going backwards, but before Dickinson I did my Ph.D. at the University of Southern California. I really enjoyed California--especially all the sunshine. I was used to that being from Texas (Corpus Christi) originally.

I did my Masters at the University of Texas in Austin, and that's where I met my husband. In 1988 we had a son who's now 22 and a senior at Syracuse University.

Our greatest family activity has been our house trading ventures to Europe every summer. Through a home exchange organization (Intervac.com and HomeExchange.com), we have traded with families from Spain, Italy, and France. They venture to our house in Wynnewood, PA to live for about 3 weeks, and we go to their homes--most have been right on the Mediterranean coast. This summer we went back to Provence in France, but the middle week of our three week vacation, we went to Senegal--the hardest but most meaningful trip we've ever taken. I hope you can all go to Africa for the very enlightening experience it is!

I also travel to South America over spring break with students in my travel writing class. I've been to Costa Rica, Chile, Peru and Brazil. This spring break I willtake my travel writing class to Argentina to see Buenos Aires, Iguasu Falls and the glaciers of Patagonia! Anyone want to come with us? See me.

I lived in Europe 7 years quite a while back: three years in Paris, three in London and one in Bilbao, Spain. I speak fluent Spanish and French. While in London I was assistant editor of Harper's Wine and Spirit Gazette. That was an exciting point in my life--I was paid to report on wine tasting events all over London! And that's where I got most of the experience that relates to many of my courses. I also have a BA in Journalism from the University of Texas.

I have recently published a book about the way writing was taught at the Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers, 1922-1938. And I have just finished editing a book about the role of intellectuals in society with Dr. Silvia Nagy-Zekmi, Director of the Cultural Studies Program here at Villanova.

At Villanova I have been director of the Writing Center and Writing Program. Then seven years ago, I established a Concentration in Writing and Rhetoric. Maybe it will interest some of you. You can combine the Concentration with any major, but it goes especially well with English or Communication majors since "double dipping" of courses is allowed. It will certify that you have taken extra courses in order to become a better communicator and writer. This course can count toward the Concentration. Check out the Concentration here. http://www.writingprogram.villanova.edu/concentration So that's about it. Hope to read more of your self-introductions soon! Dr. Hollis --

Blog Assignments

Monday January 17	ePals Post 1 -- Introduce yourself and your interests, include a photo.
Wednesday January 19	epals post 2 - If you had 3 personal wishes that could come true, what would they be?
Monday January 24	epals post 3 - Describe your typical weekday and and Saturday night.
Monday January 31	ePal Post 4 --Take a picture of a sign or poster that might be confusing to a visitor (political, commercial, advertisement, transportation, etc) and explain it.
Monday February 7	epal Post 5 -- Explain (with photo or video if possible) a cultural gesture (movement of arms,hands, fingers, whole body, head, etc.)
Monday February 14	E-penpals virtual meeting-Skype or Wimba
February 21 Monday	epal post 7 -- What are the three biggest problems facing your country today?
February 26-March 6	Spring Break—Vacation!
March 7 Monday	epal post 8 -- Informational photos.  Take a photo of two objects that are common in your culture but might be confusing to a visitor, and explain them (coins or bills, driver's license, favorite food, etc).
March 14 Monday	epals post 9 -- Explain your family's and your own personal political affiliation
March 21 Monday	epal post 10 -- What is your nominal religion? What does it mean to you?  What role does it play in your life?
March 28 Monday	epal post 11 - When did your family come to Brazil / USA and why? Describe your ethic background.
April 4 Monday	epal post 12 -- What are 4 qualities that Brazilians associate with Americans and vice versa
April 11 Monday	epal post 13 -- Describe the role your family prescribes for women
April 18 Monday	epal post 14 -- Predict the fate of the natural world in your culture
April 20 Wednesday (Last Post)	ePal Post 15 -- Work out a list of 5 things you have in common with your epals.
April 21-26	Happy Easter!
April 27 Wednesday	Live Webinar with epals--Good Bye (or not!)