About the program:

When students imagine Irish literature, names like James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, and Seamus Heaney  often come to mind. These giants of the Irish literary tradition are important, but 21st-century  Ireland has built on their legacies while moving forward in a new and diverse society. This course  will focus on writers of color in Ireland and Northern Ireland, their experiences of immigration and  attempts at assimilation, how they encounter and combat anti-Black racism, and how these Black  Irish writers, often termed “New Irish” are changing what it means to be Irish today. No longer a  monoculture, it is a place where Nigerian playwrights, South African storytellers, and Black Irish-born citizens are navigating what Irish-Zambian rapper, poet, and hip-hop artist Denise Chelia has called  “dual citizenship”.

– Source: TCNJ website

CEPA organized an introductory course to the Irish language with Dr. Ian Malcom in Belfast.

“The course went well and the students and professors were very happy with the programme. I attach a photograph from the day, which you can use for publicity purposes or share on social media should you wish.” – Dr. Malcom

Running for the third time in a row this January, the Culinary Study Abroad Program in Italy, France, and Spain was once again an unforgettable journey filled with rich flavors, cultural discoveries, and hands-on experiences. Throughout the program, participants had the chance to immerse themselves in the culinary traditions of three of the world’s most renowned food destinations.

Starting in Rome, sightseeing at iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, followed by a cooking class, the group then traveled to Florence, where they explored Roman history while alternating between regional food experiences and visiting an organic olive oil mill. In Genova, the students had the opportunity to participate in a pesto workshop (pictured in the photos above). They learned to make pesto using the traditional recipe and methods and could take it home with them.

The journey continued into France, where the group visited a lemon orchard close to Nice and hiked in the breathtaking Calanques region near Marseille. While discovering Montpellier through a food tour, Professor Dr. Heidi Stolz connected the content learned in Knoxville beforehand and the on-site experiences in Europe during her class sessions throughout the program.

The final stop of the study abroad program was in Barcelona, where the group could review their journey through the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Sagrada Familia. They wrapped up their adventure with a Flamenco Dinner Show on their last evening, celebrating the end of an unforgettable experience.

We are happy about the positive feedback from students and coordinators and look forward to successfully continuing this program with Dr. Stolz in the coming years!

Following the Christmas holidays, Dr. Hans Hansen embarked on his yearly “transformative cross-cultural management program” with students from the College of Business at Texas Tech University. This is the 10th year Dr. Hansen has worked with CEPA to organize the program. The group stayed in grand European cities like Munich, Paris, and London.

The program was filled with numerous cultural activities and professional meetings. Some highlights include:

• Walking tours of Munich and London
• Visits to various museums, e.g. BMW Museum, and other historic sites, e.g. Tower of London
• Guided tour of the WPP Paris Campus
• TTU Alumni Networking session at Deloitte LLP in London
• Presentation of PLMR (Political Lobbying and Media Relations) London
• Guided tour of Lloyd’s of London
• Guided tour of the FC Chelsea Stadium and Museum

Many students took advantage of the free-time activity suggestions from Anna Boffo, their coordinator in London. Among these local insider tips, they especially liked the English Afternoon Tea (or “High tea”) that is traditionally served with sweet and savory treats, and the West End theatre shows.

Besides daily breakfast at each hotel, CEPA also provided delicious meals with local food at the start and at the end of the program. The welcome dinner took place at a traditional German beer hall at Augustiner Bräustuben in Munich and the farewell dinner to wrap up this exciting trip was held at Swan London (connected to Shakespeare’s Globe) which serves trendy British fine dining with stunning views of the River Thames.

We are extremely proud of the positive feedback we’ve received from the students and coordinators and wish to continue running this program successfully with Dr. Hansen for many more years to come!

Nursing students