Campus Currents

By Leighah Beausoleil, publications intern

Framingham State University’s Study Abroad program is nearly back to pre-COVID levels following more than two years of travel restrictions and other limitations, according to Craig McDonald, assistant director of International Programs.

Approximately 25 students are currently studying overseas, which is the average participation the University saw prior to the pandemic, McDonald said.

“All the same places that were available around the world prior to the pandemic are now available once again - in most cases,” he said.

Students will have a chance to learn more during the annual Study Abroad Fair today, Sept. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

McDonald said the fair will include tables with information on the various destinations available. These tables will be run by representatives that have been to those locations and can answer specific questions about what a study abroad experience there would look like.

McDonald emphasized the importance of studying abroad.

He said following graduation, when students begin to apply to jobs they are going to be competing with people who share a majority of the same experiences - a bachelor’s degree, work experience, and campus involvement.

McDonald said having study abroad experience on a resumé allows students to stand out among other applicants.

“Fewer than 10% of American college students ultimately study abroad,” he added. “By doing this, you're putting yourself into a really elite group of people who are demonstrating their intellectual curiosity - who are demonstrating their international experience, their intercultural understanding, and the sorts of skills that you get out of it.”

He highlighted adaptability and intercultural communication as some of those skills.

Elizabeth Walker, a senior English major, spent her Fall 2021 Semester studying abroad in Norwich, England at the University of East Anglia.

Walker said while abroad, she wanted to travel to more countries in Europe, but was limited to the United Kingdom and Ireland due to self-isolation policies.

She added right before she flew back in December, several of her flatmates contracted COVID-19 barring her from being able to say goodbye to those she lived with all semester.

Overall, Walker said her experience was “phenomenal.” Though the pandemic presented some challenges, “I am so thrilled I had the opportunity to do it.”

Walker added there are many benefits of studying abroad, including experiencing other universities without needing to transfer, learning life skills and independence, as well as meeting new people.

Mariano Cuartas, a junior business management major, spent his Spring 2022 Semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy at Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici, the Italian International Institute.

Cuartas said during his first month in Italy everything was shut down and for the remaining time he had to continue to mask and make reservations for places he wanted to visit.

He said beyond the pandemic, he “really loved it. It was a great way to learn a new culture and really immerse yourself in a culture - being there for four months.”

Cuartas emphasized the independence students need to have in order to study abroad, especially in a country that does not speak primarily English.

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022

Lecture: Dwight Hall Performing Arts Center at 4:30 PM
Workshop: McCarthy Center, Alumni Room at 2:30 PM

Dr. Lyssa Palu-ay is the Dean of the Office of Justice and Transformation at MassArt. She will provide both an in-person lecture and a workshop on Critical Race Theory in the arts, including how it may be employed in curricula in studio arts and art education programs. Her lecture will also address how Critical Race Theory can be practiced in the humanities to address inequality, sustain our support of each other, and increase happiness. During the workshop, an interactive discussion will help faculty from all disciplines learn about adopting critical race theory into their teaching and more generally helping students of color and first-generation students.

Wednesday, Sept. 28
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Outdoor amphitheater, located to the right of the Library (Rain location: May Hall 117)

Come hear Charlie Sisitsky, Mayor of the City of Framingham, discuss his political journey. What were early influences in his political career? What is it like to run for office? What are the rewards and challenges of being the Mayor of Framingham?

This event, taking place as part of an FSU American Politics class, is open to the entire FSU community. There will be a question-and-answer period following Mayor Sisitsky’s talk. We hope you will come to learn and to have a dialogue with the Mayor.

For more information, please contact Professor Carol Gray at 413-297-1075, cgray5@framingham.edu

Co-sponsored by the Center for Inclusive Excellence, Residence Life, and Latinos Unidos En Acción (LUNA). Thank you to Whittemore Library for purchasing the film on Kanopy.

View and discuss the short documentary Being Ñ, which focuses on the experiences of Latinx individuals born in the United States to parents who grew up outside of the United States. Themes include identity, navigating language and culture, code-switching, and searching for community and belonging.

Monday October 3, 2022, 1:30-2:30p
McCarthy Center Forum

Thursday October 6, 2022, 7:00-8:00p
Miles Bibb Hall Conference Room

Now more than ever, sustaining joy and sustaining life require us to reassess and rewrite the stories we tell about ourselves. In collaboration with the Adam Sutton Group, we are offering four conversations that explore concepts presented in the book The Seven Laws of Enough: Cultivating a Life of Sustainable Abundance by Gina LaRoche and Jennifer Cohen. The first discussion will be open to the entire campus community and will focus on strategies for how we can define what is “enough” for us personally and professionally. We will have three follow-up sessions for employees. Specific dates will be released in the beginning of the semester.

All four events will take place between 3:30 and 5 p.m.:

October 6: Alumni Room - Open to Faculty, Staff & Student
October 13: O'Connor Hall Room 120B CIE Lounge - Open to Faculty & Staff
October 20: Alumni Room - Open to Faculty & Staff
October 27: Alumni Room - Open to Faculty & Staff

Fall 2022 Campus Sustainability Events & Activities:

1. Join the Green Initiative!

Students interested in sustainability, climate justice issues, and/or community gardening are invited to join the Green Initiative Club on Ramlink.

2. Monthly Campus Sustainability Meetings on Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86215029627?pwd=NXVPNmloczJOK01iNzVYeDNVMzB0dz09

Monday, September 26th 1:30pm
Monday, October 31st 1:30pm
Monday, November 21st 1:30pm

3. Rising Sea Levels: Preparing for Boston’s Future

September 27, 2022 at 5:00 pm, UM-14/Library Instruction Room. Virtual Panel and Follow-up Discussion Hosted by Campus Sustainability and the Whittemore Library as a part of Climate Prep Week hosted by Communities Responding to Extreme Weather. Registration information: https://framingham.libcal.com/event/9599386
*Check out other Climate Prep Week Events here: https://www.climatecrew.org/climate_prep_week_2022

4. Scraps to Scrumptious: Focaccia Bread Art with Food Scraps

Friday, October 28 at 3:30 p.m., Hemenway Hall 209

The USDA estimates that 31% of food is wasted, so let’s do our part to reduce this amount by using scraps and leftovers from our food labs to bake up a batch of surprisingly fast focaccia. Join us as we learn about food waste, bake up some delicious focaccia, and taste a piece or two or three!

October 15, 2022 | 1 pm - 4 pm

Benefiting the Framingham State University Student Veterans' Scholarship Fund: $25 Suggested Donation

Take an exclusive look at selected works of artist Edward Brodney documenting his experiences of World War II in the South Pacific. Framingham State holds the entire collection of WWII works of Mr. Brodney, thanks to a generous donation by his family. His daughter Jeanne will be speaking briefly about her father and the importance of his work during the event. Mr. Brodney has murals in the Massachusetts State House and Newton Town Hall and was profiled by the New York Times and Boston Globe upon his death in 2002.

About the Artist:

Boston native, Edward Brodney, was the first Newton resident drafted into World War II. Initially a medic, he served in the South Pacific from 1942 - 1944. He earned several promotions and was assigned to public relations. His artwork accompanied the articles being sent to hometown
newspapers. His World War II paintings depicted soldiers in their everyday activities: Repairing planes, carrying supplies, enjoying days off, Air Force Aces and preparing for battle.

Returning home from war, Brodney opened an art and estate gallery in Boston and ran it for thirty years. At the age of 65, he retired to his love of painting. Subjects include scenes of Boston, seascape, still life, and polo matches.

Two of his earlier works, murals commissioned by the WPA, are in the State House in Boston.

FSU Cooks up Some Mix and Bake Fun: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Friday, September 30th at 3:30 pm

Register here!

Did you know there is a connection between chocolate chip cookies and FSU? Ruth Wakefield, the inventor of Tollhouse Cookies, graduated from Framingham State Normal School Department of Household Arts in 1924. Let’s come together as a community to honor this connection by baking up a batch of Ruth’s cookies!

Join us for some fun as we learn about the science behind the ingredients, bake up a batch of delicious cookies, and of course, enjoy some cookies and milk!

FSU Cooks from Scraps to Scrumptious: Focaccia Art with Food Scraps!

Friday, October 28th at 3:30 pm

Register here!

The USDA estimates that 31% of food is wasted, so let’s do our part to reduce this amount by using scraps and leftovers from our food labs to bake up a batch of surprisingly fast focaccia. Join us as we learn about food waste, bake up some delicious focaccia, and taste a piece or two or three!

Mix and Bake to Give and Take: Blue Ribbon Winner Peanut Clusters!

Friday, December 9th at 3:30

Register here!

'Tis the season to celebrate the end of the semester. Join us to mix and bake some peanut clusters. This effortless candy is great to pack up and share or nibble on throughout the winter break, but fair warning, it’s hard to eat just one! Come have some fun as we let the secret out of the bag for these simple treats, mix up a batch of delicious and award-winning (blue ribbon at the Pima County Fair) treats, and of course, taste a cluster or two!