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Many thanks to our teachers and leaders, members of the Bechtel I-Center's international and local community who volunteer their time and skills to make these programs possible.
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updated 05/14//12
Classes & Programs
for Spouses & Partners
Spring 2012
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Friday Morning Coffee
This informal gathering is an ideal way to meet other spouses and learn about the many options for enriching your stay in the Stanford area. Conversation tables offer an informal way to meet others, practice English and share experiences. Join us every Friday, between 10 a.m. and noon! Also join Chula during the Friday Coffee for Songs for Children, around 11:00 am in the Back Lounge! We each bring a snack or fruit or juice to go with the coffee and tea provided by the I-Center. Volunteers are always needed to help set -up (at 9:45 a.m.) and put away afterward! Everyone (with and without children, new and returning) is equally welcome.
Spouse Workshops, Groups & Events
- Art Expeditions: With Julia Görnandt and Britta Janssen. Tuesday, May 1st 2012, Meet at 9:20 at Palo Alto Caltrain Station, be on time. San Francisco offers a sizzling and diverse art scene that you shouldn’t miss out on! You will find worldwide renowned museums next to a more edgy art-scene, trendy photo galleries as well as alternative exhibitions and a one-of-a-kind innovative programming in an abundance of venues dedicated to the arts. This quarter we will launch a number of art outings, starting with the famous San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (http://www.sfmoma.org/). We will take advantage of the Free Museum Day (each 1st Tuesday of the month), catch a tour and roam the exhibition halls on our own. We plan to offer tours every 4 to 6 weeks; next on our list will be some cutting-edge photography at Pier 24 and then the glamorous Art Galleries in Geary Street. Dates and more information will be announced asap. RSVP required 3 days prior to each tour (mailto:j.goernandt@gmx.de). Meeting point and costs: We will meet at the Caltrain station in Palo Alto (northbound track) at 9:20am and will take the Caltrain to San Francisco at 9:41am. The day-ticket costs $13.50. Admission to the museum is free.
- Book Club: With Emese Hegedus and Isabel Jost. Wednesday, biweekly, starts April 4th with an infosession 7:30 to 9:00pm. Everyone is welcome to join the group, help select books and share opinions and perspectives on the readings. Join us for the book club with wine and cheese!!! Everyone brings his/her own snack.
- Bollywood Workout Class: With Sayali Goswami, Wednesday, starts April 18th, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Dance your way to your fitness goals. The participants will be acquainted with basic Bollywood and Indian folk dance moves. They will be able to perform these moves at individual level and as a group. Will gain appreciation of south Asian music. Will improve fitness level and co-ordination. This class is open for beginners. No past experience in dance required. Participants will get to show their moves at the end of the session dance performance to their family and friends.
- Computer Basics: With Francisco J. Palencia. CANCELLED.
- Computer Languages: With Francisco J. Palencia. Thursdays 9.30 am to 10.45 am, starting April 19th. Learn computer languages like HTML, ASP and more. Join Francisco for programming, don’t forget your laptop.
- Crosscultural Analysis through French Civilisation: With Cindy Julien-Dombard. Tuesdays, (April 17 is cancelled) and April 24, 2-3pm. If you have already had some misunderstandings on a business trip or while traveling, this class is for you. We will start from analyzing typical French behaviors in specific daily situations and the participants from all the countries will explain how they would have reacted in their home country. No need to speak French.
- Digital Tools for Personal Knowledge Organization: With Jana Kunze. Wednesday, May 2nd, 3:00 to 4:30pm. Nowadays we seem to be surrounded by an almost infinite amount of information and it is not always easy to stay on top. This lecture aims to give a brief overview about tools and resources that will help you to search for scientific information, keep current in your field, organize your references and documents, work collaboratively and visualize information. Finally we will discuss how to find optimal tools for specific tasks. An exchange of experiences amongst participants about personal challenges and strategies of knowledge organization will be encouraged.
- GRE Math preparation Class. With Esra Sagkol. CANCELLED
- Guys Night Out: With Jasper van der Bruggen. Join other male spouses for a beer to meet others and share ideas about possible future activities. Contact Jasper at jasper1976@hotmail.com for more details and the next date.
- Hiking Group: With Julia Görnandt and friends. Meeting time: Tuesdays, weekly 10am. Location (except April 17th): Palo Alto Square (parking lot near the movie theater). Join us for our weekly hike to explore the spectacular nature of the bay area. Typical hike length is 2-5 hours (3-8 miles) and ranges from easy to moderate. Please note for longer hikes good physical fitness and sturdy shoes are highly recommended. Also suggested are: snacks/lunch, water, sunscreen and sunglasses, a raincoat, hat, camera, and binoculars if available. For more information and to join the hiking email list please contact Julia Görnandt (international.hiking@gmail.com). RSVP required 2 days prior to each hike. Fee: Gas contribution and occasional parking fee contribution required depending on park location. Hike and Transportation is each person’s own responsibility.
- Hiking Schedule Spring Quarter 2012:
- Interview Coaching: With Denisse Gonzales. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 to 11 am, starts April 9th. Coaching for students and spouses on how to manage a job interview. Types of questions, way of dressing, practice interviews to feel more comfortable when going to an appointment with an employer. One person per day. To make an appointment contact Denisse directly: denisse_gzz@hotmail.com.
- Lecture: TeAMIng BRIngS MAnY PeOPLe TOgeTHeR: With Jil van Eyle. Friday, April 20, 10:30 am. Join us for this special Friday Morning Coffee to learn about Teaming, a volunteer organization that brings many people together for very little money.
- Life changes and transitions in a cultural diversity: With Anna Fernandez. Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, May 9, 2012. A chance to hear how others have successfully made the changes to living at Stanford (career adjustments, cultural differences, new community & more). Come with your questions and your hopes.
- Miracles and mysteries of the living world: What’s happening out there? With Ranjini Raghunath. Thursdays, weekly, 3:00 to 4:00pm., starts April 19th. Did you hear about the latest breakthrough for treating Alzheimer’s? Are you intrigued by how cloning is done? Do you know of miraculous bacteria that can clean up oil spills? Would you like to know what Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis means? Join me for a fun and interactive discussion series on some of the wonders of modern science, the many mysteries of life and some of the fascinating creatures that inhabit the world (don’t worry: there won’t be any boring equations or dry technical discussions). From DNA to dinosaurs, from phage to Parkinson’s, let us learn new facts and explore the magical world of the life sciences.
- Movie: “Women in a New Land”. Wednesday, May 2nd, 5.30 to 7pm. Join us for the screening of this film featuring the lives of four spouses who came to Stanford to accompany their husbands. Created and filmed by Maria Vaccaro, herself a spouse from Belgium. The film illustrates the many challenges faced by women (with and without children) whose lives and careers are interrupted by this international experience. After the screening, share your impressions during an informal discussion with Gwyn Dukes and Anna Fernandez, who were involved in making the film.
- Night at the Movies: With Verena Hohensinner. Every four to six weeks on Thursdays we are going to the movies! Join us to see the latest movies or documentaries at Century Cinemas 16 in Mountain View and other locations, or classical films at the Stanford Theater. If more than one film option is available, please tell me which one you would like to see because the majority decides (verena@hohensinner.cc). Of course, I will let you know in advance which movie has been selected.
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Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga with Babies: With Yuko Ikeda, on Thursdays, 12 pm to 1pm. This prenatal yoga class is moderate -it involves stretching exercise along with mental component of deep breathing and other relaxation techniques. It is doing yoga to help you stretch, relax and strengthen as you hold your baby, have your baby next to you. Bring your yoga mat, water and a towel!! Free.
Yoga for all: With Yuko Ikeda, on Thursdays, ongoing, 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. This yoga class is Level 1 to Level 2! Please wear comfortable clothing which is suitable for stretching and ease of movement. Bring your yoga mat, water and a towel! Free.
- "Walking group" around campus: With Vida Revilla. Mondays, 11:00 am. Join Vida for a weekly hourly walk around campus. Meet in front of the I-Center. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather- rain or shine, wear sunscreen for protection, hat/sunglasses etc. Bring a stroller or carrier for the kids.
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Woman’s Night Out. With Ragna. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 8 p.m. The Woman´s Night Out is an informal get-together for international spouses at Stanford and a wonderful way to exchange experiences. We will meet at 8 pm every second and forth Tuesday of the month. For more information, especially about the changing locations, and to join the Woman´s Night Out email list please contact Ragna (spousesprogram@gmail.com).
- Vocal Training. With Mete Tasin. Sundays, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, starts April 15th. Join Mete for vocal training including opera.
- ZUMBA. With Alice Kabwe. Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, April 26 und May 17 Are you ready to party yourself into shape? That’s exactly what the Zumba® program is all about. Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats. It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health. There’s no other fitness class like a Zumba Fitness-Party. It’s easy to do, effective and totally FUN! Bring water and towel and wear any type of fitness clothes to anything comfortable and cool. Wear shoes with little tread, lateral support and cushion. Free!
April 10th: Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve – Two Ponds and the Bay Area Ridge (3 miles, under 2 hours, easy)
April 17th: The Dish (3.3 miles, under 2 hours, easy, meeting point: in front of the Bechtel I-Center)
April 24th: Castle Rock State Park (5 miles, 3 hours, moderate)
May 1st: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (length and duration follow, easy)
May 6th: Edgwood Park and Preserve (4.2 miles, 2 hours, easy)
May 15th: Hidden Villa Farm and Wilderness Preserve (4 miles, 2 to 2 ½ hours, easy to moderate)
May 22nd: Palo Alto Foothills (4 miles, 2 ½ hours, moderate)
May 29th: Bear Gulch and Almbique Loop, Wunderlich County Park (5.4 miles, 2 ½ hours, easy)
June 5th: Huddart County Park – Into the Woods (4.4 miles, 2 ½ hours, easy)
Classes & Activities - The red arrow '' indicates a new or updated class
Language Classes
Basic Chinese and Dialogue for Beginners: With Jijun Cai. Wednesdays and Fridays, 1pm to 2:30pm., April 13 to June 8 (no class May 18). Free. You can check the details of this class in advance at "jijuncai.blogspot.com", send your information and learning interest to this E-mail: tigermonkeycai@gmail.com
French Conversation for Intermediates: With Marie Laval. Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. April 19 to June 7. Fee: $ 3.00
Basic German III: . With Ray Deutsch, Mondays, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. April 9 to June 4. Fee $3.00
German Conversation Intermediate/Advanced Class: With Britta Janssen, Thursdays 12:45 to 1:45 pm. April 11 to June 7. Free
Japanese for Beginners- Conversation and Characters: With Yumi Kobayashi. Fridays, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. April 13 to June 8. Fee $3.00 Contact to the instructor in advance; icanteachjapanese-beginning@yahoo.co.jp
Spanish for Beginners: With Marta Vazques. Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m., April 10 to June 5. Free.
Cooking Classes:
Please note: For most cooking classes there is a fee (exact cash only!!!). If you do sign up for the class and pay, you cannot get your Funds back if you cancel less than 48 hours before the class starts. The reason is that the teacher uses the funds to purchase the ingredients for the class.
- "American Version of Italian Dishes", a four week course: With Robert Paugh. Thursdays, April 19th, 26th, May 3rd, 10th from 11am to 1pm.. We will prepare, from recipes, Italian dishes that could be served as main dishes and as side dishes.
- April 19th: Italian Chicken Piccata recipe.
- April 26th: California-Style and Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza recipes
- May 3rd: Several Pasta Dish recipes
- May 10th: Italian Salads and Vegetables recipes
- Sign-up for an individual class: $10.00. Sign-up for all four classes**: $36. Maximum of six students per class. At the end of the class the food prepared will be eaten by the class members.
- Chinese Dumplings: With Kun He, : Friday, May 11, 12:00 to 2:00 pm Join Kun and learn how to make Chinese dumplings. We will make beef and vegetable dumpling and pork and vegetable dumpling. At the end of the class the food prepared will be eaten by the class members. Maximum of six students per class. Sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay. Fee: $10/class.
- Cold Desserts: With Vida Revilla , Friday, May 4, 10:30 to 11:30 am Come see cold refreshing desserts like ice-cream and frozen fruit yogurt being made in just 30 minutes. To sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay. Max 6 students. Fee: $ 2.
Arts, Crafts & Photography. Check board for details about materials you’ll need to bring to class.
Knitting for BeginnersIII. With Olga Ertz Starts April 13, Fridays 2.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. We will learn different design patterns, how to read and use patterns from magazines, how to create our own patterns and styles, and what materials help make knitting easy and enjoyable. Our goal is that everybody in our group will produce something for themselves. Fee: $ 3.00
Especially for Moms
- English Discussion Group for Moms With Babies:. With Henry Lum. Fridays, 9.30 to 11.00am.,starts April 6th. Henry provides international spouses with babies the opportunity to enhance their English fluency via vocabulary development, knowledge of English idioms, and discussion of topics of general interest.
- Short sessions: Topics on Child Development: With Elda Liu, Early Childhood Credential (ECE)/Montessori Montessori (Infant/Toddler/ Primary), MA in Early Childhood Education, Special Education (specialization) and Mina Pang, ECE/ Montessori (Infant/Toddler/Primary). Tuesdays, 9:30am, starts April 10th. Ever wanted to speak with someone about what your child is doing and how to best address those needs? Come join Elda and Mina in short discussions to help address the common concerns of families on the developmental needs of the young child from 0- 6 yrs. See you Tuesdays for short thirty minute group sessions, and let's chat! We will talk about your topics of interest, which may also include issues such as child friendly and safe environments, suitable education programs, discipline, food and nutrition and toilet learning.
Especially for Children
- Fun for Kids (and Parents). With Monica Piacentini. Fun for Kids is an outing-series for parents with kids. We will have the outings every Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am. Each family provides its own transportation, or you can arrange to carpool or get a ride with others. Please see the bulletin board for more details or contact "Monica Piacentini" for more information.
- The next outings:
- Tuesday, April 17, 2012: Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
- Tuesday, May 15, 2012: San Francisco Zoo
- Baby and Toddler Group. Meets Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. to noon in the I-Center patio or assembly room. Contact Monica Piacentini (monica.piacentini@gmail.com) with questions. All are welcome at this informal playgroup!
- International PlayGroup in the Park. Meets on Wednesdays, from around 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Nealon Park, on 800 Middle Avenue in Menlo Park. Parents and children of all ages are welcome! Contact Annamaria Brödel: ambroedel@gmx.de
- Running for Kids. With Claudia Brenner. Tuesdays, 5pm, Starts March 20th, Arbor Park, Fremont Street & Middle Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Claudia likes to do some very easy and fun bringing running games for kids around 4 or able to understand what the meaning of the game is.
Career, Education & Information
The
Resource Center for International Families provides
information about getting settled in the Stanford
area and building your life here. Spouse volunteers
are available to speak with you in many languages
about continuing your education, volunteering, employment,
recreation, & travel. Hours are posted in the
lobby and on the website. - Spouse Education Fund. Modest grants to assist wives/husbands in furthering their educational and/or career goals while here. Spouse Education Fund: next grant cycle in Fall 2012.
- Professional Liaison for International Spouses. Meet a local person with similar career interests. This program is for spouses who are not eligible for employment. Application forms are in the I-Center lobby.
- Professional Liaison Career Hours: CCIS is sponsoring a series of informal discussions - Career Hours - during the Friday Morning Coffee at the Bechtel International Center. The discussions will allow international spouses/partners to exchange information about careers and professional practices in their home countries.
Contact information
For more information and updates, contact Susanne Maas, smaas@stanford.edu
For advice, send email to stanfordfamilies@gmail.com
To receive email notice of programs for spouses, subscribe to our mailing list here
