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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.
This page is updated during the quarter –
Come
back often!
updated 11/20/09
Classes & Programs
for Spouses & Partners
Fall
2009-10
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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. Join us every Friday, between 10 a.m. and noon! 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 afterwards! Everyone (with and without children, new and returning) is equally welcome!
Orientation Tours
These tours are lead by volunteers, if you want to lead one please let us know– we appreciate your help.
- October 8- CampusTour I: "Highlights". Join us for a Campus tour, learn more about the history of the Stanford campus (Main Quad, Church) and visit interesting places like the Braun Music Center, the Bookstore, the Green Library, and sports facilities. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center. 9 am – 12 noon.
- October 22- Campus Tour II: "Career-Center and Volunteer options on Campus. With Susanne Maas. Join us today to find out what the Career Center can do for you. We will also visit the Haas Center for Public Service for information concerning volunteer opportunities and campus projects. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center. The latest we will finish our tour is around noon. If we have time, we can have lunch or coffee in the Law School garden. Bring some cash with you. 9 am – 12 noon.
- October 28- Walk in Arastradero Preserve in conjunction with a visit to the Pumpkins and Halloween display on Alpine Road. Join Chula Morel-Seytoux and Gwyn Dukes to this fun and interesting tour. 9 am– 1 pm.
- November 5- Palo Alto Volunteers Possibilities. With Susanne Maas. Come with us on a bus trip to Palo Alto and visit the UN gift Shop and the Palo Alto Library– both have volunteer possibilities. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center. 10 am– 1 pm
- November 19- Campus Tour III: "Art on Campus". With Susanne Maas. Join us to visit the Hoover tower and hopefully enjoy a nice view. Learn more about the history of the Hoover family. After this we will visit the Cantor Art Center on campus. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center. If we have time, we can have lunch or coffee at the café in the Cantor Art Center. Bring some cash with you. 9:45 am– 12:30 pm
Spouse Workshops, Groups & Events
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St. Martin’s Umzug (Parade). With Sussane Maas & Anke Schölmerich. We want to celebrate St. Martin's Day with you by walking around the I - Center with lanterns, singing songs, and afterwards drinking hot chocolate and eating traditional "Weckmänner". Date: Nov. 11th, 5 pm. At the I-center patio. For those of you, who don't have a lantern, we want to make lanterns ourselves together at the I-center. We will provide the craft material and will ask you for 5$ to cover the costs. Date: November 3rd, 10am. At the I-center patio. Fee: 5$. If, you are interested, please response to Anke Schölmerich <aschoelm@googlemail.com> or Susanne Maas (maas_s@gmx.de) as soon as possible.
- Project Management Basics. With Manuela Hiller. Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. October 13 to November 17. Get an introduction into the basics of Project Management. Learn how to identify stakeholders, to scope out of goals and to bring your project in on time and under budget.
- Support Group for Losing Weight, Sports & Healthy Life Style. With Yael Brandeis. Fridays 9:30 to 10:30. These are weekly meetings to support each other in the weight-loss process: we will talk about different alternatives to reach this goal & we organize group activities to help all.
- Workshop in Job Strategies. October 8, 5:00 pm. Come learn about the American job search including: targeting your search, networking, contacting employers directly, and other valuable tips.
- Driving in the US.With Bill Belew. Wednesday, November 18. 1:30-3:00pm. Bill will help you to understand and learn how to drive in the US with a very interesting talk. You can bring your questions about it. Free.
- Health Insurance Seminar for Stanford Dependents. October 21, 11:00 – 12:30. Informational seminar on Health Insurance specifically targeted for the Spouse dependents of Stanford students. With Claudette Klein, Certified Financial Planner. You will learn: -How to qualify for Private Health Insurance, -Which companies offer Private Health Insurance, -What are the other State Programs I may qualify for if you have a Pre-existing Condition, -Is International Insurance a good option?, -Who are the Network Providers, -How are Prescription Drugs Covered, -You will also see an example of how a typical insurance plan works ,including how much is a one-day stay in a hospital.
- "Hand in Hand" Parent Education Class in Japanese. With Keiko Sato-Perry. Oct. 13 to Nov 17. 10:00 to 11:30 am. To be held at Blossom Birth Services. 299 S. California Ave, Suite 120, Palo Alto. This is a 6 week study group for parents. Join Keiko to learn more about being a good parent for your kid(s). Max. people. 8. More information soon.
- Dance Exercise Class. With Vida Revilla. 5 sessions. Wednesdays starting October 14, 5:30-6:30pm. Various dance videos like Bollywood, hip-hop, merengue, salsa, zumba will be viewed on the screen and participants can follow the steps. Wear comfortable clothing, shoes, and bring a water bottle.
- Environmental Class. With Anna Evander. Small changes in your everyday life, can make a big difference. You just need to know how and why: energy efficiency at home, transportation, water use, recycling. Relate what you can do yourself to climate change, CO2, emissions. More details soon.
- Yoga for all. With Allison Philippsen, on Wednesdays, ongoing, 10:00 – 11:00 am. This is a beginners Yoga class open to all! Please wear comfortable clothing which is suitable for stretching and ease of movement. Please don’t eat anything heavy 3 hours before the class. A light snack is ok. Bring your yoga mat! Fee: $5. Please pay the teacher at the first class.
- Current Affairs. With Susanne Maas & Anke Scholmerich. Next meeting. Tuesday October 27. Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 8:00 – 9:30 pm, ongoing starting on September 22nd . Like to know what’s going on in the world, but no time? Then join us for a discussion of the latest news with wine and cheese!! Everyone brings his/her own snack.
- Marketing Insights. With Martin Sutnar. Tuesdays 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Starting October 6. All are welcome, no prior knowledge required. The class focuses on gaining insights into basic marketing and the main and strongest marketing instruments: What is marketing, what’s the marketing strategy, marketing mix, four P’s, customer needs and behaviors, etc. Martin will share his 10+ years of experience in the field. $3.00
- Male Spouses Meet-up. With Jasper van der Brugge and Martin Sutnar. Next meeting: Thursday, October 8, 8:30 p.m. Join other male spouses for a beer at Gordon Biersch (640 Emerson St, Palo Alto), to meet others and share ideas about possible future activities. Look for Jasper from the Netherlands, in the red polo shirt. Contact jasper1976@hotmail.com.
- Women’s Night Out. With Cathrin Mugai <cmugaj@gaba-network.org>. Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. Meet at 8:00 p.m. at the CoHo Café, Tresidder Union, Stanford University, 459 Lagunita Drive. Join the group for a women’s get-together. For details, please email Cathrin.
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Public Speaking – You can Do it! With Anjuna Rose Antony. Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Starting November 12. Transform your fear of public speaking! Come explore the possibilities that would open for you with a new found relationship to speaking in public! $3.
- Changes & Transitions. With Anna Fernandez. Tuesday November 4, 5:30 PM –7:00 pm. Free. 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.
- Video “Women in a New Land” and It’s creation. Free. POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 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. After screening the director will share the “inside story” of how the film was made and welcome your questions and comments.
Classes & Activities -
Language Classes
All classes are taught by volunteers. Fees cover cost of photocopies or handouts. Would you like to teach your language? Send email to stanfordfamilies@gmail.com
- Informal English Classes: Paper copies of the schedule are also available at I-Center.
- Farsi for Beginners. With Soori G. Arzang. Wednesdays, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. October 7 to December 9. Fee $3.00
- French for Beginners II. With Carole Cabreton. Thursdays, 11:00 – 12:30. October 15 December 10. Fee 3. Continuation of Summer Quarter
- French Conversation. With Laurence Albet-Khatib. Tuesday 11:00 – 12:00 pm. October 13 to December 1. Fee $3.00
- German Beginning. With Ray Deutsch. Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. October 8 to December 3. Fee $3.00
- German Conversation. With Manuella Hiller. Wednesdays. 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. October 7 to December 9. Fee $3.00
- Japanese for Beginners 1. With Mamiko Yamashita. Wednesdays. 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. October 14 to December 2. Fee $3.00
- Italian for Beginners. With Giovanna Senatore. Tuesdays. 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. October 20 to December 8. Come and learn basic Italian with a native Tuscan speaker, she will teach you the basic Italian in a fun way. Fee $3.00.
- Italian Intermediate. With Angela Carpentieri. Mondays 11:00 to 12:00. Starting October 19. Fee $3. "I am an Italian native speaker, raised in Modena (the city of Luciano Pavarotti, Ferrari and Aceto Balsamico di Modena), which is between Firenze and Milano. I consolidated my teaching experience in several Cultural Institutes in Germany where I spent the last four years. I taught all level classes from beginners to advanced".
- Spanish For Beginners. With Nicole Romo. Fridays 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. October 9 to December 4. If you want to learn Spanish during this Fall, join the class and also learn about the culture of Chile. Practice single conversation and pronunciation. Fee $3.00
- Spanish Conversation. With Guillermina Gomez. Thursdays 11:00 to 12:00. October 8 to December 3. Join Guille to this fun and interesting class where you can practice and learn more Spanish and about the Mexican culture and traditions. Fee $3.00
- Russian For Beginners for Adults. With Lilly Jankunas. Tuesdays 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. October 6 to December 8. Fee $3.00
- Russian For Beginners for Children. With Lilly Jankunas. Tuesdays 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. October 6 to December 8. We will use Russian books, CD’s, prepare some special dishes, listen to Russian music, possible field trips!! Join us!.Bring an exercise book, pen and a smile : ). Fee $3.00
Cooking Classes:
Pay all Cooking class fees in advance at the upstairs desk.
Note: This Fall Quarter the cooking classes will be held at different locations, due to the remodeling of the Large Kitchen at the I-Center
- Indian Cooking. With Kausar Choudhry, 1 session. Max.10 people. More details soon.
- Philippine Cooking, With Vida Revilla. Demonstration. One session, Wednesday November 18, 5:30 - 7:00 pm.
- Christmas Cookies. With Susanne Maas. December 3rd 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. We will bake up to 6 or more different special Christmas cookies, live “Vanillekipferln” or “Zimtsterne” and much more. $12.00. Max. 6 people. To sign up please go to the I-Center Front Desk and pay. You will receive all the details then.
- Cookie Decoration for Children. With Susanne Maas. Join us with this fun activity on December 4th, 10:30 – 11:30 am Free.
Arts, Crafts & Photography
Check board for details about materials you’ll need to bring to class.
- Container Gardening for beginners. With Noriko Shimizu & Yoko Seita. October 14 Wednesday. 2:00-3:30 pm. Let's create your own container garden using low-maintenance flowers and plants. Each of you plants some flowers and plants in a container and bring it home. You can put it on the front porch or on the balcony and enjoy it for a while, hopefully until next spring or longer! We'll give you tips on how to maintain it. Max 6 people. Bring a bag to bring a container home. Fee: $15 (Include container, soil and plants).
Especially for Children
- Fun for Kids (and Parents). With Cathrin Mugaj. A new series of Monday outings for kids of all ages. Free. Each month we will schedule an event at one of the local parks, beaches or locations that offer children and adults a chance to join others and enjoy some of the Bay Area attractions. Each family provides its own transportation, or you can arrange to carpool or get a ride with others. The next outings:
- September 28 – Oakland Zoo
- October 27 – Children Discovery Museum
- November 17 – Palo Alto Junior Museum
- September 28 – Oakland Zoo
- Baby and Toddler Group. Meets Tuesdays at 10:30 in the I-Center patio or assembly room. Contact Luzia Bader-Enz <luzia.baderenz@gmail.com> with questions. All are welcome at this informal playgroup!
- Japanese reading/singing circle for toddlers and preschoolers. With Akiko Kosuge, Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. You and your child will enjoy listening to others' favorite stories. Bring one of your favorite books written either in Japanese or in English and read it in Japanese for children sitting in a circle. Also enjoy Japanese songs. Meetings at the Back Lounge at the I-Center. To join, email Akiko at <nakajisf@hotmail.co.jp>.
- International PlayGroup in the Park. Meets on Wednesdays, 4 to 6 p.m. at Juana Briones Park, on Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. Parents and children of all ages are welcome! Contact Luzia: luzia.enz@web.de.
Career, Education & Information
The
Resource Center for International Families: The Resource Center 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. Application forms are available at the I-Center notice board or upstairs desk. Submit completed form by Monday November 13, 1:00 p.m. Grant awards: December 9th.
Professional Liaison for International Spouses:Meet a local person with similar career interests. Application forms are available in the I-Center lobby on the first floor. For more information, send email to stanfordfamilies@gmail.com.
Contact information
For more information and updates; send email to stanfordfamilies@gmail.com
To receive email notice of programs for spouses, subscribe to our mailing list here
