news and events

The UAB Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures Welcomes Visiting Professor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures hosted Professor Adriana D'Angelo from the Università degli Studi G. d'Annuzio in Pescara, Italy. As the director of reciprocal programs at her university, she has successfully established programs at a number of universities throughout the world to include UAB. The reciprocal relationship established here at UAB has allowed for UAB students to study, visit with faculty and other students in Italy as well as bring Italian faculty and students to UAB. Professor D'Angelo met with several UAB Faculty members as well as give informative presentations to UAB students about her native Italy. To read more about Professor D'Angelo, click here.

¡Fiesta!

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -On Oct 18th, UAB Foreign Languages Students and Faculty celebrated Fiesta at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham. The 6th annual event, sponsored by the members of the Hispanic Business Council of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has become a lively annual celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. By presenting the best of Hispanic art, music, food, dance Fiesta continues to be a venue for cultural exchange and celebration.

Foreign language students along with Manos Juntas (A UAB Student Mentoring Program) and the Literacy Council partnered to offered a reading and story time corner for children.  UAB Foreign Language faculty also partnered with other community organizations to represent their countries and share their culture. Dr. Carlos Orihuela was on hand at the Pabellón del Perú to talk about such things as the Peruvian origins of the potato, the Amazon River as well as other photographs and objects on exhibition.

All in all, it seems fun was had by all.... don’t miss it next year!

The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce Hosted the Hispanic Business Council Annual Breakfast

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -This year the UAB Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures enjoyed a table at the Hispanic Business Council’s (HBC) Annual Breakfast on Thursday, September 18 . 

Geraldo Rivera, Senior Correspondent and Host of Geraldo At Large
on FOX News Channel was the Keynote Speaker and was on hand to assist HBC Members Wendy Padilla Madden (below, left) and Teresa Zuñiga Odom (Left with Dr. Sheri Spaine Long, Chair of the UAB Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures) with awarding FIESTA Scholarships to representatives from UAB, Samford University and Miles College. 

Also in attendance at the annual breakfast were two UAB FIESTA Scholarship winners, Frank Francisco and Lucía Rodríguez as well as DFLL Faculty and DFLL Foreign Language Advisory Committee members.  The scholarship money, was raised at the annual FIESTA event. The next FIESTA celebration will be October 18th at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham, visit the HBC website for details. For more informaction on the DFLL Foreign Language Advisory Committee (FLAC), please click here.

Fall 2008 Foreign Languages for the Professions Panel: Language and Culture Immersion for Career Success

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - On September 24, 2008, The UAB Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures hosted this informative event once again. The presentation was in two parts, first students were able to listen to their peers share their experiences from studying abroad in countries such as Japan, Tunisia, France, Spain as well as learn about the different study abroad options such as service learning, language study and more. Students then heard from members of the Birmingham area professional community who shared their language journey and how it has led them to where they are today in their careers.

If you are a UAB foreign language student and were unable to attend, please contact your course professor for information on how to receive credit for viewing the presentation here. Enjoy!

Click the image to watch the presentation.

Professional Networking Event a Success!

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - On September 17, 2008, The UAB Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and the Birmingham International Center joined together to host the first ever Student and Professional International Networking Event.

The event, held downtown at the Birmingham International Center, was an exciting networking and mentoring event, where business professionals, professors, and students could make meaningful
connections with with Birmingham professionals who are successful in the international arena many of whom are multilingual.

To learn more, please visit Kaleidoscope the student newspaper of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, click here the article.