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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 10/02//12

Classes & Programs for Spouses & Partners
Fall 2012

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.

Welcome Reception For International Spouses, Partners and Families

Both new and returning spouses are invited to join us for this introduction to local and I-Center programs of interest to international spouses. Friday, October 5, 10 to noon.

Orientation Tours

During the fall Quarter we invite you to come with us on some walking tours around campus. It’s a nice way to learn more about the area and to meet others. Each tour will be guided by one or more of our local CCIS or Spouse Volunteers.

  • October 10 - Campus Tour With Dolly Verplank/ Sande Stuart. Join us for a Campus tour; learn more about the history of the Campus and the spirit of it. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center. 9:45– 11:30. Bring cash, if you like to have a coffee or snack after the tour. Please sign up in advance at the bulletin board
  • October 17- Cantor Arts Center I With Britta Janssen. Join us today for an introductory tour at the Cantor Arts Center. Learn more about the Stanford Family Room and Modern and Contemporary Room. Bring some cash with you, so you can stay for lunch at the museum. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center: 10:15 – 12:30 (Or at 10.45 in front of the Cantor Arts Center) Please sign up in advance at the bulletin board.
  • October 24- Career Development Center With Gwyn Dukes and JoAnne Wilkes. Join us today to find out what the Career Development Center can do for you. Learn about resources for finding employment or internships and researching career paths. Bring cash for coffee or a snack. Meet in front of the I-Center 9:30-11:30. Please sign up in advance at the bulletin board.
  • October 31- Green Library and Hoover Tour With Dolly Verplank/ Sande Stuart. Join us today for a tour through the Green Library and learn about the things you can use there. After that we will visit the Hoover tower. Meeting point: In front of the I-Center 9:30-12:00. Please sign up in advance at the bulletin board.
  • November, 7 Cantor Arts Center II. With Britta Janssen. Join us today to learn more about the Rodin exhibition. Bring some cash with you, so you can stay for lunch at the museum. Meeting point: In front of the I- Center: 11:15 – 13:30. (Or at 11.45 in front of the Cantor Arts Center) Please sign up in advance at the bulletin board.

Spouse Workshops, Groups & Events

 

  • Art Expeditions: With Britta Janssen and Christina Kuchelmeister. Every four to six weeks. 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 in an abundance of venues dedicated to the arts. Join us in exploring various exhibitions and discussing them during a nice meal after each visit. Dates and more information will be announced asap. Usually we will meet at the Caltrain station in Palo Alto (northbound track) in the morning and will take the train to San Francisco together. The Caltrain day-ticket costs $14. Admission to the museum depends on location. RSVP required 2 days prior to each tour ([email protected])
  • Bollywood Workout Class: With Sayali Goswami. Tuesdays, Starts October 9, 5:00-6:00 p.m. 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. Free
  • Book Club: With Isabel Jost. Wednesday, biweekly, 7:30 to 9:00pm. starts October 3. 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
  • Dance Exercise Class: With Vida Revilla. 5 sessions. Thursdays starts October 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Various dance videos like Bollywood, hip-hop, merengue, salsa, jazz steps, zumba will be viewed on the screen and participants can follow the steps. Wear comfortable clothing, shoes & bring water.
  • 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 [email protected] for more details and the next date.
  • Judaism Today: Cornelia Sahamie. Tuesday, November 20, 2:00-5:30pm. Did you ever wonder what “kosher food” means? Have you ever heard of terms like Kippa, Menora & Sabbat and didn't know what they stand for? In this class we will explore the basics and the diversity of Judaism today. This class is for everyone who likes to learn more about religion and culture. Please bring your own questions and thoughts. Free
  • Life changes and transitions in a cultural diversity: With Anna Fernandez .Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, November 14, 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.
  • Lectures on Art History: With Saskia Jogler. Wednesday, 1 -2 pm. Starts October 10, biweekly. Visual art provides an extraordinary and exciting source of information about past cultures and their relation to the world. This lecture series focuses on European art history of the early middle ages to the modern period and gives insight into a great variety of genres like architecture, sculpture, fresco, oil painting, etc. Each lecture deals with a specific artwork to explain technique, style, meaning and functions. Topics are, for example, the the rise of renaissance architecture with Filippo Brunelleschi or the relief sculptures of the bronze doors of the Baptistery in Florence. In some cases, there are related artworks on campus (for example Auguste Rodin´s “The Gates of Hell”) which we can examine afterwards together.
  • Movie: “Women in a New Land”. Wednesday, November 7, 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 Julia Görnandt . Every four to six weeks we are going to the movies! Join us to see the latest movies or documentaries at one of the movie theaters around Stanford. For more information and to join the Night at the Movies email list please contact Julia and Annette ([email protected] ). If more than one film option is available, we will ask you to tell us which one you would like to see - the majority decides. Of course, we will let you know in advance which movie has been selected.

  • Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga with Babies: With Yuko Ikeda, ongoing Thursdays, noon. – 1:00 p.m. This is a prenatal and postnatal Yoga class for moms with babies! Please wear comfortable clothing which is suitable for stretching and ease of movement. Also bring some baby toys and a organic blanket. Please don’t eat anything heavy 3 hours before the class. A light snack is ok. Bring your yoga mat! Free.

    Yoga for all: With Yuko Ikeda ,on Thursdays, ongoing, 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. This Yoga class is open to all skills levels! 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! Free.

  • Yoga for calming your mind: With Thi Van Anh Tach. Wednesdays, starts October 10, 5:15-6:30 pm. This yoga is open to everyone and combines yoga postures with breathing exercises. The class will end with a short guided meditation. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat. Free

  • Woman�s Night Out. With Ragna. Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, starts October 2nd, 8 pm. The Woman´s Night Out is an informal get-together for women and a wonderful way to exchange experiences with other international spouses at Stanford. We will meet at 8 pm every first and third Tuesday of the month at restaurants or cafés near or at the campus. For more information, especially about the changing locations, and to join the Woman´s Night Out email list please contact Ragna ([email protected]). For the first Woman´s Night Out this Quarter we will meet at COHO Stanford CoffeeHouse on October 2nd at 8 pm. RSVP 2 days in advance is welcome!
  • Vocal Training: With Mete Tasin. Sundays, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, starts October 15th. Join Mete for vocal training including opera.
  • ZUMBA: With Katie Detwiler. Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30pm, starts October 15, weekly. Are you ready to party yourself into shape? That’s exactly what the Zumba program is all about. It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health.

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Classes & Activities -

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Language Classes

Informal English Classes

Basic German I . With Ray Deutsch. Mondays, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Oct. 1 to Dec. 17. Fee $3.00

German Conversation Intermediate/Advanced Class. With Britta Janssen, Thursdays 12:45 to 1:45 pm. Oct. 4 to Dec 20. Free

Basic Chinese and Dialogue for Beginners. With Jijun Cai. Fridays, 11:00am to 12:30pm, Oct. 12 - Nov. 30. Free. You can check the details of this class in advance at https://sites.google.com/site/jijunchinese/, and enroll below the Contact me page. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email: [email protected].

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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 Comfort Food, Quick and Easy and Family Favorites With Robert Paugh.Thursdays,Oct 11, 18, 25 and Nov 1 from 11am to 1 pm. Join Robert for this series of four American Comfort Food Cooking classes. Class members will select class recipes from a list provided which includes: Apple Pie, Special Macaroni and Cheese, Meatloaf, Jello Salads, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches, Grilled Cheese sandwiches, Panini, Mashed Potatoes, Roast Beef, Fried Chicken, Spaghetti, Baked Beans, Banana Pudding, Beef Stew, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Soup, Chili, Green Bean Casserole, Potato Salads, Pumpkin Pie. At the end of the class, the food prepared will be eaten by the class members and taken home to share with roommates or family. Sign-up for an individual class: $10.00. Sign-up for all four classes: $36. Maximum of six students per class. Sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay fee.
    • Discover Italy in 7 Entrees. With Lise Miege. Fridays, Oct 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16, and 30 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm Join Lise Miege for a trip to Italy. In each class, you will cook an entrée and Lise will bring a dessert.
      • 10-12: Lasagne alla Bolognese;
      • 10-19: Risotto al vino rosso;
      • 10-26: Scaloppina alla Milanese e Polenta con funghi;
      • 11-2: Cannelloni ricotta e spinaci;
      • 11-9: Saltimbocca alla Romana;
      • 11-16: ravioli alle noci e gorgonzola;
      • 11-30: Pizza.
    • Sign-up for an individual class: $8.00. Sign-up for all seven classes: $50. Maximum of six students per class. Sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay fee.
    • Bavarian and Italian Cooking: From Munich to Milano. With Carolin Holzhauser. Tuesdays, October 30, November 6, 13, 20 (maybe also 27) 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. We will go on a cooking-journey together and prepare typical Bavarian, as well as typical Italian dishes: starting in Munich with Bavarian Balls and a typical sauce (Semmelknödl), sausage-salad (Wurstsalat) & Wiener-Schnitzel. Moving onto Italy, we will prepare pasta with 2 different sauces, Tiramisu, Risotto or Saltimbocca with rosemary-potatoes. Suggestions for special recipes are welcome! Sign-up for an individual class: $10.00. Sign-up for all four classes: $36. Maximum of six students per class. Sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay fee
    • German Cookies Cooking Class. With Cornelia Sahamie. Wednesday November 28, 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Do you like cookies? Do you like to bake? Do you want to feel a little “Christmasy”? So, welcome to a brief introduction to the variety of typical German christmas cookies like Vanillekipferl (vanilla moons) and Zimtsterne (cinamon stars). We'll bake, decorate and try them together. Sign-up for an individual class: $7.00. Maximum of six students per class. Sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay fee.

    Arts, Crafts & Photography. Check board for details about materials you’ll need to bring to class.

    Knitting: With Olga Ertz. Starts October 12, 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

    Knitting Workshop: With Olga Ertz. Starts October 18, Thursdays, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This class is for everybody who likes to knit and wants to learn something new or has any questions. Each week there is a separate workshop. See Bulletin board for more information and weekly topics. sign up at the second floor front desk at the I-Center and pay. Fee: 15$

    Sewing for Beginners: With Clara Thibault. Starts November 6, Tuesdays, 10:30am to 12pm. Learn the basics of sewing to create your own project such as bags, wallets, teddy bears, baby accessories. Develop your own technique and creativity. Max of 5 students. Fee: 10$. Contact Clara to check for availability: [email protected].

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Especially for Moms

  • English Discussion Group for Moms With Babies: With Henry Lum. Fridays, 9.30 to 11.00am, starts September 28th 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.
  • Effective Presentation Skills for Moms with Babies: With Henry Lum. Mondays 9:30-11:30 starting October 1 Henry provides international spouses with babies the opportunity to learn and improve effective presentation and leadership skills in English. Max 8 students.

 

Especially for Children

  • Fun for Kids (and Parents). With Gaby Bergedorf and María Soledad Gómez Manchón. 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 Gaby ([email protected]) for more information.
    The next outing: details coming soon
  • Baby and Toddler Group. With Sabine Hertz. Meets Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. to noon in the I-Center patio or assembly room. Contact Sabine ([email protected]) with questions. All are welcome at this informal playgroup!
  • St. Martin’s Umzug (Parade). With Ragna. Nov. 11th, 6 p.m. at the I-Center patio. 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. 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 craftmaterial and will ask you for 5$ to cover the costs. Date: November 6, 10:30am. at the I-Center patio and Assembly Room. If, you are interested, please respond to Ragna ([email protected]) as soon as possible.

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Career, Education & Information

  • rainbow head 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. Application forms will be online at www.CCISstanfordU.org. Submit completed form by Sunday, November 11. Grant awards: December 5.
  • 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.
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Contact information

For more information and updates, contact Karin Baage, [email protected]

For advice, send email to [email protected]

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