Each student in the program will be required to take the following two courses (students who have already completed one or both courses will take Special Studies instead and will still participate in the same classes and activities along with everyone else).

COMM 7: Intercultural Communication – 3 units, CSU/UC transferable, taught by Panella   

I’ve been fortunate to travel around the world and throughout South America. I've been to Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Uruguay, but Argentina holds a special place in my heart. In 2024, I spent six weeks living in Buenos Aires, where I studied Spanish, took tango lessons, volunteered with local organizations, and met with artists to talk about their work. I also explored outside the city, discovering not only breathtaking landscapes but also surprising similarities to California’s culture. From its glaciers to its waterfalls, Argentina is a country of deep history, vibrant art, rich political dialogue, and a wine industry that rivals our own. I fell in love with it, and I’m excited to share that experience with you.

As a professor, my greatest joy is teaching and learning alongside students. I bring a wealth of experience to this program: I hold a Ph.D. from Union Institute & University and, humorously, a “P.H.D."(Professor of Hot Dogs) from Vienna Beef University. My research lives at the intersections of gender, museum, and communication studies. Being able to teach intercultural communication in an intercultural setting is a dream. We'll be outside of the classroom learning from the world around us and improving our communication skills and understanding in the process. 

Most importantly, I believe that studying abroad should be transformative. It’s not just about visiting another country, it’s about seeing the world differently, connecting with people, and returning home with stories that shape your future.

I hope you’ll join me this summer in Buenos Aires. If life is a story, let’s make yours a good one.

COMM 7 Course Description: Students in this course are introduced to the influence of culture on identity, perception, social organization, language, and nonverbal messages in intercultural encounters both within and outside of the United States. The course examines variations and commonalities in communication patterns across cultures, and will have a particular emphasis on Argentinian culture.

SPAN. 50A/SPAN 50B: Spanish Conversation for Beginners parts 1 or 2 (depending on your proficiency) – 3 units/CSU transferable, taught by Ben Lev

Benjamin Lev (“Profe”) has taught students from kindergarten to college for more than 30 years with positive energy, connection and play. His Spanish immersion classroom is a place of high engagement where he and his students co-create short and longer stories, sing, dance, and laugh, and explore poetry, music, art and culture. He was Teacher of the Year for the North Coast (California) Bilingual Consortium and received the Jack London Award for Academic Excellence. An avid bicyclist and traveler, he has ridden in Spain, France, Mexico, Nicaragua and Chile. 

SPAN 50A Course Description: A beginning conversational Spanish course designed to develop listening and speaking skills needed at school, on the job and in Spanish-speaking communities. Provides introduction to the core grammatical structures and vocabulary required for communication.  

SPAN 50B Course Description: A continuation of the beginning conversational Spanish course designed to improve those listening and speaking proficiencies needed at school, on the job, in the community, and in the Spanish-speaking world. Students participate in a variety of pronunciation, listening and conversational activities. An introduction to and development of the core grammatical structures and vocabulary required for communication.