International Travel Talks (formerly the International Brown Bag Series) have been an integral part of the Alworth Institute's programming since its inception in 1987. In the fall of 2013, the series was renamed to honor Martha B. Alworth, the spouse of Royal D. Alworth, Jr. The talks provide the audience the opportunity to share in the international travel experiences of numerous individuals from the University, local, national and international communities. Many presentations are travelogues, some are reflections of the current issues confronting a country's people, others capture the cultural character of distant societies, but each allows a unique insight into places many would never have the opportunity to visit.
The objectives of these talks are to:
- help fulfill the overall objectives of the Alworth Institute;
- introduce students, staff and the wider community to interesting aspects of foreign culture, society and history;
- raise awareness of political life and conditions in diverse parts of the world;
- create opportunities for sharing insights developed during professional and leisure interest travel and other programs of study abroad;
- create opportunities for visiting faculty to share relevant topics with the wider University;
- involve students, staff and community members in exchanging ideas and reflecting on international and any related domestic policy issues.
If you are interested in proposing a topic for discussion, finding a qualified speaker, or co-sponsoring a lecture; check the suitability of the topic and the speaker against the objectives above and contact the Alworth Institute at [email protected] or (218) 726-7753.
Spring 2025 Schedule
(5 talks)
Thursday, March 20 – 12:00 pm – KAM Library 4th Floor Rotunda – From Coast to Cathedral: Discovering Galicia and Santiago de Compostela - Presented by Dr. Jennifer Brady - Interim Dean, UMD College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences - In this talk, Dean Brady, who is a contemporary cultural studies scholar, will discuss Galicia, Spain's cultural heritage and natural landscape in the historical and contemporary social and economic context of Spain. Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, is at the end of one of Christianity's most important pilgrimages, and it is also the home to thriving social justice activism in language revitalization, placemaking, and gender equality.
Thursday, March 27 - 12:00 pm - KAM Library 4th Floor Rotunda - Been Through the Desert on a Horse with No Name - Presented by Sara Floerke, Literacy Therapist with Teaching, Testing and Texts, and Shaun Floerke, CEO of Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation - Despite not exactly being "horse people," the Floerkes seized an opportunity to vacation with their son and daughter-in-law, who are stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the US Marine Corps, on a six-day horse camping trek in the outer reaches of Mongolia. Traveling on the backs of horses opened up a new way to look at indigeneity, nomadic lifestyle, nature, culture and societal norms.
Thursday, April 10 - 12:00 pm - Kirby Student Center Garden Room - Khorezm Uzbekistan - Birthplace of Algebra - Presented by Dr. Kate Petersen, Department Head and Professor in the UMD Mathematics and Statistics Department - The Khorezm region of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is one of the ancient cradles of civilization. Here the Amu Darya River cuts through the desert plains, and there is a rich history full of scholarship, music, and food. Dr. Petersen will share her experiences from a recent trip to the area.
Thursday, April 17 - 12:00 pm - KAM Library 4th Floor Rotunda - Studying Abroad in Scotland - Presented by Adelaide Poskozim, UMD Senior with a major in History and minor in Psychology (More information coming soon.)
Friday, April 25 - 12:00 pm - KAM Library 4th Floor Rotunda - Obrigada (Not Obrigado), Portugal - Presented by Deborah Good retired UMD Study Abroad adviser, and Dr. Cindy Christian, Director of the Alworth Institute for International Studies - These friends traveled to Portugal for a week in early February 2025. They visited Lisbon, Porto, and a few other cities and villages along the way. They will share images and discuss their adventures, including trying new foods like octopus, drinking Port, visiting castles, palaces, churches, and learning about Portuguese history. You will definitely learn about Henry the Navigator.