Join us for International Connections: “Bridging Heritage and International Studies"

Please join us at 12:30 p.m. on November 13, 2008, in the SUB Hatch B Ballroom to hear from Nere Lete, Assistant Professor of Basque and Director of the Basque Studies Minor at Boise State. Lete, a native of Spain’s Basque country, grew up and attended school in Spain during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. She received her first Basque language teaching certificate from Euskaltzaindia when she was 15, and later studied Basque Philology.

While pursuing her studies, Lete worked for Basque television and film translating and adapting scripts. In 1994 she received her Master of Fine Arts degree in translation from the University of Iowa. She has taught Basque and Spanish in the Basque Country and in the United States at the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Iowa, and Boise State University.

In her talk, “Bridging Heritage and International Studies,” Lete will discuss how Boise State University has embarked on the unprecedented journey to link the Basque Diaspora, the Basque Country and U.S. higher education. Boise State University joined forces in 2005 with the Treasure Valley’s vibrant Basque community, the U.S. Department of Education and the Basque Government to create the Basque Studies program. Three years later we have a strong program that is gaining prestige in the local, national and international spheres. Lete will also explain how Boise State is building a bridge between Heritage Studies and International Studies.

Light refreshments will be provided or feel free to bring your own lunch. The event is sponsored by the Albertsons Library and Boise State University International Programs. For more information, call 426-3652.