In Blue Sun Palace’s Chinese-speaking Queens, Cheung is a migrant laborer and Didi works at a massage parlor with other Chinese immigrants. Among them is Amy (Ke-Xi Wu), a gifted cook who dreams of opening her own restaurant. When Didi is tragically killed, Cheung and Amy form an unexpected bond as they navigate their grief and search for connection. Blue Sun Palace offers a quiet, realistic portrayal of immigrant life in New York, where English is rarely spoken and interactions with non-immigrant Americans are largely commodified. While there are daily indignities foisted upon the immigrants, Blue Sun Palace is no misery showcase. Intimacy and warmth co-exist with economic anxieties and deep grief that are articulated with uncommon intelligence and understanding of how adults endure any given day. Director Constance Tsang gives us confident direction in her debut feature, bringing a fresh exploration to how American newcomers might find comfort and solace in one another in an otherwise alienating land.
Sunday, September 21
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Blue Sun Palace
Time:
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Location:
Alumni Hall 343
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
Monday, September 22
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Cactus Pears
Time:
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location:
David Lawrence Hall 121
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
The 2025 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner, a love story set in a traditional Maharashtrian village, follows Anand, a city dweller who, during a 10-day mourning period for his father, rekindles a tender bond with his childhood friend. At the beginning of Cactus Pears, protagonist Anand has to leave his urban world to mourn his beloved father in his ancestral home, where he is inundated with memories and his relations question his marital status. Anand finds himself drawn to his childhood friend Balya, as their personal and emotional struggles bring them closer during Anand’s 10-day mourning period. Cactus Pears is a refreshingly intimate film that explores queer life in rural India in a new way. Far from imagining the region as inherently hostile to queerness, the film explores the deep complexities around family obligation, loss, and desire. By casting local actors and filming in his ancestral village, Cactus Pears becomes a semi-autobiographical portrait of love and hope found. even in the most unusual of places.
Winner, Sundance Grand Jury Prize 2025
Tuesday, September 23
Open Advising Hours: SFS (School for Field Studies)
Time:
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location:
810 William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Leslie Smedley
Contact Email:
smedley@pitt.edu
Drop by 810 William Pitt Union anytime between 12pm and 3pm to speak with a representative from SFS (School for Field Studies) about their programming, studying abroad, and more!
The Bridge over the Strait of Messina: “Security,” Integration, and the High Stakes of Seismicity in Schengen-Era Sicily
Time:
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Presenter:
Lina Insana, Department of French and Italian
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Contact:
Erica Edwards
Contact Email:
EEE36@pitt.edu
European Studies Center Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series
In 2022, the Meloni government renewed plans to connect Sicily and the Italian mainland— plans that had lain dormant for more than a decade—and build the largest single-span suspension bridge in the world. What does this most recent chapter of the bridge’s story tell us about Sicily’s place in the Italian nation, in Europe, and in frameworks of integration
and security? And how do the politics of this moment resonate with earlier plans to bind this notoriously “seismic” island to more “stable” ground?
Bio:
Dr. Lina Insana
Associate Prof of Italian
Director of Italian Graduate Studies
Italian Program Coordinator
Lina Insana’s research and teaching focuses on modern and contemporary Italian cultural production. Most of her work on Italian writer and Holocaust survivor Primo Levi is concerned with textual mediation, translation, and adaptation; newer research—on Sicilian cultural belonging and manifestations of italianità in the American interwar period (1919-1939)—seeks to interrogate formations of transnational identity at the margins of conventionally accepted definitions of Italianness.
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Missing Child Videotape
Time:
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location:
Kelly Strayhorn Alloy Studies
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
In the feature film debut of director Kondo Ryota, winner of the Grand Prize at the Japan Horror Film Competition, and produced by legendary J-Horror director, Shimizu Takashi, this film’s quiet horror allows viewers to experience slow-burning dread trapped in the coarse image of a VHS tape. One day, Keita unexpectedly receives an old videotape from his mother. As the tape plays, the grainy images reveal the moment of his brother’s mysterious disappearance years earlier forcing Keita to reckon with a past he has long tried to forget. As unforgettable and ghastly as this revelation might be, Keita decides to confront the incident once more and retrace the past, heading to the ruins of a mountain that should never have existed.
Tuesday, September 23 to Tuesday, December 23
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Wednesday, September 24
Pop Germany! Blotted Line Print Workshop
Time:
4:00 pm
Location:
Center for Creativity- Hillman Library 4th Floor
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and European Union Center of Excellence
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu
Please join the staff of the Andy Warhol Museum, as they provide an overview of Warhol's blotted line technique. Registration is required due to limited space.
About Blotted Line Technique:
Blotted line combines drawing with basic printmaking. Warhol began by copying a line drawing in pencil on a piece of non-absorbent paper, such as tracing paper. Next, he hinged this piece of paper to a second sheet of more absorbent paper by taping their edges together on one side. With a fountain pen, Warhol inked over a small section of the drawn lines. He then transferred the ink onto the second sheet by folding along the hinge and lightly pressing or “blotting” the two papers together. The process resulted in the dotted, broken, and delicate lines that are characteristic of Warhol’s illustrations. Warhol often colored his blotted line drawings with watercolor dyes or applied gold leaf.
For this project, we will be using fabric ink instead of watercolor to make t-shirts or tote bags.
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Pavane For an Infant
Time:
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location:
Cathedral of Learning G24
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
In conservative Malaysia, the mere existence of a baby hatch—in which one can safely abandon newborns– remains a whispered taboo, condemned by the rising tide of social conservatism that brands it as an enabler of moral decay. Lai Sum, Fatimah, Kam, and Nurul, committed employees of a Kuala Lumpur baby hatch, navigate a maze of societal opposition to empower women from diverse backgrounds grappling with the complex notion of bodily autonomy. As Ramadan ends, a dire situation unfolds when Siew Man, an underage girl, teeters on the brink of a life-altering decision. Lai Sum endeavors to rescue her from the depths of despair. However, her well-intentioned intervention unwittingly entangles them both in the perilous currents of theocratic and patriarchal forces, threatening to dictate their fates.
Nominee, Tokyo International Film Festival best film 2024
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - The Botanist
Time:
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location:
Mount Lebanon Public Library
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
In a village in a remote valley on the northern border of Xinjiang, China, a lonely Kazakh boy named Arsin nurses fading memories of his family. He finds solace in the company of plants. The arrival of Meiyu, a Han Chinese girl, is like the discovery of a plant he has never seen before, bringing him comfort and a strange sense of wonder. Together, they grow like two distinct species, rooted in a shared corner of the world, imagining the valley as an endless ocean. But one day, Arsin learns that Meiyu will be moving to Shanghai, which is 4,792 kilometres away – a distance he struggles to comprehend. She is headed to a city where the ocean actually exists. Arsin is left alone to grapple with the quiet shifts in their small, fragile world.
2025 Berlin Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus Winner, Best Film
Two Shows: Friday, Sept 26 at 1:00 PM (Univ. of Pitt, G24) and Wednesday, Sept 24 at 7PM (Mt. Lebanon Library)
Wednesday, September 24 to Wednesday, December 31
Arabic Club Conversation Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presenter:
Audrey Maize
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Arabic Club
Contact:
Audrey Maize
Contact Email:
AOM20@pitt.edu
Join the Arabic Club for biweekly meetings in the Global Hub during Fall 2025 semester, and to practice Arabic language, structured by varying geographic dialects and level of speaker proficiency!
Thursday, September 25
Referral: Daydreams — Database of Pre-Soviet Films and the Early Cinema Context
Time:
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Anna Kovalova
Location:
602 Cathedral of Learning
Streaming Link:
Announced by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies on behalf of
The Daydreams Database of pre-Soviet cinema (https://daydreams.museum/en/) is the first scholarly database of feature films produced in the Russian Empire and shot in its former territories in the first years after the October Revolution. Daydreams contains the most complete filmographies, synopses, and iconographic materials (such as promotional stills, posters, and frame enlargements) for more than 2,500 films with over 6,500 images and more than 200 film librettos.
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Suchitra: Hindi Language Table
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
Vibha Shetiya
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Vibha Shetiya
Contact Email:
visa67@pitt.edu
Practice Hindi and play games with the Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center and students! No knowledge of Hindi required.
There will be three meetings in the Global Hub during Fall semester, each from 5-6 pm:
- September 25
- October 23
- November 20
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"Lark Ascending," by Silas House
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
The September 25, 2025 workshop will focus on the book, "Lark Ascending," by Silas House.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Winter in Sokcho
Time:
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
In Sokcho, a small seaside village in South Korea, a young woman, Soo-Ha, lives in a bit of a rut, rhythmed by visits to her mother, a fishmonger, and her relationship with her boyfriend, Jun-Ho. When a French man named Yan Kerrand arrives in the boarding house where Soo-Ha works, it awakens within her questions about her own identity, and that of her French father, of whom she knows almost nothing. As winter settles over the town, Soo-Ha and Kerrand will observe and gauge each other, trying to communicate any way they can – through cooking for one and drawing for the other – delicately weaving a fragile bond between them.
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Mikusu Modan
Time:
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
Hiro and his wife Sono run an okonomiyaki restaurant which employs ex-youth offenders to help support their rehabilitation. Since an incident with a former employee a year ago, Hiro has been hounded by hate speech online. Nevertheless, he sticks to his principles at the restaurant. When he interviews the 18-year-old Yuto in the detention center, the young man tells him: “I want the chance to start over!”, and Hiro hires him. After receiving his first pay packet, Yuto returns to his hometown to buy his father a gift but discovers that he has left town. Yuto’s mother already abandoned him when he was a child and now his father is gone, too. While out at a club, Yuto becomes fascinated with Yukiha, a 17-year-old dancer at the club who was also recently released from juvenile detention.
Berlin Film Festival Panorama 2025
Friday, September 26
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - The Botanist
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location:
Cathedral of Learning G24
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
In a village in a remote valley on the northern border of Xinjiang, China, a lonely Kazakh boy named Arsin nurses fading memories of his family. He finds solace in the company of plants. The arrival of Meiyu, a Han Chinese girl, is like the discovery of a plant he has never seen before, bringing him comfort and a strange sense of wonder. Together, they grow like two distinct species, rooted in a shared corner of the world, imagining the valley as an endless ocean. But one day, Arsin learns that Meiyu will be moving to Shanghai, which is 4,792 kilometres away – a distance he struggles to comprehend. She is headed to a city where the ocean actually exists. Arsin is left alone to grapple with the quiet shifts in their small, fragile world.
2025 Berlin Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus Winner, Best Film
Two Shows: Friday, Sept 26 at 1:00 PM (Univ. of Pitt, G24) and Wednesday, Sept 24 at 7PM (Mt. Lebanon Library)
Being LGBTQ+ Abroad
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location:
810 William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Dr. Shawn Alfonso Wells
Contact Email:
smwst20@pitt.edu
Are you part of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you interested in studying abroad? Come by 810 William Pitt Union for a presentation and discussion with staff members and students about safe practices and expectations for LGBTQ+ students studying abroad. Bring all of your questions!
Extractive Empire: Bricks, Cement, and Soviet Material Movements after WWII
Time:
4:00 pm
Presenter:
Katherine Zubovich (SUNY Buffalo)
Location:
Baker Hall 246A, Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Alissa Klots
Contact Email:
alissaklots@pitt.edu
After World War II, the USSR's leaders relied heavily on construction materials mined and produced in recently liberated territories to rebuild the country's ruined cities. This paper traces the material networks linking Soviet cities to forests, quarries, and factories supplying the wood, marble, brick, and cement integral to Soviet rebuilding. Focusing on the Aseri Brickworks and Kunda Cement Factory, both located along Estonia's northern coast, the paper examines the interplay between Soviet occupation and materials extraction. Part of the Socialist Studies Seminar series.
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - A Useful Ghost
Time:
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
At the beginning of the Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week winner A Useful Ghost (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, 2025), we learn that March has lost his beloved wife Nat, whose work in the family factory has left her—and many other workers—poisoned. Their relationship gets a second chance, however, when she comes back to him, reincarnated as a vacuum cleaner. His family is less pleased by her reincarnation and finds their rather unconventional love disturbing. Anxious to be the good daughter-in-law again, Nat decides to become useful by setting herself against the other ghosts who have revenge on their minds. As she becomes involved in banishing other spirits, the question of a ghost’s usefulness clashes with Thailand’s recent authoritarian history. With its tonal shifts and fractious genre changes, A Useful Ghost should not work. But the fact that it does—and does so brilliantly—is a credit to the debut film director’s sense of humor and razor-sharp political vision.
Toronto International Film Festival 2025, Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize 2025
The Silent Light Presents: F.W. Murnau's Faust
with Live Metal Score
Time:
7:00 pm
Location:
Frick Fine Arts Building, Auditorium
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center along with Film and Media Studies and Horror Studies Program
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Azadeh Ahmadi
Contact Email:
AZA51@pitt.edu
Experience Murnau’s 1926 silent fantasy horror masterpiece Faust like never before, reimagined with a blistering live metal score by The Silent Light. This cinematic ritual of chaos and sound will be performed one night only live at the University of Pittsburgh on September 26th, 2025.
Saturday, September 27
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Daughter's Daughter
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location:
Frick Fine Arts 125
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
Jin Aixia (Chang) has two daughters, but Emma (Karena Lam), who grew up in New York, and Fan Zuer (Eugenie Liu), who grew up in Taipei, never knew about each other until well into adulthood. When Zuer and her partner decide to try and get pregnant via in vitro fertilization, they wind up travelling to the US for treatments. Tragically, the couple die there in an accident, but their embryo remains alive and well — and Aixia is left as its legal guardian. Arriving in New York overwhelmed with grief, she is faced with the choice to donate, terminate, or find a surrogate for the embryo. But after a life spent feeling like she’s fallen short as a mother, who is she to decide what to do with her deceased daughter’s unborn child?
2024 Toronto International Film Festival Platform Award winner, 2024 Golden Horse winner, best original screenplay
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - A Better Tomorrow (Special 4K restoration)
Time:
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Location:
Harris Theater
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
When A Better Tomorrow debuted in 1986, it spawned the Hong Kong gangster cinematic craze, propelled the careers of John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat to international stardom and made Hong Kong cool an aesthetic across the world. We are celebrating the 2025 4k of this film and the entire Golden Princess Collection at the Harris Theater. In the original HK gangster film– A Better Tomorrow, two estranged brothers — Leslie Cheung’s fresh-faced cop Kit, and Ti lung’s jaded criminal Ho — struggle to reconnect after Ho serves three years in prison. As Ho attempts to stay out of gangster life, both are drawn into crime, violence and the Hong Kong underworld. Not only does Woo’s A Better Tomorrow set the gold standard for intense corridor shootouts but also laid the foundation for a stylistic template that would resonate throughout Woo’s illustrious career.
Sunday, September 28
SCREENSHOT: Asia Film Festival - Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities
Time:
3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location:
McConomy Hall
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
While living abroad, a filmmaker returns to Tripoli, Lebanon to confront a hometown that once rejected him as a queer child. With a microphone in hand, he walks around coffee shops, public squares and a park to ask the city’s inhabitants about their cultural and social beliefs and their embrace of new ideas. Gradually, he meets a group of marginalized individuals whose eccentric life choices contradict the general lifestyle in this religiously and socially conservative city. Through intimate conversations with a communist activist, a queer music producer, and other unconventional characters, Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities explores the complicated relations one forms with a hometown in crisis. This contemplative urban symphony paints a picture of a city trapped in a self-spun web, paralyzed by a deep economic crisis, a faltering revolution, and a looming doomsday.
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
Co-sponsored by The Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University and Backyard Docs
Monday, September 29
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, September 30 to Tuesday, December 30
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, September 30
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, October 1
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Turkish Language Table: Board Game Night
Time:
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presenter:
Eda Kurtsoy
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Eda Kurtsoy
Contact Email:
SEK220@pitt.edu
Join the Turkish Language Table in the Global Hub to learn about Turkish language, culture, and community.
There will be four meetings in the Global Hub during Fall semester, each from 8-9 pm:
- September 17
- October 1 - Board Game Night!
- October 15
- November 12
Thursday, October 2
CLAS Speaker Series
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
Loretta Fernandez
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Oktoberfest Pop!
Time:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location:
WPU, Lower Lounge
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center along with Department of German, Honors College, Global Experience Office, Career Center, Germany on Campus and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Washington
Contact:
Benjamin Brand
Contact Email:
bmb145@pitt.edu
Food, games, prizes & information about German degrees and associated certificates (CWES, Central European, European Union), study abroad, pop music, and art in Germany.
Referral — Opening of Standing for Freedom Photo Exhibition
Portraits of Scientists in Exile
Time:
3:00 pm
Presenter:
Pascale Laborier, Professor, University of Paris Nanterre
Location:
Hillman Library (K. Leroy Irvis Room, Ground Floor)
Announced by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies on behalf of Department of Physics & Astronomy and University Library System
Contact Email:
frolovsm@pitt.edu
Please join us on October 2nd at 3pm at Hillman Library (K. Leroy Irvis Room, Ground Floor) for the opening of the photo exhibition "Standing for Freedom: Portraits of Scientists in Exile". Meet the creator Professor Pascale Laborier and hear her talk about the project. The talk will explore both the conception of the exhibition and the broader context of academic exile: how the loss of academic freedom often signals democratic decline, and how hosting programs both preserve individual academic lives and sustain intellectual traditions under threat. Attendees will discover the photographic approach used in the exhibition, where each subject was invited to select personal and symbolic objects representing their home, host country, and research, lending depth and transparency to their stories. The presentation will reflect on the intersections of research, art, and advocacy in representing and supporting scholars at risk, underscoring the ongoing importance of international solidarity for academic freedom.
Vira I. Heinz Program Information Session
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location:
810 William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Sara Kochuba
Contact Email:
sek360@pitt.edu
Want to study abroad this summer? You could be selected for a scholarship of $5,000+! Learn more about the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership (VIH Program) by stopping by this info session. Qualified students will be female-identifying, have a QPA of 3.0 and be a current sophomore or junior with no prior travel experience beyond Canada. Come by even if you are thinking about it for next year!
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Information Session
Live and Work in Japan!
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Presenter:
Stephen Wludarski & JET Alumni Panel
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center along with Consulate General of Japan in NY
Contact:
Stephen Wludarski
Contact Phone:
4126487411
Contact Email:
swludarski@pitt.edu
Are you interested in living and working abroad?
Have you been studying Japanese and looking to apply your skills after graduation?
Do you want to make an impact on the lives of young people?
Would you like to find out where the ultimate ramen shop is found?
If any of these questions apply to you, then please join the Asian Studies Center and JET Alumni group in Pittsburgh for an information session to learn more about the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. This hybrid Information Session will be in room 4130 Posvar Hall, on the 4th floor of W. Wesley Posvar Hall on October 2, 2025 starting at 6:00pm. Learn about the requirements of the JET Program and learn from your future-JET Program sempai with our JET Alumni Panel.
Monday, October 6
Island Tinkerers: Innovation and Transformation in the Making of Taiwan's Computing Industry
Time:
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location:
Posvar Hall 4130
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center
In this seminar, Honghong Tinn will introduce her new, open access book Island Tinkerers: Innovation and Transformation in the Making of Taiwan’s Computing Industry (MIT Press, 2025). Tinn's book tells the critical history of how hobbyists and enthusiasts in Taiwan, including engineers, technologists, technocrats, computer users, and engineers-turned-entrepreneurs, helped transform the country with their hands-on engagement with computers. It was through their creative and ingenious tinkering with computers that they were able to gain a better understanding of the technology, opening the door to future manufacturing endeavors that now include Acer, Foxconn, Asus, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
Honghong Tinn is Assistant Professor in the Program in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is also an affiliated historian at the Charles Babbage Institute. She received her Ph.D. in Science & Technology Studies from Cornell University. Her research interests are in the areas of the history of electronic digital computing, Cold War, econometrics, and science, technology, and medicine in East Asia. Her work on these topics has appeared in Technology and Culture, Osiris, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, and East Asian Science, Technology and Society. She is the author of Island Tinkerers: Innovation and Transformation in the Making of Taiwan’s Computing Industry (MIT Press, 2025). She was on the Executive Council of the Society for the History of Technology (2017-2019), chaired the Society’s Internationalization Committee (2013-2014) and the International Small Grants Committee (2017-2019), and is an elected member of the Nominating Committee (2023-2025).
Before and after 1989: The Short History of Liberal Democracy in Hungary
Time:
4:00 pm
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs
Victoria Harms, Associate Teaching Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University and author of the book The Making of Dissidents: Hungary’s Democratic Opposition and Its Western Friends, 1973-1998 (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2024) in conversation with Gregor Thum, Associate Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh. Introduction by Kati R. Csoman, Director of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs.
Co-sponsors to list are: Hungarian Room Committee of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, the History Department, World History Center, European Studies Center, Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies.
Where: 4130 Posvar Hall
When: 4pm - 5pm October 6th
What: Interview followed by a Q&A segment
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, October 7 to Tuesday, January 6
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, October 7
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, October 8
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching Traditional Cultural Heritage
Time:
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Presenter:
Iryna Voloshyna
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University, Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas, Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University, Center for Slavic, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu
This webinar will concentrate on UNESCO-recommended methodological strategies of including topics on traditional cultural heritage of Eastern Europe and Eurasia into the curricula, for courses spanning from language, arts, and geography, to mathematics and physics. Educators will come away with resources and strategies for integrating these themes into a variety of classroom settings.
This webinar is the first in a six-part webinar series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support K-14 educators in bringing the vibrant and diverse artistic traditions of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into the classroom. Each 90-minute session will spotlight a different art form—including music, dance, literature, visual arts, cultural artifacts, and theater/film—offering both historical and cultural context as well as practical classroom strategies.
Wednesday, October 8 to Wednesday, January 14
Arabic Club Conversation Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presenter:
Audrey Maize
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Arabic Club
Contact:
Audrey Maize
Contact Email:
AOM20@pitt.edu
Join the Arabic Club for biweekly meetings in the Global Hub during Fall 2025 semester, and to practice Arabic language, structured by varying geographic dialects and level of speaker proficiency!
Thursday, October 9
CLAS Speaker Series
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
Alvaro Bernal
Location:
Zoom
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Friday, October 10
Phonographic Paleontology: Excavating the Sounds of Georgian Nationality, 1935
Time:
4:00 pm
Presenter:
Brian Fairley (UCIS/REEES Postdoctoral Fellow)
Location:
Baker Hall 246A, Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with Department of History and Carnegie Mellon University Department of History
Contact:
Alissa Klots
Contact Email:
alissaklots@pitt.edu
Part of the Socialist Studies Seminar series.
Monday, October 13
Scholarship Info Sessions: Summer 2026 Global Learning Experiences
Time:
12:30 pm
Sponsored by:
Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs
Explore the world with funding support from the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs Scholarships. The NRIEP funding support will enable you to achieve your summer global learning experience. The NRIEP Scholarship Program is nearly sixty years old and supports study abroad, internships, independent research and experiential learning for Pitt students around the world.
What you will gain from this information session:
Scholarship Insights: Learn about various scholarships designed specifically for summer global experience programs.
Application Tips: Get expert advice on crafting a compelling scholarship application.
Your global adventure begins here!
Dates:
October 13th 2025, 12:30PM and November 5th, 1:30PM
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, October 14 to Tuesday, January 13
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, October 14
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, October 15
Urban Farm Tours
Sustainable Cities & Communities: A Transatlantic Dialogue (Oct 15-16)
Time:
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
Various
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Studies Center along with Department of German, Mascaro Center for Sustainability Innovation and Office of Sustainability in the Health Scinences
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu
Urban Farms Tour included in this tour are as follows:
Hilltop Urban Farm
Farm Girl Eb
Freeman Family Farm (Lunch will be provided)
Millvale Community Farm
Oasis Farm & Fishery
Faculty Roundtable: Displacing Territory
Displacement, Territory, and Belonging Exploring Critical Global Challenges Through Refugee Narratives
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
Drs. Karen Culcasi, Michael Glass and Robert Ross
Location:
4130 WWPH
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center
Contact:
Elaine Linn
Contact Phone:
4126244813
Contact Email:
global@pitt.edu
Displacement disrupts our understandings of borders, identity, and home. We invite you to a dynamic, faculty-led roundtable that explores the pressing and complex themes of displacement, territoriality, and belonging through a multidisciplinary lens. Drawing on the lived experiences of Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Jordan, this discussion will delve into how these realities challenge traditional frameworks and open new avenues for research and teaching.
Together, we’ll critically examine the varied roles and responsibilities of the Global North and South in addressing the ongoing refugee crisis. The roundtable will also spotlight a range of innovative research methodologies for engaging with transnational, interdisciplinary issues.
Faculty participants will receive a complimentary copy of Displacing Territory: Syrian and Palestinian Refugees in Jordan.
Register Here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqum4WVIt0eVH8PjsM9RYc0ztFJyMg...
The Green Scene: Urban Farmers, Sustainable Communities in Pittsburgh and Berlin
Sustainable Cities & Communities: A Transatlantic Dialogue
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld, Humboldt University of Berlin
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Studies Center along with Department of German, Mascaro Center for Sustainability Innovation and Oiffcie of Sustainability in the Health Sciences
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu
This event is part of a two-day series focusing on sustainability in Europe and Pittsburgh.
About the Keynote Speaker:
Jesko Hirschfeld studied economics at the universities of Bonn, Frankfurt am Main, and the Free University of Berlin. From 1996 to 1998, he worked as a scientific staff member for the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag), and from 1998 to 2002, he worked on his doctorate with a scholarship by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the Research Training Group “Agriculture and Environment” at the University of Göttingen. Since 2002, he has been a research associate and later subject area manager for water and land management at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) in Berlin in the research field “Environmental Economics and Policy.” From 2017 to 2020, in addition to his work at the IÖW, he was a visiting professor for landscape economics at the Technical University of Berlin. From 2022 to 2024, he taught as a visiting professor of environmental economics at Humboldt University in Berlin. He has worked on numerous inter- and transdisciplinary projects on natural climate protection, nature-based adaptation to climate change, land and water use, and integrated coastal zone management, focusing primarily on economic aspects and ecological-economic assessments. In recent years, he has focused on urban ecosystem services provided by urban green spaces, parks, and gardens.
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Displacing Territory: K-12 Educator PD Workshop
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Presenter:
Dr. Karen Culcasi, Michael-Ann Cerniglia
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall and via Zoom
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center along with Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies (CERIS)
Join the Global Studies Center on Wednesday, October 15 from 6:00-7:30 PM ET in 4130 or via Zoom for a presentation by Dr. Karen Culcasi on her book, Displacing Territory: Syrian and Palestinian Refugees in Jordan. Curriculum strategies and resources for K-12 classroom use will also be shared. A limited number of books will be mailed to registrants in advance of the workshop.
Turkish Language Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presenter:
Eda Kurtsoy
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Eda Kurtsoy
Contact Email:
SEK220@pitt.edu
Join the Turkish Language Table in the Global Hub to learn about Turkish language, culture, and community.
There will be four meetings in the Global Hub during Fall semester, each from 8-9 pm:
- September 17
- October 1 - Board Game Night!
- October 15
- November 12
Thursday, October 16
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Sustainable Cities & Communities: A Transatlantic Dialogue
Panel Discussion & Workshops
Time:
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
WPU, Lower Lounge
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Studies Center along with Department of German, Mascaro Center for Sustainability Innovation, Office of Sustainability in the Health Scinences, Germany on Campus and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Washington
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Ingrid Gomez-O'Toole
Contact Phone:
4126488517
Contact Email:
ing7@pitt.edu
Final Event of this two-day event
Part I: Panel Discussion
Moderator: Randall Halle, European Studies Center
Panelists:
Dr. Patrick Shirey — Geology and Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh
Lisa Freeman — Freeman and Family Farm
Ebony Lunsford-Evans — Farm Gurl Eb
Dr. Jesko Hirschfeld — Humboldt University of Berlin
Part II: Breakout / Discussion Groups
Group A: Urban Farming Challenges and Opportunities
Group B: Climate resilience strategies in cities
Group C: Ensuring nutrition security for vulnerable populations
**Lunch will be provided
Vira I. Heinz Program Information Session
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location:
810 William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Sara Kochuba
Contact Email:
sek360@pitt.edu
Want to study abroad this summer? You could be selected for a scholarship of $5,000+! Learn more about the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership (VIH Program) by stopping by this info session. Qualified students will be female-identifying, have a QPA of 3.0 and be a current sophomore or junior with no prior travel experience beyond Canada. Come by even if you are thinking about it for next year!
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Monday, October 20
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, October 21 to Tuesday, January 20
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, October 21
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, October 22
Global Appalachia Reading Group: Session 2
Time:
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall or via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center along with Institute of Spatial History Innovation
The Global Appalachia Reading Group examines the complex intersections of regional identity, global influence, and environmental justice as they pertain to Appalachia and its connections to the wider world. The Fall 2026 theme is "Place."
Session 1 Book, September 17, 2025: Appalachia in Regional Context: Place Matters, edited by Dwight B. Billings and Ann E. Kingsolver
Session 2 Book, October 22, 2025: Affrilachia by Frank X. Walker
Session 3 Book, November 19, 2025: Making Our Future: Visionary Folklore and Everyday Culture in Appalachia by Emily Hilliard
Copies of the books will be available for those planning to attend the event. Please stop by the Global Studies Center (4100 Posvar Hall) to pick up your copy. If you need the books shipped, that can be arranged.
Note: We are able to fund and distribute books to registrants as funding allows. Registration will remain open after this amount is reached. Registrants will be notified if we are unable to provide them with the reading material.
Vira I. Heinz Program Information Session
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location:
810 William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Sara Kochuba
Contact Email:
sek360@pitt.edu
Want to study abroad this summer? You could be selected for a scholarship of $5,000+! Learn more about the Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership (VIH Program) by stopping by this info session. Qualified students will be female-identifying, have a QPA of 3.0 and be a current sophomore or junior with no prior travel experience beyond Canada. Come by even if you are thinking about it for next year!
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, October 22 to Wednesday, January 28
Arabic Club Conversation Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presenter:
Audrey Maize
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Arabic Club
Contact:
Audrey Maize
Contact Email:
AOM20@pitt.edu
Join the Arabic Club for biweekly meetings in the Global Hub during Fall 2025 semester, and to practice Arabic language, structured by varying geographic dialects and level of speaker proficiency!
Thursday, October 23
CLAS Speaker Series
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
Thatiellen Ribeiro and Ruth Jimenez
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Suchitra: Hindi Language Table
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
Vibha
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Vibha Shetiya
Contact Email:
vis67@pitt.edu
Practice Hindi and play games with the Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center and students! No knowledge of Hindi required.
There will be three meetings in the Global Hub during Fall semester, each from 5-6 pm:
- September 25
- October 23
- November 20
Camera as Passport: The Ship of Photographers
Curated by Deobrah Dash Moore and Louis Kaplan
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
American Jewish Museum, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, 5738 Forbes Ave, Pgh, PA 15217
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center along with Jewish Studies Center, Film and Media Studies, Horror Studies Program, JCC Pittsburgh (American Jewish Museum), CMU Jewish Studies, The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and University of Michigan
Cost:
Free (RSVP's are encouraged)
Contact Phone:
412-697-3231
Contact Email:
mhiller@jccpgh.org
This powerful exhibition features 36 striking images that trace the remarkable journeys of eight European photographers who, facing Nazi persecution in the 1930s and ’40s, used their cameras as tools of escape, survival, and reinvention.
Curated by:
Deborah Dash Moore
Jonathan Freedman Distinguished University Professor of History & Judaic Studies, University of Michigan
Louis Kaplan
Professor of History and Theory of Photography and New Media, University of Toronto
Exhibition will be on view from August 20, 2025-Jan 30, 2026
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"Ashes of Roses," by by Mary Jane Auch
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Studies Center
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
The October 23 workshop will focus on the book, "Ashes of Rose," by Mary Jane Auch.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Saturday, October 25
Referral — My Thoughts Думи Мої
Time:
4:00 pm
Location:
Andrew Carnegie Music Hall - Carnegie, PA
Announced by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies on behalf of Kyiv Ukrainian Dance Ensemble & School
Hear the thoughts of the Ukrainian People from Ukraine and in the Diaspora. Collaboration with local artists.
Information and tickets @ https://kyivdance.org/my-thoughts-production
Ukrainian Marketplace Opens 2pm
Monday, October 27
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, October 28
Pitt Model United Nations 2025
High School Conference
Time:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
William Pitt Union and O'Hara Student Center, Pitt-Oakland Campus
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence, Global Studies Center and UCIS Engagement along with PittMUN Club
Contact:
UCIS Engagement
Contact Email:
ucisengage@pitt.edu
Through experiential learning, high school students engage directly with global issues by assuming the role of world leaders and negotiating responses to timely topics.
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs 2025 Scholarship Awardee Poster Showcase
Time:
5:00 pm
Location:
Alumni Hall, Connolly Ballroom
Sponsored by:
Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs
Come and learn about undergraduate and graduate students about their global learning experiences abroad in the summer!
The Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs 2025 Scholarship Awardee Poster Showcase will be held on Tuesday, October 28 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Connolly Ballroom in Alumni Hall. Come join the undergraduate and graduate students to learn about their global learning experiences abroad in the summer.
The NRIEP Scholarship Program is nearly sixty years old and supports study abroad, internships, independent research and experiential learning for Pitt students around the world.
In-Person event
Location
Alumni Hall Connolly Ballroom
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Tuesday, October 28 to Tuesday, January 27
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Wednesday, October 29
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Thursday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 4
CLAS Day of the Dead Altar
Time:
(All day)
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Latin American Studies Association
Contact:
Luz Amanda Hank
Contact Email:
lavst12@pitt.edu
Ofrenda/Altar Display
October 28 – November 4, 2025
Global Hub
No need to register. Stop by any time between October 28th-November 4th to see the display.
Thursday, October 30
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
CLAS Day of the dead and saints day Celebrations! ¡DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Y DÍA DE LOS SANTOS FESTIVITIES!
Time:
2:00 pm
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Latin American Cultural Center
Contact:
Luz Amanda Hank
Contact Email:
lavst12@pitt.edu
CLAS Day of the dead and saints day Celebrations!
¡DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Y DÍA DE LOS SANTOS FESTIVITIES!
Ofrenda/Altar Display
October 28 – November 4, 2025
Global Hub
All are welcome to take part in this beautiful tradition!
Help us celebrate the lives of departed loved ones—family, friends, or pets—by adding photos, mementos, artificial flowers, or small ofrendas to the community altar. You’re also invited to paint a Monarch butterfly with their name to honor their memory. The Ofrenda/Altar will be lovingly created by Lisa DiGioia Nutini (Mexico Lindo), and Luz Amanda Hank (CLAS).
Workshops on Wednesday, October 30, 2025
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Learn about the Day of the Dead Celebration: Lisa DiGioia Nutini, Mexico Lindo and Dr. Manuel Roman-Lacayo, Deputy Director, LASA
3:15-4:15 p.m. Learn how to make Papel Picado
4:25-6:00 p.m. Paint your own Alebrije
This event is organized by the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), and co-sponsored by the Global Hub, the Latin American Cultural Center (LACC), and the Center for Ethnic Studies Research (CESR).
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Monday, November 3
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, November 4
CLAS Speaker Series
Legitimated Knowledge? Uncovering Identity in the Hidden Curriculum of Textbooks
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
Dr. Filipe Recch
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies
Dr. Filipe Recch is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice in Educational Research at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. Using methods from political science, comparative education, and data analysis, he studies how curriculum, governance, and policy affect educational outcomes.
One of Dr. Recch’s primary research agendas focuses on how K-12 textbooks in low- and middle-income countries affect different populations of students and the regionalization of education. Employing computational text analysis and Natural Language Processing (NLP), he studies large collections of curricular materials to identify patterns and understand how these vary in terms of space and populational characteristics. By adapting NLP methods to non-English contexts, his work with Brazilian textbooks has revealed that textbook content correlates with performance, school characteristics, and broader educational outcomes. Additionally, in a study of Indian textbooks, he found shifts in historical narratives that suggest evolving understandings of national identity and different population experiences.
Beyond curriculum analysis, Dr. Recch investigates how policy coordination and governance structures shape access to high-quality education. Focusing on decentralized systems, he has studied Brazil’s educational policy alignment across municipal and state governments, identifying conditions under which coordinated approaches can influence access to educational opportunities. This comparative perspective allows him to draw insights relevant to various contexts, including how parallel education systems—such as charter schools in the United States, selective schools in the United Kingdom, and private schools more broadly—may produce unequal learning opportunities.
Before pursuing his doctorate, Dr. Recch worked for five years in the social development and education departments of a state government in Brazil. He holds a Ph.D. in International Comparative Education and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Stanford University. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, he served as a Postdoctoral Research and Policy Associate at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Tuesday, November 4 to Tuesday, February 3
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Wednesday, November 5
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, November 5 to Wednesday, February 11
Arabic Club Conversation Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Presenter:
Audrey Maize
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Arabic Club
Contact:
Audrey Maize
Contact Email:
AOM20@pitt.edu
Join the Arabic Club for biweekly meetings in the Global Hub during Fall 2025 semester, and to practice Arabic language, structured by varying geographic dialects and level of speaker proficiency!
Thursday, November 6
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Student Showcase: Pop Culture Event
Time:
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Presenter:
Various
Location:
WPU, Lower Lounge
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center along with Department of German, Germany on Campus and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Washington
Contact:
Benjamin Brand
Contact Email:
bmb145@pitt.edu
Celebrate the research projects of students in Beginning and Intermediate German (GERM 101-202).
Light Refreshment will be served
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Friday, November 7
Book Launch — Silhouettes of Russian Writers by Yuli Aikhenvald
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Tatyana Gershkovich, Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures
Contact Email:
crees@pitt.edu
Join CMU Associate Professor of Russian Studies Tatyana Gershkovich for the launch of this new book, translated and edited with Stephen H. Backwell, and recently published by Academic Studies Press!
Yuli Aikhenvald was one of the most popular and influential Russian literary critics of the early 1900s. His major book, Silhouettes of Russian Writers, went through six ever-expanding editions. A major presence in Vladimir Nabokov’s early career, Aikhenvald has since been neglected by other writers and critics. This collection translates several of Aikhenvald’s key essays, making him available to English-speaking readers for the first time.
Monday, November 10
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, November 11 to Tuesday, February 10
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, November 11
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, November 12
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Turkish Language Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Presenter:
Eda Kurtsoy
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Eda Kurtsoy
Contact Email:
SEK220@pitt.edu
Join the Turkish Language Table in the Global Hub to learn about Turkish language, culture, and community.
There will be three meetings in the Global Hub during Fall semester, each from 8-9 pm:
- October 1 - Board Game Night!
- October 15
- November 12
Thursday, November 13
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Friday, November 14
Our Town Is Now a Cemetery: Soviet Yiddish Amateur Songs and the Rituals of Holocaust Commemoration, 1945–1947
Time:
4:00 pm
Presenter:
Anna Shternshis (University of Toronto)
Location:
Baker Hall 246A, Carnegie Mellon University
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with Department of History and Carnegie Mellon University Department of History
Contact:
Alissa Klots
Contact Email:
alissaklots@pitt.edu
Part of the Socialist Studies Seminar series.
Monday, November 17
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, November 18 to Tuesday, February 17
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, November 18
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, November 19
21st Annual High School Model European Union
Time:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location:
William Pitt Union
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, European Union Center of Excellence and Global Studies Center
Contact Email:
europeanstudies@pitt.edu
The High School Model European Union is an annual event for area high school students. The goal of the Model EU is to give high school students a chance to learn about the workings of the European Union through a hands-on simulation. Playing the roles of presidents and prime ministers, students spend a day engaged in intense negotiations over conflicting issues about the EU. The objective is to simulate a specific European Council meeting that focuses on recent current events impacting the EU. Model EU enhances students’ understanding of classroom learning and gives them a real sense of the challenges involved in the decision-making process of the European Union.
CLAS Speaker Series
Time:
1:00 pm
Presenter:
Scott Morgenstern
Location:
4130 Posvar Hall
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies
Global Appalachia Reading Group: Session 3
Time:
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Location:
4217 Posvar Hall or via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center along with Institute of Spatial History Innovation
The Global Appalachia Reading Group examines the complex intersections of regional identity, global influence, and environmental justice as they pertain to Appalachia and its connections to the wider world. The Fall 2026 theme is "Place."
Session 1 Book, September 17, 2025: Appalachia in Regional Context: Place Matters, edited by Dwight B. Billings and Ann E. Kingsolver
Session 2 Book, October 22, 2025: Affrilachia by Frank X. Walker
Session 3 Book, November 19, 2025: Making Our Future: Visionary Folklore and Everyday Culture in Appalachia by Emily Hilliard
Copies of the books will be available for those planning to attend the event. Please stop by the Global Studies Center (4100 Posvar Hall) to pick up your copy. If you need the books shipped, that can be arranged.
Note: We are able to fund and distribute books to registrants as funding allows. Registration will remain open after this amount is reached. Registrants will be notified if we are unable to provide them with the reading material.
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Russian Ballet
Time:
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Presenter:
Daria Khitrova
Location:
Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu
This webinar is the third in a six-part series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support K-14 educators in bringing the arts of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into their classrooms. During this session, we will learn about the Russian ballet as a powerful cultural force shaped by political, religious, and aesthetic pressures from the 19th to the 20th century. We will examine how ballet was viewed by critics, dancers, and administrators—as both an “impossible” art form and a near-religious practice of survival and expression. Educators will gain tools to connect performing arts with broader historical and cultural themes, enriching classroom discussions around artistic expression under authoritarian regimes, the role of tradition in modernity, and how art can serve both resistance and conformity.
Wednesday, November 19 to Wednesday, February 25
Arabic Club Conversation Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Presenter:
Audrey Maize
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Arabic Club
Contact:
Audrey Maize
Contact Email:
AOM20@pitt.edu
Join the Arabic Club for biweekly meetings in the Global Hub during Fall 2025 semester, and to practice Arabic language, structured by varying geographic dialects and level of speaker proficiency!
Thursday, November 20
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Suchitra: Hindi Language Table
Time:
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
Vibha Shetiya
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center
Contact:
Vibha Shetiya
Contact Email:
vis67@pitt.edu
Practice Hindi and play games with the Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center and students! No knowledge of Hindi required.
There will be three meetings in the Global Hub during Fall semester, each from 5-6 pm:
- September 25
- October 23
- November 20
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me by Lurline Wailana McGregor
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Center for Ethnic Studies Research and Global Studies Center
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
The November 20, 2025 workshop will focus on the book, "Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me," by Lurline Wailana McGregor.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Monday, December 1
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
German Club at Pitt
Time:
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Presenter:
Claire Meachen
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Pitt German Club
Contact:
Claire Meachen
Contact Email:
CSM92@pitt.edu
Join German Club at Pitt weekly meetings to improve language skills and cultural knowledge of German speaking regions!
German Club will meet in the Global Hub every Monday during Fall 2025 semester, starting September 8 and ending December 1, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, December 2 to Tuesday, March 3
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, December 2
Hungarian Conversation and Tutoring
Time:
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Viktoria Batista
Location:
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Contact:
Viktoria Batista
Contact Email:
vib21@pitt.edu
Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Braun Room (12th Floor), Cathedral of Learning
Come to chat, practice, meet others who are interested in Hungarian and Hungary! All levels are welcome.
For more info, contact Dr. Viktoria Batista (vib21@pitt.edu)
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, December 3
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, December 3 to Wednesday, March 11
Arabic Club Conversation Table
Time:
8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Presenter:
Audrey Maize
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies, Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Arabic Club
Contact:
Audrey Maize
Contact Email:
AOM20@pitt.edu
Join the Arabic Club for biweekly meetings in the Global Hub during Fall 2025 semester, and to practice Arabic language, structured by varying geographic dialects and level of speaker proficiency!
Thursday, December 4
Tavola Italiana
Time:
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presenter:
Chiara Montera
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with Department of French & Italian
Contact:
Chiara Montera
Contact Email:
chiara.montera@pitt.edu
Mangia con noi! Bring your lunch and chat with us! Pitt students only, all levels welcome!
Tavola Italiana will meet on Thursdays during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 27.
Kya Baat Hai! Conversation Hour
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Rhheaa Mehta
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and Global Hub along with Kya Baat Hai!
Contact:
Rhheaa Mehta
Contact Email:
RPM81@pitt.edu
Pitt students: Join Kya Baat Hai, a Hindi-Urdu conversational club that practices language and celebrates South Asian culture, for weekly conversation hours!
Kya Baat Hai will meet weekly, on Thursdays, during the Fall semester, EXCEPT on Thursday, November 27.
Bringing the Sounds of Eastern Europe and Eurasia into the Classroom
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Danielle Sekel
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu
This webinar is the third in a six-part series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support educators in bringing the arts of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into their classrooms. This session focuses on practical strategies for incorporating the region’s rich musical traditions into K–12 teaching. Participants will explore both traditional and popular musical forms and genres, using sound as a lens to illuminate broader cultural, historical, and social themes. The webinar features listening examples, adaptable classroom activities, and cross-curricular approaches that connect music to subjects such as literature, geography, and history.
Please register to join us for an engaging session filled with ready-to-use resources and creative ideas for introducing students to the diverse musical traditions of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
Sunday, December 7
Holiday Open House 2025
The 34th Nationality and Intercultural Exchange Programs Holiday Open House Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 12-4 pm | Cathedral of Learning Commons| Nationality and Heritage Rooms
Time:
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location:
Cathedral of Learning Commons Room
Sponsored by:
Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs
Cost:
Free
Contact Email:
nationalityrooms@pitt.edu
In the spirit of an open house tradition and to foster connections among neighbors, members of the Nationality and Heritage Room Committees will welcome guests into the Cathedral of Learning for an afternoon of exploration and engagement. Guests will be invited into the Nationality and Heritage Rooms which will be decorated for the holiday season and can participate in traditional crafts and cultural demonstrations to learn about the rooms, the committees, and their ethnic communities and traditions. In the Cathedral of Learning Commons, guests will enjoy traditional treats as they listen to world and holiday music and shop for handcrafted and cultural wares and other items that represent the cultural diversity of the Nationality and Heritage Rooms.
The event is free and open to the public. No prior registration is required. Food and gift items will be available for purchase.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Monday, December 8
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
Tuesday, December 9 to Tuesday, March 10
Fall 2025 Global Distinction Drop-In Hours
Time:
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Presenter:
Molly McSweeney
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies, Director's Office, European Studies Center, Global Studies Center, Global Hub, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs, Office of International Services and Global Experiences Office
Contact:
Molly McSweeney
Contact Email:
mcm206@pitt.edu
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Tuesday, December 9
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Wednesday, December 10
French Club Conversation Hour
Time:
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Presenter:
Baiming Liu
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
European Studies Center and Global Hub along with French Club
Contact:
Baiming Liu
Contact Email:
BAL128@pitt.edu
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 pm during Fall semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
UPDATE: On September 10 (only), the French Club and the French Department will have a joint event in the Global Hub, from 5:30 to 7 pm.
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Fall 2025, EXCEPT on November 25 and November 26.
Monday, December 15
Bate-Papo Portuguese Conversation Hour
Time:
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Presenter:
Jennifer Villanueva
Location:
Global Hub
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Hub along with Brazil Nuts
Contact:
Jennifer Villanueva
Contact Email:
jev76@pitt.edu
Join us in the Global Hub for to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!
Bate-Papo meet on Mondays, during Fall 2025, starting September 8 and ending December 15, EXCEPT on November 24.
Thursday, January 8
Ukrainian Pysanky: A Journey Through History and Symbolism into Today's Classroom
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Megan Luttrell
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu
This session focuses on the ancient tradition of pysanky (decorated eggs) in Ukraine. It discusses the history and process of making pysanky as well as the fascinating symbolism in the designs, tracing the change pysanky symbolism throughout cultural shifts in Ukraine. The session also introduces participants to digital resources on pysanky including sample lesson plans that show educators how they can use pysanky in a variety of classroom contexts.
This webinar is the fourth in a six-part webinar series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to support K-14 educators in bringing the vibrant and diverse artistic traditions of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia into the classroom. Each 90-minute session will spotlight a different art form—including music, dance, literature, visual arts, cultural artifacts, and theater/film—offering both historical and cultural context as well as practical classroom strategies. Use the registration form to register for one or more of these events.
Thursday, January 22
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"Forty Autumns," by Nina Willner
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies and Global Studies Center
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
The January 22, 2026 workshop will focus on the book, "Forty Autumns," by Nina Willner.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .
Tuesday, February 3
Power, Protest, and Daringness: Snapshots from a Century of Russian and East European Theater
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Alisa Ballard Lin
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu
This webinar is the fifth in a six-part series, The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, designed to help K-14 educators integrate Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European arts into their classrooms. It explores the influential and enduring role of theater in this region, where theatergoing remains an ordinary, affordable, and deeply valued cultural practice. From the collapse of empires during World War I to the repressions of the Communist era, and from the transformations of a globalized Europe to Russia’s ongoing war against a NATO- and EU-aligned neighbor, theater has consistently served as a resilient artistic and political force. Led by Dr. Alisa Ballard Lin, the session highlights several theatrical productions that reveal the dynamic intersection of art and politics over the past century. Each production has been selected for its accessibility and pedagogical value, with translated plays, photographs, video materials, and scholarly commentary readily available for classroom use.
Please join us for an engaging and practical session filled with insights, resources, and inspiration for bringing the rich theatrical traditions of Eastern Europe into your teaching.
Friday, February 6 to Saturday, February 7
Revolutions in Sound: Auditory Cultures of Global Socialism
Time:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Presenter:
Varies
Location:
TBD
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies
Thursday, February 19
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"Messy Roots," by Laura Gao
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Asian Studies Center and Global Studies Center
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
The workshop for February 19, 2026 will focus on the book, "Messy Roots," by Laura Gao.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS
Tuesday, March 3
From Lullabies to Naive Art: Culture, Memory, and Resilience
Time:
6:30 pm
Presenter:
Nataliia Bondarenko
Sponsored by:
Center for Russian East European and Eurasian Studies along with “Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University”, “Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia, University of Wisconsin-Madison”, “Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, University of Kansas”, “Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, The Ohio State University”, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill”, “Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, Indiana University”, “Russian, and Eurasian Center, University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign”
Contact:
Sandra Grudic
Contact Email:
sgrudic@fas.harvard.edu
How does art preserve memory, sustain cultural heritage, and shape national identity—especially during times of conflict?
This sixth and final webinar in The Arts of Eastern Europe and Eurasia: A Webinar Series for Educators explores how artistic expression functions as a living record of cultural memory. Through case studies from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, we will examine how art and culture are mobilized as tools of influence, identity, and messaging, particularly in moments of war, political upheaval, and societal change.
Designed for K-14 educators, this session offers practical insights and classroom-ready materials that illuminate the power of memory, creativity, and cultural heritage in shaping both historical and contemporary narratives. Participants will also develop strategies to help students think critically, recognize disinformation, and better understand the intersections of art, identity, and politics.
Thursday, March 19
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"The Last Watchman of Old Cairo," by Michael David Lukas
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Center for African Studies and Global Studies Center along with Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies (CERIS)
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
The workshop for March 19, 2026 will focus on the book, "The Last Watchman of Old Cairo," by by Michael David Lukas.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .
Thursday, April 23
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
"Grenade," by Alan Gratz
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Global Studies Center and National Consortium on Teaching About Asia
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
The April 23, 2026 workshop will focus on the book, "Grenade," by Alan Gratz.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .
Thursday, May 14
Global Issues Through Literature: The U.S. in the World
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle
Time:
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location:
via Zoom
Streaming Link:
Sponsored by:
Center for Latin American Studies and Global Studies Center
This professional development workshop series is designed for K-12 educators seeking to deepen their understanding of global issues through literature. This year, we will explore the theme of “The U.S. in the World.” Through global and regional perspectives, we will discuss narratives of a “Global United States,” where the U.S. role in the world and its relationship with other countries and regions is informed by transnational narratives and dialogues shaped by global trends such as migration, environmental issues, human rights, and human conditions. By exploring compelling stories from diverse cultural perspectives, educators will gain insights into the complexities of this theme, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to engage students in meaningful discussions around these topics.
Each session features a carefully selected book, paired with historically contextualized presentations, interactive discussions, teaching strategies, and cross-disciplinary activities to inspire classroom implementation.
The May 14, 2026 workshop will focus on the book, "Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings" by Margarita Engle.
Sessions this year will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (ET). Three Act 48 credit hours (for PA educators) and a copy of the book are provided for each session.
For more information and to register, please go to: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/GILS .