Passport to the World - Past Events
Passport Events, Fall 2021
Japan: Through an Artist’s Eye
Presenter: Sue Anne Rische
Date: November 16th
Download Flyer
Professor Sue Anne Rische invites you to share in the sensory bliss she experienced as an artist abroad in Japan. Enjoy her enthusiasm for Japanese food, traditions, people, and art!
A Traveler's Taste Of Thailand
Presenter: Genevieve “Gen” Northup
Date: October 19th
Download Flyer
HR Manager of Professional Development Genevieve “Gen” Northup
lived and worked in Europe for eight years. She caught the travel bug and began accumulating
passport stamps as soon as she landed abroad. Of the 51 countries she has visited,
Thailand is at the top. Join Gen as she recounts her adventures in Bangkok and Krabi.
Take a tour of beautiful Thailand: explore floating markets in search of mango sticky
rice, scuba dive in the world-famous Phi Phi Islands,
scale a mountain to reach a golden Buddha, and much more.
Passport Events, Spring 2021
It's a Small World After All: What Walt Disney and Disney World Can Teach Us
Presenter: Abigail Manuel
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Download Flyer
Professor Abigail Manuel has traveled to Disney World every year since 1982 and has seen it evolve from a theme park to a "stationary world's fair" and conservation effort and back again. In this presentation, Professor Manuel will discuss Walt Disney's original plan for the area, how his plan is and was reflected in the park, and what educational opportunities existed and still exist at Walt Disney World!
Passport Events, Fall 2020
Planting Seeds in Benin: My Two Years in the Peace Corps
Presenter: Meagan Hoff
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2020
Download Flyer
Have you ever thought about living abroad? Joining and working within a new community? Join Professor Meagan Hoff as she recounts her two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malanville, Benin. Meagan will share her stories of living and working in Benin as well as her travels around West Africa. She will also offer more information about what the Peace Corps does, how to join, and how you can prepare now to join in the future.
Ireland! Visit the Emerald Isle!
Presenter: Matthew Ware Coulter
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2020
Download Flyer
Join History Professor Matthew Ware Coulter on a relaxed month-long journey around
the Emerald Isle. Professor Coulter did his homework before traveling and the trip
was packed with sites important to
Irish history and culture.
Passport Event, Spring 2020
Exploring China: An Inside Look at the Middle Kingdom
Presenter: Henry Canfield
Date: February 18, Plano Campus
Download Flyer
Ni Hao – Hello and Welcome to China! Join Henry Canfield as he shares some of the experiences and cultural lessons he learned while living and working in China for almost 14 years. The Middle Kingdom has a wealth of history, a fascinating current climate, and a bright future developing daily on the world stage. Hear Henry discuss what it was like to live and work in a culture that was totally foreign to him, in an amazing country that has over 5,000 years of history to explore.
Passport Event, Fall 2019
Camino de Santiago
Presenter: Allison Venuto
Date: Oct 29, Plano Campus
Download Flyer
Join us for a walk on the Camino de Santiago, a series of ancient European paths leading to a stunning cathedral in Santiago, Spain. We’ll talk about the literal and figurative highs and lows of our 500-mile journey.
Peru: Exploring Old and NewPeru: Exploring Old and New
Presenter: Catie Brooks
Date: Sept 24, McKinney Campus
Download Flyer
Take a trip with Professor Catie Brooks to South America into the wondrous country of Peru. Learn about new efforts in Peru to support tourism to ancient sites. Marvel at photos of the Maras Salt Mines, Machu Picchu, the Rainbow Mountains, and more!
Passport Event, Summer 2019
Cambodia!
Presenter: Denise Brown
Date: June 20, 2019
Download Flyer
Join Professor Denise Brown to learn about the temples built in 12th Century Siem Reap of modern Cambodia. Originally built as a Hindu temple by the Khmer Empire and later used by Buddhist monks, the temples are architectural marvels that have survived industrialization, war, and attempts by the surrounding jungle to reclaim them. Professor Brown will discuss her journey to the Angkor sites and to other temples in Bangkok, Thailand.
Passport Event, Spring 2019
Then and Now: A Tour of the Greek Islands
Presenter: Ryan Fletcher
Date: February 26, Plano Campus
Download Flyer
Join Professor Ryan Fletcher for a trip to the Greek Islands. From Athens to Crete to Rhodes, Professor Fletcher will delve into the rich histories and cultures of these islands and their connection to current discourse and storytelling.
The Aloha State: Saying "Hello" & "Goodbye" to the Hawaiian Islands
Presenter: Dr. Melody Miyamoto Walters
and Dr. Lisa Kirby
Date: April 4, McKinney Campus
Download Flyer
In Hawaiian, "aloha" means both "hello" and "goodbye." So, if someone says "aloha"
to you, how do you know what he/she is saying? Join Dr. Melody Miyamoto Walters and Dr.
Lisa Kirby for Passport to the World to find out. Hear a local Hawaiian introduce
visitors to Hawaii, and then listen
to the experiences of a Texan who recently visited several of the islands.
Passport Event, Fall 2018
Volcanoes Around the World
Presenter: Mike Cohick
Date and Time: November 1, Plano Campus
Download Flyer
Why do volcanoes form in particular geographic locations? Can a volcanic eruption halfway around the world affect us in the Dallas area?
Join Professor Mike Cohick for an illuminating lecture as he takes us on a journey around the world to view iconic volcanoes and learn about the impact of historical eruptions. Experience both the awesome beauty as well as the terrible destructive power of volcanoes through this photographic excursion.
Israel: Crossroad of Cultures
Presenter: Joan Kennedy and Gary Wilson
Date: October 9, Frisco Campus
Download Flyer
Where else can travelers explore a high mountain fortress and learn of its rich history?
Where else can one take in nearly 4,000 years of well-preserved architecture and culture?
Travel to Israel for a historical view of the fortress of Masada and the intriguing archaeological site of Beit She'an. Join Professors Joan Kennedy and Gary Wilson to listen to their fascinating lecture and view striking photographs of Israel’s complex cultural history.
Passport Events, Summer 2018
Rocky Mountain High, Medium & Low
Presenter: Barbara & Larry Stern
Date: June 5, Plano Campus
Join us to learn about mountain hikes, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking places of beauty in Rocky Mountain National Park! Listen to a fascinating lecture and view stunning photographs and short videos. As a bonus, come hear harrowing stories of moose encounters, ferocious marmots, and cliff-hanging episodes along the trails!
Past Passport Events, Spring 2018
From Log Cabins to Highrises: Urban Life in Russia
Presenter: Sharon Hudgins
Date: March 6, Plano Campus
Life in urban Russia has been very different from that in America during the past 100 years. Russians have lived through wars, revolutions, housing shortages, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and great changes in the economy since then. At this Passport presentation, learn about daily life in Russian cities and towns, from highrise apartment buildings in megacities to wooden houses in rural villages—and how Russians escape the pressures of urban living by retreating to their dachas.
Sharon Hudgins is a former university professor, an award-winning author, and a journalist with more than 900 articles published worldwide. Together with Tom Hudgins, an economics professor at Collin College, she lived in two Russian cities during the mid-1990s when both of them were professors with the University of Maryland's program in Siberia and the Russian Far East. She is the author of The Other Side of Russia: A Slice of Life in Siberia and the Russian Far East (Texas A & M University Press, 2003), and a new cookbook, T-Bone Whacks & Caviar Snacks: Cooking with Two Texans in Siberia and the Russian Far East (University of North Texas Press, 2018).
Passport Events, Fall 2017
Canals and Culture: A First Time Visit to Scandinavia
Presenter: Professor Allison Venuto
Date: October 2, Plano Campus
Description: Join professor Allison Venuto for highlights of her summer trip to Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Amsterdam. From hot dogs and Michelin stars to parkas and bunads, we’ll talk about what made the trip great! Discover the culture and customs of a region that consistently ranks among the happiest places on Earth. Professor Venuto is a professor of education at the Spring Creek Campus.
Srirangam, Canals India: Where the Cauvery (River) Croons and the Lord Reposes
Presenter: Professor Seema Endley
Date: November 15, McKinney Campus
Description: Come join Microbiology Professor Seema Endley as she shares her recent trip to the holy city of Srirangam, which hosts the largest functioning Hindu temples and one of the largest religious complexes of the world.
Passport Events, Summer 2017
The Kenai Peninsula, Alaska's Playground
Presenter: Professor Whitney Pisani
Date: June 27, Plano Campus
Description: Join Collin College Communications Professor Whitney Pisani for an inside look at the Kenai Peninsula in the southeastern region of Alaska. Known for its beautiful natural vistas, its abundant and captivating wildlife, and a rich history of the many cultures who have called the area home, the Kenai Peninsula is an amazing destination.
Past Passport Events, Spring 2017
Normandy: Then and Now The People and Places 70 Years after D-Day
Presenter: Professor Tony Airhart
Date: April 20, McKinney Campus
Description: Professor Tony Airhart will take the audience on a journey through the scene of one of World War II's major turning points, as it may have been on D-Day and as it looks more than seven decades later. From the iconic Omaha Beach and Utah Beach to Juno Beach and Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Normandy has grown into a popular French vacation destination, but signs of the epic beach landings and battles can still be found if you are looking.
Cuba Through the Eyes of a First-Time Tourist and a Native Cuban
Presenter: Professor Frozina Goussak and Dr. Stephen Whitley
Date: March 14, Plano Campus
Download Flyer
Description: Beautiful beaches, historic universities and vintage cars make up the charm that is Cuba – “Pearl of the Caribbean.” Dr Stephen Whitley visited Cuba for the first time in March 2016 and Professor Frozina Goussak grew up in Havana. Together, the two will share the wonderful sights and sounds of this beautiful island nation, which was largely shut off to Americans for decades.
Past Passport Events, Fall 2016
Yellowstone National Park: Much More than Bison, Bears and Bubbling Hot Springs
Presenter: Professor Rebecca Harris
Date: Oct. 20, Frisco Campus
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Iceland: The Land of Contrast and Culture
Presenter: Professor Rebecca Burton
Date: September 28, Plano Campus
Description: Join Dr. Rebecca Burton in her Icelandic adventure! From the icy glaciers and waterfalls to the fiery volcanoes and thermal baths, Iceland is a geological wonderland. Learn more about Iceland's rugged landscape and the unique culture shaped by over 1000 years of history and legend.
Past Passport Events, Spring 2016
Not Just Paris: Experiencing the Essence of France in Provence
Presenter: Professor Ryan Fletcher
Date: March 2, Plano Campus
Description: Bonjour! Join Professor Ryan Fletcher for a trip to the South of France. There's more to see and experience in France than just Paris, believe it or not. In the summer of 2015, Professor Fletcher traveled to Provence, a region full of villages, Roman ruins and fields of lavender nestled between Paris and the Mediterranean Sea. Every village offers something new...and tasty! The architecture! The landscapes! The sea! The markets! Provence has inspired many artists, including Van Gogh, Matisse and Renoir. Come and see the colors of Provence!
From Namaqualand to Swaziland: Biological Field Work in Southern Africa
Presenter: Dr. Thomas Eimermacher
Date: April 6, McKinney Campus
Description: Join Dr. Thomas Eimermacher on a journey of biological discovery through Southern Africa — from the Kalahari Desert and Namaqualand in South Africa to the Lowveld of Swaziland. Explore the different parts of Southern Africa with Dr. Eimermacher as he studies the regional diversity of reptiles and amphibians. Learn about the culture, local folklore, flora and fauna. See what biological field work on the African continent is like.
Past Passport Events, Fall 2015
Peru: Lima to Machu Picchu to the Amazon Forest!
Presenter: Professor Denise Brown
Date: November 4, Plano Campus
Description: Take a trip to one of the most interesting countries of South America, Peru. From its arid coast and largest city, Lima, through the Andes Mountains to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, and beyond the Andes to the tropical forests and rivers that are tributaries of the great Amazon river. Explore the culture and cuisine of this amazing country.
Swimming with Gods: Exploring the Nation, Oceans, and Myths of Fiji
Presenter: Professor Sean Ferrier-Watson
Date: October 7, Plano Campus
Description: Join Collin College Professor Sean Ferrier-Watson for an upcoming talk on Fiji. Explore the blue oceans, exotic landscapes, and rich culture of this island nation through the experiences, art, and poetry collected by Professor Ferrier-Watson. Hear a talk on the legend of Dakuwaqa, the shark god, and his encounter with the reef guardian and learn the beauty and significance of Fijian folklore and ritual practices.
Past Passport Events, Spring 2015
MEETING OF FRONTIERS: Native Peoples of the North Pacific Rim
Presenters: Professor Tom Hudgins and Writer Sharon Hudgins
Date: February 18, Plano Campus
Description: Travel with Tom and Sharon Hudgins around the north Pacific coast, from California to Alaska to the Russian Far East.
Discover the different groups of native people who live there, how they got there,
and the similarities and differences among their cultures.
Inside New Zealand, the Faraway Land of Hobbits, Kiwis, and Glow Worms
Presenter: Professor Rebecca Harris
Date: April 16, Frisco Campus
Description: Jump off of the world’s original bungee bridge, dive into Waitomo’s "glow worm" caves,
and boat alongside Kaikoura’s rare, wild dolphins. Professor Rebecca Harris will
take you on a journey of the tiny yet stunning country of New Zealand, from the astonishing
lakes of Queenstown in the South Island’s “Remarkables” mountain range, to the elegant
city of Auckland in the north, and will bring to life a land of unmatched adventure
and beauty.
Past Passport Events, Fall 2014
Build a Bridge, Then Dare to Walk It: Collaborative Teaching Abroad
Presenter: Dr. Dixil Rodriguez
Date: October 15, Plano Campus
Description: Join Dr. Dixil Rodriguez as she discusses her humanitarian work in Kenya and Rwanda.
Riviera Maya: Myths Dispelled and Mystiques Revealed
Presenter: Professor Whitney Pisani
Date: November 12, Plano Campus
Description: Join Professor Whitney Pisani as she enlightens us about the ancient and modern Maya and their amazing contributions to society.
Passport to the World Committee
Professor of Humanities and Foreign Language