Tatyana Gershkovich, associate professor of Russian studies, led a study revealing that Russophone diaries — from wartime notebooks to early digital journals — follow surprisingly consistent patterns. Using both computational humanities methods and close reading, Dr. Gershkovich and her colleagues discovered that diarists across a century gravitated toward similar themes and even shared unspoken literary expectations. Her work challenges the idea of the diary as purely personal expression, showing instead that it is a deeply shaped literary form.

Joseph Garcia and Devon Renfroe received Barbara F. Freed Dissertation Awards for their study abroad projects on L2 Arabic and L2 Korean, respectively.

Named in honor of former department head Barbara Freed, the award recognizes outstanding LCAL doctoral research conducted as part of a dissertation.

Kenya Dworkin was nominated by the University of Houston’s U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage Project to serve on the Association for Documentary Editing (ADE) Semiquincentennial Committee, which is coordinating the commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The committee will curate a digital gallery featuring newly recovered and edited documents that highlight the nation’s broad, multicultural history.

Ding Wang-Bramlett (DC 2024), Katharine Burns and Adam van Compernolle published their article "English as an instructional resource for optimizing L2 Chinese use in the classroom: An applied CA perspective" in Applied Pragmatics. https://doi.org/10.1075/ap.23006.wan

Ryuki Matsuura co-published "Tracking the Longitudinal Change of Flow Experience in an EFL Conversation Course" in The Journal for the Psychology of Language Learning. https://doi.org/10.52598/jpll/7/2/3

Seth Wiener, Adam A. Bramlett, Bianca Brown (DC 2025) and Jocelyn Dueck published their paper "Acoustic analysis and perception ratings of first and second language speakers’ Italian lexical stress" in Applied Linguistics. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amaf075

Nevine Abraham spoke at the launch of Pittsburgh’s Integrated Cultural Society, presenting “Soul of Scent: A Journey into Arab Fragrances and Perfumery.” Her talk highlighted the history of key aromatics like frankincense, amber and jasmine, and addressed labor concerns in Egypt, the world’s second-largest jasmine producer.

Tatyana Gershkovich presented her recently translated volume "Silhouettes of Russian Writers: Literary and Philosophical Essays by Yuli Aikhenvald" at the Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. 

In early November, Felipe Gómez presented his paper “Brujas, cuerpos monstruosos y ecocrítica: Resistencias feministas en la historieta mexicana contemporánea” and led the workshop “Archivar lo inestable: prácticas feministas y decoloniales en la construcción del Latin American Comics Archive (LACA)” at the II Encuentro Internacional de la Red Latinoamericana de Cultura Gráfica hosted by Instituto Caro y Cuervo in Bogotá (Colombia).

Sanghee Kang gave a virtual plenary speech titled “Generative AI Feedback for Language Learning: Possibilities, Challenges, and Future Directions” at the 2025 Technology for Second Language Learnin (TSLL) Conference.

Erik Helin organized a special Spanish Hour at CMU–Q. Current Spanish students, faculty, staff and alumni shared a delicious lunch of Argentinian food, got to know each other and competed in a game of trivia in Spanish including making a fun one-minute video in Spanish. It was a Spanish Hour to remember!

On Nov. 10, Pina Gemboni invited Professor Lorraine Denman from the University of Pittsburgh to 82-185 Global Food Cultures to speak on "(In)authenticity in the Italian Food Industry: Navigating Consumer Choice." During her presentation, Dr. Denman discussed with students various interpretations of authenticity, the issue of fraud in the food industry and the Italian and European laws that regulate and verify product authenticity. She also explored how food is utilized in nationalist propaganda, engaging students in thought-provoking conversations.

On Nov. 11, students in 82-255 Beyond the Korean Wave: A Critical Exploration of K-pop held a Zoom Q&A with LA-based K-pop producer Alina Smith. She discussed her work on songs for Red Velvet, Kep1er and ITZY, shared her path into the industry and offered insights on collaborating with global producers. Smith also gave advice for aspiring K-pop creators and spoke about the future of K-pop and the growing role of AI in music production.

On Nov. 11, Rion Kurihara (CMU/Keio University) and Mako Ueda (University of Pittsburgh) led a VR-enhanced lecture on Hiroshima and the atomic bomb for our Japanese conversation group CHATTO!

Special shoutout to Stefani Taskas for their help in The Kenner Room.

Students in Arabic Studies enjoyed lunch out at Ali Baba, ordering food and beverages in Arabic, and fortune-telling using Arab coffee dregs.

On Nov. 12, LCAL hosted its first Languages Night, celebrating all nine of our undergraduate language and culture programs. More than 100 students joined an evening of food, activities and global exploration. With passports in hand, participants “traveled the world,” collecting stamps as they visited each culture — making the event both lively and educational.

The Germany on Campus Initiative wrapped up its annual series with two events highlighting transatlantic industry and career opportunities. The first, co-hosted with CMIST, drew over 100 attendees for a panel on U.S.–German strategic and economic cooperation, featuring speakers from Bosch, Siemens Energy and the German Embassy. The final event welcomed Rachel Mauer of the German-American Chamber of Commerce, who introduced students to the region’s German business network and shared internship and career pathways.

Studying abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your college career, but the cost can be stressful. LCAL is firmly committed to supporting students' goals to study abroad. Apply today for an LCAL study abroad scholarship; it only takes a few minutes!  

LCAL majors and Arabic studies minors are guaranteed scholarships for any approved program. Additionally, any student attending one of LCAL's seven summer study abroad programs, regardless of major or minor, is eligible for an LCAL scholarship.

Learn more at our upcoming informal info session on Monday, December 1, from 4:30–5:30 p.m., in POS 343!

LCAL's LPA professional certificate is a one-year, online program. Courses are designed for current educators and graduate students who are seeking to advance in their careers through language teaching, language supervision, language program administration and/or curriculum development. 

Learn more at our upcoming Open House on Tuesday, December 2 at 7 p.m. Register today!

• Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition
• M.A. in Applied Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition
• M.A. in Applied Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition — Advanced Study
• M.A. in Global Communication & Applied Translation
• Open House on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. (ET) — Register today!

Visit our website for more details!