News from our Alums: Olivia Albiero (PhD 2016)

Submitted by Michael Neininger on
Olivia Albiero - Photo by Hannah Anderson

I am writing from San Francisco, where I recently joined the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at San Francisco State University, with a joint appointment in the German and the Italian programs. I am currently teaching a beginning Italian language class and a course on Italian culture and civilization, in which students embark on an interdisciplinary journey, from the mythical origin of Rome to present-day Italy. Through various cultural products across different media, students explore the complex political, social, and cultural processes that have shaped what we now know as “Italian culture.” Next semester, I will be offering a beginning Italian class and a course in English, in which we will read contemporary Italian literary works and watch their filmic adaptations to understand issues and challenges in present-day Italy. With the new academic year, my teaching will expand to the German program, where I will be offering both language and literature courses.

My first months at SFSU have been an extremely rewarding experience. As I teach, write, and work on the tasks my new position requires, I find myself drawing daily from my training in the Department of Germanics at the University of Washington. During my graduate studies, I thoroughly explored my academic interests, both in residence and abroad, where I could benefit from the offering at the Humboldt-Universität and from the cultural life in Berlin. The Germanics program at UW prepared me to be a passionate scholar, but also a devoted teacher. I received ongoing pedagogical training and mentoring for the teaching of language, literature and culture. Working as Lead TA for two years also gave me the chance to learn how to organize some areas of the language program and how to be a mentor for my younger colleagues. This all-around training has proved invaluable from day one in my new position!

I am grateful to the faculty and staff for their guidance and support during my studies in the Department of Germanics and I send my warmest greetings from San Francisco.

 

Olivia Albiero

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