Travel with me and other Kent State University students to the

FLORENCE SUMMER INSTITUTE
Summer 2026

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The course

SPA 40489
Mind the Gap: Talking, Thinking, and the Space Between Us

Where?
Florence, Italy

When?
June (May 24 - June 18)
July (June 28 - July 23)



The Instructor

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Dr. Jenny Roche
Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology
Email: jroche3@kent.edu
Course Details: This is a course on conversational pragmatics (how we use language, beyond the words we use) in which we will learn about cognitive, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, and linguistic theories about language use and understanding in a cross cultural context. In this class, we will learn about the importance of ambiguity and miscommunication to promote successful and engaging communication. I will teach you to be the best miscommunicator, so you can be the best communicator you can be!

Course Syllabus

Interested? Email me: jroche3@kent.edu




Some useful information

Informational Video


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What did students think?

"This course allowed me to really delve deeper into the experience, using communication and miscommunication in a way that helped me grow."

"Sometimes when we limit ourselves to our familiar spaces, we miss out on experiences that could allow us to emerge in cultural environment that differ from our own. … I didn't want to regret missing out on this experience
and I am so glad I didn't!"