Last Thursday, October 23rd, I completed/attended my third and final session with the Global Leadership Institute. I am now Certified. A certificate from the Institute will be made out to me, noting that I have attended three out of the four hosted seminars and that I am knowledgeable about the global environment in which we now live.
The seminars were fun, informative, and helpful. I learned about global leaders, cross-cultural communication (this seminar referenced "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands"), and being able to talk about and enhance my international experiences, whether here or abroad.
I may be a true nerd, because I get excited about knowledge. When I find an interesting video clip about Bollywood, or find an article about "New media's effect on children" (http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/unraveling.html), I can feel myself growing, expanding my perspectives, and it feels good. Not to mention, I think it makes me interesting when I can show someone else the Namaste (traditional Indian greeting/ show of respect).
Monday, October 27, 2008
Full Circle
All of the Ghana Study Abroad participants were asked to contribute to an art exhibit to be held in the art building on campus. There were approximately six art students. I was not one of them. I did donate my drum and kente clothe shawl to be displayed in a glass case.
The pictures and paintings on the wall were amazing. I remembered the markets, the music, and the people of Ghana. If only someone had made some jollof rice... Anyway, in addition to the collection of great art on opening night was the collection of us, the students and faculty. Pretty much everyone had on something they had bought while in Ghana. It was great to see them all again, especially *Polly.
Polly and I really had some bonding moments and interesting conversations. Hailing from Texas, she was a lot of fun and pretty down to earth. She was in on my first taxi ride and convinced me to go out on the town. Seeing her at opening night brought back all those memories. We started to relive, and I met her parents. They seemed like really cool people and I could see why Polly is the way she is. I mean her dad was wearing the shirt she had bought him, it was tie-dyed and Adinkra stamped.
In addition to the exhibit, the Study Abroad Fair was held just the day before. I helped students wandering around find different booths and I helped answer questions about study abroad programs. One student even specifically asked about programs in Africa, as you can imagine, I told her about Ghana. Then I ran into a couple of the professors who had attended the trip and chatted for a little while. I had a great time.
The exhibit, the fair, and even this blog, have all been a part bringing home what I experienced this summer. I have come to realize that traveling to another country, at least for me and a few others, is not just something you do and then forget about. The unfamiliar can be fun and challenging, and that is what I like.
The pictures and paintings on the wall were amazing. I remembered the markets, the music, and the people of Ghana. If only someone had made some jollof rice... Anyway, in addition to the collection of great art on opening night was the collection of us, the students and faculty. Pretty much everyone had on something they had bought while in Ghana. It was great to see them all again, especially *Polly.
Polly and I really had some bonding moments and interesting conversations. Hailing from Texas, she was a lot of fun and pretty down to earth. She was in on my first taxi ride and convinced me to go out on the town. Seeing her at opening night brought back all those memories. We started to relive, and I met her parents. They seemed like really cool people and I could see why Polly is the way she is. I mean her dad was wearing the shirt she had bought him, it was tie-dyed and Adinkra stamped.
In addition to the exhibit, the Study Abroad Fair was held just the day before. I helped students wandering around find different booths and I helped answer questions about study abroad programs. One student even specifically asked about programs in Africa, as you can imagine, I told her about Ghana. Then I ran into a couple of the professors who had attended the trip and chatted for a little while. I had a great time.
The exhibit, the fair, and even this blog, have all been a part bringing home what I experienced this summer. I have come to realize that traveling to another country, at least for me and a few others, is not just something you do and then forget about. The unfamiliar can be fun and challenging, and that is what I like.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Tell the World
Yes, it has been almost a busy month since I last posted. Somehow my scheduled exploded with events and meetings. I am excited to say that quite a few of those have been with The University of Georgia Office of International Education.
It so funny how when you meet other people have been abroad their face kind of lights up about it and you become instant bffs for that period of time. Even if the person did not have the best of time the accomplishment of having traveled out of the country means something. This is exactly the type of interaction I had my Study Abroad Peer Adviser meeting.
The Study Abroad Peer Adviser Program, essentially, is a way for students who have been abroad to help the OIE spread the word and help other students who are in the process of wanting to go abroad. For example, Peer Advisors participate in the annual Study and Travel Abroad Fair and other OIE panel discussions and programs.
At the meeting I attended, I met four other advisers and the program coordinator. We played a name game, talked about our experiences, signed up for events, and went over some general guidelines.
After the meeting, everyone kind of hung around to chat and share, even though we had already been together for 90 minutes. Specifically, *Tina and I talked for a little while about homestays because the next time I go abroad I want to stay with locals. I feel as though this would further my cultural exploration in a very special way.
Aside: I found out about "Coach Surfers." It is, basically how it sounds (crashing with people you have just met for free, in the US or abroad). I am not sure if, as a 120lb female, I am that adventurous, but it sounds like fun.
Like I said, there is a special connection between people who have gone abroad, and there is a very special feeling that comes along with that. It simply makes you want to tell the world where you've been, what you've done, and when you're going to do it again.
It so funny how when you meet other people have been abroad their face kind of lights up about it and you become instant bffs for that period of time. Even if the person did not have the best of time the accomplishment of having traveled out of the country means something. This is exactly the type of interaction I had my Study Abroad Peer Adviser meeting.
The Study Abroad Peer Adviser Program, essentially, is a way for students who have been abroad to help the OIE spread the word and help other students who are in the process of wanting to go abroad. For example, Peer Advisors participate in the annual Study and Travel Abroad Fair and other OIE panel discussions and programs.
At the meeting I attended, I met four other advisers and the program coordinator. We played a name game, talked about our experiences, signed up for events, and went over some general guidelines.
After the meeting, everyone kind of hung around to chat and share, even though we had already been together for 90 minutes. Specifically, *Tina and I talked for a little while about homestays because the next time I go abroad I want to stay with locals. I feel as though this would further my cultural exploration in a very special way.
Aside: I found out about "Coach Surfers." It is, basically how it sounds (crashing with people you have just met for free, in the US or abroad). I am not sure if, as a 120lb female, I am that adventurous, but it sounds like fun.
Like I said, there is a special connection between people who have gone abroad, and there is a very special feeling that comes along with that. It simply makes you want to tell the world where you've been, what you've done, and when you're going to do it again.
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