This video captured the NGO internship experiences of 10 WWU students at the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, RPC from April 18, 2017 to April 25th, 2017.
Day: June 22, 2017
Tanzania: Post Program Reflection: “Postcards From Africa” by Tara J. Quattrone
http://taraspostcards.blogspot.com/
Postcards From Africa
I have now been home from Tanzania for a few weeks. It’s interesting writing this now because it feels as though this program was now months ago, although it hasn’t been very long.
South Africa: “What has Two Thumbs and Stomach Flu in the Airport?” by Daria Gausman
What has two thumbs and stomach flu in the airport?
That’s right. Me. Welcome to international traveling?? TMI warning for this post – it’s going to get gross and I’m going to question why I’m even putting this on the internet. If you don’t want to read about my sick day then read the next paragraph about my little excursion in Germany, then stop and know that I am alive, I am ok, and the worst seems to be over. For the rest of you who like gross stories, are secretly upset with me and want to read about my misery, or are simply too curious to turn back now, here goes. (Sorry in advance for typos and such. I get comma happy sometimes and I didn’t have much time for editing this one)
South Africa: Pre-Departure: “It’s Finally Time” by Daria Gausman
Costa Rica: Pre-Departure: “Departure Anticipation” by Savannah Daniels
https://wp.wwu.edu/puravidadaniels/
Departure Anticipation!
Here are some things I’ve been thinking about:
- What do you hope to gain and how much research have you done on your host country and culture that will better prepare you for this experience?
- I hope to gain many things, mostly knowledge of Costa Rican historical impacts, the social dynamics of the Costa Rican people and a deep appreciation for Costa Rican Culture! I have done an immense amount of research in several areas surrounding Costa Rican life, food, historical context and current legislation. I know that this research is not the entirety of the country, as well as surrounding countries.
- What are you most excited about? What are you most scared or nervous about?
- I’m most excited about the food, language, and people. Specifically, I am very excited about Afro-Latinx communities in Costa Rica. I know that within Costa Rican culture there are different segments of the culture that vary between populations, and I intend on learning about this differences. I’m also nervous about the entire experience! An excited, joyful nervousness, but nervousness none-the-less.
- What strategies have you implemented that will allow you to overcome these challenges and take full advantage of your opportunities?
- Since I have completed so much research on Costa Rica, I have a better basis of comfort for myself. Things like gestures, cultural norms, slang, and social disparities are all things in the back of my head to the coming experience. These researched areas will not overshadow my interactions but they will give me a little more confidence with social interactions.