I discovered this seminar one day when I suddenly realized I am a senior, and I have never traveled abroad before! So, I made an appointment to speak with a learning abroad adviser, and learned of the 3 week global seminars; immediately "South Africa: Tracing the Footsteps of Social Change" caught my attention. I didn't have a particular country that I wanted to travel to, because I fully intend to travel as much of the world as I can during my lifetime. However, the words "social change" jumped out at me, as I am a person who frequently seeks projects that may bring about social justice. I'm currently an undergraduate psychology major, GLBT studies minor, and I'm applying for graduate schools in social work. I devote a large portion of my time volunteering with organizations such as the Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, The Aurora Center, MnCoSA (work with sex offenders), Compassionate Action For Animals, GLBT rights and feminist events, and pretty much any random projects that I deem a worthy cause. So,"Social Change" are two words that spark further investigation.
Reading the description of the course, certain phrases struck a chord with me: "Their story of overcoming Apartheid is unfinished yet their spirit to endure is essential to our understanding of human possibility," "forgiveness," and "moving forward." I knew little of the story of Apartheid, but I have come to learn more about it in these past few months, and I am now excited to meet the people who have overcome such a tragic time. I think I will have a lot to learn from them, as I too have been through some difficult times (which pale in comparison to the struggles of the people of South Africa.) I absolutely adore listening to the stories that people have to share about their lives, and I tend to always see a thread of commonality in everyone that makes us intrinsically human, which I will be searching for in South Africa. I feel that us citizens of the United States have so much to learn from non-Western cultures; we are not the only beings on this planet and I believe there is more to life than we see here in our consumer-driven society. It is easy for me to read about non-American countries, and learn in classes about non-Western cultures, but I know it will be life-changing to immerse myself in another country.
I can't say that I'm not apprehensive about this trip at all. After all, I will be going to another country for the first time, for three weeks, with people who I have only met a few times before. However, the nervousness hasn't really sunk in yet. Right before I leave, I have had to finish up finals, and finish applying for grad schools. This is one of the most stressful times of my life, and its hard to feel worried when I have so many other things going on. South Africa will be a welcome "break" from my hectic life here in Minneapolis, and from what I know of the people I'm going with, they are awesome. Honestly, the biggest thing that's bothering me right now is that I will be leaving my pets, and my boyfriend, Corey. This is the longest I will have ever been away from my cat, Distance, since she was born, and Corey tells me she often sits by the door and waits for me to come home from work.
(This is her)
We think she may already know that I am leaving; she has been extra snuggly these past couple days. At least I know she, Sydney (my chameleon), and my saltwater fish tank will be in good hands when I am gone. Corey, I'm probably going to be attempting to skype with you on a daily basis, though I'm not too worried about you, as I know you will have plenty of time to watch things I don't want to, and listen to music that annoys me ;)
I think I am just rambling at this point; I always do that when I am faced with the task of writing a blog. I want to leave some final words to my friends and family: I know you are worried about me, but I am going to be okay. Others have made the trip before, and survived. I am extremely excited to be able to participate in this wonderful opportunity, and I know I will bore you with many stories on my return.
<3 Alexa
Reading the description of the course, certain phrases struck a chord with me: "Their story of overcoming Apartheid is unfinished yet their spirit to endure is essential to our understanding of human possibility," "forgiveness," and "moving forward." I knew little of the story of Apartheid, but I have come to learn more about it in these past few months, and I am now excited to meet the people who have overcome such a tragic time. I think I will have a lot to learn from them, as I too have been through some difficult times (which pale in comparison to the struggles of the people of South Africa.) I absolutely adore listening to the stories that people have to share about their lives, and I tend to always see a thread of commonality in everyone that makes us intrinsically human, which I will be searching for in South Africa. I feel that us citizens of the United States have so much to learn from non-Western cultures; we are not the only beings on this planet and I believe there is more to life than we see here in our consumer-driven society. It is easy for me to read about non-American countries, and learn in classes about non-Western cultures, but I know it will be life-changing to immerse myself in another country.
I can't say that I'm not apprehensive about this trip at all. After all, I will be going to another country for the first time, for three weeks, with people who I have only met a few times before. However, the nervousness hasn't really sunk in yet. Right before I leave, I have had to finish up finals, and finish applying for grad schools. This is one of the most stressful times of my life, and its hard to feel worried when I have so many other things going on. South Africa will be a welcome "break" from my hectic life here in Minneapolis, and from what I know of the people I'm going with, they are awesome. Honestly, the biggest thing that's bothering me right now is that I will be leaving my pets, and my boyfriend, Corey. This is the longest I will have ever been away from my cat, Distance, since she was born, and Corey tells me she often sits by the door and waits for me to come home from work.
(This is her)
I think I am just rambling at this point; I always do that when I am faced with the task of writing a blog. I want to leave some final words to my friends and family: I know you are worried about me, but I am going to be okay. Others have made the trip before, and survived. I am extremely excited to be able to participate in this wonderful opportunity, and I know I will bore you with many stories on my return.
<3 Alexa
PSN-Cards: Neue Hinweise aufgetaucht
Neue Hinweise auf PSN-Cards für Europa: Einige H?ndler listen bereits die europ?ischen PSN-Cards in den Gr??en 20 und 50 Euro mit dem Releasedatum 1. Oktober 2009.Vor einigen Wochen informierten wir euch über die ersten Gerüchte zur Ver?ffent- lichung der PSN-Cards (PlayStation Network Cards) auf dem europ?ischen Markt. Damals wurde von einem Sony-Sprecher angedeutet r4 officiel, dass die Prepaid-Karten pünktlich zum Release der PSP Go am 1. Oktober 2009 auf den Markt kommen werden. Das würde auch Sinn machen und w?re zudem immens wichtig für den Erfolg der PSP Go, schlie?lich handelt es sich dabei um einen reinen Download-Handheld. Jetzt gibt es aber neue Hinweise: Einige Internet-Shops listen die PSN-Cards bereits in ihren Angeboten. So zum Beispiel der belgische H?ndler Consoleshop.be, der die Karten in den Gr??en 20 und 50 Euro im Angebot hat. Auch hier wird als Ver?ffentlichungsdatum der 1. Oktober 2009, also das Releasedatum der PSP Go 4GB MicroSDHC Card on sale, genannt. Deutsche H?ndler wie Amazon haben die Karten bislang noch nicht im Angebot. Seitens Sony gibt es bislang immer noch keine offizielle Best?tigung der PSN-Cards für Europa. Es ist aber sehr wahrscheinlich, dass diese auf der Gamescom im August erfolgen wird. Wir halten euch auf dem Laufenden.