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This is flying around the internet today and I was thinking ya'll abroad might not have seen it but may appreciate it. If you grew up with Sesame Street like I did, this is a walk down memory lane.
Check out the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fciD_II7NI
Hello Interns!
We are somewhere in or around the midpoint of your internships now and you are probably settling into a groove of sorts. You feel more comfortable in your surroundings, accents aren't quite as foreign, you don't need to do currency conversion in your head every time you purchase something, you know when taxi drivers are ripping you off, faces look familiar, your colleagues are less surprised to see you every day.
I had another subject planned for this blog assignment but decided after reading a few of your blogs that it was time to take on the issue of GENDER. Recently, some of the women in our group have experienced less than favorable attention from the other half. Then on Saturday I ended up watching a movie about Dr. Henry Morgantaler who has been recognized with the Order of Canada. That really got my mind going about things to blog on.
Particularly for women, the differences in how society differentiates the genders, becomes particularly pronounced when travel to a different country happens. If it is Canadian women traveling to countries where women's rights are not as recognized or women from those countries coming to Canada and experiencing a new level of personal freedom, the differences are dramatic. They can be written in law or unwritten and socially accepted. They can also, and most likely are, in flux.
What I would like you to do for this assignment is tell us about how the differences in gender have manifested during your internship and how you feel about it. What have you witnessed? How did it make you feel? Did you say anything? Men, you are definitely not exempt. What have you seen that is different from what you are used to experiencing in Canada?
Just recently during my trip to Jamaica, I was so delicately reminded that my gender is at issue. I'm sitting on a bus in rush hour in Kingston and I glance out the window to see some random guy staring me down. Now in Canada, my response is to stare right back with a dirty look. A quick reality check reminded me that won't work in Jamaica and I quickly averted my eyes and slunk down in my seat. Who did that? Larissa STRONG? I think not. You must be mistaken. That isn't the ballsy, bold girl we all know.I wrote on someone's blog that it wasn't too long ago gender roles had a much clearer definition than they do now. Indeed, when I was in grade school, we thought we had the choice of being a housewife or going to school to be a nurse or teacher. No seriously, and I'm not that much older than you.
I was around during the whole Morganteler deal and can remember the news clips. There was a telling scene in the movie where the kind doctor was waking up with his mistress who was saying how much he had done for women's rights. His response was "I'll have my two eggs hard boiled". Jerk! So here is the guy who, agree with him or not, fought to give women control of their bodies, being a total sexist jerk. Flash forward ten years down the road and he is with his second, maybe third wife, and he volunteers to make the eggs for her.
Tell us how it has been for you in your new reality. Have you had to modify your behavior or attitude at all? Are you more or less comfortable with the new ground rules for men and women? Have you tried to teach anyone how it "really is"?
Blog it!
Good Morning all from Kingston, Jamaica My morning meeting just got postponed
so I thought I would take the extra time to tell you a bit about my adventures rather than get to my pile of work. I arrived last week for a conference on exchange programs put on by a commonwealth group. It was interesting to hear international perspectives on internationalization in education. To this point, I had learned about it at conferences in Canada but now I had the opportunity to learn from practitioners from the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and the UK. Learned lots. Funny note - met a Mr. Burns (Simpson's) lookalike. Excellent!
The conference took place at the University of the West Indies Mona campus in Kingston, which is stunning. We have a solid exchange program with them that sees York students come here to study and vice versa. It was very interesting to see where our students end up and the good hands and hearts that take care of them. If you have ever thought about doing an exchange program, DO IT! The key is to remember that you are having an education in the host country, not a York education overseas. If you can see how that is a positive addition to your education, you are a good candidate.
While in Jamaica I was really lucky to be able to stay on and do a site visit to where Alissa and
Evelyn are working up in Mandeville. The loverly ladies did a great job hosting me, keeping me amused, fed, watered and very happy. Mandeville is a nice and cool small city up in the hills that is relatively quiet. We toured about to a lovely look out point called Lover's Leap and down to Alligator Pond for an amazing fish meal at Little Ochie's - a must for a true Jamaican experience. Yesterday I went to where the ladies work and met their colleagues. They are doing some amazing work with truly dedicated people. I am so pleased that they are getting so much out of the experience and that the partner organization is also getting alot out of the experience. For me this is a successful internship.
Back in Kingston for a day of meetings. The city has a pretty rough edge that precludes me from doing any exploring on my own. Sigh. I'm listening to CBC radio right now as my friend is being interviewed by Shelagh Rogers on Sounds Like Canada. He isn't on yet but it should be worth a giggle. One love people!
Most of you have been at your placement for a little while, settled in and indeed found a groove to your regular day. Things aren't so foreign any more. People look more familiar. The accents are easier to understand or the language is more intelligible. You don't get lost on a daily basis and don't have the need to carry a map around with you all the time. You don't have to do quick arithmetic to figure out how much things cost in Canadian dollars as it makes sense in the local currency now. You have figured out what you are doing at work and who to go to when you need assistance. Life seems pretty sweet.
As all these chips start to fall into position, it is also important to note this is the time culture shock can sneak up on you. Your honeymoon is ending, you and your internship are settling into a nice marriage. 
Suddenly, the seven year itch appears. You are a little bit more touchy than usual. Perhaps you feel blue for no particular reason. You are eating like a cow and drinking like a fish. Sleep seems to be the only respite you get and you are either doing alot of it or not getting enough. Your focus is waning. The little things that you found charming about the culture, like how no one lines up and just pushes their way onto the bus, suddenly piss you off to no end. This my friends is culture shock.
I believe that everyone experiences culture shock from one degree to another. Some interns who are in the far flung destinations may experience it intensely but even the three of you in Ottawa will likely have some pangs. The first step in dealing with culture shock is admitting you have it. Once you recognize that it is you that is having the issue, not the rest of the population, you can figure out ways to deal with it. It is not a sign of weakness or an inability to adapt. It is a normal part of the process.
This is what I would like you to blog on for assignment four. Tell us how culture shock has manifested
itself and what you are doing to deal with it. I remember when I moved last year from a small town in Niagara to Toronto, I had culture shock. No one made eye contact, people drove aggressively, there was alot of pushing at the subway. I thought, jeez Torontonians sure are mean and tough. Then I thought, have I made the right decision to pick up my life and move? Then I got sad and called everyone in Niagara. Than I thought man, did I ever soften up when I was in Niagara. Then I got out there and started enjoying the city, seeing old friends, reading NOW magazine, going to theatre productions, all those good things that Toronto has to offer. To be sure, I moved an entire 150km and I experienced culture shock.
So lay it on me. Tell me what is going on and how you are handling it. This is where checking out each other's blogs is going to be helpful and hopefully cathartic as you read about others experiencing similar challenges.
Remember way back at our pre-departure when you had the task of defining a global citizen? In the next few assignments we are going to pull apart some of those definitions to see if they work now that you are on internship somewhere in the world. I thought we would start with a relatively easy piece by looking at environmental issues where you are.
I was working on a project in Sri Lanka that would have those who lost their
livelihoods in the tsunami use composting as an entrepreneurial endeavor to generate income. In the couple of weeks I was there, I had the most exotic tours of garbage dumps you could imagine. Already a lot of good work was happening with material that held any value being scavenged from the dump, women's groups taking on recycling and composting for revenue generation tied with micro-credit lending and community recycling kiosks where people could drop off their recyclable goods.
However there was still an attitude about the environment that was a little shocking to my green sensibility. The litter and dumping in water ways was a disturbing. Many people burned their garbage on the beach just to get rid of it. The cars, buses and tuk tuks belched their black diesel smoke that left a layer of schmudge on my face by the end of the day.
Back in Canada, I recycle religiously, bring my own bags to the grocery store (and smugly feel superior to those who still use plastic), ride public transit rather than drive and carry my own water bottle. But the fact remains, I live in one of the countries in the world that pollutes far more than Sri Lanka ever has. So does that preclude my claim to global citizenship?
For this assignment, I would like to you to take a look around your new reality, wherever you are in the world, and describe for us what the environment looks like. Do people seem to care about environmental issues? Is there recycling? Is there recycling that doesn't include big, blue boxes? Is the government instituting programs to deal with issues? Are there things that we could stand to learn back in Canada to make the globe a little greener?
Look at the world through your green coloured glasses and tell us what you see. Pictures are always appreciated.
Due date - Friday June 13th.
So here is a thought. I have been reading through your blogs and very much enjoying them. Many people indicate that they culture is influenced by other people's cultures. So if you eat ethnic food or you go dancing at certain clubs or you wear certain types of clothes. Are we truly adopting another culture when we do this or just appreciating it?
For example, I like salsa dancing. So does that mean I can say part of my culture is Latin? I mean hey, I can pretty much speak Spanish fluently, I studied Latin American politics at school, I lived in Latin America for a year and I prefer Corona over all other beers. I have an extensive Latin playlist on my iPod, I like Latin looking fellahs and am a serious fan of the Latin American style of writing - magical realism.
So am I Latin in my culture construction? I would imagine that most Latin people would say not so much Larissa but thanks for the interest.
Let me go at it from another angle. You come to my house and I serve you perogies, teach you how to do the easter eggs and let you try on my red dancing boots. If you then told me that you considered yourself to possess Ukrainianess (new word) with your cultural identity, I'm afraid I might have to laugh you out the door.
Whaddaya think? Do I have a point or did they cut off the oxygen in my office again?
Hey Folks,
Well I certainly have been enjoying reading the blogs as I hope you all have been as well. Here are some highlights I have come across:
Most Consistent Blogger - Mahreen Nabi at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, India. Good stories, fun pictures and an easy writing style that makes it a pleasure to read.
Most Freaked Me Out Blog - Shona Bracken in El Salvador working for the Centro Intercambio y Solidaridad. I just added Shona's blog to the list. Take a look and see where she very casually eludes to an episode that sent my heart into my shoes.
Longish But Well Worth The Read Blog - Danielle Olsen in Istanbul with the NGO KAGIDER. Smart, reflective and fun just like the lovely Danielle herself.
A short extension will be given on the second assignment as not too many have it in yet. Let's say Friday and I will announce the next blogging assignment then. If you need details on what to blog on for the last assignment, check out my post below. I will endeavor to get ahead with my blogging so that you have the outline well in advance.
Blog on Bloggers!
I was around during the whole Morganteler deal and can remember the news clips. There was a telling scene in the movie where the kind doctor was waking up with his mistress who was saying how much he had done for women's rights. His response was "I'll have my two eggs hard boiled". Jerk! So here is the guy who, agree with him or not, fought to give women control of their bodies, being a total sexist jerk. Flash forward ten years down the road and he is with his second, maybe third wife, and he volunteers to make the eggs for her.
so I thought I would take the extra time to tell you a bit about my adventures rather than get to my pile of work. I arrived last week for a conference on exchange programs put on by a commonwealth group. It was interesting to hear international perspectives on internationalization in education. To this point, I had learned about it at conferences in Canada but now I had the opportunity to learn from practitioners from the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and the UK. Learned lots. Funny note - met a Mr. Burns (Simpson's) lookalike. Excellent! 
The conference took place at the University of the West Indies Mona campus in Kingston, which is stunning. We have a solid exchange program with them that sees York students come here to study and vice versa. It was very interesting to see where our students end up and the good hands and hearts that take care of them. If you have ever thought about doing an exchange program, DO IT! The key is to remember that you are having an education in the host country, not a York education overseas. If you can see how that is a positive addition to your education, you are a good candidate.
Evelyn are working up in Mandeville. The loverly ladies did a great job hosting me, keeping me amused, fed, watered and very happy. Mandeville is a nice and cool small city up in the hills that is relatively quiet. We toured about to a lovely look out point called Lover's Leap and down to Alligator Pond for an amazing fish meal at Little Ochie's - a must for a true Jamaican experience. Yesterday I went to where the ladies work and met their colleagues. They are doing some amazing work with truly dedicated people. I am so pleased that they are getting so much out of the experience and that the partner organization is also getting alot out of the experience. For me this is a successful internship. 
Back in Kingston for a day of meetings. The city has a pretty rough edge that precludes me from doing any exploring on my own. Sigh. I'm listening to CBC radio right now as my friend is being interviewed by Shelagh Rogers on Sounds Like Canada. He isn't on yet but it should be worth a giggle. One love people!
Suddenly, the seven year itch appears. You are a little bit more touchy than usual. Perhaps you feel blue for no particular reason. You are eating like a cow and drinking like a fish. Sleep seems to be the only respite you get and you are either doing alot of it or not getting enough. Your focus is waning. The little things that you found charming about the culture, like how no one lines up and just pushes their way onto the bus, suddenly piss you off to no end. This my friends is culture shock. 
itself and what you are doing to deal with it. I remember when I moved last year from a small town in Niagara to Toronto, I had culture shock. No one made eye contact, people drove aggressively, there was alot of pushing at the subway. I thought, jeez Torontonians sure are mean and tough. Then I thought, have I made the right decision to pick up my life and move? Then I got sad and called everyone in Niagara. Than I thought man, did I ever soften up when I was in Niagara. Then I got out there and started enjoying the city, seeing old friends, reading NOW magazine, going to theatre productions, all those good things that Toronto has to offer. To be sure, I moved an entire 150km and I experienced culture shock. 
I was working on a project in Sri Lanka that would have those who lost their
livelihoods in the tsunami use composting as an entrepreneurial endeavor to generate income. In the couple of weeks I was there, I had the most exotic tours of garbage dumps you could imagine. Already a lot of good work was happening with material that held any value being scavenged from the dump, women's groups taking on recycling and composting for revenue generation tied with micro-credit lending and community recycling kiosks where people could drop off their recyclable goods.
However there was still an attitude about the environment that was a little shocking to my green sensibility. The litter and dumping in water ways was a disturbing. Many people burned their garbage on the beach just to get rid of it. The cars, buses and tuk tuks belched their black diesel smoke that left a layer of schmudge on my face by the end of the day.
For example, I like salsa dancing. So does that mean I can say part of my culture is Latin? I mean hey, I can pretty much speak Spanish fluently, I studied Latin American politics at school, I lived in Latin America for a year and I prefer Corona over all other beers. I have an extensive Latin playlist on my iPod, I like Latin looking fellahs and am a serious fan of the Latin American style of writing - magical realism.
