Callan Kerley
Our class interviewed Brent Rondon, former president of Latin American Cultural Union, to learn more about the economy in Latin America and also how to prepare for a professional interview.
During our interview Mr. Rondon also compared the two cultures; which I found very interesting. He talked about how in Latin America people are more friendly and very interested in who are in a person rather than in the U.S. we make it very clear on you have your space and I have my space. He talked about how Latin America functions on a community, but in the U.S. you have to be independent.
I agree with him to an extent because sometimes you need to function as a community and help your community since you all make up that country.
- Callan
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Less than a month to go...
Julia Johnson
So today I’m a little nervous, because the trip is less than a month away and my passport isn’t here yet. I haven’t practiced my Spanish since last year, and I still can’t say “Where is the hotel?” I’m still excited though, and I can’t wait to start talking with my pen pal. It still hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m going, but I’m sure a hot gust of wind when I arrive off the plane will wake me up.
- Julia
So today I’m a little nervous, because the trip is less than a month away and my passport isn’t here yet. I haven’t practiced my Spanish since last year, and I still can’t say “Where is the hotel?” I’m still excited though, and I can’t wait to start talking with my pen pal. It still hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m going, but I’m sure a hot gust of wind when I arrive off the plane will wake me up.
- Julia
Never Before & Where I'm Going
Jamaal Davis
So....
1. I've never had a passport.
2. I've never ever been on an airplane.
3. I've never been outside of the country.
4. I've never traveled with 22 people I don't know.
5. I've never spend this much of my own money on anything. I had to get a job to do this! I don't even have a phone right now because of this trip!
The reason why I'm working so hard to go and do this is because it will be the oppurtunity of a lifetime. Later after college, I'd like to join the Peace Corps and travel to other countries. I think this trip will be a good stepping stone to see if I do really want to do these things abroad. It will be a good test for me.
- Jamaal
So....
1. I've never had a passport.
2. I've never ever been on an airplane.
3. I've never been outside of the country.
4. I've never traveled with 22 people I don't know.
5. I've never spend this much of my own money on anything. I had to get a job to do this! I don't even have a phone right now because of this trip!
The reason why I'm working so hard to go and do this is because it will be the oppurtunity of a lifetime. Later after college, I'd like to join the Peace Corps and travel to other countries. I think this trip will be a good stepping stone to see if I do really want to do these things abroad. It will be a good test for me.
- Jamaal
Monday, March 9, 2009
Little Tico for 12 days!
The furthest I have ever been from home is when I went to Florida. I prepared for this trip to Costa Rica by getting my mind set to know that I can do all the work we are going to do! The hike really helped for the walking part. I never thought I could walk 6.5 miles in one day, but this fall we, the Costa Rica Class, hiked and camped in Ohio Pyle.
I'm mentally preparing because I know I can do it. I'm preparing myself to eat beans for 13 days, even though I hate BEANS... all types of beans! When I eat chili at home, I take all the beans OUT! But I know that eating beans in Costa Rica is part of their culture and I'm ready to experience their CULTURE.
I am intellecually getting prepared by learning about their legacy and culture in Costa Rica, finding out how they live, and what things will change about me while I'm down there.
I'm socially getting ready by getting to know people and forming better friendships with the only people I'm going to know in a country!
What I am scared of most mentally is the plane ride, and the food. Also socially by someone getting on my nerves how am I going to react there.
I am really looking forward to visiting the school with the kids and sleeping in the rain forest and again eating their food which I never had for the most part.
Oliver Laniear
I'm mentally preparing because I know I can do it. I'm preparing myself to eat beans for 13 days, even though I hate BEANS... all types of beans! When I eat chili at home, I take all the beans OUT! But I know that eating beans in Costa Rica is part of their culture and I'm ready to experience their CULTURE.
I am intellecually getting prepared by learning about their legacy and culture in Costa Rica, finding out how they live, and what things will change about me while I'm down there.
I'm socially getting ready by getting to know people and forming better friendships with the only people I'm going to know in a country!
What I am scared of most mentally is the plane ride, and the food. Also socially by someone getting on my nerves how am I going to react there.
I am really looking forward to visiting the school with the kids and sleeping in the rain forest and again eating their food which I never had for the most part.
Oliver Laniear
Preparing for the Destination
Dominique Dutrieuille 17,
1. The farthest I have ever been away from my home was this past summer I went to Arizona while my mom stayed here in Pittsburgh. I prepared for this trip by picking out what clothes I was going to wear and I had to find a suitcase that would fit all of my clothes, because I was gone for a whole month. I made sure I knew all of my flight information what terminal to go to and what the plane number was. I made sure I knew the address of my aunt whom I was staying with in Az. As far as mentally preparing, there wasn’t anything to do because all of the physical things I did helped me to prepare mentally, making sure I know what I’m going to do before I do it is how I get ready!
2. How I am preparing for this trip is by asking a lot of questions concerning the trip making sure that I know as much as possible about what I’m going to do and what is expected of me. Also I’m preparing by making sure I have all of the clothes and personal items needed, making sure I have the right sized suitcase. Another way to get ready for this trip is to know who I’m going with, getting to know the people around me that I’m going to spend this time in Costa Rica with.
3. What I am looking forward to the most is the tremendous difference in culture that’s what I’m really excited about to see how another culture lives and just how different it is from our own.
1. The farthest I have ever been away from my home was this past summer I went to Arizona while my mom stayed here in Pittsburgh. I prepared for this trip by picking out what clothes I was going to wear and I had to find a suitcase that would fit all of my clothes, because I was gone for a whole month. I made sure I knew all of my flight information what terminal to go to and what the plane number was. I made sure I knew the address of my aunt whom I was staying with in Az. As far as mentally preparing, there wasn’t anything to do because all of the physical things I did helped me to prepare mentally, making sure I know what I’m going to do before I do it is how I get ready!
2. How I am preparing for this trip is by asking a lot of questions concerning the trip making sure that I know as much as possible about what I’m going to do and what is expected of me. Also I’m preparing by making sure I have all of the clothes and personal items needed, making sure I have the right sized suitcase. Another way to get ready for this trip is to know who I’m going with, getting to know the people around me that I’m going to spend this time in Costa Rica with.
3. What I am looking forward to the most is the tremendous difference in culture that’s what I’m really excited about to see how another culture lives and just how different it is from our own.
I'm going to see a VOLCANO!
1. Without my family, the furthest that I have traveled was North Carolina. I went with my best friend and her family. I didn't really prepare anything, I just kind of packed my bag and went. But I didn't face any difficulties or challenges either, although the food was kind of a problem. Her family loves seafood so we mainly went to those kinds of restaurants and I really wasn't a fan so I ate salad all the time.
2. Well, I'm shopping for everything that I need and don't already have, like a poncho, watershoes, water bottle, etc. But other than that, I think I'm pretty prepared.
3. The only thing that I am actually afraid of is the plane ride there and back. I really don't like those.
4. I am most looking forward to seeing the volcano and walking across that scary bridge. But I think I'll also enjoy meeting the people of Costa Rica and helping them out in whatever we're doing, because I know they'll probably really appreciate us being there.
Megan Schillinger
2. Well, I'm shopping for everything that I need and don't already have, like a poncho, watershoes, water bottle, etc. But other than that, I think I'm pretty prepared.
3. The only thing that I am actually afraid of is the plane ride there and back. I really don't like those.
4. I am most looking forward to seeing the volcano and walking across that scary bridge. But I think I'll also enjoy meeting the people of Costa Rica and helping them out in whatever we're doing, because I know they'll probably really appreciate us being there.
Megan Schillinger
An Experience of a Lifetime
The farthest I’ve been from home is North Carolina for a month for Student Conservation Association. I had a hard time the first week but I got use to being away from home and when we had to leave it was hard. Actually going to North Carolina was the first time I was on a plane and I was all alone so it was scary. I think the worst part of being away from home was the only contact I could have with my family was letters and the first letter took so long to come and I missed them so much.
I am trying to prepare for Costa Rica by getting to know my classmates and learning about Costa Rica but I am scared that with no one knowing Spanish really well we will have a hard time communicating with the Costa Ricans. I really want to see everything and learn everything about them but it will be hard not knowing Spanish. But I look forward to the once in a lifetime experience that I will share with my classmates. I’m very excited and can’t wait to go and see a different part of the world.
Carly Silvio
I am trying to prepare for Costa Rica by getting to know my classmates and learning about Costa Rica but I am scared that with no one knowing Spanish really well we will have a hard time communicating with the Costa Ricans. I really want to see everything and learn everything about them but it will be hard not knowing Spanish. But I look forward to the once in a lifetime experience that I will share with my classmates. I’m very excited and can’t wait to go and see a different part of the world.
Carly Silvio
I'm Estatic
The farthest I've been away from home was for two weeks at Allegheny National Forest. It was for a SCA service project and I stayed with ten other people. We lived in tents for two weeks and also lived like cave men because we had to go to bathroom outside and the only thing we had to cook our food on was a gas tank and portable stove.
When I think of leaving for Costa Rica I think that if I was able to survive that then I can definately survive this since we will have shelter and food provided for us. I am a little scared for bugs and heights, its a phobia I've always had. I am also scared and excited of not knowing what to expect once we arrive there. I'm really looking forward to experiencing something new and a new culture.
Callan Kerley-Bagshaw
When I think of leaving for Costa Rica I think that if I was able to survive that then I can definately survive this since we will have shelter and food provided for us. I am a little scared for bugs and heights, its a phobia I've always had. I am also scared and excited of not knowing what to expect once we arrive there. I'm really looking forward to experiencing something new and a new culture.
Callan Kerley-Bagshaw
Getting Ready!
March 6th, 2009
To be honest, I'm not very nervous about traveling out of the country and being far away from home. The furthest I've ever been from my parents was when I went to visit my aunt in New Jersey for a week. I will not deny the fact that I was a little homesick but it wasn't unbearable. I think it'll be the same for this trip. I'm confident that I'll have a lot of fun because I get along really well with everyone else going on the trip. The only thing I'm worried about is speaking Spanish and meeting my Costa Rican pen pal (if we ever get them).
I'm planning on looking over my Spanish notes to familiarize myself with the language. Other than that, there really isn't anything I can do to prepare myself for this trip besides packing. What I'm looking forward to the most on this trip is playing soccer with the Costa Ricans!
Desiree Niccoli
To be honest, I'm not very nervous about traveling out of the country and being far away from home. The furthest I've ever been from my parents was when I went to visit my aunt in New Jersey for a week. I will not deny the fact that I was a little homesick but it wasn't unbearable. I think it'll be the same for this trip. I'm confident that I'll have a lot of fun because I get along really well with everyone else going on the trip. The only thing I'm worried about is speaking Spanish and meeting my Costa Rican pen pal (if we ever get them).
I'm planning on looking over my Spanish notes to familiarize myself with the language. Other than that, there really isn't anything I can do to prepare myself for this trip besides packing. What I'm looking forward to the most on this trip is playing soccer with the Costa Ricans!
Desiree Niccoli
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.svg.png){kind=small}