I woke up this morning and thought, "Why can't I be in Austria right now?"
I love being home. But there's really nothing like waking up next to the Schloss.
I pretty much passed out when I got home last night. And this morning I woke my mom up and couldn't stop talking about the trip! She practically forced me out of her room: "Tengo sueño!"
Going to Salzburg Global Seminar in Salzburg, Austria has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. And it will still take me some time to process the entire trip.
The seminar was a cultural and academic phenomenon! That sounds very...cheesy. But it's true. I mean, you sit in a room with professors from around the world talking about global issues, and then you look at the view outside and you see the Alps! It was unbelievable.
Being there for only a week, though, I think we got a chance to experience the city, too. Every person I met on this trip has been a lot of fun and easy to talk to. Like Clara said, I was able to relate to and build relationships with our group. And thanks to all of you guys for putting up with my awkwardness for most of the trip. If I'm not going on about religion or morals, I'm usually not saying a word.
I told Reinhold before leaving that I would be back in Salzburg soon, and I intend on making sure I go back...and marry an Austrian boy!
This trip has really been a "blessing," if such a thing exists. I am very fortunate for having experienced everything in the last week and I hope to stay in touch with everyone to share pictures, thoughts, and so that Michelle gives me my Austrian friends' emails. :)
Your friend and the self-proclaimed Global Citizen,
Julissa
Friday, May 30, 2008
Home Sweet Home
I don't, I can't, I won't be able to explain in words and make someone understand how I feel right now. Fulfilled, whole, elated, sad, yet humble. I have awoke every morning for the past week to the crisp, mountain air and fallen asleep to the light of the moon and stars. Here, in Texas I seldom ever see stars and the air is pungent with exhaust fumes and stuffy.
I am a Citizen of the World! Not Black, Not a Woman, No longer just an American! This world has been revolving around me and I had no clue, but now that I know what and who I truly am now, I must become the change that I have made.
Mary Catherine Bateson said, "A home is a place where it is possible to learn and grow, a place where whatever work is done has a meaning." I have a new home in Salzburg, with new life long friends and family. I have learned and grown by leaps and bounds in the last week, I didn't come back the same person and if I go back to being that person, I have cheated myself of the experience. I can no longer look at the world as black or white anymore because, its not.
I was forced out of my box, I was forced to think and grow. I was confronted with the pure reality of life, it came from the sky like a flaming ball of fire. Now as a parent, I must force these new perspectives into the mind of my child. Just think of the advantage that my son will be at learning the things that I know.
Today, I walked to the grocery store and the mall. The changes are small, but they are changes.
New Perspective
Well, I’ve returned home, unpacked and am uploading a ridiculous amount of pictures and videos onto my computer.
The seminar was eye-opening. While I was there, I knew it was special, but I didn’t realize to what extent it impacted me until today and last night after coming home and hearing people talk about world issues. I now have an awareness to look up what they are saying and not just automatically believe what they say. Also I know how to research issues much better thanks to our research project.
One thing I especially enjoyed was hearing Annette Kobak (author of Joe’s War: My Father Decoded) speak about her relationship with her father and hearing his views of WWII and writing a book about it. My father was in the Vietnam War and only recently has he started talking about his experiences. Hearing Annette inspired me to write down everything he says about the war (more so than I had already been). It is important for us to hear from those who witnessed things first-hand...and to remember what they say.
I want to thank those who made this opportunity possible! It was a fantastic journey through Europe as well as intellectual discovery.
Cannot Believe it has come and gone
It is hard to believe that the trip I have been looking forward to and working towards is really a part of my history already. More than that, it is a part of my future, I am forever changed! I had an idea of the purpose of this incredible opportunity to travel, and as usual, there was so much more to it than I could have ever dreamed or imagined. I feel like a part of me that has been sleeping for God only knows long, was reawakened from the moment I spotted the first lilac tree. I was awakened to much in the arena of global citizenship and being a member of the other common association we share, the human species, regardless of the distinctions we impose or have imposed upon us. However, the personal revolution that was begun on this trip will have a greater impact on my life, and that is with the limited, initial understanding I have at this moment.
As a non-traditional student, I was apprehensive about connecting with the majority of students there and in general that are usually half my age. Much to my delight, I was counted as an academic equal, despite my elementary level computer skills. I so enjoyed the small group I was assigned to, that it is hard to imagine that that particular part of the seminar is the part I was, let's just say, least excited about.
Thank you Carol and Dr. Wood for challenging us and being willing to take such a group so far without compensation. I hope we weren't too whiney. And thank each and every one of my travel companions for the insight and caring you imparted to me as we walked, ate and talked. You have made an imprint on my heart. God bless you all!
As a non-traditional student, I was apprehensive about connecting with the majority of students there and in general that are usually half my age. Much to my delight, I was counted as an academic equal, despite my elementary level computer skills. I so enjoyed the small group I was assigned to, that it is hard to imagine that that particular part of the seminar is the part I was, let's just say, least excited about.
Thank you Carol and Dr. Wood for challenging us and being willing to take such a group so far without compensation. I hope we weren't too whiney. And thank each and every one of my travel companions for the insight and caring you imparted to me as we walked, ate and talked. You have made an imprint on my heart. God bless you all!
in media res
I'm back--in the suburban jungle of cookie-cutter brick houses, greasy fast-food conglomerates and multi-lane freeways. Do I want to be here? No, not really. I realized before I left that this was going to be a special week in a magical place...and it was. It felt almost like a dream for me. I had a small taste of everything I want to be connected to in the midst of an old and beautiful environment. I also knew that this seminar was only going to be a week long and I would be returning to my "real life" shortly.
So yes, I am back home in a place where I don't necessarily feel at home, but what keeps me inspired is that I feel like I took a little bit of that dream back with me. I acquired many things from different people and events during this trip.
My options were expanded--both mentally and geographically. I gained an appreciation of what it means to be a global citizen, embracing the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and lifestyles even within my own group of 11. I received realistic advice for my future from those who were a little further down the road. I developed relationships quickly with a wonderful group of people. I had the opportunity to be surrounded by a group that was there not out of obligation but because they cared and really wished to be. I spoke with staff and faculty with whom I would not normally have had a chance to meet, let alone exchange personal life stories with. I made eye contact. I let my imagination be carried away.
We spoke of tipping points during the seminar--an experience or moment that defines your future. I think this trip may have been a small tipping point for me. I know I always get the quiet label (I am!), but there was a lot of internal dialogue going on and I have a lot of things to think about within the next few months.
I would highly recommend this opportunity to anyone considering it. Get out of your comfort zone! Stretch your perspectives and knowledge! Try something new!
I guarantee you won't regret it.
Clara
So yes, I am back home in a place where I don't necessarily feel at home, but what keeps me inspired is that I feel like I took a little bit of that dream back with me. I acquired many things from different people and events during this trip.
My options were expanded--both mentally and geographically. I gained an appreciation of what it means to be a global citizen, embracing the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and lifestyles even within my own group of 11. I received realistic advice for my future from those who were a little further down the road. I developed relationships quickly with a wonderful group of people. I had the opportunity to be surrounded by a group that was there not out of obligation but because they cared and really wished to be. I spoke with staff and faculty with whom I would not normally have had a chance to meet, let alone exchange personal life stories with. I made eye contact. I let my imagination be carried away.
We spoke of tipping points during the seminar--an experience or moment that defines your future. I think this trip may have been a small tipping point for me. I know I always get the quiet label (I am!), but there was a lot of internal dialogue going on and I have a lot of things to think about within the next few months.
I would highly recommend this opportunity to anyone considering it. Get out of your comfort zone! Stretch your perspectives and knowledge! Try something new!
I guarantee you won't regret it.
Clara
So long, farewell, aufwiedersehn, goodnight
Back in Texas, it's is fun to travel but there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed. This past week was such an adventure, filled with new ideas, places, and people. I am so grateful for this opportunity that was given to us that made all these new experiences possible. The entire time I was in the country I never forgot that TCC made this trip available for us. Sometimes while eating in the dining room I would sit back in my chair, and think to myself, this is wonderful, as I looked at the mountains staring back at me through the window. This trip was not a vacation, no mistaking that. Our small group projects had only about 8 hours of planned time in our busy schedules. In spite of the short amount of time all of the groups were able to hammer out ideas into solutions for our given topics. The presentations went great and everyone seemed well spoken and prepared on their topics. What was impressive during the presentations was the fact that some of the students were very nervous about speaking in front of the group. In fact, I think we were all apprehensive with good reason; the faculty there is incredibly bright. The class work we did before the trip prepared me in a way that I didn't understand beforehand. Class work is intense when you have a full college schedule, but I learned that I can handle that kind of load if I was willing to make the sacrifice. The sacrifice of time was worth it, many hours of reading in the library, opting to leave work early to complete assignments on time, and spending less time on the extras of life was well worth it. Thank you Dr. Wood and Carol Hunsberger for doing all the leg work to set up this trip, I cannot say it enough, I know that sacrifices were made on your part too by taking on our extra classes. The lectures, to but it simply, amazing! I learned a whole new way to look at the world in which we live. We need to contribute, even if what we do is insignificant, do it anyways. Our news for the most part is lacking in the world perspective, and people living in other places in the world know more about what is happening in the US than a lot of the people that live here. Which brings up the question, why do they care so much about what we do? For the reason, what we do has an effect worldwide. The rest of the world cares more about America, than America cares about the rest of the world. When I applied for the Salzburg Seminar, my thought was this is once in a lifetime. I hope that it isn't. Before leaving I would hear the question, what is it for? And I would say it is an international relations seminar, it is so much more. This seminar is for the sole purpose of laying the foundation of becoming a global citizen. What is a global citizen? They are participants of the world, who think of not only how decisions made effect their country , but others as well.
Looking Back
I finally made it to bed around 12:30 am this morning and it felt wonderful to be back home. Yes, I also got some rest and slept in till 9 am this morning.
In taking a look back over the past 10 days and trying to write about it is just phenomenal to me. This trip has opened my mind up to new ideas and has planted a questioning and curiosity seed with in me to want to search for answers even if they are not always positive. The lectures and discussions we heard we enlighting to me even if they did not share my own point of view but I respected that fact that it is good for us to hear others for your own sake of growing as a person.
I have enjoyed learning from the seminar but especially from my fellow classmates. As we each brought our own views of life with us, we all respected each other and embraced our differences. I think this allowed us to become in a sense like a family and form relationships based on this incredible experience.
Our instructors prepared us well for what was expected. I was not overcome with anxiety for the work that was required of us there in Salzburg. I would recommend this experience and opportunity to anyone who is wanting to find their own voice and calling in life as well as truly wanting to learing about other people for being people and not just a specific ethnic background.
In taking a look back over the past 10 days and trying to write about it is just phenomenal to me. This trip has opened my mind up to new ideas and has planted a questioning and curiosity seed with in me to want to search for answers even if they are not always positive. The lectures and discussions we heard we enlighting to me even if they did not share my own point of view but I respected that fact that it is good for us to hear others for your own sake of growing as a person.
I have enjoyed learning from the seminar but especially from my fellow classmates. As we each brought our own views of life with us, we all respected each other and embraced our differences. I think this allowed us to become in a sense like a family and form relationships based on this incredible experience.
Our instructors prepared us well for what was expected. I was not overcome with anxiety for the work that was required of us there in Salzburg. I would recommend this experience and opportunity to anyone who is wanting to find their own voice and calling in life as well as truly wanting to learing about other people for being people and not just a specific ethnic background.
Texas my Texas
How can 8 days so profoundly change a person??
I don't know. Let's take it from the top:
In the days before leaving to Salzburg, everyone kept telling me to "have fun." In the back of my mind, though, I was skeptical. Fun? It's going to be a rigorous course of study. "Get smart," maybe, but "Have fun?" I knew there wouldn't be much time for leisure, and I was okay with that. I just had to brace myself for the loads of information that promised to enlighten me. Beyond that, I didn't know what to expect. I mean, could this trip really impact me in the way it was said to do so? What was the meaning of a global citizen? Was it really that important? Would I get along with everyone? Would I like the food?
Despite all these questions, I was ready to expect the unexpected. The only thing I wasn't ready for...was how to leave this new place that I had fallen in love with. Not just the place, but what it stood for. What it meant to be a global citizen. I had no idea just how complete the 7 day course study would be. Have fun? I had a blast. Get smart? I've been transformed. This ISP was no joke. It was a life changing experience.
The Salzburg Seminar embodied the concept of global citizenship down to the very lifestyle we led while we were there. If you think about it, it brought together a variety of students, staff and faculty from all over the world--different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, you name it--and forced us to work together, live together and learn together. We were able to interact with the locals and get to know the different lifestyle and customs of a foreign country. (Even if we didn't like the fact that everything closed at 7, we respected it and tried to rush into town before then.) So while we were learning about collaborating, understanding and communicating on a global level we were able to actively apply the lessons we were learning. And from the sound of it, our ISP group did a particularly good job of overcoming the obstacles that take form when you bring a group of strangers together to pursue a common goal.
If I had to explain my 8 days at the Seminar to someone I would tell them this:
Sometimes in life you come across people who you might deem as "sheltered." The type of person who for one reason or another hasn't been exposed to much of what we call the "real world." And when this person finally steps out of their sheltered cocoon, they're stripped of their naivety and have a "coming out" in which they finally understand how the world really works. But, how much do you really know about the "real world?" Not just the United States and oil prices or the Iraq War, but the global interconnectivity and responsibilities of tending to and embracing these connections. The "real world" not as defined by one specific culture, but on the global scale that involves the real world. If you are like I was, then you might not understand as much as you thought you did. The Salzburg Seminar took me, a sheltered person, and led me to my coming out into the real world.
The day before leaving Salzburg, I was pretty sad. I thought I would cry. It's such a beautiful place and such a beautiful process happens there. I didn't want to leave the people, the city, the castle. I didn't want to go back to a life where I wasn't fed every 3 hours, where bikes weren't as popular or where I couldn't look out my window to see the most magnificent landscape each morning. But most of all, I didn't want to go back to a life where I wouldn't essentially be living with all these brilliant people, the faculty, staff and the students. I miss the community the most.
But by the end of our wrap up session on Wednesday evening, it occurred to me that the Salzburg Seminar was only the tip of the iceberg. Suddenly, I was okay with leaving the Schloss. (Not happy...but okay.) I realized that my induction into global citizenship opened up every door imaginable to me and that if I applied what I learned to every door I walked through, I could eventually end up back on the Schloss terrace with some new stories to tell. (Maybe next time I can stay more than a week!) So now I'm excited to start this journey! I'm ready to be back home so that I can finish building the foundation upon which I can start giving back from what the Seminar has given me. I'm so ready to travel the world.
Thanks to everyone who made this possible. To Dr. Wood and Carol especially for taking us and being wonderful. And to all of you guys Dee, Rusty, Julissa, Audrey, Chandelle, Melissa, Clara, and Katie! I know we'll all always have a special connection after what we've been through together. And we are definitely getting together to share those pictures!
I don't know. Let's take it from the top:
In the days before leaving to Salzburg, everyone kept telling me to "have fun." In the back of my mind, though, I was skeptical. Fun? It's going to be a rigorous course of study. "Get smart," maybe, but "Have fun?" I knew there wouldn't be much time for leisure, and I was okay with that. I just had to brace myself for the loads of information that promised to enlighten me. Beyond that, I didn't know what to expect. I mean, could this trip really impact me in the way it was said to do so? What was the meaning of a global citizen? Was it really that important? Would I get along with everyone? Would I like the food?
Despite all these questions, I was ready to expect the unexpected. The only thing I wasn't ready for...was how to leave this new place that I had fallen in love with. Not just the place, but what it stood for. What it meant to be a global citizen. I had no idea just how complete the 7 day course study would be. Have fun? I had a blast. Get smart? I've been transformed. This ISP was no joke. It was a life changing experience.
The Salzburg Seminar embodied the concept of global citizenship down to the very lifestyle we led while we were there. If you think about it, it brought together a variety of students, staff and faculty from all over the world--different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, you name it--and forced us to work together, live together and learn together. We were able to interact with the locals and get to know the different lifestyle and customs of a foreign country. (Even if we didn't like the fact that everything closed at 7, we respected it and tried to rush into town before then.) So while we were learning about collaborating, understanding and communicating on a global level we were able to actively apply the lessons we were learning. And from the sound of it, our ISP group did a particularly good job of overcoming the obstacles that take form when you bring a group of strangers together to pursue a common goal.
If I had to explain my 8 days at the Seminar to someone I would tell them this:
Sometimes in life you come across people who you might deem as "sheltered." The type of person who for one reason or another hasn't been exposed to much of what we call the "real world." And when this person finally steps out of their sheltered cocoon, they're stripped of their naivety and have a "coming out" in which they finally understand how the world really works. But, how much do you really know about the "real world?" Not just the United States and oil prices or the Iraq War, but the global interconnectivity and responsibilities of tending to and embracing these connections. The "real world" not as defined by one specific culture, but on the global scale that involves the real world. If you are like I was, then you might not understand as much as you thought you did. The Salzburg Seminar took me, a sheltered person, and led me to my coming out into the real world.
The day before leaving Salzburg, I was pretty sad. I thought I would cry. It's such a beautiful place and such a beautiful process happens there. I didn't want to leave the people, the city, the castle. I didn't want to go back to a life where I wasn't fed every 3 hours, where bikes weren't as popular or where I couldn't look out my window to see the most magnificent landscape each morning. But most of all, I didn't want to go back to a life where I wouldn't essentially be living with all these brilliant people, the faculty, staff and the students. I miss the community the most.
But by the end of our wrap up session on Wednesday evening, it occurred to me that the Salzburg Seminar was only the tip of the iceberg. Suddenly, I was okay with leaving the Schloss. (Not happy...but okay.) I realized that my induction into global citizenship opened up every door imaginable to me and that if I applied what I learned to every door I walked through, I could eventually end up back on the Schloss terrace with some new stories to tell. (Maybe next time I can stay more than a week!) So now I'm excited to start this journey! I'm ready to be back home so that I can finish building the foundation upon which I can start giving back from what the Seminar has given me. I'm so ready to travel the world.
Thanks to everyone who made this possible. To Dr. Wood and Carol especially for taking us and being wonderful. And to all of you guys Dee, Rusty, Julissa, Audrey, Chandelle, Melissa, Clara, and Katie! I know we'll all always have a special connection after what we've been through together. And we are definitely getting together to share those pictures!
Reminisces of Salzburg
Well, so much for sleeping all night in my own bed! I woke up at 4:00 am and laid there, trying to will my body back to sleep -- after all, I don't have a meeting to go to nor any homeworke to do and intended to "sleep in!" But my mind started racing in reference to this "last Salzburg blog" not allowing me to rest! So, here are some random thoughts so that I CAN go back to bed and "sleep in!"
This last week in Salzburg has been an eye opening week, a week of affirmation, and a very full week of learning for me. There is so much that I did not know and do not know (hey, don't agree so heartily on what I don't know! :)). Mary Catherine Bates affirmed for me that curiosity and respect for people is of great importance. Indifference causes a wide gulf! The greatest joy for me has been meeting so many people who are interested in other people as people. It has not been a week of indifference, but rather a week wherein a group of students from two different colleges and faculty who have traveled the world were curious about each other and so very respectful of others' life experiences.
This has been a week of questions and thought provoking statements in which we, the learner have to come up with our own answers. We weren't given a manual on how to become a "global citizen." As we started the week with maps I was reminded of "The King and I" (I know it's just a movie) and how young Chulalongkorn brings a map of Siam to Anna as a gift. I really did not know that there were so many different maps printed from so many different perspectives! Looking East to West -- America isn't in the center and neither am I! Being others' minded, curious, kind and respectful -- THAT was the affirmation received this week.
Our TCC Salzburg team has really become like family! Clara, Julissa, Chandelle, Audrey and Katie will be moving on from TCC to change their world little-by-little and with great confidence! Clara has a quiet, confident spirit that translates to great care and concern as she travels internationally. Julissa took the "bull by the horns" with great control as she unexpectedly sat in front of a room full of people leading her groups presentation! Only we from TCC knew she felt she was out of her element -- and she did a marvelous job! Watch out New York!
How Chandelle and Audrey managed on so little sleep I'll never know! Chandelle is a marvelous "global" teacher to her children and will be able to open so many students' eyes when she gets in the classroom! Audrey has been an awesome teacher this week. She is the epitome of curiosity and respect of the people around her. Apple juice and macaroni and cheese are reminders for me of Audrey. Reminders I'm so glad to have as she begins a new journey in her life.
Melissa's world is changing -- it was so fun for me to watch her "discover again" some "loves" she'd forgotten about! Michelle is such a "people person!" There will be no containing her energy for her curiosity about people and the world. Katie is already so "well traveled" at her age. She has such a love for new experiences and is a young lady who will change her world starting with A&M! She changed my view from land to the mountain top and waited for me to catch up! Rusty, our "other" this week has truly been an inspiration and a gentleman. He, too is interested in ... everything! Without really intending to be, he was a magnet this week - meeting new people and answering questions in an unforgettable way!
Our fearless leaders, Dr. Wood and Carol prepared our team to do their best and we did! It was so fun to get to know these two women outside of the classroom. This TCC team of encouragers was such an inspiration to me. What a wonderful way to spend a week -- staying in a "real" castle -- relishing the beauty that God created in Salzburg -- learning from and meeting new people who would become friends from all over the world! This truly has been an experience of a life time and as said before by so many of our "team," a wonderful dream come true!
We've shared a glorious week and as Rusty has said so many times ... "Do you remember the times we went to Austria and spent a week in a castle?" Rusty, What a week to remember!
This last week in Salzburg has been an eye opening week, a week of affirmation, and a very full week of learning for me. There is so much that I did not know and do not know (hey, don't agree so heartily on what I don't know! :)). Mary Catherine Bates affirmed for me that curiosity and respect for people is of great importance. Indifference causes a wide gulf! The greatest joy for me has been meeting so many people who are interested in other people as people. It has not been a week of indifference, but rather a week wherein a group of students from two different colleges and faculty who have traveled the world were curious about each other and so very respectful of others' life experiences.
This has been a week of questions and thought provoking statements in which we, the learner have to come up with our own answers. We weren't given a manual on how to become a "global citizen." As we started the week with maps I was reminded of "The King and I" (I know it's just a movie) and how young Chulalongkorn brings a map of Siam to Anna as a gift. I really did not know that there were so many different maps printed from so many different perspectives! Looking East to West -- America isn't in the center and neither am I! Being others' minded, curious, kind and respectful -- THAT was the affirmation received this week.
Our TCC Salzburg team has really become like family! Clara, Julissa, Chandelle, Audrey and Katie will be moving on from TCC to change their world little-by-little and with great confidence! Clara has a quiet, confident spirit that translates to great care and concern as she travels internationally. Julissa took the "bull by the horns" with great control as she unexpectedly sat in front of a room full of people leading her groups presentation! Only we from TCC knew she felt she was out of her element -- and she did a marvelous job! Watch out New York!
How Chandelle and Audrey managed on so little sleep I'll never know! Chandelle is a marvelous "global" teacher to her children and will be able to open so many students' eyes when she gets in the classroom! Audrey has been an awesome teacher this week. She is the epitome of curiosity and respect of the people around her. Apple juice and macaroni and cheese are reminders for me of Audrey. Reminders I'm so glad to have as she begins a new journey in her life.
Melissa's world is changing -- it was so fun for me to watch her "discover again" some "loves" she'd forgotten about! Michelle is such a "people person!" There will be no containing her energy for her curiosity about people and the world. Katie is already so "well traveled" at her age. She has such a love for new experiences and is a young lady who will change her world starting with A&M! She changed my view from land to the mountain top and waited for me to catch up! Rusty, our "other" this week has truly been an inspiration and a gentleman. He, too is interested in ... everything! Without really intending to be, he was a magnet this week - meeting new people and answering questions in an unforgettable way!
Our fearless leaders, Dr. Wood and Carol prepared our team to do their best and we did! It was so fun to get to know these two women outside of the classroom. This TCC team of encouragers was such an inspiration to me. What a wonderful way to spend a week -- staying in a "real" castle -- relishing the beauty that God created in Salzburg -- learning from and meeting new people who would become friends from all over the world! This truly has been an experience of a life time and as said before by so many of our "team," a wonderful dream come true!
We've shared a glorious week and as Rusty has said so many times ... "Do you remember the times we went to Austria and spent a week in a castle?" Rusty, What a week to remember!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Leaving
This is the last time for me to blog from the Schloss Leopoldskren --- our bus is scheduled to leave for Munich in an hour. The last two days have been very full days.
Tuesday morning we finished our preparations for our research presentation. Our task to "Make up" an organization dealing with immigration between the UK and South Africa proved to be a tough assignment. Wednesday afternoon we presented ourselves as a group from the UK seeking health care professionals from South Africa to immigrate to the UK to help in the UK's need for health care professionals. We emphasized the unrest, lack of safety, and lack of a quality health care system to a group of doctors from South Africa (the other Salzburg Seminar students) and urged them to consider to "Make the Change" to the UK. After asking for a vote as to who would and wouldn't immigrate for a better paying job, family safety, and the ability to practice medicine we then flipped the coin and asked them to consider what the effect would be on South Africa if the health care professional were to leave South Africa -- leaving the country without medical help. It would be devastating to the country. How difficult the decision would be -- to watch a people in need have no medical help or stay in a country that is unsafe, economically challenged and not allow the practice of medicine in a way that is a help to the countries people. Michelle did an awesome job as a South African doctor who had moved to the UK with the help of our organization UKHRA (United Kingdom Health Care Recruitment Agency).
Tuesday afternoon found me breathing hard and my heart racing as I WALKED up the mountain to the Fortress here in Salzburg. Katie was such a good sport to hang with an "old lady" huffing and puffing (very unladylike!) But what a view we were able to take home in our memories and hopefully capture on camera. Another group went back to town later in the evening -- much later -- but my body said ... okay screamed "I know what you've already done today and I think you'd better put me to bed and not try going up the mountain again!" Thank you Katie for such a tremendous adventure!
Yesterday (Wednesday) I found myself on a bicycle -- it must be at least 15 years since I've sat on the seat of a bike! -- cycling into town behind Melissa! What fun it was as we "dashed" into town for a few things and "dashed" back to shower and dress for a concert and banquet that was just too fun! It's been sad to say goodbye to so many new friends in Austria. But, we're on our way "home" and looking forward to seeing you all.
Tuesday morning we finished our preparations for our research presentation. Our task to "Make up" an organization dealing with immigration between the UK and South Africa proved to be a tough assignment. Wednesday afternoon we presented ourselves as a group from the UK seeking health care professionals from South Africa to immigrate to the UK to help in the UK's need for health care professionals. We emphasized the unrest, lack of safety, and lack of a quality health care system to a group of doctors from South Africa (the other Salzburg Seminar students) and urged them to consider to "Make the Change" to the UK. After asking for a vote as to who would and wouldn't immigrate for a better paying job, family safety, and the ability to practice medicine we then flipped the coin and asked them to consider what the effect would be on South Africa if the health care professional were to leave South Africa -- leaving the country without medical help. It would be devastating to the country. How difficult the decision would be -- to watch a people in need have no medical help or stay in a country that is unsafe, economically challenged and not allow the practice of medicine in a way that is a help to the countries people. Michelle did an awesome job as a South African doctor who had moved to the UK with the help of our organization UKHRA (United Kingdom Health Care Recruitment Agency).
Tuesday afternoon found me breathing hard and my heart racing as I WALKED up the mountain to the Fortress here in Salzburg. Katie was such a good sport to hang with an "old lady" huffing and puffing (very unladylike!) But what a view we were able to take home in our memories and hopefully capture on camera. Another group went back to town later in the evening -- much later -- but my body said ... okay screamed "I know what you've already done today and I think you'd better put me to bed and not try going up the mountain again!" Thank you Katie for such a tremendous adventure!
Yesterday (Wednesday) I found myself on a bicycle -- it must be at least 15 years since I've sat on the seat of a bike! -- cycling into town behind Melissa! What fun it was as we "dashed" into town for a few things and "dashed" back to shower and dress for a concert and banquet that was just too fun! It's been sad to say goodbye to so many new friends in Austria. But, we're on our way "home" and looking forward to seeing you all.
Our last full day
I can't believe this trip is over already! I am quite sad to leave this place. It has been so much fun and the topics discussed opened my mind to a new understanding of my country and the world in wich we are a part of. Although, at the begining of the trip I was in a new country among people who I either barely met or never met, I feel after a week I am leaving friends. I have really enjoyed the opportunities to talk with the all the staff and lecturers and to know them in a way other than in a class setting. I felt prepaired for the seminar, but I have learned so much here and hope to be able to apply those things when I return home.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Fact of Life: "gods Lived in The Tower"
The visit to Dachau was very interesting to say the least. For me it was no different than going to see an auction block in Tennessee or an old slave plantation in Louisiana or even a port the east coast where slaves were brought into the United States. I was moved greatly, but not outwardly emotional. Dachau gave the Holocaust tangibility for me, it now is something that I can put my hands on, fill the soil, put my fingers in the holes where bullets entered the walls through the souls of helpless people and it is no longer just a place only in my mind.
Something that really struck me is how, man can become god or why do we allow such power to be given to a man. I know it seems strange but it's in reference to the fact that the Holocaust was senseless in every angle but men took it upon themselves to dictate who would have life and who wouldn’t. In those watch towers were gods in a very literal sense. They decided who worked and who buried their friends and families; who was sent to the infirmary and who was used for experiments.
Everyone got something different, for me it's the power that we allow one to have over our lives and the faith that one has in their God that delivers them. I took a picture of one of the areas that I'm going to have framed for my son and myself. It was of "Barrack #5" my son and I were both born on the fifth day of the month and I will have inscribed in the frame, "Five is a representation of my birth by the grace of my God, but for others that have come before me five represents much more. It represents the pavement of the world for global unification." I don't know it's a working progress....Any suggestions?
This is a walk through the gas chamber. I want to tell everyone about it but I think seeing the walk through would mean more. I recorded it because I never want to forget anything about that walk, I want my son to understand.
Monday, May 26, 2008
I don't sleep anymore
It's 2:28 a.m. and I can't sleep.
We visited Dachau yesterday. It was an enriching opportunity that I might have never experienced had I not come on this trip. I am fortunate that I was able to explore the realities of the Holocaust (by no means actually being able to experience it). It was not, however, a life altering experience for me. I think everything is relative and personal, and a person chooses, consciously or unconsciously, what they feel and how they do things. For me, going to Dachau was an educational opportunity, but not an emotional one. Perhaps I am so far removed from what happened, or I have heard of it so much, that I have becomed desensitized to the idea. It may sound terrible, in a way, but for me personally, I just enjoyed being able to actually go there.
We met some Austrian students today -- a lot of fun. I met Vanessa and Andreas. Both linguistically gifted! It was very fun to have a "formal" discussion" with them about differences in education and then be able to sit down with them and just talk.
I don't want to leave quite yet (it's nearly Thursday),
Julissa
We visited Dachau yesterday. It was an enriching opportunity that I might have never experienced had I not come on this trip. I am fortunate that I was able to explore the realities of the Holocaust (by no means actually being able to experience it). It was not, however, a life altering experience for me. I think everything is relative and personal, and a person chooses, consciously or unconsciously, what they feel and how they do things. For me, going to Dachau was an educational opportunity, but not an emotional one. Perhaps I am so far removed from what happened, or I have heard of it so much, that I have becomed desensitized to the idea. It may sound terrible, in a way, but for me personally, I just enjoyed being able to actually go there.
We met some Austrian students today -- a lot of fun. I met Vanessa and Andreas. Both linguistically gifted! It was very fun to have a "formal" discussion" with them about differences in education and then be able to sit down with them and just talk.
I don't want to leave quite yet (it's nearly Thursday),
Julissa
Making Connections
Today we had the opportunity to meet students from the University of Salzburg. We were able to ask questions and get to know them during our evening dinner. I really enjoy visiting with them to learn that even though we are from different backgrounds how much we seem to share in common as being students. The conversations were great because we each got to learn about each others cultures and sharing stories of our own experiences. I noticed that email addresses were exchanged during the evening amongest students as we are trying to start networks with each other. Today has been a really wonderful and joyful day as our group projects are almost finalized and friends were made.
Full Days!
What a very full day this has been! Breakfast -- always such a treat, so much to choose from so you choose a little of everything! I am SO enjoying the hot tea served five times a day. This morning we had the joy of hearing Champa Patel talk to us about our "roots leading us to our routes." (Joining us this morning were college students from Michigan.) Champa deals with abused youth in Wales and is very energetic, holding all of us in the palm of her hand as she discussed "creating "inclusive societies."
After lunch, again always so delicious, our small group met to continue working on our UK-South Africa project. Michelle is a wonder at Photoshop -- it's been fun working with alongside her designing the pamphlet for our made up organization for our presentation Wednesday. She and I are having a good time working with Kate, Meghan, and Monica from San Francisco. In fact, we didn't want to stop working this afternoon at 4:30 for tea -- we were on a roll! But Dr. Wood came to our rescue and insisted that we stop "work" and enjoy a visit with some Austrian students that were joining us for "tea" and an open discussion.
The students from Salzburg University seem to be impressed with our academic system in the United States. It was very interesting and informative to talk with them. This week, we've used so much of the "learning" from Dr. Wood's class in History and are definitely using the communication skills taught by Carol. After our open discussion, we went to the Schloss Terrace for an Austrian Barbeque which is quite different from our Texas BBQ's back home! Lamb, Turkey, Ribs, Burger, Shrimp, Potato Salad, Aritichokes, Fruit, Cheese, Salad, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob ... Strawberry Ice Cream! The young man and young lady that Audrey, Chandelle, and I ate and spoke with asked if we taught "American English" or "British English" to our children as they were learning in the states. Our "language" conversation was quite interesting as we demonstrated different accents from Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi! The five of us continued our conversation about college life and found out Salzburg University needs to have an orientation session for new students to help them adapt to their new college surroundings. They don't like wandering around campus not knowing where anything is anymore than we do! TCC, thank you for orientations! It really has been a joy today to meet so many young people.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow afternoon's session by Dennis Jaehne. Dennis and Jill have been with us all week but we've not heard him "present" yet. We've listened, learned, and are applying Carol's lessons on Inter-cultural communication in a global context and it will be interesting to hear Dennis's take on the same subject. In fact, we've really been hearing that subject taught from all of the faculty at Salzburg!
It's time to meet with my group again -- we're getting close to being done so maybe tonight I'll get to bed before 2 am as I have the past two nights! Sweet dreams Texas!
After lunch, again always so delicious, our small group met to continue working on our UK-South Africa project. Michelle is a wonder at Photoshop -- it's been fun working with alongside her designing the pamphlet for our made up organization for our presentation Wednesday. She and I are having a good time working with Kate, Meghan, and Monica from San Francisco. In fact, we didn't want to stop working this afternoon at 4:30 for tea -- we were on a roll! But Dr. Wood came to our rescue and insisted that we stop "work" and enjoy a visit with some Austrian students that were joining us for "tea" and an open discussion.
The students from Salzburg University seem to be impressed with our academic system in the United States. It was very interesting and informative to talk with them. This week, we've used so much of the "learning" from Dr. Wood's class in History and are definitely using the communication skills taught by Carol. After our open discussion, we went to the Schloss Terrace for an Austrian Barbeque which is quite different from our Texas BBQ's back home! Lamb, Turkey, Ribs, Burger, Shrimp, Potato Salad, Aritichokes, Fruit, Cheese, Salad, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob ... Strawberry Ice Cream! The young man and young lady that Audrey, Chandelle, and I ate and spoke with asked if we taught "American English" or "British English" to our children as they were learning in the states. Our "language" conversation was quite interesting as we demonstrated different accents from Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi! The five of us continued our conversation about college life and found out Salzburg University needs to have an orientation session for new students to help them adapt to their new college surroundings. They don't like wandering around campus not knowing where anything is anymore than we do! TCC, thank you for orientations! It really has been a joy today to meet so many young people.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow afternoon's session by Dennis Jaehne. Dennis and Jill have been with us all week but we've not heard him "present" yet. We've listened, learned, and are applying Carol's lessons on Inter-cultural communication in a global context and it will be interesting to hear Dennis's take on the same subject. In fact, we've really been hearing that subject taught from all of the faculty at Salzburg!
It's time to meet with my group again -- we're getting close to being done so maybe tonight I'll get to bed before 2 am as I have the past two nights! Sweet dreams Texas!
Dachau
Sunday gave for me a realization of the human suffering and how easily one can inflict pain on someone esle through the eyes of ethnocintrism. Dachau was not at all like I invisioned it to be at all. I expected a replica of the actual camp, yet what I found was something so much more profound. The large empty space spoke volumes of the dispair, suffering, and lack of justice the inmates of Dachau felt and recieved. Foundation markers where the former prisioner baracks stood represented to me a grave for those many thousands whos lives were lost. I was a bit suprized on the lack of reverence of a few people who in my opinon treated Dachau more like a park than a memorial, but for the most part it was very quiet and I was able to reflect on and aborb the many thoughts and feelings I had. On a lighter note we have been working in small groups on immirgration from the former states of Yugoslavia into Austria. Our groups works very well together and we are just about finnished. The weather has been absolutely beautiful for the last few days. I just love it here.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Remembering...
Today's visit to the Dachau Memorial was very informative with an overload of information and quite depressing as I walked around trying to imagine what life was like there. Standing on the same grounds that were once stood on by both Nazis and prisioners brought everything I had ever read or seen about the war into perspective for me. I shed many tears while viewing the crematories because it sadden me to know that there was no respect and dignity for those who lost their lives; and not a guilty conscious from those who took the lives. To see two different areas of crematories, the rooms that led to the gas chamber, and the pistol range for excution with a blood ditch was horiffic. Just knowing that the deaths of these prisioners was thought and planned out carefully made me shed even more tears. The lesson from seeing this is that all it takes for the evil to flourish and prosper is for the for the good to do nothing.
Group Work and Dachau
I believe this was the third day that we have had group work...maybe the second... I can't really recall because time is in a strange mood. The work is going well. My group has to discuss how the immigration of Algerians into France and their history together have made an impact politically, socially, economically, etc (as well as discuss a few other things) in France. It has been good to learn about the two countries and how they are interconnected.
Dachau...
We arrived around 11:30am. Some people stayed together but most split up (I was one of the latter). I walked around and took pictures. After visiting everything except the museum, I visited the Crematorium. From the horror of that, a nauseating feeling came over me so I went back to the little bus stop on Karl Reimer Street (named after the prisoner who escaped and told the U.S. troops that there was a concentration camp) and people-watched for about an hour. Then I went back into the site at 2:00pm to see the informative video in English that was playing at that time. I am glad I did!
The thing which got me the most (aside from the Crematorium) was the Jewish Religious Memorial. Dr. Wood put up a picture showing it... it's the one with the light shining from the hole in the top of what felt like a well. It was such a striking view of their perception while in Dachau...the feeling of no escape.
It would be very hard to make this post upbeat, but to end on a positive note...Dachua Concentration Camp Memorial Site was a very rewarding experience and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to visit it.
Dachau...
We arrived around 11:30am. Some people stayed together but most split up (I was one of the latter). I walked around and took pictures. After visiting everything except the museum, I visited the Crematorium. From the horror of that, a nauseating feeling came over me so I went back to the little bus stop on Karl Reimer Street (named after the prisoner who escaped and told the U.S. troops that there was a concentration camp) and people-watched for about an hour. Then I went back into the site at 2:00pm to see the informative video in English that was playing at that time. I am glad I did!
The thing which got me the most (aside from the Crematorium) was the Jewish Religious Memorial. Dr. Wood put up a picture showing it... it's the one with the light shining from the hole in the top of what felt like a well. It was such a striking view of their perception while in Dachau...the feeling of no escape.
It would be very hard to make this post upbeat, but to end on a positive note...Dachua Concentration Camp Memorial Site was a very rewarding experience and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to visit it.
Busy as Bees
There is never a dull moment here. There is always something to do and time goes by WAY too fast. These past few days have been a blur. It feels like we've been here for weeks already...It's hard to believe we're only on day 4.
Our group work is intense. I don't know about anyone else, but my group is definitely hitting it hard. We already finished our research paper last night around 1am. We had to do our research several times and change a few things but thanks to the GLORIOUS Dr. Wood, all our research was not put to waste. Seriously, I don't know where we would've been without her guidance. We were all pretty overwhelmed yesterday...We started convening around lunchtime where we scrapped the research we'd done the night before in favor of a different route on the UK/South Africa situation, then researched from right after lunch around 2 until the coffee break around 4. Then we spent from then until dinner at 6:30 figuring out what we were going to do. You could sort of see our eyes glazed over by the end of our session because we were just thinking too hard. After dinner we had a session and a TCC group meeting, then we met again to finish up at 1ish. I don't think I got to bed until 2, but I felt so great this morning!
I was really energized by the beauty of everything around us, the learning experience and the weight off my shoulders as far as our first part of the project is going. I knew the feeling probably wouldn't last though, since we did have our trip to Dachau.
Wow. We read about the Holocaust in books, watch documentaries and movies, television shows, you name it. But how many people actually can say that they've visited the site of such horrors? It is incomparable to anything that attempts to intangibly describe it. You have to experience it to even come close to fathoming it. I can say this because Dachau is not what I expected. I don't know what I expected, but I do know that since learning about WWII and the Holocaust in 5th grade...I never would have perceived a concentration camp in this way. It was so eerie...it was so huge--and so empty. I just stood there and tried to imagine how this place built to sustain 6,000 but overcrowded with 5x that many people could have at one time harbored such unspeakable horrors.
It was so beautiful outside today...and everything around the camp...it was so picturesque...There was this somber blanket over the grounds...everyone was quiet, deep in thought. And yet this was the site of the deaths, executions, murders and tortures of thousands of innocent people. The Crematorium seemed like a pysichal oxymoron in the middle of it all. It was full of lush trees, peaceful paths and quaint little buildings--a tranquil and lovely place. Yet here was where thousands of corpses were piled up to be burned and thrown into the ash grave...and where people were shot execution style. It didn't fit.
I didn't know what I expected today, but certainly not this. I suppose I expected to seem like something out of a nightmare, but it wasn't. You could see the barbed wire, the watch towers, the gas chamber and furnaces, but none of these stood out as a blatant sign of evil and misery. You could only feel the last remnants of suffering and melancholy that lingered in the aura of the place.
Overall...I'm glad we visited Dachau today. It was an eye opener. It was good to see all the memorials that were set up, like Dr. Wood mentioned...and fulfilling to pay my respects.
Our group work is intense. I don't know about anyone else, but my group is definitely hitting it hard. We already finished our research paper last night around 1am. We had to do our research several times and change a few things but thanks to the GLORIOUS Dr. Wood, all our research was not put to waste. Seriously, I don't know where we would've been without her guidance. We were all pretty overwhelmed yesterday...We started convening around lunchtime where we scrapped the research we'd done the night before in favor of a different route on the UK/South Africa situation, then researched from right after lunch around 2 until the coffee break around 4. Then we spent from then until dinner at 6:30 figuring out what we were going to do. You could sort of see our eyes glazed over by the end of our session because we were just thinking too hard. After dinner we had a session and a TCC group meeting, then we met again to finish up at 1ish. I don't think I got to bed until 2, but I felt so great this morning!
I was really energized by the beauty of everything around us, the learning experience and the weight off my shoulders as far as our first part of the project is going. I knew the feeling probably wouldn't last though, since we did have our trip to Dachau.
Wow. We read about the Holocaust in books, watch documentaries and movies, television shows, you name it. But how many people actually can say that they've visited the site of such horrors? It is incomparable to anything that attempts to intangibly describe it. You have to experience it to even come close to fathoming it. I can say this because Dachau is not what I expected. I don't know what I expected, but I do know that since learning about WWII and the Holocaust in 5th grade...I never would have perceived a concentration camp in this way. It was so eerie...it was so huge--and so empty. I just stood there and tried to imagine how this place built to sustain 6,000 but overcrowded with 5x that many people could have at one time harbored such unspeakable horrors.
It was so beautiful outside today...and everything around the camp...it was so picturesque...There was this somber blanket over the grounds...everyone was quiet, deep in thought. And yet this was the site of the deaths, executions, murders and tortures of thousands of innocent people. The Crematorium seemed like a pysichal oxymoron in the middle of it all. It was full of lush trees, peaceful paths and quaint little buildings--a tranquil and lovely place. Yet here was where thousands of corpses were piled up to be burned and thrown into the ash grave...and where people were shot execution style. It didn't fit.
I didn't know what I expected today, but certainly not this. I suppose I expected to seem like something out of a nightmare, but it wasn't. You could see the barbed wire, the watch towers, the gas chamber and furnaces, but none of these stood out as a blatant sign of evil and misery. You could only feel the last remnants of suffering and melancholy that lingered in the aura of the place.
Overall...I'm glad we visited Dachau today. It was an eye opener. It was good to see all the memorials that were set up, like Dr. Wood mentioned...and fulfilling to pay my respects.
Dachau
I am learning so much here this week. Yesterday was a day of preparation for our visit to Dachau today. We asked a lot of questions then and have still more questions now - though many are ones we are asking of ourselves.
I've learned more about WWII this semester, realizing that the teaching in high school so many years ago was very minimal. As I'm studying with so many "young" college students on this trip, and hear their questions, I have to wonder why I haven't asked more questions along the way. Today, the reality of a concentration camp lay before my eyes in pictures and on film. I've seen some pictures before, but nothing like the magnitude in the museum. I never imagined that Dachau would be so large, and what we saw was just a sixth of the land mass that the concentration camp was composed of!
There were only two bunkhouses rebuilt on the property, but there were rock and conrete footings for the other twenty eight that held whom Germany felt were inferior. To be standing on the ground where 30,000 had died, where over 200,000 people from over 30 countries were held prisoner was difficult. When I first walked through the gate "Arbeit macht frei" (Freedom through work), I could only imagine what the prisoners felt like as they walked through the first time and many for the last time. The gate opens to a very large, open area that leaves much to the imagination and leaves quite a desloate impression. It's not until you see the pictures of sickness, overcrowding, starvation and death in the museum and read the memorials and explanations of the sites, that you begin to get a glimpse of what it must have been like and that's what is so humbling -- our understanding is but a glimpse.
Being here this week has made me realize all the more how devastating war is. We are talking with people this week who have lived where the bombs have been dropped. We are sitting in a palace that suffered damage from those bombs. And we are getting to know people whose lives have been directly affected by war. Getting to know people whose lives have directly affected by war ... Daddy, please forgive me for not asking more questions before now. It's not that I didn't care, I just really never thought it was something you'd want to talk about and you may not! The only story I DO know about the war -- I'm so thankful that you came down that mountain with an infected knee!
My, it's been a day of much thought and much emotion. Our group of eleven has missed Dan so much on this trip, but feel like we're experiencing more than "just a trip to Salzburg" this week. We are learning more about ourselves, getting to know each other and learning about others within and without our United States borders. As I walked back through the gate to the bus, it was with great humility and great thankfulness for freedom - freedom that has been so costly to so many.
I've learned more about WWII this semester, realizing that the teaching in high school so many years ago was very minimal. As I'm studying with so many "young" college students on this trip, and hear their questions, I have to wonder why I haven't asked more questions along the way. Today, the reality of a concentration camp lay before my eyes in pictures and on film. I've seen some pictures before, but nothing like the magnitude in the museum. I never imagined that Dachau would be so large, and what we saw was just a sixth of the land mass that the concentration camp was composed of!
There were only two bunkhouses rebuilt on the property, but there were rock and conrete footings for the other twenty eight that held whom Germany felt were inferior. To be standing on the ground where 30,000 had died, where over 200,000 people from over 30 countries were held prisoner was difficult. When I first walked through the gate "Arbeit macht frei" (Freedom through work), I could only imagine what the prisoners felt like as they walked through the first time and many for the last time. The gate opens to a very large, open area that leaves much to the imagination and leaves quite a desloate impression. It's not until you see the pictures of sickness, overcrowding, starvation and death in the museum and read the memorials and explanations of the sites, that you begin to get a glimpse of what it must have been like and that's what is so humbling -- our understanding is but a glimpse.
Being here this week has made me realize all the more how devastating war is. We are talking with people this week who have lived where the bombs have been dropped. We are sitting in a palace that suffered damage from those bombs. And we are getting to know people whose lives have been directly affected by war. Getting to know people whose lives have directly affected by war ... Daddy, please forgive me for not asking more questions before now. It's not that I didn't care, I just really never thought it was something you'd want to talk about and you may not! The only story I DO know about the war -- I'm so thankful that you came down that mountain with an infected knee!
My, it's been a day of much thought and much emotion. Our group of eleven has missed Dan so much on this trip, but feel like we're experiencing more than "just a trip to Salzburg" this week. We are learning more about ourselves, getting to know each other and learning about others within and without our United States borders. As I walked back through the gate to the bus, it was with great humility and great thankfulness for freedom - freedom that has been so costly to so many.
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