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The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

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Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom film

I had the pleasure of attending the Full Frame Documentary Festival again this year.  There were so many incredible films to see and I was grateful to have been able to squeeze “The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom” into the very busy schedule.

So, how would I describe this forty minute Oscar nominated documentary about the horrific tsunami that ravaged Japan in 2011?

Bone chilling and healing.  Two very different words, but precisely the ones that most accurately describe this masterpiece.

The film opens with a scene that still haunts me:  People standing on a hill watching the wave hit and their city being destroyed, calling out to others on lower ground to “hurry” to higher ground while a black, relentless wave that sends houses floating like surfers creeps in after them. Watch the first minute of this video, which is an abbreviated piece of the opening scene – but it gives you a sense of the shock, angst and pain that we all felt in that theater:

We sat there with chills covering our bodies, tears streaming down our faces.  Some people were howling.  It was so very real.

Nature can be so very cruel.  And then, it can drastically shift gears, suddenly and unexpectedly becoming the source of healing. In fact, it can be an immense, emotional tidal wave of healing, as this film illustrates.

Enter stage left: the cherry blossoms.  Their ability to return, despite mother nature’s overwhelming wave, represent a rebirth and hope.

Although cherry blossom gathering parties were cancelled in 2011, many people ventured out to see the beauty of the trees. We learn that the cherry blossom has ten stages before full bloom.  Each stage has its own word to describe it.  When the flowers die and fall, they are given a different name.  These delicate pink flowers, with unwavering beauty and death, have often been associated with mortality.  They are a fitting symbol of what the people of the Miyagi Prefecture witnessed.

This film is powerful tool for educators.  It can be used to illustrate the power of nature, to discuss the history of a tragedy and to reflect upon culture.  I am confident that you will remember this documentary for a very long time.  Let it and the lessons of the cherry blossoms stay with you.

Visit the film’s website for more information.

 

 




What to do when you CAN’T Travel Abroad

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what to do when you can't travel abroad

There are times in our lives when our wings are clipped.  The travel bug is scratching at your door, but for some reason (work, health, money) you are unable to travel.

Doesn’t it make you antsy when that happens?  Personally, it makes me feel like a caged lion, pacing back and forth.  Frustrated. Even moody!

How do we handle these periods in our lives when the itch to travel is there, but you simply cannot scratch it?  What do you do when your hands are tied and you are “stuck at home.”

Here are a few ideas:

1)  Take a day trip.  Go somewhere you haven’t ventured to before because it was “too close to home.”  Perhaps it is a local museum, historical site or a park.  Find something new to discover in what feels familiar.  Use your skills from your time(s) abroad to be a good investigator. What can you learn from this local experience?  (The photo above is from a trip to the coast – there were sponge and horseshoe crabs all over the beach!  Definitely something I wouldn’t see at home – and it reminded me of the beauty of nature and how much I enjoy photography.)

2) Read a great book about another culture or your own, but through someone’s else’s lens.  One of my favorite authors is Ha Jin who writes so eloquently about China and Chinese who have immigrated to the US.  One of his best, in my opinion, is “A Free Life.”  (See below)

3) Plan a trip anyway.  Give yourself a destination goal and craft your ideal itinerary.  What would you do if there were no obstacles?  Would it be immersion Portuguese in Brazil?  A volunteer program working with children in Morocco? Or perhaps it is a round the world ticket and a year of backpacking?  Give yourself a goal and work toward it, no matter what today’s barrier may be.  Consider joining MelibeeU’s new workshop on “How to Creatively Fund Your Travels” with Katie Krueger as part of your preparation.

4)  Find a language partner to learn a language.  Your local library will usually offer language training for ESL and you may be able to exchange free lessons with your ESL partner! Or you can contact your local university to see if they’re in need of language partners.

5) Volunteer in your local community.  This is a terrific way to stay connected to culture when you’re grounded at home.  Meetup.com is a great way to access many local cross-cultural social groups for little to no money.

6) Spend time with friends who value travel.  You could set up a monthly club that focuses on your non-home country culture.  Do a potluck highlighting food from that region of the world.  Talk culture and eat!

I hope those ideas help those of you who are “grounded” at the moment!  What other ideas do you have for these periods in your life when you can’t travel?  Feel free to comment below (no registration is required.)

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Perspective: The Real Value of an English Degree in the 21st Century

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The English degree

Today’s guest post is by Alexa Thompson.  She discusses how the Internet of the 21st century, dominated by websites in English, is creating more jobs for those who communicate well in English, regardless of where they live. Building on Melibee’s post about global skills that are needed in today’s marketplace, Alexa argues that with English as the lingua franca of the world of business, English degrees remain valuable.

Based on the number of graduates who achieve professional success within their field of study, many academic experts have long considered collegiate degrees in English to be impractical and irrelevant. However, English is today considered the international language of business, and those who can communicate in it well hold great value within the global job market. In addition, widespread Internet access has enabled millions of proficient English speakers worldwide to work remotely from home.

According to Payscale’s 2010 College Salary Report, most jobs for English majors are not very lucrative. Technical writers, journalists and literary historians fared the best, earning between $66,000 and $73,000 after 10 years in the field. The median salaries for paralegals, copywriters and social workers, on the other hand, all fell below $54,000 after 10 years in the field.

Another problem with the English field is job availability. With the slow death of print media and the rise of online self-publishing, many professional writers have struggled to find work. In January 2012, Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that English majors faced a 9.2 percent unemployment rate – a dire figure outmatched only by majors like architecture, religious studies, art, history and music.

Regardless of this nationwide reputation, experts today say there are many reasons to obtain an English degree – for native speakers, as well as individuals from countries where English is not traditionally spoken. One such reason is the globalized economy, and the role that the English language has played in its progression. According to the Boston Globe, roughly one quarter of the world’s population speaks or is currently learning to speak English. As a result, the language is commonly used in a wide range of international endeavors, from air traffic control to the hospitality industry.

One platform where English usage is particularly prevalent is on the Internet; roughly 80 percent of the world’s electronically recorded information is written in English. “English is dominant in a way that no language has ever been before,” said linguist John McWhorter. “It is vastly unclear to me what actual mechanism could uproot English given conditions as they are.”

Historically, native English speakers and non-native speakers from First World countries have filled the bulk of these international positions. However, a recent movement called ‘impact sourcing’ is directly targeting the English students of nations in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe who are less costly to employ, though equally skilled in the English language as their counterparts from wealthier countries.

The market for impact sourcing is currently valued at $4.5 billion, and advocates argue this industry is highly beneficial to the global economy. “[Just] as microfinance demonstrated that poor people are trustworthy borrowers, impact sourcing is demonstrating that people from villages and urban slums are reliable knowledge workers,” wrote New York Times columnist David Bornstein in November 2011.

Thanks to web-based opportunities, English majors are not simply limited to working in the business world. Many degree holders find work as bloggers, online content writers, SEO technicians and social media representatives. Because these positions are often staffed remotely, suitable applicants are not limited by geographical proximity. Online job search sites, such as oDesk, Monster and eLance, often act as intermediaries between English majors and paying clients.

The Internet has also a wealth of resources for those who wish to learn English. Web users can access tutorials, study guides, language translators and other resources to improve their English writing and speaking abilities – and increase their chances of eventually finding work.

Though many English majors are currently bemoaning the current economic doldrums, the idea that these degrees are worthless is a grave misconception. Thanks to the continuously globalizing economy and the prevalence of English on the Internet, English students worldwide are finding employment opportunities that have only begun to materialize.

About the Author:  Alexa Russell is a freelance writer from the Seattle/Tacoma area who is looking into a graduate program at UC Berkeley and spends most of her time mentally preparing to take out loans and take on TA-ing, hopefully.





The 9/11 Memorial: Amplify Love, Dissipate Hate

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Amplify Love, Dissipate Hate. These stickers were plastered near a firehouse near the site. I love that someone could still see the most important message of all despite the pain.

I visited the 9/11 memorial this summer.  Finally.  It took a long time for me to feel “ready” to see this place after such tragedy in my beloved city.  Instead of writing about it in words, I will share photos of what I saw.  It was a quiet place, with the exception of the rushing water into the North and South pools. I hope to share that atmosphere with you.

Amplify Love, Dissipate Hate. These stickers were plastered near a firehouse near the site. I love that someone could still see the most important message of all despite the pain.

The sign illustrates how to find victims’ names on the perimeter of the two pools. These reflect where the victims were and the relationships they shared with others who died that day.

The Freedom Tower and other buildings rising into the Manhattan skyline.

Names on the perimeter of one of the pools. You cannot imagine how many names there are. It feels endless. The sound of the water masks the muffled tears falling down my face and around me.

This is the 9/11 museum – it won’t be ready until 2013 or 2014…depending on the politics in New York. It is meant to represent the rebuilding.

The water was soothing, despite the tears.

 

Tony and I shed a whole lot of tears during our visit, but it is something we needed to do. Tony had witnessed the attacks from his apartment in Brooklyn. It was not easy to be here after 11 years, but we felt it was important to remember all the people lost here and abroad. May they all rest in peace.

To learn more about the 9/11 memorial, visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum website here.




Photography While on Study Abroad: Breaking Free from the Viewfinder

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A group of study abroad students in rural Morocco, posing with a family that they have just spent three hours visiting. After a frank and earnest conversation about life in rural Morocco and the students' diversity of experiences in America, sharing a meal together prepared by students and the family, and a bit of cultural exchange through sharing music and dance, this picture serves as a way to remember the experiences of the afternoon and the personal connections with individuals. (Photo courtesy of K. Rosenbaum)

Katy Rosenbaum tackles the sensitive subject of photography while abroad in today’s guest post.  Read on for her thoughts on how the ubiquitous camera needs to be considered with care.

While taking U.S. university students on short-term cultural immersion programs in Morocco, I heard the following on a regular basis:

“Oh my God, this is so going to be my profile picture!”

“Pics or it didn’t happen!”

“I didn’t get a picture of that… we HAVE to go back!

With the changing technology and popularity of digital cameras, Facebook, and blogs, it has never been easier to take, edit, and share pictures. Photographs can be an incredible way of capturing moments abroad. It’s an easy way to share what you are doing with people back home, and a great way to look back and remember amazing moments.

But how much is too much? At what point can taking pictures while studying abroad go from being a great tool to a destructive obsession?

Some instances are very clearly inappropriate instances to take pictures. Taking a candid shot of a stranger without asking is a relatively obvious faux pas. Even if you think they don’t mind, always check beforehand. In some cultures, there are beliefs that taking someone’s photograph is equivalent to taking their soul, violating their modesty, or an invitation for the evil eye to affect them. In these situations, it goes beyond impolite to snap away without permission: it can actually be quite offensive and even perceived as assault.

What was the reality in this situation? How authentic is the photo, and what does it actually say about me, as the photographer, and the others who were there? (Photo courtesy of K. Rosenbaum)

It is disturbingly common for people to use the “secret surreptitious photograph” style: wait until the intended subject of the photo isn’t looking, then taking the picture in secret in order to get an unposed, “authentic” shot. By doing this, a photographer can get the image they want and get around the need to ask permission. However, when looking back at that image, is it really worth it? Is the image really a fun, happy, or interesting memory, or will it evoke the guilt of taking the picture without permission? Going deeper—what does the picture mean? What is the purpose of taking this kind of photograph?

Excessive picture-taking can be an insult or worse to people of the host culture, and many may perceive you as an annoying and disruptive tourist. However, in actuality, becoming a slave to one’s camera probably has the biggest impact on the photographers themselves.

Take, for example, the extreme disappointment that happens when someone didn’t have enough time to take a picture, the battery died, or his or her camera was broken or stolen.  I have seen instances where this has literally ruined peoples’ days or longer. In that moment, instead of really engaging and experiencing being somewhere new and exciting, all the energy is focused on the negativity of missing out and anger or disappointment.

On the same level, I’ve seen many people stress out about getting the “perfect” picture. Instead of enjoying the view of the sunset over Notre Dame Cathedral, time is spent adjusting, taking pictures, looking for a good angle, and taking the picture again. The best advice I had right before leaving the US for the first time was not to worry too much about pictures of monuments or places; skilled photographers with better equipment and experience have made postcards that capture the physical place better than I ever could.

When we go abroad—for study, work, travel, or to volunteer—the camera should be a tool that is used to enhance the experience, not a barrier to living.

A group of study abroad students in rural Morocco, posing with a family that they have just spent three hours visiting. After a frank and earnest conversation about life in rural Morocco and the students’ diversity of experiences in America, sharing a meal together prepared by students and the family, and a bit of cultural exchange through sharing music and dance, this picture serves as a way to remember the experiences of the afternoon and the personal connections with individuals. (Photo courtesy of K. Rosenbaum)

Here are 4 ways to experiment with your photo-taking habits when abroad:

1. For group shots, designate one camera as the “group picture” camera instead of waiting for a photograph to be taken with every single camera there. It’s easy to share through Facebook or email, and it will give everyone more time to explore and less time rolling your eyes and plastering on a mouth-aching smile, hearing “Oh, John had his eyes closed! One more!”

2. Take a week where if someone you know isn’t the focus of the picture, stick to postcards for pictures of monuments or places.

3. Take one week where you limit yourself to just one photograph a day of a really striking moment. Allow yourself to break the rule every now and then, but really try to focus on capturing the most important or inspiring moment each day on camera.  When you go home or look back at your pictures, you’ll probably have a lot more to say about that one photograph and why it was important to you than you would an entire week’s worth of normal pictures.

4. Keep a small notebook and take “written snapshots” of the moment, or make a journal your most prized possession instead of pictures. Rather than photographing the chaos of a market, write down how it feels, sounds, looks, and smells, as well as the feelings or emotions that it evokes, or why it inspired you to want to take a picture.

If the goal for traveling abroad is creating memories and seeing new things, photography can capture these moments, and photos are great keepsakes.

To go beyond simply sightseeing, I challenge travelers to put away the camera from time to time and to really engage in the moment and experience life without the barrier of a viewfinder.

About the Author: Kathryn (Katy) Rosenbaum’s love of exploring cultures and language stemmed from an early age when she kept a “foreign treasures” drawer under her bed with maps, stamps, coins, and even candy wrappers in foreign languages. This interest in knowing “The Other” continued as an adult, and after working with immigrants and refugees in Atlanta at a women’s health clinic, Kathryn joined Peace Corps Morocco as a health education volunteer. She stayed in-country with Morocco Exchange, where she developed, managed, and led short-term cultural immersion programs for U.S. university students. Kathryn recently moved back to Raleigh, North Carolina and is currently working on a grant project out of N.C. State that partners with local communities to improve access to healthy, affordable foods and places to be active. She is constantly seeking opportunities to encourage students and young adults to experience studying, volunteering, or working abroad.




Re-entry: Problems and Solutions

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reentryproblems

#ReentryProblems

This is the Twitter hashtag that my interns insisted that we use to get the word out about a new re-entry tool that we have created.

Because re-entry problems exist and as educators we do our best to address them through gatherings, conferences and one on one mentoring.

But we’re busy.  Really busy.

So, Melibee Global spent the better part of the spring and summer mulling over this topic. We asked ourselves how we could support educators who had little time to creatively address re-entry.

And we came up with a tool that is full of solutions.  Without focusing on what others are doing in the re-entry arena, we took out a blank piece of paper (or computer screen!) and imagined endless possibilities of how we could help educators encourage reflection after an experience abroad. We had countless meetings.  We tossed exercises that didn’t meet our standards.  We kept pushing and developed something we are really proud of.

We narrowed the list down to 14 re-entry exercises that encourage reflection and action.  You heard me right – 14!

These exercises are ideal for re-entry gatherings.  Some are playful.  Some are a bit more heady.  Some are 45 minutes.  Some are 2 hours.  We designed variations to enhance creativity.  We created a 1, 2 or 3 bee system to denote if the exercise is easy or takes some work to prepare. And we put it all together into a PDF that will be a great addition to your resource library.

To encourage dialogue around re-entry, we are setting up a FORUM space for anyone who purchases the tool.  This way you can share tips on the exercises, any new variations and ideas that spring to mind.

After all, we are big believers in collaboration.  It is so much better than competition!

This new re-entry tool will be ready in September.  It is in the hands of Melibee’s talented design team and they are handling it with great care.

Did I mention that it will be ridiculously affordable?  After all, we are Melibee – inspiring innovative international ideas – but they won’t break your bank, no matter your budget!

Click HERE for more information about this tool – Beyond Abroad:  Innovative Re-entry Exercises.

 

 

 




International Education Week Ideas for 2012

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internationaledweek2012

This year I challenged the Melibee Global interns to dig deep and come up with even more innovation around International Education Week 2012.  As always, they delivered!  Senior Melibee intern, Danielle Sleeper compiled the team’s great tip in today’s guest post.

This year, International Education Week will take place between November 12th – 16th. It can be a challenge to come up with new and creative educational programming year after year after year. But just when you think you are at your wits end, we at Melibee Global Education are here to help! Our uber-talented intern team recently put their thinking caps together well in advance of International Education Week (IEW) 2012 so that you are well-prepared come this school year.

Drum roll please…

Here are ten inspirational, innovative, international education ideas that will make your IEW 2012 unforgettable:

  1. Host a slang session: Dunno what chevere means? That’s wack! Invite native speakers of various language groups to teach non-native speakers some common colloquialisms or fun slang that will help non-native speakers learn how people really speak in daily life with one another. Examples can be words that are currently popular with youth (ie: such as YOLO here in the US), or idiomatic expressions that are difficult for non-native learners to understand (example from France: Il est un lapin chaud (literally ‘He is a hot rabbit’ used to describe a very flirtatious male). At the end of the session, see if participants can stage a short skit where they act out a dialogue using the new slang they have learned.
  2. Organize a foreign book club: Choose a contemporary foreign novel (available both in English and the native language if possible) or a globally-themed book and publicize it well in advance of IEW, so that interested participants may read it. Organize a coffeehouse gathering or roundtable discussion about the book, incorporating discussion about any differences between contemporary American novels and the chosen novel. Depending on the novel that you choose, this could lead into discussion about certain contemporary issues for that region. Some books we recommend are by Melibee speakers – Giving With Gratitude: Lessons Learned Living in West Africa by Katie Krueger (you can purchase it below) and Village Wisdom by Carrie Wagner. Find a longer suggested book list here: http://melibeeglobal.com/books-etc/
  3. Tap into Twitter and initiate an IEW Tweet-off: Come up with a hashtag specific to your institution (ex: IEWeekFSU). Post fliers around campus publicizing the hashtag so that students know they are invited to share their ideas, thoughts, and experiences with international education throughout the week. At the end of the week or during a large event that is part of your IEW, consider posting some of the tweets on a big mural or setting up a computer station that projects the live Twitter feed. Two great tools to project Tweets at live events are available at Visible Tweets and #twubs.
  4. Dance dance dance at an IEW Flash Mob: Promote IEW at your campus by raising awareness through a fun and entertaining flash mob. After speaking with administrators to ensure that it will not be disruptive to classes, choose a time and location to stage the flash mob. Have participants all hold a sign or poster promoting IEW to use at the designated time, use international music in different languages, and try out dance moves from a different country. Be creative as you want—the goal is to get as many people as possible to see the flash mob and wonder what IEW is …and want to find out more. Here is  a video to keep you inspired: YouTube Preview Image
  5. Inform the Campus about International Student Mobility: Post the Institute for International Education’s Open Doors Report figures for your institution around your school to raise awareness of where your institution stands in relation to other institutions. Tie this in with institutional initiatives to show how your institution has made progress or to demonstrate how much more work you still need to do. Put up posters, make mini fliers to leave on tables, Tweet the facts, and have people hand out fliers around campus to get the stats out!
  6. International Radio: If your school has a campus-wide radio or TV station, see if you can get them to set aside an hour each day to play international songs or show international music videos. Tie in IEW campaign material to ensure students are aware that IEW is occurring at your campus! You can find some stimulating music selections on Melibee’s 8tracks list found here: http://8tracks.com/melibeeglobal
  7. Sound off at the Global Monologues (a la Vagina Monologues): For this event, students with global experience can write a two to four minute monologue about their time abroad, thoughts on cultural identity, or perspectives on world affairs and submit it. Pick the top 10 or 15 submissions for a performance on campus! Encourage reflections and stories that are comical, serious, light-hearted, sad, etc. Our Melibee Speakers, Will McInerney and Kane Smego, are professional spoken word artists who would be happy to help your students articulate their reflections and practice performance. Hold their workshop at the beginning of IEW for all students and plan a performance as the week’s final event.
  8. Facilitate an Interfaith Dialogue Series: Invite leadership from the spiritual life center on your campus and different places of worship in the greater local community to host a brown-bag lunch dialogue series about interfaith issues. Ensure a variety of religious (and non-religious) leadership is represented. Topics to explore include: The influence of religion and secularism on culture and daily life, the significance of religion and secularism in citizen diplomacy, or the intersection of faith and sustainable living. Another creative approach to this event is to invite Melibee speaker, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, to lead a conversation on how Islam teaches about protecting the planet.
  9. Blog about a ‘Day in the Life’: Partner with another university (or several) abroad, and invite students on campus and overseas to take pictures of their daily life to share on a joint blog platform (e.g. WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, etc). Students use digital cameras to take pictures of their personal life and culture for one week, posting a new picture on the blog each day. To culminate, host a virtual celebration via Skype or Google Hangout for participating students to meet.  Be sure to include your international students from your campus too!
  10. Host an International Bake Sale: Whose cuisine reigns supreme? Invite students, faculty, staff, and others from the campus community to contribute baked goods from around the world that are new to people and sell as a way to raise money for an important global cause.

And if those are enough ideas, check out our previous IEW blog posts:

2011: http://melibeeglobal.com/2011/09/innovative-ideas-for-international-education-week-2011/

2010: http://melibeeglobal.com/2010/10/top-ten-ideas-for-international-education-week/

2009: http://melibeeglobal.com/2009/10/international-education-week-2009-nov-16-20/

Whenever possible, make sure to involve other groups on campus. Depending on the campus culture, reach out to Greek life, sports teams, arts and culture organizations, GLBT clubs, acapella groups, the spiritual life center, health and wellness center, everyone! Not only will you reach a wider audience and capitalize on some cool creativity, you will also be able to distribute the burden of planning and organization.

Finally, visit the State Department’s official website for International Education Week and stay up-to-date on its Facebook page. (At the moment, it appears the IEW Facebook page has more current information).

We look forward to your shared ideas in the comment section below! Happy International Education Week 2012!

About the Author:  Danielle Sleeper is Melibee’s Senior Intern.  Read more about her here.

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Science Tour in Germany 2012

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DAAD Science TOur in Germany

Science Tour “Research in Germany” 2012: Understanding Biodiversity and Climate Change

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) invites scientists and administrators from universities and research institutions to participate in a tour with focus on interdisciplinary research in biodiversity and climate change in Germany. The dates are November 25 to December 1, 2012. The call addresses foreign researchers and administrators who are attempting to initiate close cooperation with German colleagues, either in their specific research area or at an institutional level.

The Topic

Understanding biodiversity and climate change is an enormous task for the scientific community. Mastering this challenge might be decisive for the future well-being of mankind. International and interdisciplinary cooperation is an essential precondition for successful work in this area. Germany has made considerable endeavors in fostering new research approaches. Outstanding examples will be presented to the participants of the tour.  The tour will provide an overview of cutting-edge research at German universities and non-university research institutions, as well as graduate education at the interface of various disciplines. Comprehensive information on funding opportunities for cooperation in education and research will also be provided.

The Program

In order to provide an optimum basis for the initiation of joint projects, the program will focus on issues related to biodiversity and climate change. However, due to the broad range of institutions involved, we expect the tour to be valuable to participants with more general interests as well.

Presently, visits to the following institutions are planned (tbc):  Universities

Research Institutions

  • Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena  (http://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de/)
  • The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ (http://www.ufz.de)
  • German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research – iDiv (Institute in construction)

(http://www.idiv-biodiversity.de/)

The Program starts on Sunday, 25 November at 5pm in Jena.

The DAAD is responsible for the organization and implementation of the tour.  All program-related costs in Germany (accommodation, travel, most meals) will be borne by the DAAD. International travel will be at the participants’ expense.

Who May Apply?

There are two types of applicants:

Research Application: Applicants are typically experienced scientists with a research profile in the topic of the science tour and with a strong interest in international cooperation. They must have held a PhD/doctorate for at least two years and be affiliated with a non-German university/research institute

Application for Administrators: Applicants are policy makers in national agencies and other experts in the fields of science and higher education.

All applicants should be in a position to initiate and to manage major projects in cutting-edge research or educational cooperation. They should not have recently participated in another informational trip to Germany. German language skills are not essential, as the program will be conducted in English.

Your Application

To apply and for more information, please visit the website www.research-in-germany.de/sciencetour2012 and send us your CV, a list of publications, and a letter of motivation (one page).

The application deadline is 15 September, 2012.

Next Steps:

15 September:             Application Deadline

15-30 September:        Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee

1-5 October:                Applicants receive their letters of acceptance or refusal

Sunday, 25 November, 5pm:     Start of the Science Tour Program

About “Research in Germany”

The “Science Tour” is part of the initiative to “Promote Innovation and Research in Germany”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Under the brand “Research in Germany – Land of Ideas”, various activities are being organized in order to strengthen and expand R&D collaboration between Germany and international partners. The topic Biodiversity and Climate Change was chosen on the occasion of the BMBF Science Year 2012 – Project EARTH: Our Future.

 

 

 

 

 

 




Where Does Travel Fit Into Your Life Narrative?

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I’m delighted to share today’s guest blog post by Dale Davidson.  While we all know that travel is enjoyable and transformational, Dale’s piece challenges us to consider the role of travel in our lives in a much more serious light.

The Importance of Narratives

The most intolerable situation for most people is ambiguity. I’m not talking about situational ambiguity. I’m talking about the greater existential ambiguity that most people find themselves at one point or another. Not knowing what you want for dinner is ambiguous, but not that ambiguous. Not knowing what you’re doing with your life is the type of ambiguity that can paralyze you. It can lead to severe bouts of depression and self-pity.

For example, I chose a life narrative out of high school that worked really well for a long time. I was going to college and was planning on becoming a Navy SEAL. I took all the right steps. I received an NROTC scholarship, I was commissioned as an officer in the Navy, and I headed out to San Diego to begin training after I graduated.

Once I realized that path wasn’t for me, I ditched that narrative. But for a long time I was pretty happy pursuing that path. If you’re unhappy, you might want to reconsider your life narrative and see if any of the below situations apply to you:

If you don’t have a life narrative, you are probably unhappy. If you have no idea what you want to do with your life and haven’t adopted a “quest” narrative in which you are actively searching for your purpose, you will be unhappy.

If you have a life narrative that is incomplete, you are probably unhappy.  We’ll go in to the elements of a good narrative below, but sometimes you just need more things in your life.  Perhaps you’re in a career where you can’t advance any further. Maybe adding a spouse or child to the story line will make it more complete.

If you have a life narrative that is inconsistent with your personality, your present circumstances, and your goals, you are probably unhappy. I realized the military was completely incompatible with my personality, so I became unhappy. If you have adopted the narrative of the entrepreneur and you haven’t taken any action, you’ll be unhappy. Make sure you add some level of consistency in your narratives.

The Elements of a Good Narrative

The elements of a great story also apply to life narratives. Here are a few things you need for a fulfilling life narrative:

a)     A protagonist. This is you. You need to be the center of your life narrative. You are the focus of your story.

b)     A plot. Most cultures do an excellent job of giving you at least an adequate plot. If you’re a middle class American, the plot line involves getting into a good college, working hard, raising a family, and accumulating wealth. Along the way, you’ll face challenges and uncertainty, but these are still consistent with the larger narrative of the American Dream. Here are a few other things that are typically found in engaging and exciting plots:

-          Personal growth/character development

-          Obstacles

-          Passion

-          Struggle

-          Sacrifice

-          Success

-          Tragedy

c)     A noble goal – If you’re just starting out, your noble goal may be to just get stable, to get a job and to support yourself. Later, you may devote your life to helping poor kids in Africa. The point is you should have a purpose for existing that is meaningful to you.

Why “Traveler” is a Terrible Identity and an Incomplete Life Narrative

The act of traveling offers almost none of the things that a great narrative needs. There is a protagonist, certainly, but there is no greater plot.

If you think that becoming a permanent vagabond will make you happy, you are wrong. Vagabonding doesn’t have a purpose. There are no major obstacles to overcome (other than things like food poisoning or being stranded or things of that nature). There is no sense of progress other than superficial progress. You may think getting a 100 visa stamps is important and it may give you the feeling of real progress, but it is ultimately unfulfilling.

In fact, I’m quite certain that the nomadic lifestyle on its own is a recipe for unhappiness. At its best, it is a temporary narrative.

The Role Travel Should Play in Your Life Narrative

If you look at the self-declared vagabonds out there, you will notice that they all have a much bigger life narrative. Travel becomes a major, but subservient part to their great purpose.

The most successful travel bloggers and writers have identities outside of travel. They are writers, they are business owners, and they are influencers. They know what progress looks like because they have clear narratives. They can put setbacks in the context of their life narratives. If a travel writer’s book doesn’t sell or is poorly received, it can be clearly categorized as a setback or obstacle to be overcome on their path to becoming the best travel writer of all time.

People tend to view travel as the goal. You save for a round the world trip and you’ll magically be happy when you’re sipping delicious beverages on the beach.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If you’re adopting the traveler narrative, the obstacles are relatively trivial and of little consequence. How meaningful is it really that you can live off 5 dollars a day in Germany? Not very.

The only way travel will make you happy is if you make it consistent with a greater life narrative.

Here are some great ways travel can fit your life narrative:

  1. As a tool for self-knowledge. I especially like this one because travel gave me new insights into my personality as well as things I do and do not enjoy doing. For example, travel helped Kristin of {r}evolution apparel that she wouldn’t be happy at a desk job. Instead, she chose to become an entrepreneur, a much more complete narrative in which travel played a crucial but subservient role.
  2. As inspiration. Maybe travel will help you write a novel. Maybe you’ll be inspired to learn more. Maybe you’ll spend more time volunteering. Travel is an excellent inspirational tool. The important thing is to remember it’s a tool. A hammer can’t give you happiness, but a home that you build for yourself and raise your family in can make you happy.
  3. As rest. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using travel to re-energize and re-focus. Travel doesn’t have to be anything more than that.

The “Travel as Mastery” manifesto supports travel as an opportunity for deliberate practice in other areas of your life. It was borne of the firm belief that travel is most meaningful when it’s used in the service of a greater goal, a greater narrative. If you support this idea, feel free to shared the manifesto.

About the Author: Dale is the co-founder of TrekDek, a travel company dedicated to helping people use travel as a way to gain mastery. You can sign up for the Travel as Mastery Newsletter to read more about “Travel As Mastery.” When not working on TrekDek, Dale spends his time writing for his own blog, Dale Thoughts, and coordinating camel rentals for a defense company (yes, camels).

 

 

Note: Missy added this book – as Dale’s post reminded me of how travel is so much more than we often think it is:

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Ramadan Begins: Newlyweds

On By

And so begins Melibee’s first Ramadan guest blog post series!  Today’s post is by a friend – let’s call her Michelle – who met and fell in love with a Muslim Moroccan man – let’s call him Yassine.  To kick off this series, we have decided to not focus on who she and her husband are, but rather their story of Ramadan.  Enjoy!

Tomorrow begins my first Ramadan married to my husband. Well, no. I’m not quite sure—different sources say different things. Tomorrow may be the first day of the month of Ramadan, or it might be the next day. It depends on the moon, and the local mosque will be posting exactly when Ramadan starts. Until then, I don’t really know if tomorrow will start the month of fasting, or the next day. It might go against my American attitude to not know, but it’s one of the beautiful things about life that Morocco has taught me to accept and appreciate: letting go of control.

But it’s hard sometimes.

As a non-Muslim woman who is married to a fantastic man who will be fasting (abstaining from all food, drink, cigarettes, obscene language, and sexual contact) from sunrise to sunset for thirty days, I’ve been nervous about what it’s going to be like in the US. It’s his first Ramadan here, and his first Ramadan outside a fairly large community of Muslims.

Though I love Islam and have the utmost respect for the religion and its followers, I hate to admit that I’ve almost been dreading Ramadan because it’s such a lifestyle change and such an unknown. I constantly find myself thinking about the negative aspects of it: dealing with hungry and sometimes grumpy people, or people who are going through caffeine or nicotine withdrawal, changing schedules drastically, and not even being able to touch my husband other than an accidental bump or brush until sundown.

I worry that our approximations of the foods that typically are used to break the fast–  red harrira soup, shining briouats stuffed with shrimp or beef and vermicelli noodles, or tagine stews consumed at midnight or later—won’t match up to his mother’s cooking, and he’ll feel more homesick than ever before. I worry that I will have a bad attitude at times and not support him in this expression of his faith.

It’d be easier if we were still in Morocco. After four years there, I learned to love many elements of Ramadan and look forward to it there.

I loved experiencing moments like the night that I stood at the Place des Nations Unies in downtown Casablanca—the intersection of five major thoroughfares right outside the old medina—and was shocked at the silence. Usually, the honking of horns, the exhaust fumes, and the sheer mass of cars and people is overwhelming. However, it was absolutely silent, and it was eerie. It’s almost the equivalent of Times Square completely deserted at 7:30 at night. The reason for the silence? The athnan, or call to prayer, had just finished, and everyone had gone home for iftar—the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan.

Iftar is one of the most striking and beautiful moments for me. Sitting in a friend or neighbor’s home, breaking the fast with warm milk and a sweet sticky date, watching the same Ramadan television specials that most of the country is watching, eating a similar meal to everyone else, and knowing that it’s just the beginning of what can be an invigorating night— it all makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself. Even as a non-Muslim, I felt so warmly welcomed and accepted through people’s hospitality and the privilege of sharing with families during these nights that was really one of my favorite parts of living in Morocco.

My friends talk about going to the mosque and praying at night, after iftar, shoulder to shoulder with their friends, neighbors, family, strangers and praying and listening and meditating, sometimes for hours. I wonder what that might feel like. I wonder what it’s like on the Night of Qadr to stay in a mosque all night, praying until sunrise with others. I wish there were something that tangibly intense and powerful in my own faith.

For those who don’t pray all night, or who are lucky enough to be able to have a late night without worrying about early morning work schedules, streets that are usually deserted by 10:30 pm become lively and invigorating sometimes until 2 or 3 am. You can barely make your way through major markets: old people, young people, children, families, friends all come out for shopping, eating, drinking tea or thick fruit juices, or just for a nice stroll.

There’s something to be said about the atmosphere shared by a nation and beyond. The knowing looks during the day when your throat is parched and you just want that drink of water, or the resolution that comes from feeling like faith moves you past that point of cravings. The talk shared by an entire nation no matter social class or geographical location the next day about the Ramadan TV specials…or walking past stands with piles of sesame-coated chebeykia pastries dripping with honey on the streets, circular pancakes that fall apart in spaghetti-like strands called raziza, and piles of fruit for juice. It’s invigorating. It’s so communal and feels like more of a shared experience than I’ve ever felt in the US.

But I don’t know what to expect here, at home.

Part of me wanted to encourage my husband to visit his family in Morocco for the month. We could kill a few birds with one stone, and I could continue my life uninterrupted, other than missing my traveling husband. But it didn’t work out. Ramadan is here, and so are the two of us.

Luckily, I have had a few “practice” nights over the last week. My husband fasted a few days before Ramadan, so there’s been a few nights already that at 8:30 pm, we’re eating dates, drinking tea or milk, and breaking his fast together.

The other day, we spent a few hours after work shopping for food and cooking together in the kitchen. I learned more about Islam than I had known before as I observed him doing things I hadn’t seen before.  He made a fantastic shrimp and tomato tagine, and we tag-teamed it on some delicious seafood briouats. They almost tasted like his mother’s.

Another night when we broke his fast together, we sat around the television for a few minutes after eating, and then he looked at me. “Let’s go for a walk.”

We walked for hours, doubling our “typical” route, talking about our childhoods and stories that illustrate how different our childhoods and upbringings are, but how somehow we work well together. It was a glorious night as we got home, giggling, at midnight.

It’s been easier than I thought, and I love learning more about him, his faith, and where he comes from. It’s a change, for sure, but I’m excited to see how this Ramadan goes for us. And, ultimately, I’m glad he didn’t go to Morocco, but that we’ll be able to experience this special, spiritual time together, learning, growing, and sharing.