Archive | August, 2010

Fall Classes Begin

23 Aug

Summer is ending and Fall classes begin this week at American University.

This semester, I’m taking Communication for Social and Economic Development, Topics in International Media: Propaganda and Media, and Cross-Cultural Communication.  I’m also taking three sets of one-credit weekend classes this semester.  In addition to classes, I have a Graduate Assistantship position for ten hours a week, that will hopefully be figured out this week.

I’m sad summer is almost over, but I’m excited for a busy Fall semester.

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Summer Reflections

16 Aug

In light of publicly “launching” my online portfolio and the close of the New Media Practices class, I’d like to reflect on my work this summer.

My travels with PADF and the OAS this summer were amazing and enlightening. This was my first actual “business trip” so I learned a lot about business trip etiquette. I only traveled with my supervisor to one of the four different countries that I visited with PADF and the OAS this summer. I have to say, it’s a little unnerving to sit on a plane with your boss for six hours at a time.

I traveled to the Dominican Republic and Trinidad completely by myself. This is the first time I’ve been abroad completely alone, and I feel very proud of myself. Of course, I learned about the culture of all the places I visited. I think that by now, I’ve pretty much mastered the kiss that many Latin Americans use to greet each other.

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Back from Trinidad!

12 Aug

I had a productive and enjoyable visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

I interviewed a recipient of the OAS scholarship (my main reason for the visit), a professor of communications at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).  I also did some interviewed for another OAS video from a different department.  These interviewees were teachers who are a part of the Interamerican Teacher Educator Network, an OAS initiative to connect teachers across the Americas and the Caribbean.

One of the teachers that I interviewed actually offered to show me some sites around that area of the country and get some local food.  I got to see a lot more of the country than I thought I would be able in my short visit.

I sampled coconut water (which you drink from a straw straight out of a young coconut).  I also tried the national beer, “Carib.”

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Off to Trinidad!

3 Aug

I’m leaving tonight for Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. I am working on the Organization of American States on a video to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the OAS scholarship program. The video will mostly consist of interviews with former recipients of the scholarship.

My main assignment is will be interviewing the Director of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, a former recipient of the OAS scholarship. Since most of my filming will take place only in one day, the OAS asked if I’d like to stay in Trinidad for a couple of extra days (paying for my own food and hotel after Day 2 in Trinidad) since they are arranging the flights for me. I took them up on it since I’ve never been to Trinidad before, so I will be there for a week.

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