Life has been a whirlwind of activity since my last blog post. I finished my second quarter and am one class away from finishing the third. My thesis production is in full swing and will be my full-time activity during the summer break that will officially begin on December 20th.
The following is a short description of my thesis:
The objective of my thesis is to question the claim proposed by key authors, such as Connie McNeely, in the field of education multilateralism that ideas and conceptions of education that are diffused by international organizations have a homogenizing effect on national education policies and practices by analyzing 1) to what point two overlapping ideas of education that are disseminated by the World Bank and UNESCO and not just one idea exist, 2) how these two overlapping ideas of education converge and diverge, and 3) how these two ideas of education manifest themselves in the education policy and practice in Argentina between 2001 and 2008.
I will be taking a constructivist theoretical approach (i.e. the approach that "ideas" matter in international relations and the behavior of States) to my thesis and will employ more constructivist investigative methods such as discourse analysis.
In addition, my time has been busy with various Rotary presentations about the World Action Week for the Global Campaign for Education in which I became involved last year. Unfortunately, my life has gotten a little too busy so I am not going to be participating as actively with the Campaign from here on out. However, I am staying in contact with the Campaign and continuing to link Rotary with the education rights efforts of the Campaign. The picture is of me at the Catedral del Sur Rotary Club in Buenos Aires. They meet in the famous Café Tortoni that was founded in 1858 and is where some of the most famous Argentina writers and artists would spend their time.
Apart from these endeavors, I have been doing a lot of yoga and trying to find time to write new songs and sing. On December 21, I leave for Brazil for the holidays and then will receive a visitor from back home in January. I'll post pictures upon my return.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Travels with Jane
About three weeks ago, I had a short break from school so I decided it was time to get out of the city. I'd been feeling overwhelmed with the pace of Buenos Aires and, well, feeling lonely as well. Regardless, I thought that some time in the small town of Colón on the Rio Uruguay would do me some good. This trip was sort of a whim so I purchased my bus ticket the night before I left and didn't bother to make any hotel reservations...I thought to myself..."last resort...I'll just sleep along the river". ha ha.
The next morning I settled into my seat, already more relaxed just knowing that I was headed into the "interior" de Argentina. I took out my journal and wrote this to myself: "What I need is emotional homeopathy...treat lonliness with being alone". I convinced myself that that was what I needed.
Content with my myself for being so insightful (ha ha), I took out my thermos with hot water to have mate (kind of like tea, but drunk from a gourd with a metal straw and usually shared with others). There was a girl sitting next to me, Deborah, so I decided that it would be nice to offer her mate. She accepted and we started talking about the usual first time questions (Where are you from? What are you doing here? etc.). Deborah was also headed to Colón, not for vacation but to go back to school there after her vacation. She then asked me where I would be staying in Colón. I, of course, told her that I had no idea and she became very concerned, telling me that everything would be booked with it being winter break and all. I laughed and told her that I was going to camp along the river. She responed by saying, "oh no, you can stay with me and family." I didn't really take it seriously, but then 20 minutes later she says to me, "my brother said it would be okay if you stayed with us". Wow...she was serious...hmmm...I still wasn't convinced...I mean, after all, I need my "emotional homeopathy."
We arrived to Colón a few hours later. I accompanied Deborah to her house since she was going to take a taxi into town from the bus station. Of course, upon arriving, her sister-in-law, Gisela, invited me to drink mate with them. By 6 p.m. Gisela and Deborah told me to just to stay with them just like it were a hotel. I still wasn't convinced so I told them that I would go look for a hotel and would come back to get my things after I found one. I left and began to walk around town. As I made my way into the center, something said to me..."why are you going to refuse such generosity?" So I didn't even bother to look any further, I returned and ended up staying the entire four days with Gisela, Deborah, Sergio (Deborah's brother), and Orly (the dog).
There generosity was so, to say the least, amazing and touching. Deborah gave me her room and slept in Gisela and Sergio's room while Gisela and Sergio migrated to the kitchen and slept on a mattress there for four days. We ate together, had an "asado", drank mate, laughed, and had a wonderful time together. It was funny because I got exactly the opposite of what I convinced myself that I needed. In other words, I got to be with family, which is what I needed more than my stoic "emotional homeopathy". ha ha
I did have some important moments alone, though, as well. The first morning I woke up early to a day that was wonderfully sunny. I got up, put my bathing suit (hey...it didn't matter that were in the middle of winter...if it's sunny and there is a river...I am going to be in it. ha ha) and running clothes on and took off. I ran for about a half hour until I got out of town on the part of the river where the forest was left to its own devices. I came this amazing the little beach hidden away behind trees and bushes. I thought, yep, this is my spot. I rushed to take my clothes off and get in the water. I felt really alive (maybe the near freezing temperature of the water confirmed this. ha ha) swimming in the cold water with the sun blazing down on me making it bearable. :-) I ended up being gone for nearly three hours...lost in thought and prayer and meditation and just being there...
The other days I went to some nearby thermal baths and just sat by the river. The last night the family had a huge "asado" (kind of like a bbq) with every type of meat imaginable. The next morning they sent me off with good-bye gifts and hugs at the bus stations.
So, in the end, I got exactly what I needed, in spite of myself. And I think this beautiful family maybe got a little something of what they needed from me being in their home. We have to have faith that we do, indeed, get what is best for us in life if we keep our hearts (and minds..which gets in the way sometimes) open.
More info about Mate: http://www.noborders.net/mate/
The next morning I settled into my seat, already more relaxed just knowing that I was headed into the "interior" de Argentina. I took out my journal and wrote this to myself: "What I need is emotional homeopathy...treat lonliness with being alone". I convinced myself that that was what I needed.
Content with my myself for being so insightful (ha ha), I took out my thermos with hot water to have mate (kind of like tea, but drunk from a gourd with a metal straw and usually shared with others). There was a girl sitting next to me, Deborah, so I decided that it would be nice to offer her mate. She accepted and we started talking about the usual first time questions (Where are you from? What are you doing here? etc.). Deborah was also headed to Colón, not for vacation but to go back to school there after her vacation. She then asked me where I would be staying in Colón. I, of course, told her that I had no idea and she became very concerned, telling me that everything would be booked with it being winter break and all. I laughed and told her that I was going to camp along the river. She responed by saying, "oh no, you can stay with me and family." I didn't really take it seriously, but then 20 minutes later she says to me, "my brother said it would be okay if you stayed with us". Wow...she was serious...hmmm...I still wasn't convinced...I mean, after all, I need my "emotional homeopathy."
We arrived to Colón a few hours later. I accompanied Deborah to her house since she was going to take a taxi into town from the bus station. Of course, upon arriving, her sister-in-law, Gisela, invited me to drink mate with them. By 6 p.m. Gisela and Deborah told me to just to stay with them just like it were a hotel. I still wasn't convinced so I told them that I would go look for a hotel and would come back to get my things after I found one. I left and began to walk around town. As I made my way into the center, something said to me..."why are you going to refuse such generosity?" So I didn't even bother to look any further, I returned and ended up staying the entire four days with Gisela, Deborah, Sergio (Deborah's brother), and Orly (the dog).
There generosity was so, to say the least, amazing and touching. Deborah gave me her room and slept in Gisela and Sergio's room while Gisela and Sergio migrated to the kitchen and slept on a mattress there for four days. We ate together, had an "asado", drank mate, laughed, and had a wonderful time together. It was funny because I got exactly the opposite of what I convinced myself that I needed. In other words, I got to be with family, which is what I needed more than my stoic "emotional homeopathy". ha ha
I did have some important moments alone, though, as well. The first morning I woke up early to a day that was wonderfully sunny. I got up, put my bathing suit (hey...it didn't matter that were in the middle of winter...if it's sunny and there is a river...I am going to be in it. ha ha) and running clothes on and took off. I ran for about a half hour until I got out of town on the part of the river where the forest was left to its own devices. I came this amazing the little beach hidden away behind trees and bushes. I thought, yep, this is my spot. I rushed to take my clothes off and get in the water. I felt really alive (maybe the near freezing temperature of the water confirmed this. ha ha) swimming in the cold water with the sun blazing down on me making it bearable. :-) I ended up being gone for nearly three hours...lost in thought and prayer and meditation and just being there...
The other days I went to some nearby thermal baths and just sat by the river. The last night the family had a huge "asado" (kind of like a bbq) with every type of meat imaginable. The next morning they sent me off with good-bye gifts and hugs at the bus stations.
So, in the end, I got exactly what I needed, in spite of myself. And I think this beautiful family maybe got a little something of what they needed from me being in their home. We have to have faith that we do, indeed, get what is best for us in life if we keep our hearts (and minds..which gets in the way sometimes) open.
More info about Mate: http://www.noborders.net/mate/
August, 2008 updates
Yes..it's official. I am coming home to Portland on September 8 and I can't wait to see everyone!!!!!!! Although I will be, of course, spending lots of quality time with my loved ones, I will also be participating in a two-day Centre for Applied Non-Violence Action and Strategies (CANVAS) training as part of the Peace and Justice Studies Association annual conference. Back in March, I applied for one of only 30 slots in this training, which has not been offered in North America previosly. The CANVAS approach was successfully applied in South Africa, Ukraine, and Serbia. You can learn more at http://www.canvasopedia.org/. It is an honor and an exciting opportunity to be able to participate in the training.
I successfully finished my first term in the master's program. Although I have not received my final grades, I feel very good about the outcome. The new term has begun with four classes:
Public International Law,International Security,International Political Economy,Development Models and Processes in Latin America
I have a lighter load this semester, which is good because I hope to get a headstart on my thesis (To be determined shortly).
I successfully finished my first term in the master's program. Although I have not received my final grades, I feel very good about the outcome. The new term has begun with four classes:
Public International Law,International Security,International Political Economy,Development Models and Processes in Latin America
I have a lighter load this semester, which is good because I hope to get a headstart on my thesis (To be determined shortly).
Thursday, July 24, 2008
July updates from Argentina
Let's see...
it got a little bit crazy at the end of my because the first term ended and I had four 5000-7000 word papers to write. However, I got them all written and one of them may well turn into my thesis. I have thinking of writing on the topic of the existence of two concepts of education that exist at the international level: education as a human right and education as a commodity, the inherent contradiction that exists between the two, and the impact it has on implementing the Education for All goals in developing nations. Anyhow, that is a very general explanation. As it develops, I will keep you posted. The new semester has begun and is proving to be a bit more relaxed than the first semester. I think that the more relaxing feel has more to do with my being accostomed to student life once again. I am taking four courses: Public International Law, International Security, International Political Economy, and Development Models and Processes of Latin America. With regards to Rotary involvement, I have been working with my counselor on coming up with strategies for involving Rotary here in Argentina in the education campaign that I proposed to Rotary back home. I hope that having Rotary on board in Argentina will prove useful in obtaining support back in the U.S. I also am working on getting more funds for some projects that the Argentine Campaign for Educational Rights is trying to realize. Recently, I sang along with my roommate at the change of presidential authority event for my host Rotary Club. My counselor became president, which made the night very special. You can go to my blog to see pictures and a short video of me singing. In October, I will be presenting on the World Peace Fellowship at a Rotary conference in Mar de Plata. In other areas, I will be coming home in September to Portland to attend a unique training provided by the Centre for Nonviolence Action and Strategies (CANVAS) as part of the Peace and Justice Studies Association annual conference. I applied for one of only 30 slots of this training that is being offered for the first time in North America. The CANVAS approach was successfully employed in Serbia, South Africa, and Ukraine. It is a unique opportunity to be able to participate in this training and doubly so in my own home town. Let's see...my acting career ;-) is also coming along...we'll see how famous I become in Argentina before leaving next year. I have been writing songs and singing whenever I have the chance. I am glad that you have so many qualified applicants. Was it helpful to be able to send more than one Peace Fellow candidate to Rotary Foundation this year? It sounds like they were having a hard time getting enough qualified applicants. By the way, congratulations on retirement. Are you looking forward to it, not really, or having mixed feelings. Well..it's really late so I best be going.
Un abrazo fuerte, Jane
You can read more and see pictures on Jane's personal blog at:
http://janespeaceoftheworldforum.blogspot.com/
it got a little bit crazy at the end of my because the first term ended and I had four 5000-7000 word papers to write. However, I got them all written and one of them may well turn into my thesis. I have thinking of writing on the topic of the existence of two concepts of education that exist at the international level: education as a human right and education as a commodity, the inherent contradiction that exists between the two, and the impact it has on implementing the Education for All goals in developing nations. Anyhow, that is a very general explanation. As it develops, I will keep you posted. The new semester has begun and is proving to be a bit more relaxed than the first semester. I think that the more relaxing feel has more to do with my being accostomed to student life once again. I am taking four courses: Public International Law, International Security, International Political Economy, and Development Models and Processes of Latin America. With regards to Rotary involvement, I have been working with my counselor on coming up with strategies for involving Rotary here in Argentina in the education campaign that I proposed to Rotary back home. I hope that having Rotary on board in Argentina will prove useful in obtaining support back in the U.S. I also am working on getting more funds for some projects that the Argentine Campaign for Educational Rights is trying to realize. Recently, I sang along with my roommate at the change of presidential authority event for my host Rotary Club. My counselor became president, which made the night very special. You can go to my blog to see pictures and a short video of me singing. In October, I will be presenting on the World Peace Fellowship at a Rotary conference in Mar de Plata. In other areas, I will be coming home in September to Portland to attend a unique training provided by the Centre for Nonviolence Action and Strategies (CANVAS) as part of the Peace and Justice Studies Association annual conference. I applied for one of only 30 slots of this training that is being offered for the first time in North America. The CANVAS approach was successfully employed in Serbia, South Africa, and Ukraine. It is a unique opportunity to be able to participate in this training and doubly so in my own home town. Let's see...my acting career ;-) is also coming along...we'll see how famous I become in Argentina before leaving next year. I have been writing songs and singing whenever I have the chance. I am glad that you have so many qualified applicants. Was it helpful to be able to send more than one Peace Fellow candidate to Rotary Foundation this year? It sounds like they were having a hard time getting enough qualified applicants. By the way, congratulations on retirement. Are you looking forward to it, not really, or having mixed feelings. Well..it's really late so I best be going.
Un abrazo fuerte, Jane
You can read more and see pictures on Jane's personal blog at:
http://janespeaceoftheworldforum.blogspot.com/
Thursday, February 21, 2008
First Report, First Impressions from Buenos Aires
In the Beginning...
Argentina has aleady been an extremely interesting experience already. After 28 hours of flight from Portland to Denver to New York to Buenos Aires, I arrived in a surprisingly good mood to the International airport located on the outskirts of B.A. The first thing to hit me upon entering the city was...the noise. Yes, it´s loud, active, and home to about 3 million people in the core city and this doesn´t count the other millions that live in the suburbs. Let´s just say if I thought my hearing was bad before, it´s going to really really bad now. ha ha.However, I am in love. This city is vibrant, friendly, safe, and very inviting. The family with which I live is extremely relaxed and they are obvious experts at hosting foreigners. All in all everything is going well. I do have what may be sad news for some of you. I am going to be staying for longer than I thought because the M.A. program changed so that we do our Applied Field Experience after completing all course work and thesis. Therefore, I will be moving to another country in June 2008 until September 30, 2009 to complete my internship. This is good in that I will now get my entire summer break (December 2008-February 2009) to conduct research for my thesis, host visitors, and take a little bit of vacation. ;-)
If you wish to read more about Janes impressions and her prepartions to begin the Peace and Confict Program her personal blog is http://janespeaceoftheworldforum.blogspot.com/
Argentina has aleady been an extremely interesting experience already. After 28 hours of flight from Portland to Denver to New York to Buenos Aires, I arrived in a surprisingly good mood to the International airport located on the outskirts of B.A. The first thing to hit me upon entering the city was...the noise. Yes, it´s loud, active, and home to about 3 million people in the core city and this doesn´t count the other millions that live in the suburbs. Let´s just say if I thought my hearing was bad before, it´s going to really really bad now. ha ha.However, I am in love. This city is vibrant, friendly, safe, and very inviting. The family with which I live is extremely relaxed and they are obvious experts at hosting foreigners. All in all everything is going well. I do have what may be sad news for some of you. I am going to be staying for longer than I thought because the M.A. program changed so that we do our Applied Field Experience after completing all course work and thesis. Therefore, I will be moving to another country in June 2008 until September 30, 2009 to complete my internship. This is good in that I will now get my entire summer break (December 2008-February 2009) to conduct research for my thesis, host visitors, and take a little bit of vacation. ;-)
If you wish to read more about Janes impressions and her prepartions to begin the Peace and Confict Program her personal blog is http://janespeaceoftheworldforum.blogspot.com/
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