Project Title: To Learn More About the Culture, Language, and Issues in Guatemala and Brazil
Project Author: Carlotta Abrams (Estrella Mountain)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
From May 15-May 26 of 2006, I visited Rio de Janiero Brazil and Guatemala. I visted with Professor Pierre Ohayon of the Federal University of Rio de Janiero. I attended a conference on campus presented by the center for Philosophy, science, and humanities, which primarily dealt with literature. I also visited with the international programs office at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janiero, meeting with Daniel Castro, who works with international exchanges. I toured both campusses and met professors.
I met with representatives of the Green Party of Brazil, publishers of the Aspasia publication. I also visted "not so safe" areas of Rio on the public buses. I went to a senior citizens home in such an area where I met with older Brazilians, including one who is 104 years old.
I went to the Banco do Brazil Museum, where I viewed a Cuban art exhibit. I went to the Caixa Cultural Teatro Nelson Rodrigues, and viewed an exhibit by artist Vestindo Nelson. I also went to the Centro Cultural Candido Mendes and viewed an exhibit by Iso Millman Folhas. At the Centro Cultural Correiros, I viewed an exhibit by Manfredo de Souzanetto. In addition, I went to the "Feito Amao" or place that sells handmade products made from natural goods in Brazil. I also went to a club run by the Brazilian Navy, Clube Naval, where I attended a French class and a classical music concert.
I met with Brazilian professionals, such as a chiropracter and a Black psychotherapist. I went to the offices and saw how medicine and therapy are conducted in Brazil (in translation). I also met with American Barrett Cieutat, the principal(president) of Environmental Resources management of Metarie, Louisiana; we discussed Brazilian environmental and legal matters. I also met with MTV's Tiffany Mills, who was producing MTV's Real World in Brazil. I met the cast of Real World.
In Guatemala, I met with diplomat Olliver Griffith, who is the economic counsel. We discussed the politics and economics of Central and South America, as well as issues of healthcare. I visited colonial Antigua, Guatemala, where I met with local artists and indigenous people. I also visited the Francisco Marroquin University Campus. I talked with people there about Guatemalan education, history, and economics. I visited the Museo Ixchel, a museum of Indigenous textiles. In addition, I visited the Museo Popol Vuh, where I viewed pre-Hispanic art, pre-classic, classic, and post classic art, including the Mayan era. I visited the Museo Nacional de Arquelogy y Ethnology, which had exhibits of ancient Mayan and indigenous ruins. I also went to the National Museum of Modern Art, which featured an exhibit of Latin American Art from all over Latin America.
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
I was very happy with my summer project. I was able to complete it as written, with a few unexpected meetings and additional resources garnered. I was not able to pick up as much Portuguese language as I would have liked, but my Spanish became more fluent, as I had to speak to professionals in Spanish. Ironically, I was able to attend a French class in Brazil, attended by Portuguese speakers. This was truly an unexpected cross cultural experience. I was able to learn a lot about distance learning in Brazil as well as about the use of sustainable products. I did not get to go to as many health care sights, but I was able to meet with doctors and psychologists. In the less affluent parts of the countries, and travelling on public transit, I was able to blend in well with the local and even indigenous cultures.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
This project was professionally valuable to me in that I learned to function well in other cultures, utilizing primarily Spanish, which is very important for my work at a Hispanic Serving Institution. I learned so much about the politics, economics, and environment of these countries that I could not have garnered from a book. I met with doctors, professors, environmental consultants and even actors. When I teach about these regions in cultural anthropology or literature classes, I have a fresh perspective with which to present the materials. I have a new perspective on the roles of multinational corporations in South and Central America. Talking to indigenous people and diplomats, I began to understand first hand how, for instance, the war in Central America has not made things better for the people. As part of the international students club, I can now have more sensitivity to the issues that face our students from this region. I can share with my colleagues this new found information.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
I plan to incorporate this material into my cultural anthropology class, ASB 102, which I am presently in training to turn into a hybrid course. I will use the images from my project to share information on indigenous cultures. I plan to also be part of international dialouges that occur on my campus,sharing information on my project. I will also work with the international students club to share my findings. I will continue an ongoing dialouge with the professors and professionals that I met.
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01863