Final Paper

Identity is a very important to everyone’s lives. No matter what is going on with your life, you have an identity of some kind. One’s identity can be anything from his/her education to his/her race or nationality. It can be one thing or several combined. Basically, your identity is how you would define yourself when asked “Who are you?” I would consider my own identity as my nationality, race, and gender. These aspects of my life all give, or take, away to my movement through the world.

As all of ours, my nationality is American. Americans are privileged in many different ways. This is the land of the free; this is where people come to escape prosecution and poverty. If I, as an American, go to the European, Australian, and even the African countries, I would be treated with a decent level of respect. The civilians typically know English as a second language so Americans don’t necessarily need to be fluent in another language. Going to the Middle Eastern countries, for example, would definitely be a downside of American. I can imagine the civilians would be very standoffish towards me and hesitant to help me around, not because they would be rude but because doing so would pose a potential danger to their own lives. The Middle Eastern government, I would think, would be downright rude and would try to delay my entrance with any and everything possible. The governments over there see Americans as a threat to their power and religion. I would not feel safe here, as I would in the European, Australian, or African countries, because of my nationality. Nationality is a key point to think about when thinking about going to a foreign country.

Again, as most of us are, I am of the Caucasian race. Here in the United States, white is definitely the dominant race. Being of the white race would help me in countries, such as Europe and Australia, where white is also the dominant race because there is that mutual respect. Africa would be a weird experience because black is the majority but white is dominant in power. So I, as a white person, would have mixed feelings because the white, even though the minority, receive more respect than the blacks. While talking to a friend, I learned that in Africa there is still the unequal human rights thing going on discretely. The officials are white and black but the white have the upper hand; the white have the money while the black live in little huts. There is no eye contact between the white and black people and the respect is one sided towards the white. I think it would be very awkward for an American to experience that type of society because we are used to equality.

As a female, I have many advantages, but just like everything else, it has its disadvantages as well. In the work force there are rules against gender discrimination but it will always happen. I am more likely to get a job as a nurse than a construction worker because gender roles still influence society. When traveling, I wouldn’t be watched as closely as a big, rough-looking man. Upon entering a foreign country, such as Africa, Australia, or Europe, I would be received in a more welcoming way rather than the hostile way a grown man might be welcomed. The downside of being a female, would be that when entering a country in the Middle East, I would not be given as much respect as a male because females aren’t considered equal to men there. In America, there is the understood rule that men don’t hit women—ever. Of course no one is supposed to hit anyone, but women beaters are especially disliked. Bottom line is that being of the female gender in America provides me with many advantages, not so much with the other countries.

Everyone has an identity which effects their movement through the world in one way or another. There are many different possibilities for identities and movements for each person depending on his or her lifestyle, personality, and habits. Both are very important aspects of everyone’s lives.

What in the World is Going on?

i attended the What in the World is Going on? in the I-House at 7pm today. it is a discussion that is help between honors and international students; they talk about a variety of subjects. today we discussed the government and politics in general. i dont keep up with politics enough to really have an opinion, plus it has only mattered for a few months what i think. one thing that did spark an interest was the fact that we as a Americans tend to sit around arguing about politics but we dont get up and try to fix it. if enough people came together about a subject, we could indeed make a difference. growing up i was always told, "griping and complaining will never solve anything, you have to get off your butt and do something about what is bothering you-my mother
another point was that 'parties' really dont help the government because they only cause conflict. they have become all about who is better and being loyal to your 'side', not the beliefs and actions of the candidate. people can always say what you want to hear...whether or not they will always act on that is the question.
i feel like i should probably keep up with the news a little better so that i can formulate an opinion on these matters.

my education, my plan: getting from here to there

Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to be a teacher. I would play school with my younger siblings and as I got older, I planned out what I wanted to major, minor, and master in to reach my goal of being a teacher. I decided to major in Elementary Education. The minor and master are still a little fuzzy because I’m not sure what would make the best combination with my major. I do know, however, that I want to tie business in there somehow. A lot of people like to point out that teachers don’t make a lot of income but I don’t want my career to be all about the money. I love working with kids and I know that I will love my job as a teacher; I don’t think money can make-up for being unhappy with how your life turns out.

When I started my senior year of high school, I also started thinking about where I wanted to continue my education. I made a list of my top five schools based on location, expenses, and, most importantly, the education program available. I gradually received the acceptance letters and the FASFA statements and eventually decided to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I got all the paper work for my meal plan, housing, and scholarships completed and started packing up my belongings. On August 21st, I moved into my dorm room here at UNCG and started classes on the 24th.

My goal for the next year and a half is to complete my General Education Core classes and to study abroad. My Fall 2009 classes were all GEC classes and I am positive that I have passed all of them with flying colors. I have already signed up for Spring 2010 classes and they are GEC classes as well. My sophomore year will be about finishing and possible starting some of my major’s classes while working on my acceptance to the UNCG School of Education. Hopefully I will be able to do this while studying abroad either semester. During my Spring 2010 semester I will start talking to my advisors about when the best time to study abroad is and what the best course plan would be. I am hoping to be able to study abroad somewhere in Europe because, besides the fact that it is full of beautiful countries, it would give me an awesome opportunity to visit more than one country. I love the idea of being able studying in Italy during the week and then taking the train to France or Spain for the weekend. I believe that not only will it further my school education, but it will broaden my view if the world and all that is in it. There is so much that is unknown to someone who has never left his/her home country. I am confident that I will be able to reach these goals, and maybe more, within the next year and a half.

The two years following will be all about completing my major’s classes and finishing with a minor while graduating by May of 2013. Being a student in the School of Education will keep me quite busy but I am confident that with help from God, family, peers, and teachers I will be able to reach these goals as well.

As far as the master’s program I wish to become a part of is still unknown. I’m pretty sure that I will just continue here at UNCG and that I will start the graduate program in Fall 2013. My advisor has pointed out that waiting a couple years to start graduate school would be beneficial to my career both in working and education. Working for a couple years in between undergraduate and graduate school would give my some experience in the classroom with children that would help in the classroom with peers. I have always heard that what you think you would do in a certain situation is usually different that what you would actually do in the situation. Despite my desire to complete grad school, I know that if I waited a couple years, I will be less likely to go back to school. I still have a couple years to figure that aspect out so I’m not too terribly worried about it.

When I graduate school, whether it’s undergrad or grad school, I am planning on getting a job with an elementary school, hopefully not too far from home but I will take what I get for the first couple years. If this is before grad school, I hope to work a couple years and then go back to school while working part time in either a school or daycare. The business aspect of my education will come into play if I ever decide, for whatever reason, that I don’t want to be in a classroom any longer. I am planning on using the business aspect to start my own business, either a daycare/aftercare or a tutoring center. All of these options allow me to be with children while helping them learn. As I have said, I am confident that these plans will work out and that I will thoroughly enjoy the experience!

Sonia Nazario Lecture

i attended the lecture on Enrique's Journey given by Sonia Nazario, the author. it was held on November 16th at 3o'clock and 7o'clock. i attended the 3o'clock lecture in the Cone Ballroom.

i thought it was cool that she came here to Greensboro to talk to us about her book. although that was nice, she didn't share anything new with us. most of us agreed that she basically read the prologue to us, which when reading the novel we read for ourselves.

despite the lecture, i think she is a very good author and is very courageous for making the trip in order to know what Enrique went through to get from Honduras to America.

The Lian, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

i attended the play "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" on November 14th in the Taylor Theater. it was an UNCG theater production and i think they did a great job. having read the book and seen the movie, in comparison, they did a great job keeping to the original story. naturally they couldn't produce the entire show but they kept the major scenes so kudos for them.
the story is about 4 kids who, while playing in their country home, come across a portal to another world. this new world, that they later learn is called Narnia, is in the middle of the war between good and evil. the children are the key to good winning. the one brother, Edward, at first sides with the White Witch but when he realizes that she is in fact the wicked ruler of Narnia it is too late. luckily Aslan, the good, rightful ruler, and his army are successful in saving Ed. eventually a big battle occurs and the good wins out.
it is a very positive story and I'm glad that the UNCG theater decided to produce it and that i got to go.

Food for Thought: Can Images Still Move Us?

i attended the Food for Thought on November 18th. this week's session was lead by Professor Chris Cassidy and he discussed the different views of art and how they are meant to affect different people. he discussed the differences in how the art affected people in the past and the people now. we discussed the difference in how art affects people in different countries; people in third world countries aren't going to be moved the same as we, Americans, would about a picture of piles of trash with children rummaging in them because that is their everyday life and we don't ever see that here. we discussed whether or not today's American children are desensitized by the images they experience on TV or video games. it was said not so much but i think that it does affect them considerably. when children see murder and theft on TV or in their games everyday, why would they flinch if they saw it in real life. we also discussed the fact that if the art is more personable, it is easier for it to move us; this goes along with the differences between countries. when it isn't something you would likely see in your own area, it is harder to sympathize with it. this session was very informative but it didn't involve much input from the audience.

Food for Thought: Architecture of Happiness

the food for thought on November 11th was lead by Dr. Patrick Lucas. he discussed the influences that different buildings have on people. we discussed the differences in architecture that cause these impressions. the discussion revolved mainly on what makes a building happy. when the building is well lit and open, it tends to make a better impression on people than the buildings with close, little rooms and low lighting. more windows the better was another opinion that was agreed on among a lot of the faculty and students present at the session. the outside of the building seems to have to have an impact as well. the buildings that have no color or structure and the yards are left to rot will make the impression that the inside is the same way and that it is a dreary, boring building. as much as we are told not to judge a book by its cover, we do and the buildings with the dreary, boxy structure pay for that assumption.

it was also brought up that people make a building happy. when the structure allows for large groups or easy access, the building has a homier feel. the dormitories for example: they look quite boring and dreary but because they are where the students live, they all have different touches of home added to them. this makes it a nice place to be. of course, a dorm will never be a great as your mama's house but it suffices while we're at school. the dorms are where a lot of our college memories will be made. this is something to keep in mind about all the buildings, sure a lot of the impression is made by the building itself but what the people do with it is what make the impression that matters.