I came across this quote today and wanted to share it: Narrated by Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Apostle said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, "O Allah's Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?" The Prophet said, "By preventing him from oppressing others."
Sahih Bukhari, Volume:3, Book :43 (Oppressions), Hadith Number :624 This reminds me of so many books and speeches I have heard from people from the UN High Commission of Refugees. It is the norm for people who come from an oppressed background (or who were victims of violence and acts of genocide) to then act in a similar way once they are out of harms way. It's an ongoing problem at this large level, but is something you also hear social workers talk about on a
lower level- think abused families and the trends that come from that.
It's that time of the year where I now know (well, mostly know) who is going abroad at my university for Spring 2013!! Yea and super yay because we are totally up in numbers and also where people are going!!
I have students going to:
Florence, Italy
Rome, Italy
Paris, France
London, UK
Granada, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Gaborone, Botswana
Amman, Jordan
We got ears- super cheers!!!
... I watch too much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now...
When you study abroad, it is very important to know that there is not a 'set' study abroad experience I have had people go to the same location, stayed in the same housing, taken the EXACT same classes and come back with COMPLETELY different experiences.
Why?
Because, we are all individuals. While I deal with mostly with students who have always lived in the U.S.A. and therefore the same culture, we all have very different life experiences. You may have grown up in a part of the country that is different from someone else. You may practice a religion that is different from others. You may have been raised by your mom and dad, mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, guardian, etc. All of those things make you unique and give you a unique view of the world and how to look at things!
Also, everyone has different expectations for what a semester abroad may bring. And- often- the expectations are not reflective of what will happen. Yes, you will go abroad and travel and meet new people and see new things, but what does that MEAN to YOU?
When I advise people about studying abroad, I try to get them think about what they want to get at the end of a study abroad experience. Do you just want to have a list of places you have been? Do you want to take classes you can't at home? Do you want to learn a language? Do you want to gain some insight into your host culture?
Everything that you may list is perfectly valid. (Party? There's places for that) But, it's important when you are talking with your study abroad adviser to be honest about what you want. That way, we can help you find a program that meets your needs and overall exceptions.
But, think more about the end goal. When you are abroad, it is often very hard to see everything that you have accomplished by going abroad and living abroad. It's helpful to list what you'd like to do/what your goals are. It's helpful to write how you view yourself and then when you are abroad (and when you come home), write about how you view yourself now. Sometimes you may not feel a change- other times, the change is big.
Studying abroad requires the ability to ADAPT. People won't necessarily feel 'shock' when going abroad. But, you still will adapt. Your entire way of living a day will change. Maybe not in what you do, but HOW you do it.
Now, at the same time, I FULLY expect that students will put themselves out there and learn about their host culture and RECOGNIZE that they are leaving their home. When you travel abroad NEVER assume something.
For example? Gestures:
Other things that people assume will be the same is politeness (I'm talking about not IF people are polite, but HOW they are polite. Many people think a culture is impolite, when it's really about the HOW), when and how you eat, how you shop, how you order food, how to get on public transportation, timing for meetings, how you discuss/argue, etc.
Studying abroad is one of the best things that a student can do! I'm so proud of everyone that does a study abroad program and I encourage everyone to take advantage, if you can.
(Note: studying abroad is often cheaper than you think if you are flexible about where you go. Australia, New Zeland, Ireland and the UK- with France close behind are the most expensive usually, but pretty much everywhere else is quite reasonable. the same as a normal semester costs you or even cheaper! Plus, many programs offer scholarships and the U.S. Government offers the Gilman Scholarship to those students who get a Pell Grant)
I love dystopian novels! And so I have been enjoying this insurgence of dystopian books into the world as of late. I find it also interesting that they are young adult novels; the themes are so different from that of the older generation dystopians. (less sex certainly, but also the point of view is so different it seems)
I read the Hunger Games awhile back and found it ok. I had some issues with the characters through the story. (ok, it's young adult, but considering you are pretty graphically describing them killing each other, I think some things could have been better developed) Having said that, the other two books were significantly better and I in particular loved the third book.
This review is on another book- Divergent. Divergent takes place in a future focused on the people living in the Chicago area. We know that society has basically broken down at one point and it was decided that to maintain peace, everyone chooses a particular lifestyle- or faction- in which to live in. Each faction values certain things: Candor- honesty, Abnegation- selflessness, Dauntless- bravery, Amity- peace, and Erudite- intelligence.
Until they are around 16 years old, all of the children of the faction learn together. Then, they go through an exam of sorts so that they can see what faction they truly belong in. After that, they can choose to either go to the faction the test says they belong in or stay with their family (sometimes there is no change from the test). If they leave for a new faction, they effectively cut off all ties with their family and the old faction.
Our heroine's conflict comes when she tests into no faction. She is not faction-less (a fate seen almost worst than death , but she is told it's very dangerous. She chooses a new faction and starts their initiation process- knowing the process may kill her or have her end up faction-less.
At the same time, we see that there is a larger plot at work, although nothing is clear for quite awhile and even by the end, you are eager for the next book (Insurgent) because we still don't have the answers!
I love this book so much- mostly because the characters are developed so well. That may be because we are allowed to look at the individuals much more before we get into the larger conspiracy, but I'm glad because it let's us experience this in 'real time' with the characters and connect to them much more.
I also love the different factions- sort of a la Brave New World (although that is class, maybe I need a better parallel example!)- I like the 'role' factor of dystopian novels and think this one does that well while still preserving individual characters. It's a great way that Veronica develops the characters and then society and the overall plot.
The author, Veronica Roth, also seems great. And she is so young for having such a successful book! She is currently 24 years old!! I'm so jealous in my thirties I haven't done something like this ;) I highly recommend that you check out her blog- she has some great posts there!
So, I HIGHLY recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next one!!
