Reflexionemos

Warning: Please forgive the spastic writing and constant change of topics.

Because the semester is coming to an end, I thought an appropriate final blog post would be a reflection about my experiences in Border Beat. Not only have I enjoyed writing about the subject of higher education, but also I loved documenting the stories of interesting people.

 In addition, I must note that our Border Beat professor, Jay Rochlin, will be retiring in May. He has been, by far, one of my favorite professors at the University of Arizona. He has made a great impact on my life and I thank him so much for constantly encouraging me to chase my dreams.

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 When I first found out that we'd be responsible for weekly blog posts I was ecstatic. I currently have a personal blog that I try to update on a daily basis. Maintaining two blogs, while also creating content to be published on the Border Beat website kept me busy.

I can honestly say that I've never written so much content in my life - I forgot to mention that I also write about 14 articles a month for the University of Arizona College of Medicine alumni e-newsletter. 

But the truth is, I never got bored or tired of typing away for hours. Unlike many seniors graduating from the UA School of Journalism, I still love to write. Even after four years of learning ethics, law, AP style and more, I really do love interviewing sources, copy editing and creating content. 

Another thing that Border Beat helped me to do is realize I have a passion for photography. Half way through the semester I bought a Canon T2i camera, to make meeting deadlines easier. After a few of my friends found out I purchased a nice camera I started taking senior photos. Here a few of them below.

 I know that I'm not a professional, but I think this could be something I continue to do on the side. I am so grateful that this course pushed me to make this purchase.

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Thank you for joining me in my journey to investigate higher education and "the border", or rather, foreigners.

Hasta luego,

Shannon

Ten cuidado cuando está con los extranjeros...

This week I wanted to write about my experiences interacting with individuals from foreign countries.  While some of these scenarios took place in a classroom environment, others occurred during three community service trips to Buenos Aires, Argentina. All of my encounters with people from other places have not only taught me to respect the values and ideals of others, but also have helped me realize that sometimes it's okay to step back and laugh at things you normally would not. 

Last semester, I took a religious studies class with a woman whose family was from Mexico. Of course, it being a class that discussed Catholicism in great depth, my classmate felt the need to constantly provide feedback and affirmation for the the various things my teacher would explain. 

Just for the record, I too am Hispanic - 50 percent.  My mother's parents lived in Florence, Ariz. which was once a Mexican territory. Therefore, my grandparents have deep roots in Mexican traditions. 

Being that my grandparents allowed their children (my mom) to raise their kids freely, I did not partake in a few of the Mexican holidays or celebrations. I was naive to the fact that the Virgin Mary played such a key role in Catholicism - my parents began to attend a non-denomination church when I was young.

Now that you have a greater understanding of my religious and cultural background, let me explain what happened in class. When our professor asked how big of a role model the Virgin Mary was in our lives, as Hispanic Americans, I quickly said something like, "Oh, I'm more inspired by Jesus' story than my Mary's" - hopefully you will not take offense to this statement.  

My classmate, on the other hand, was livid and explained that she lived much of her life according to what she'd learned about Mary.  

Moral of the story: The way I was raised is not all-inclusive of the way every Hispanic American grew up. It's okay to voice your opinions, but leave room for others to do so, as well. 

Another scenario that comes to mind, when reflecting upon my interactions with people from other countries, is when my Argentine host sister thought it was funny use the "f-word" and "flip the bird" as a joke. 

Yes, if you're an avid reader of my blog you'll realize you've met Tefi before. She's a 23-year-old female who graduated from college with a degree in cinematography. 

Since she's interested in film, she's spent countless hours watching American movies. Of course, what does any viewer see in those types of movies… cursing, vulgarity and person-to-person insults. 

I couldn't help but realize Tefi kept using the "f-word" and "flipping the bird" at my camera when I'd try to take her photos. When I asked her why, she explained she thought it was a sign of comedy in the United States. 

Of course, I wasn't offended by her word or actions, but instead took the time to explain to her what those two things really meant. In the end, she learned the American point of view, but said to people in Argentina it's perceived as hilarious. 

Lesson learned: Slurs, words and actions can vary in every country. It's imperative that we familiarize ourselves with the cultural norms before we drop an "f-bomb" or flash an offensive gesture. 

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos...

This past week I was speaking with a University of Arizona senior about her plan to move to Miacatlán, Mexico, in June to teach special education. As she leaves the United States, she will be working for minimal pay, at an orphanage that not only feeds and houses children and some family members, but also pays to educate residents until they finish college. After I left the interview, I could not help but do more research about the organization called Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos.

NPH has a rich and interesting history that dates back to 1954. Since its founding, the organization has expanded and is now present in nine countries including Mexico, Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Dominican, Peru and Bolivia. The homes in each country not only provide shelter, but also an education, community work experience and vocational training. The various NPH communities are nearly self-sufficient. Andrea Mee, the UA senior, said the community is complete with farms, water supplies and more. She also said that everyone living in an NPH facility works together to provide for their peers.

As you will see in my upcoming article, Mee will be leaving the U.S. to volunteer with NPH for one year. She said that if she enjoys her time of service, she will have the opportunity to extend her contract.

Below is a video that showcases what the Miacatlán location has to offer.

For more information about how Mee is preparing for life after graduation in Mexico, stay tuned to the Border Beat website.

Las experiencias en el extranjero...

About six months ago, I got a phone call from a dear friend of mine explaining she'd be moving to Buenos, Aires Argentina to pursue an internship with the U.S. Department of State. My friend, Kelly said she'd listed me as a reference on her application and that I may be called or questioned by the government to confirm she'd be a good candidate for the program. Although I was never contacted, I have made an effort to keep in touch with her throughout her trip. This weekend she allowed me to interview her about the various experiences she's had abroad.

A little background information is necessary to best understand my respect for Kelly. We met at camp when we were about 11 years old. Neither of us went to the same school and while Kelly was very athletic, I was about as girly as you could get. Regardless, she became a great friend and we've been in touch ever since.

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This photo of Kelly and me was taken in Feb. 2010 when we volunteered at a Scottsdale Bible Church camp for Club 56 students. Although the weekend retreat was held at a different location, it was with the same organization that enabled us to meet nine years before.

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I distinctly remember Kelly starting high school at Veritas Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Phoenix. While comparing our class schedules, she told me she was now forced to learn Latin. I could not figure out why they'd made that historical language necessary when Spanish was and is so prevalent in Arizona. That aside, Kelly picked it up like a champ. I remember being in conversations and she'd randomly tell me the Latin root for a particular word... A few years later, she had the opportunity to learn Spanish. Even though I'd been learning the language for years, Kelly seemed able to pick up grammar like a professional. She was quickly speaking better than me.

Fast forward a few years and the 21-year-old Arizona State University student can speak English, Spanish, Tajik and Farsi.

Kelly's ability to learn a language is like no one I've known before. I am blown away by her desire to pursue study and work abroad experiences, while still working towards obtaining her undergraduate degree within the Barrett Honors College.

Please continue to read on for a short interview with Kelly about her experiences traveling and working in foreign countries.

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SM: Why are you currently in Argentina?

KR: I am interning for the U.S. Department of State. I work in the public affairs section, Cultural Affairs Office. I plan events, coordinate cultural outreach programs, and sometimes act as the face of the embassy when we have a cultural ambassador coming to visit us.

SM: Where else have you traveled for work/school-related purposes?

KR: In the summer of 2010, I traveled to León, Spain and studied Spanish culture and linguistics; in the summer of 2011, I lived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and studied Tajik and Farsi- two Persian languages.

SM: How have you adapted to culture shock each time you've moved somewhere new?

KR: I don’t think that culture shock has ever really hit me hard. I guess when I have gone to new places, I have just been of the mindset that I better not expect anything to be “normal”- or at least what I would deem as such. Going into a trip like that has seemed to help me out a lot. I think that goes along with the whole “don’t be an ugly American” ethnocentricity thing; don’t expect that a foreign country is going to offer you everything you have at home- it’s not going to. I guess the thing I miss the most when I’m away, is the endless supply of ice and big glasses that we have in the states. I know- it’s weird.

SM: Do you prefer to live in foreign countries or the United States?

KR: I think I would prefer to live in the U.S. but have the ability to travel often. Having a consistent base to call home and then go do TDY (temporary duty) assignments would be great.

SM: Why do you have a passion for travel, foreign languages, cultures, etc?

KR: I love hearing someone speak and being able to figure out where they are from based on their accent. I guess that is where my love of linguistics comes in. But I love new challenges and adventures, there is so much to see and experience in this world; that’s the traveling part. I think it’s a sign of respect to go to a foreign country and speak their language. I can’t even imagine expecting someone to speak English when I’m not in an English-speaking country. Additionally, if you speak the language of a certain culture you will most certainly get a better perspective of what life is really like there. I don’t want a “surface” experience, I want to dig deeper than that. So, that’s probably a long winded answer as to why I love travel, foreign languages, and cultures. I could probably talk about this forever though.

SM: Has your family supported your past & current travels?

KR: Absolutely, 100 percent. They have certainly missed me while I’ve been away, but they are so excited to hear from me about my new experiences and see pictures. They always want to see pictures.

SM: Have you celebrated any holidays abroad? Please compare your Easter experiences in Argentina vs. the U.S.

KR: I just celebrated Easter down here in Argentina. It was quite a different experience for me. Back home, we all go to church as a family and then have a huge party for the rest of the day and into the evening. So, since I’m not with my family and I don’t really have a “family” down here, it’s been a bit different. I spent the 4^th of July in Spain in 2010 and that was fun. We went to the beach, stuck a couple of little American flags in the sand and sang the National Anthem. There’s something to be said for having national pride, but celebrating in a respectful way- I hope we came out on the respectful side.

SM: Please explain how you've been able to take a few semesters off to study/work abroad- your scholarships, Barrett, etc.

KR: Financially speaking, I have been able to do these trips because my grandmother started a college fund for me when I was born, and then I got a scholarship to go to ASU that has pretty much covered all of my expenses; however, I have worked throughout my entire time in college and have saved money as well. Academically, I haven’t really taken a lot of “fun” classes. I have stuck to the classes that I need to take for my major and certificate. So with that, I have some time that I can play with a little bit. While I am not doing this current internship for credit, I could, but that just means paying more money for credits I really don’t even need.

SM: What's been your favorite memory abroad?

KR: That’s a really tough question; I have loved different aspects of my times abroad. I guess I can give you my favorites of my different trips though. Spain 2010 was definitely being there when they won the World Cup for the first time. I didn’t really get to see what happened after the last whistle blew for the game to be over, but I did get to spend the night celebrating with the Spaniards. They love to get into fountains when they celebrate- I said, “When in Rome…”. In Tajikistan, it wasn’t a particular event, per se, but the whole experience of going from being a part of the majority in every way to being the minority in every way. I spent a little over a month in the 98 percent Muslim country of Tajikistan during Ramadan. That means no water, no food, nothing can enter your mouth from sun-up to sun-down. I really loved that experience of being completely out of my element from the inside out.

SM: Would you encourage others travel?

KR: Absolutely. No doubt about that. It certainly is not cheap; however, do whatever you can to travel abroad. And when you do it, no matter what country you go to, do not spend all of your time with your study abroad group. Go talk to other people, get the local feel, you’ll waste your time and money if you stay within the security of your own group. I think that traveling abroad is something that everyone should do to experience something other than their own culture. But do it with an open mind and don’t be so quick to always say “Well, we do it this way or that way… and it’s the right way”. Appreciate the differences in the world- it’d be a boring place if we all ate, spoke, and acted the same.

Apoya la causa...

Charity Adusei is a first-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. The 24-year-old is originally from Ghana, Africa, but moved to the United States to attend one year of high school before beginning her undergraduate education at the UA in 2007.

Adusei completed her undergraduate work with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. As she began to prepare for medical school, she knew the transition would not be easy. But, she does have a motivation that has enabled her to commit herself to her coursework at the College of Medicine.

After seeing a disturbing video on the Internet about a hospital in her homeland, she was determined to act as a change agent. Adusei, along with two other individuals, has created a project called, Beds For Life, to create awareness and fundraise. The goal of the group is to raise enough money to purchase beds for Ridge Hospital, where there is a lack of beds, forcing patients to reside on the ground.

Adusei explained that Ridge Hospital was built years ago, before there was such a high demand for good doctors. She said that now, with a higher need, the same facilities and beds are being used. The lack of equipment and overpopulation leaves the women to floor space only.

“Then they are on the floor groaning and moaning, and they have nowhere to go and they are in pain. There is no bed available so basically they all end up on the floor, waiting for their turn on the bed,” she said. “And if luckily their baby decides to come when a bed is available, then they get to have the baby on the bed for like five minutes or 10 minutes. If they are not lucky they have to have the baby on the floor and the conditions are not sanitary.”

Adusei intends to practice obstetrics and gynecology and said she understands that these unsanitary conditions pose problems.

“They don’t even have time to clean this floor because there are always women on the floor. They have only one toilet and the conditions are so bad. I was particularly surprised because this is supposed to be a nice, big hospital. It made me more scared for the small hospitals in the rural areas,” she said.

As a current UA medical student, Adusei is working to fundraise as much as possible to contribute to the cause. She said she also hopes to return to Ghana one day after finishing her education.

“I want to return home to Ghana, that’s always been my goal. After residency, I’m hoping to work here [and] get credible,” she said.

Until then, Adusei said she will continue to fundraise as much as possible to purchase beds for the hospital in her country.

Bendiciones, orgullo y oportunidades...

Keegan Cooke is a 23-year-old international student athlete at the University of Arizona. As a member of the track team, he competes in the ten events that comprise the decathlon. I met Cooke in a religious studies class this semester and have found him to be very interesting. Although he is from another country, Harare, Zimbabwe, he is completely articulate and aware of his surroundings in the United States. Based off his class presentations, I knew I wanted to write an article about experiences at the UA.

This blog post will preview all that you can learn about Cooke through my next Border Beat special project, to be published in April. My classmate, Lauren Sokol, and I will be taking a close look at what it means to be an international athlete, 24/7.

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Although Cooke is from Africa, he did not ride an elephant to school, and yes he drives a car and has a cell phone. In our first interview he joked that these are the questions he's asked when he tells people he meets where he is from.

He said he's also had to face a few stereotypes since moving to the U.S. "I’m white and from Africa," he said. "A lot of people think that all Africans are black."

With generalities aside, Cooke said he has dealt with culture shock. During our conversation in the Lohse room, in the McKale Center, he recalled two stories that truly explain experiences.

"My transition from Zimbabwe to America was a huge culture shock. There were a lot of things I had to learn, like driving on the other side of the road and not jaywalking and things like that. But, my biggest culture experience that happened right after I got here was in California. I was staying with some friends next to the UCLA campus and they’d been talking about this Undie Run that everyone was going to do, and because it was a run I knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of. I didn’t understand the undie part of it and that weekend I found out that it was a run where everyone took their clothes off and went for a long run. It was quite funny, but I knew that was the beginning of learning about how people do things different in another country."

My classmate and I couldn't help but laugh along with Cooke about his experience, but the stories didn't stop there.

"Another culture shock that I had since I’ve been in America was this last weekend, actually, here in Arizona. I got pulled over by a cop. I hadn’t been pulled over by one yet so I was pretty nervous. He pulled up to my window and asked for license and registration. I don’t have a license here in America, so I gave him my Zimbabwe driver’s license, which is like a little metal disc. He kind of laughed at it and thought I was joking, so he had to call another cop to come verify that it was somewhat legitimate. And then I learned about registration and how you have to keep up-to-date with your insurance, and things like that. Obviously I wasn’t quite following the rules, so I learned very quickly that that’s another thing that’s different from Zimbabwe."

Cooke continued to tell us about his daily life as a collegiate athlete, but always made sure to talk about his journey to the U.S. as a blessing and opportunity. Through his interview you can tell he is very proud to be African, and to represent his country as he works towards his goal of competing in the Olympics.

Make sure to check out the Border Beat website to find the full story about Cooke in late April.

Educación durante el viaje...

Last week I spent four days of my spring break in San Diego, Calif. Although I didn't do much schoolwork, I did take time to think about various elements of life. On the drive home I observed and began to count the number of Border Patrol vehicles that were posted along highway. There must have been 10 of them within a 20-mile radius. I began to realize that the people in those white sedans and SUVs are doing their job, and a job of their choice. Those who spend their days watching over the border are people, working to make a living too.

At that moment I remembered that my friend, Courtney, mentioned her 25-year-old brother was applying to become a Border Patrol agent. I was so interested that I sent her a text to get more information. She explained that the application process was, and still is lengthy- her brother is yet to hear a final world from the government agency. She also said he's required the support of family and friends along the way.

Due to short notice, I was unable to get in direct contact with Courtney's brother- I'll call him Mike for the sake of his privacy. But, Courtney was more than willing to share her side of the story.

The 22-year-old Tucson native recently applied to the University of Arizona College of Nursing. If accepted, she will begin nursing classes in the fall, keeping her close to home. Just as Courtney is looking to obtain a job in the field of service, so is her brother.

"Mike does not have a college degree. He has been interested in Border Patrol for several years because friends and family have told him about their experiences with the department. Not only does he want to protect our borders, but he is also interested in a salary, insurance, retirement plans, etc.," she said.

But the application process is more than Courtney said she would Mike has been very dependent upon our family during this long process. He continues to need emotional support when he is frustrated with the process that seems to be never ending.

"Becoming a Border Patrol agent is not an easy task," she explained. "First, he had to fill out an application. This application was several pages long. He had to provide references for each school he attended, job he maintained and residence he lived in. He also had to pass a physical test, a lie detector test, had an interview and had to pass a very extensive background check."

But the investigation and backgrounding did not stop there.

"He also met with a private investigator to question him about anything and everything regarding his past and present. That private investigator has shown up at my grandma's work to question her, my uncle's house, Mike's girlfriend's house, etc.," Courtney said.

With all the work that's gone into the process, one can only imagine amount of time it's taken. Mike first applied for the job in August 2012. Although the determined male is yet to hear back, his sisters says his family and friends will continue to give their support.

"My family is excited for him. Although there is a possibility we would not get to see him as often as we do now, we know this is something he is very interested in," she said. "He could be mandated to live in a couple different locations. As a family, we're obviously rooting for somewhere close to Tucson. Mike, on the other hand, would really like to be living in San Diego, Calif. Although he can ask to work in a specific location, they don't make any guarantees."

Courtney could not help but express how proud she is of her older brother.

"Not everyone would be willing to work in 100-degree weather, chasing illegal immigrants and pursuing drug smugglers, but Mike is excited to do it. He wants to protect our borders, which as a Tucsonan is super important to me and my safety," she said. "I am amazed daily that he still wants to become a Border Patrol Agent even though he has been waiting almost two years. Most people would have already given up out of frustration."

Pictured above is Courtney and her two older brothers, Leland and Mike. She is the youngest child and extremely proud of her brother, Mike [pictured on the right], who is is currently applying to be a Border Patrol agent. I have permission to use this photograph which was taken by Lexi Moody.

Sirvir a través de las fronteras

Emery Hartstein is an interdisciplinary studies senior at the University of Arizona studying Spanish, sociology and public relations. In early February, Hartstein ventured to Cuenca, Ecaudor with a group of doctors and nurses to provide ear, nose and throat healthcare to the underprivileged through an organization called Healing the Children. For two weeks, she acted as a translator to enable communication between the patients and those conducting the surgeries and procedures.

Although this was not a study abroad trip, Hartstein said she learned a lot about the Spanish language, Ecuadorian culture and life. She said the group completed 40 surgeries – each took approximately two hours – which enabled some children to hear and breathe better, and swallow without pain. “The emotional reward from this trip is nearly inexplicable,” she said.

When Hartstein speaks about how experience, it’s obvious that is passionate and thankful for her opportunity to volunteer in South America. She is also zealous about the Spanish language and life abroad. This week I decided there would be no better way “to show, not tell” you about her personal experiences, than with her words.

Here is the text from our question and answer session:

SM: How did your education, both abroad and in the United States, enable you to serve alongside doctors and nurses in Ecuador?

EH: Studying Spanish in the US gave me the basic understandings of the grammatical rules in the language. Living abroad allowed me to speak and understand it. There is without a doubt a difference of learning a language in a classroom setting and immersing yourself in the culture. While I lived abroad, I read Spanish every where I went, I heard it every where I went, I literally lived within the language. I think a person not only learns a language exponentially faster while living in a foreign country, but they learn it so much better. In the classroom setting in the U.S. students learn the grammar rules in a 50 minutes class period and exit the classroom to resume their lifestyle which obviously, includes speaking English. Living abroad, especially with a host family, students are left with no choice but to practice what they just learned in the classroom. Because I lived abroad I had a better familiarity of conversational Spanish, especially colloquialisms which assisted me in helping the doctor’s and nurses in Ecuador. This helped in a major way because if a translator went on this trip not having studied abroad and only having studied from the text book, they slang terms would prove to be difficult to understand, if not impossible, which reiterates the advantage of living like a local in a Spanish-speaking country.

SM: Where have you traveled and used Spanish?

EH: I studied in Viña del Mar, Chile for four months but spent time in Buenos Aires, Argentina and also Peru before and afterward and just recently returned from a trip to Ecuador where I was the designated translator. I utilized Spanish in each of these countries.

SM: Would you consider yourself fluent? If so, how did you learn Spanish? For how many years have you studied it?

EH: I would consider myself fluent in the language. It is difficult to live in an English-speaking country and attempt to maintain my Spanish though. I noticed that when I arrived in Ecuador which was about eight months after having lived in South America, I had lost a lot of my Spanish speaking abilities. I picked them up quickly once I got there, but it was a bit disheartening to remember how much I used to know in comparison to how much I know now. It is a tricky thing consistently switching between countries because on the brink of my confidence to be 100 perfect fluent I return to the U.S. and lose a good amount of it. I have studied Spanish my whole life, but to be quite honest, none of it was as helpful as living my day-to-day life speaking the language.

SM: How did you get involved with traveling to Ecuador?

EH: Our good family friend is an anesthesiologist who has volunteered with this organization before and invited me to go on the trip. I was ecstatic when I received the invitation and without hesitation agreed. I was one of eight team members- the only translator- who volunteered for 12 days’ time. I stayed for five more days on my own for personal travel.

SM: Were your parents and friends supportive of your decision to go?

EH: It was overwhelming how much support I had for this trip. I have never done anything like this, and because the invitation was so abrupt I wasn’t financially able to fund my trip. I was apprehensive and nervous to send out a letter to my friends and family asking for monetary, and good blessings, donations but I did it because I needed the help in order to go. To my surprise, not only did my friends and family send me emotional support and numerous good blessings, but they helped me raised over what I needed to cover my flight, which truly helped me while abroad to indulge in the culture. It was incredible. I remember sitting on the plane ride and absorbing how loved I felt from all of the support, another monumental day in my life.

SM: What was your experience like?

EH: My experience was ideal. Each individual member of the team was essential and brilliant and in their field, and collectively made up for one of the goofiest and kindest group of people to help in the lives of disadvantaged Ecuadorian families. I did the translating the entire time and challenged myself in ways that were at times uncomfortable but always proved to teach me lessons about myself. I loved the challenge, but more than anything, I loved the ability to participate in the lives of these families in ways that the average person can’t. Anyone can help build a home, donate money, cultivate food, or provide clean water. I’m not saying these acts of kindness are anything less than monumental, but it takes a very specific type of person to give help in the field of medicine. And although I have no experience in the medical field, I was able to help based off of another unrelated talent I had. For that, my experience was irreplaceable. The families were so warm and grateful and I was honored to give them the aid they needed. The surgeon even let me help perform one of the surgeries. It was incredible, every moment of my trip.

SM: Is there one moment that made a monumental impact on your life?

EH: To be honest, each day I was there made a different impact on my life. The one that I think will stay with me the longest is when a boy, the one I got to help operate on, gave me his thanks. It was at that moment that I realized that although these doctors and nurses are brilliant, I wouldn’t trade my talent for theirs for anything. I love being able to communicate and was so honored that I was able to internalize their gratitude rather than needing to listen to another person in order to understand. I think we all have an incredible connection as humans and the truth is we don’t have many differences. It just takes the ability to communicate, empathize, and understand to realize the similarities each type of person has with the next. I was so grateful that I was able to talk and create relationships with each of the patients and families we met.

As you now understand, there would have been no better way to share Hartstein's experience than through her own words. My hope is to better captivate her experience by doing a more in-depth story for the Border Beat website later in the semester.

La educación de vacaciones

Most people think vacations are a time to escape everything. To some, a break or holiday is a moment or two in time when you can turn off your brain and swim , whether physically or mentally, in freedom.

But honestly, this is not the reality for everyone. There are plenty vacations that I've taken when I choose to learn more about the history and traditions of my surroundings. I know I'm not alone in my experiences. Whoever said vacation should be free from learning and education clearly has never met Zach Sokolow.

Sokolow, who is a 22-year-old UA Judaic studies senior, traveled to Israel for the second time in December 2011. Although he'd already explored various cities on his Birthright trip during summer 2012, he said he wanted to learn more about himself and the Jewish culture.

"This time I did it by myself so I learned a lot about who I am and life," Sokolow explained. "I was forced to be out of my comfort zone, to try new things and meet new people. I was just really open."

The Encino, Calif. native signed up with a program called Israel 2.0 so that he could visit Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Safed [Tzfat], Tiberius, Eilat and a couple other small cities while on his 2-week venture.

"I did it with people who have already been on Birthright or some other Isreal trip. It [Israel 2.0] was subsidized, like it wasn’t as expensive because people give money so that others can keep visiting Israel," he said.

Sokolow explained that the program allowed for one week of site seeing and another week of informational sessions. A sample itinerary can be found here.

"The first week of the trip was touring and visiting a ton of places like museums and army bases. You see different attractions like the beach and stuff. You’re basically doing it all," he said. "The second week was all in Jerusalem. We spent almost all our time in a building in front of the Western Wall. There were guest speakers about topics that pertained to us. For example, we talked about representing Israel in the United States, and marrying someone that’s Jewish. There were a bunch of different talks that I at first was a little skeptical about. Then it ended up being one of the things I enjoyed most about the trip."

Sokolow explained that the group was what made the trip most enjoyable. The 35 college students spent almost waking hour of the day together. They became close friends as they traveled, toured and learned together. Just a few weeks ago, Sokolow said his travel group had a reunion weekend on the east coast.

When he's not reuniting with his fellow travel members, he has two items to remind him of all that he learned on his journey through Israel. The first is a silver necklace that is engraved in Hebrew that says, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift."

"My sister actually went to Israel last May and she got an engraved ring," he said. "And even though there’s a book of nearly 1,000 things you could get engraved, when I got home I was talking to her and found out we got the same exact quote and I had no idea."

Not only is the piece of jewelry emblematic of his travels, but also of the close bond he has with his sister, Lexi.

The second item is a small Hebrew painting that translates to say, "Nothing is coincidence." He currently has the colorful painting hanging across from his bed in his room.

Sokolow said he'd be quick to encourage others to venture to countries to learn about themselves, other cultures and history.

"I learned personal, historical and cultural aspects. The food and the music, the daily interactions they’re all so different. Even the way that on Shabbat the whole city shuts down and nothing is open. It’s a really big deal in comparison to here, he said. "I’d done summer camp and Birthright and nothing compares to this trip I took on my own."

Sokolow has provided me with and given me permission to use the following photos and short captions to depict his trip.

Riding camels in the Negev Desert.

Covered in mud at the Dead Sea.

On top of the building where we had classes and lectures, outside of the Western Wall.

Saying a prayer in front of the Western Wall, wearing Tefillin on my arm and head.

Unos quieren mas...

The past few weeks, the subjects of my blog have helped me understand that obtaining education in the United States is nothing short of a privilege. One word continues to be associated with American education - opportunity.

Although there are those who travel to the U.S. for higher education, there are also those that leave the country. Studying abroad is not a new concept, but something that has been popular for students of all ages for years.

Exchange programs are of all shapes and sizes. Students can choose to travel solo or go with a group, or even go with faculty from the university.

The University of Arizona's Office of Global Initiatives is home base for faculty led, student exchange and study abroad programs. Through various study abroad events and information on the websites, students are able to do research about various programs. This way, the individual can figure out which program will enable them to learn and do the most pertaining to their interests. Students not only take classes while away from the UA, but also are fully immersed in another country's culture.

Eleanor Beatty is a senior nutritional sciences major at the UA. Last fall she studied abroad at the University of Newcastle in Australia. Although she's been involved in clubs, Greek life and volunteer programs since starting college, she said she's always wanted to travel and learn more.

"I wanted to see a different part of the world that I had never been to. I have been lucky enough to go to Europe, and had always wanted to go to Australia. When I talked to my mom and dad about studying abroad they were totally supportive, and thought Australia would be a great place for me to go," Beatty said.

As previously mentioned, students have the opportunity to venture out with or without their own friends. While some choose to go on trips together, others decide to study abroad to meet new people and grow as an individual. Beatty said she did both.

"I signed up and filled out an application not knowing a single person going abroad to Australia, let alone my school. My study abroad advisor once I was accepted told me one other girl was going as well, and we got in contact with one another. We both ended up being from Phoenix, so we were able to hang out before we left so we had at least one friend from the start," she said. "We lived in different parts of the campus which was great because we were able to make our own friends, and have our own lives but were able to still have that friend from home that understood what it was like to be half way across the world. I now cannot imagine not knowing her, and she and I still hang out."

Although Beatty did not have to learn a new language to adapt to the culture, she said there were notable differences compared to her daily lifestyle in the U.S.

"They were about the same [in terms of schoolwork] when it came to the content, but the biggest difference was homework. They had none," she said. "Your final grade was your midterm and final. That made it more difficult in my mind because I needed to stay driven on my own, not because I had homework due.

She also learning the style of speech was a necessary adaptation.

"The biggest issue I had was catching onto their lingo," she explained. "They also talk fast which took me about two weeks to catch onto, but I didn't have any real problems."

Beatty said that the experienced helped to teach her a lot about life.

"I learned to stay personally driven with school. I have found myself more on top of my work because I do not want to fall behind," she admitted.

Additionally, she said she's recommend studying abroad to anyone.

"It was the best experience of my life," she explained. "I would tell them that I have never learned more about myself in my life, I met some of the most amazing people that have forever changed me, I learned that I can live in a new country without the help of my parents, and that those memories I will never forget. I have never been so happy for such a long time in my life."

Beatty has provided me with the following photos to share a piece of her experience.

Beatty visits the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour with three of her friends: Jess, Michelle, and Lindsay.

Beatty photographs an Aboriginal man playing a didgeridoo downtown.

Beatty poses "with" the Sydney Opera House.