Memories

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Video Source: Batyr With much love, Kathy P.

Russia for 10 months

As scared as I am about leaving the States to a country where I wouldn't be able to communicate as well, I am also really excited. Russia would be the first time since KS where I experience snow, frost and cold; I'm going for ten months. Certainly, I want to graduate college in 2015 with my buddies. However, this is a once in a life-time opportunity I simply cannot pass up.

I should give this a try. I want to come out of this experience with more introspect, language skills and cultural awareness. Maybe I could mellow out a bit instead of being that hyper, perky, giggly girl. I haven't lived abroad before, but I'm going to learn about the Russian language and culture in a host family's home soon. There's going to be an intensive 20 hours of language instruction each week while I attend a secondary school there too.

I admit, it's not going to be vacation, but it's going to be a chance to learn and test my limits. I'll probably cry sometimes or get homesick, but all this will make me a stronger person. In the meanwhile, audiotapes and reading expat blogs on Russia will hopefully prepare me to tackle this challenge!

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With much love, Kathy P.

2011 is My Classmate's Heaven!

Okay, I admit it. I couldn't come up with a witty title, but this New Year has arrived! Thank goodness! I have a million things to be thankful for, and I am grateful about the people in my life right now. This summer (or perhaps a gap year), I have the opportunity to return to my friend's homelands to immerse myself in their culture and learn their language. I will keep this blog updated if this is the case!

Help the People, Everyone Should Be Cared For

There was the tragic plane crash of a flight from Islamabad to Karachi, and then little did we expect, but there was a flood through Swats Valley in northern Pakistan. Another environmental disaster the earthquakes in Chili and Haiti? Yes, it appears so. California has its shares of floods and earthquakes, but not as life-threatening as the ones abroad. Americans fare a bit better because of our steadier infrastructure, but as we have learned from recent news, it's difficult for the situation to improve when many uncoordinated actors come into a country to "help the people". Instead, I support the method of empowering the citizens to help themselves. When several volunteer organizations travel for relief efforts without the organization and specification of tasks, it's an ineffective and someways backwards way of helping out. It takes the opportunity away from the capable individuals who can help their own home. A better option is to donate to the causes. I don't condone throwing money at the situation as the only solution, but I rather develop self-sufficiency; albeit I am confident that Pakistan will hold its own far better than Haiti is currently, because of its relative stability.

It was a bit frightening knowing that some of my friends survived through the incident. I imagined that some of my peers were safe from harm since they lived further South of Pakistan, but I only heard confirmation from Rokhan and later two other participants. Instead of simply retreating, my peers, including the Americans, urged everyone to support relief initiatives. From the US and in the heartland, my peers are helping alleviate the devastation within the area by either gathering funds or directly handing relief kits to the people affected by the floods. From what Rokhan has said around $30 American dollars would sustain a family for 4-5 days, and even less after they've received their initial relief kit. It seems highly possible that our financial aid could help many in Pakistan, and after some research, there is a plethora of organizations to which a person could donate. I won't endorse one organization, but I feel compelled to spread the message that Americans, regardless of age, can help out. Be it through text, mail or sympathetic messages; relief is possible, and there is more information at: http://www.state.gov/p/sca/ci/pk/flood/index.htm.

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Image Source: Rokhan Shafi
With much love, Kathy P.

Working Backwards to Tell You a Story

Hello there. I haven't blogged about the program since June 28th, but I am going back to my physical journal to type up all my entries word for word about my experience with the BFSIA. The program recently ended on the 24th, and after catching up with my family, I have time to publish my writing online. I have learned life lessons at the Institute and will never forget the people to whom I have grown so close. I catch myself on the computer, on Facebook, wondering if anyone I know from BFSIA will be online, but I know it's time to really finish those summer assignments. I am working out a schedule to upload all those entries before school starts, but until then, I'll leave you with a short slide show created by nine other teens and me.



PS: I also found this press release that summarizes our program through Google Feeds (http://media-newswire.com/release_1123028.html).

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With much love, Kathy P.