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Archive for the ‘Student Travel Programs’ Category

Sneak Preview #2: More ISP Members

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Last week we introduced you to three of the seven students who will form the International Student Panel at PTPI’s Global Youth Forum in November.  Here are interviews with two more!

Mohammed Lamarana Barry

Where do you live? I am from The Gambia but I do not live in Banjul.  I will be moving to South Africa for my studies in September 2010.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? My country is where Alex Haley‘s ancestor Kunta Kinte came from!  People mistake us for a French speaking country instead of English.  Besides that – we are the smiling coast of Africa!

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment? My favorite song is called “La Difference”, sang by Salif Keita.  Although I do not speak his language, deep inside my heart I understand what he is trying to put across.

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? It would be one of the greatest days of my life as I spend most of my time doing something.  Let me think…I will to to the beach and have some sunshine, travel to rural communities and also jump on my bed whilst listening to music by Salif Keita.  Of course I will Skype and Facebook as well!

Why did you want to be a part of the International Student Panel? I represent the voices of an unheard generation and speak for those who did not have a voice before I spoke!  There is a need for someone to represent the valid and clear views and concerns of other young people on a global platform like this and therefore it is a huge pleasure for me to accept the trust bestowed upon me to be part of the ISP.

Pakinam Moussa

Where do you live? Beheira, a city in the northern part of Egypt that is famous for its farms and green areas.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest civilizations in the world and Egyptian culture has influenced cultures of Europe and Africa.  It is also famous for the mummies, as it was discovered that Egypt has more than 1 million human and animal mummies.  Finally, Anwar El Sadat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for signing the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in Washington, D.C. USA and finally stopped the war in Egypt.

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment?Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak.

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? I would go to the beach with my family or friends, or help in a community service.

Why did you want to be a part of the International Student Panel? To know other people, culture and places.  I’d like to know more about others’ PTPI experiences, as well.

Sneak Preview: the 2010 Global Youth Forum ISP

Friday, August 6th, 2010

What is the ISP, you ask?  It’s the International Student Panel, made up of seven students from seven different countries.  The ISP is a much-loved session that takes place during PTPI’s Global Youth Forum (GYF) each year.  Members of the ISP take questions from their fellow delegates – it is an opportunity to learn more about the similarities and differences of students throughout the world.

This year’s GYF will take place November 10-14 in Atlanta, Georgia USA.  We really hope to see you there…and for those who can’t make it, we’re bringing you an ISP sneak peek!  Here are interviews with three of our ISP members:

Dusan Bogicevic

Where do you live? I live in Leskovac, a small town in the south of Serbia, a small country in southeastern Europe.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? That Serbia is on the Balkan peninsula and has a long history and culture dating from the 7th century.  We are very friendly and temperamental.

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment?  ”Mirror Mirror” by Blind Guardian

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? With my friends, going to the places in my country where I haven’t been yet.

Jeanette Mwendwa Gitobu

Where do you live? Cambodia, South East Asia

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? Currently, Cambodia is home to one of the wonders of the world.  Tourists, politicians and celebrities from around the world fly into Siam Reap to be captivated by its history and unique beauty.  Angkor Wat, the pride of the ancient Angkor Kingdom, still stands today.  The temple took approximately 300 years to build.  If given the chance, take time to explore the wonders of Angkor Wat and marvel at its history.

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment? Hmm, I really have no definite genre of music because I’m a very diverse person.  However, my all time favorite is “When You Believe“by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? Getting involved in hands on activities such as Habitat for Humanity or volunteering at a church potluck where they assist people in need of food and basic supplies.

Ewa Dudzic

Where do you live? I am from Poland, a country in Central Europe.  The city I live in is Katowice, in the southern part of Poland.

What is one thing people may not know about your country that you’d like them to know? Nicholas Copernicus, who started a scientific revolution when he published the Heliocentric Theory (in which all the planets, including Earth, revolve around the Sun), was Polish!

What is your favorite song or musical group at the moment? I don’t really have one.  I like many types of music and my choice of songs to listen to depends on my mood and the situation I am in.

If you had a free day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it? I would travel to a place I haven’t visited yet…or you would meet me wandering around in Rome, Italy.

Students’ Eyes “Opened to the World” As EXPERIENCE: Peru Program Comes to An End

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

July 22, 2010

Our last day in Peru was busy, to say the least.  We toured Cusco all morning, then flew to Lima, toured Lima and then got on our flight back to the States and our separate flights home. Phew! At the start of our day, we left our Cusco hotel to visit, first, a local market in one of the neighborhoods in town. We saw quite a lot of fruits, vegetables, and meats. Some of us who were adventurous eaters tried an exotic type of passion fruit. From the outside, it sort of looked like an orange, but peeling it would reveal the slimy grey flesh that you’d eat by slurping up and swallowing withoug chewing the seeds. Most of us found the taste pleasant, but others couldn’t handle the gooey texture. Aside from the produce, a few of the stands included women preparing various dishes from passerbys. Boris, our guide, explained to us that soup is one of the most popular breakfast items amongst locals. This included soups made from Alpaca feet and cow intestines.

From the marketplace, we passed by Inca walls, which were the foundations of the old buildings of Cusco. The end of our tour included visiting the Santo Domingo museum and the Plaza de Armas, the main town square. Following lunch, we bid farewell to Cusco and boarded our plane to Peru’s capital city, Lima. Most of our tour was by bus. Our guide explained to us mainly about Lima’s history and current issues. He also pointed out that it was a typical winter day—it was extremely cloudy outside! Towards the end of the tour, we were given the chance to admire Lima’s ocean shore and walk around a nearby underground shopping/amusement area, which was a blast. Our final meal was spent at none other than Bembo’s, Peru’s own fast food chain. We enjoyed pigging out on Peruvian hamburgers, fries, and Cokes as we hung out for one last time before departing for the airport. From there, we sadly said our goodbyes to Cristina, our tour operator.

On the seven hour flight back to the U.S., we all were able to sit back, relax and reflect on this amazing experience. It’s safe to say that each of us has been affected in more ways than one by what we’ve been through together. Whether it be from impacting a jungle community, to conquering one heck of a mountain, we’ve become stronger individuals, both physically and mentally. We pushed ourselves over our usual comfort zones and we’ve matured from it. We were immersed in a culture very different from our own and, as travel usually does, it has opened our eyes to this world. We met and interacted with the people. We tasted the food. Some of us spoke the language. We truly did “experience Peru.” But above all, we connected with each other and have built the foundations for lifelong friendships.

- PTPI EXPERIENCE: Peru Delegate, Valerie Weil