Subject: christopher self-evaluation... Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2001 13:00:56 -0700
Self-Evaluation for "Summer in Peru Program"
The "Summer in Peru" program helped me to experience and learn more about Latin American culture, the Spanish language, the history and culture of Peru, and so much more than I could have ever learned in the classroom. Before leaving for Peru, I created, discussed, and finalized a contract with Raul Nakasone that covered my interests in learning the Spanish language, discovering Peruvian customs and culture, how non-profit organizations start and operate, and working with children in secondary education. I was able to accomplish all the objectives on my contract by using the resources I brought with me, utilizing the facilities in Peru, and with the help of all my new friends in Guadalupe, Peru.
In Guadalupe, everyday was an intensive course in the
Spanish language. Of the thirty thousand people living there, I
came across fewer than five
people that could speak any English. Most of the English teachers in
the schools were even below the conversational level. This gave me the
opportunity to use Spanish in every possible situation. I was not able
to order food or buy necessities if I did not use Spanish and therefore
was
forced to learn correctly and rapidly. Many of the people were more
than eager to talk with me. Everyone wanted to learn where I was from
and what I was doing in Guadalupe. Some people just wanted to sit
around and make small
talk or discuss Peru and the United States.
During the first weeks of the program, our contact Manolo, set
up grammar lessons for us with a local professor. I also received
personal grammar lessons while working with the English teacher, Jorge
Gisera, at Inif, one of the many schools where I taught English. At
times, he would even set up private lessons for me with the Spanish
grammar teachers for private lessons.
Along with my "real life" and private lessons in Spanish I
brought along textbooks to supplement my learning of Spanish grammar. I
completed the majority of the exercises in the textbook, "The Ultimate
Spanish Review and Practice" by Gordon and Stillman (Passport Books
1999). I also used, "Barron's
Spanish Verbs" by Christopher Kendris (Barron's 2001) to help with the
difficult
task of conjugating Spanish verbs. For an amusing and interesting way
of
learning I attempted to translate the poems by Pablo Neruda in
"Estravagario" and "Cien Sonetos de Amor". And of course I would
have been lost if not for my many useful pocket dictionaries.
Many of Peru's ancient and modern customs and cultures were
on display right before my eyes. During my three months in the north of
Peru, I had time to travel outside of Guadalupe to many historical
sights and
ruins. I was amazed at the amount of ruins and how so many more were
still
just being discovered. Our first experience with the ruins of Peru was
on
a field trip led by Manolo. On our way to a beach, named Barranca, just
outside
of Guadalupe, we stopped to view a vast ruin atop the cliffs
overlooking
the ocean. Manolo provided us later with a description of the area and
a
handout. On another field trip to Cajamarca, I had plenty of time to
visit
the ruins, museums and famous Inca Baths. During my three-month stay, I
also
had time to travel with friends to other sights such as Chan Chan, the
massive
compound located just outside of Trujillo, and Sepan, one of the latest
and
most amazing recent discoveries just outside of Chiclayo.
After making many friends in Guadalupe, I was invited to their
homes and celebrations to view and take part in the modern customs and
culture of
Peru. I attended festivities for anniversaries, holidays, and religious
ceremonies.
I was even invited to take a private tour of the local cathedral
after attending one of the sermons.
Within Guadalupe, I had the opportunity to observe
different
non-profit organizations. One such organization was set up by the
European
Union as a school for the local youths to learn about farming and
raising
livestock. I was taken on a tour by one of the directors of the
organization
and was able to ask many questions about how the school was founded and
operated. Another organization, The Organizacion Juvenil Tercer
Milenio, which is directed by Manolo, operated in the very building in
which I resided. It provided computer
training for the local citizens at a low cost. Upon arrival, I was able
to
take part in the organization along with another student by purchasing
and
installing equipment for the computers such as a CDROM and small
network.
After working for sometime in the schools of Guadalupe, I saw
their need for basic supplies and decided to try and establish a
program myself that would operate similar to a non-profit organization.
I wanted to create a program that did not rely on charity but instead
would create something of value, which in turn could be sold and the
profits used to buy the needed supplies. I discussed many different
possible ideas with the local people and teachers. At last, I have
started a project with the students of Inif. The students are creating
drawings unique to Peru, a local wood worker has
hand made frames, and when everything is complete, I will have the
works sent to the States and sold with the money being returned to Inif
for school supplies. The project is much more difficult than I had at
first expected. The cost for the basic supplies is higher than expected
and the ability to find these supplies is also difficult. Above all,
the most difficult task has been organizing the students and
coordinating all the activities with
the director of the school. I cannot comment on the results of the
project as it is still in progress but I will continue to work until
its completion.
I can however say that we are making good progress as the frames have
been made and we have had numerous classes held to help teach the
students drawing techniques. Their works appear to be truly valuable as
a look into Peruvian culture and history and I feel we will be
successful with this project.
One of the most gratifying parts of fulfilling my contract
in Peru has been working as a teacher to the local students and other
citizens of
Guadalupe. For our first few weeks, the other students and I were taken
to local schools where we were introduced to the directors, English
instructors, and students. We experimented with different methods of
teaching English pronunciation to the students. The instructors were
grateful to have native speakers of American English and after some
time put us in complete charge of the classes. At times we even
developed lesson plans using readings and visuals that we created
ourselves.
We were required to participate at the local schools for a
duration of five weeks. However, at the end of this term I decided to
continue
instructing at Inif with Jorge Gisera. Not only had I developed a
strong
work relationship with the instructors and students at Inif, but also I
felt
that Jorge used some of the better methods of teaching and I was often
able to participate not only in instructing but also in learning
Spanish grammar.
During my stay in Guadalupe I taught two private classes. One
class I created for the students at Inif. They were only allotted two
hours each
week for English lessons. So, any student that desired to spend more
time studying English during the week was permitted to attend the
class. The
other class I instructed was for the adults of Guadalupe that wanted to
learn English or for those few that knew some English and wanted to
improve
their pronunciation. I spent most of my time with this class, which
ranged
daily anywhere from three to fifteen students. By volunteering my time
for
this class I was able to make my strongest ties with the people of
Guadalupe.
I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work and
study with the people of Guadalupe. The opportunity that Prof. Raul
Nakasone provided for me to study in Peru helped me to create and carry
out the requirements of a serious and intensive individual contract. I
am enlightened after having experienced first hand, the people,
culture, and history of Peru. My daily conversations with the citizens
of Guadalupe, has increased my Spanish conversational skills to an
intermediate level. Most importantly, my experiences with the
educational system in Peru and non-profit
organizations, has sparked new interests for me. With all this
experience I was provided I have been inspired and now have many new
goals to attain in my life.
Christopher Schwarz
From: Janine Derpack
To: NAKASONR@EVERGREEN.EDU
Sent: 5/10/2004 5:46 PM
Subject: pensamientos 1 <>
Los días pasan volando. Sentado aquí yo pienso en muchas cosas. Una es
el sol que miraba bajar este noche. Fue un día lindo. Bonito es este lugar,
la gente, la risa. Siempre tanta risa. Lo que es más en mis pensamientos es
el día de la madre. Ayer lo fue y fue un día inolvidable. La fiesta nunca
paro por dos días. Claro que todas las madres estaban cansadas anoche después
de cocinar y cuidar a los niños. Pero, aún estuvieron ellas, festejando,
bailando, cantando hasta la mañana. Estoy cansada. Yo sé que ellas estan
cansadas. Sin embargo, a las nueve en la mañana estuvieron las mujeres
en la cocina, cocinando con sonrisas. Bonita la familia. Junto la familia.
Aunque que no soy parte de la familia me siento como sí, estoy como lo demas,
un parte de ellos.
Hoy día fuimos al cerro. Claro que es un símbolo, un parte de la
cultura aquí. Pero, que significa a la gente? Al otro día hablé con un hombre en
la plazuela sobre la historia de Guadalupe. Que interesante es. El estaba
hablando sobre cuando vinieron los chilenos y se mudaron la gente de la
costa a acá. Al mismo tiempo, estaba leyendo sobre casi la misma cosa en
el libro El Mundo es Ancho y Ajeno. Que interesante es. Luchadores son la
gente. Bonita la gente.
Janine
Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 17:42:23 EDT
Subject: after my first 2 weeks in Guadalupe!
To: <nakasonr@evergreen.edu>
Raul,
The first two weeks here have been quite an experience I am sorry
about not writing sooner, but I wanted to get a good picture of how
things
work and the life I am to lead in Guadalupe before I wrote to tell you
what
I think and how things are going.
Life here is amazing, the people are wonderful, the children full of vigor, and the city has all that one could want in this circumstance. The best part is how friendly and excited people are here. Everyone says hi, and offers you their time to converse about all kinds of things. It is great to be walking around and hear, hello teacher Mark, or, when are you going to come teach us. It is just so great to be amongst younger kids that are so anxious to learn english and more about the United States.
As for the classes, I visited about six schools with Manolo the
first couple of days here, and have pretty much settled in on teaching
at two
=
of them with the rest of the group. There is a professor named
Manuel, at the boys school, with whom we teach, and a professor named
George,
at the girls school, with whom we teach. At this time I can not
think of the names of the schools. (the girls is possibly, Eliz
or Elis) So far, teaching at these places has been a very
rewarding experience.
As for the Spanish section of my contract, I am definately getting in the time alloted practicing, studying and conversing in spanish. I have met some friends, here in Guadalupe, and talk constantly with them. It is really paying off, and I can understand most of what they say, if they talk reasonably slow. As for responding and speaking myself, I am learning more each day. With enough time I can work out what I want to say. Verbs and their tenses, everyday nouns, and conversating terms are all there for me, i just have trouble filling in the words sometimes, so i can speak in complete sentences. It just will take time, and a lot of listening, careful listening.
Other things going on have taken up a lot of my time as well. I have traveled to the beach near Guadalupe, and the ruins there, Chiclayo, and Pacasmayo (in a horribly packed minibus). Pacasmayo down by the oceanfront is really beautiful. We arrived there the other night around sunset and it was just perfect. I feel that I will return there soon to spend a couple of nights. I think sometime next week we plan on taking a trip to Cajamarca, and i would like to go to Trujillo and see the Chan Chan ruins there sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Anyway, the food is great, the women even better, and I am learning a whole lot. I hope to come away from this with many memories and knowledge of the Spanish language, the culture, the land, and the accomplishment of helping those who want to learn my native language. I will continue now to write twice weekly about what is happening here. I hope all is well in Oly. I will write again soon.
-Mark
Program Evaluation
Mark Beckmann
Program: 2 Individual Learning Contracts
Quarter: Summer and Fall 2001
Professor/Sponsor: Raul Nakasone
In order to evaluate these two Programs one needs to understand the nature of such Programs. These two Programs, or Individual Learning Contracts, consisted of immersion style studies. The point was to put a student in a foreign and different place in order to enhance the learning of the Spanish language, the people, culture and politics of Peru, and to experience community service within a rural community in Peru. These programs definitely accomplished these goals, and I took more away from them than originally expected. To give more students the chance to participate in such Programs, I would hope that the professor/sponsor, Raul Nakasone, continues to make available the opportunity to spend a quarter or more in the country of Peru, and more specifically, the town of Guadalupe. This has been a very rewarding two quarters of studies through The Evergreen State College, and I feel these Programs fit right along with the goal this college is trying to accomplish. Through alternative type education, these Programs allow a student to participate in new and challenging studies often not seen in a conservatively academic-run University or College. Also, these programs provide the chance to learn and experience things not available on a college campus in the United Stated. Foreign study is exactly that, foreign. Giving someone the opportunity to challenge themselves with this difficult, yet rewarding course of study, and live the life of an immersion studies student truly helps in forming a tolerate, educated, and well-rounded person. I would recommend these Programs to anyone that has a question about them.
-Mark Beckmann
Raul-
In my mind, this project was a total success. I can not begin to explain the things I have learned though I am sure I do not need to as you have shared similar experiences. The experiences of this trip and my stay in Guadalupe have changed my view on more than a few things. For this I am very thankful.
I think much of the reason the program was so beneficial for me had to do with its structure. Using Manolo was the best choice you could have made. His demeanor and approach toward people and people related subjects (teaching in schools, visiting all the important sites in and around Guadalupe, visiting the hospital, etc.) are so satisfying to experience. It was also very useful for my immediate and seemingly total immersion into the Spanish language. I feel that if an English speaker were to take Manolo's
place in your program it would enable to visitors to speak English and take away from the most important part of this entire experience: learning how to communicate, constructively. I consider Manolo a very close friend now and I can not say enough about him as a person. I believe your hands-off, facilitator approach was also very effective. Gabe and I felt empowered to plan our lessons how we felt would most impact the students. It became a very independent and liberating experience. One thing that I would have liked was more class visits on your part. When we were in the middle part of our time teaching I the schools it may have been
useful to have you sit in on a few classes to observe and, if we wished, offer advice. Constructivism can include a few pointers, right?? (broma)
Your input on our activities was always very positive and therefore, always appreciated.
The trip to Cajamarca was crucial. I think that if you can work one of these trips in for all your sessions you should do so. The immense amount of history and the difference in cultures (without being bombarded with tourism like Cusco) was such an enjoyable experience. The more I remember Cajamarca, the more I want to go back and visit again. Also, our trips to Sipan, Chan Chan, Lambeyeque, Eten, RCP and the beach were great too. It seemed there was always another adventure around the corner. And, we
learned a lot from each excursion, an added bonus. Maybe more planned visits to universities would be interesting for future members of this program. I found it interesting to visit and mentally compare our campuses
while I was in Chiclayo, Trujillo and Cusco.
I wish I had more constructive criticisms, but I really enjoyed myself. That is not a mystery. I want to make Peru a part of my life permanently as it is so much a part of my life right now. Thanks for this opportunity!
Tu amigo, =TOM=
Subject: program eval
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 19:49:06 PDT
From: "Tom Edwards"
<tommyed@hotmail.com>
To: nakasonr@elwha.evergreen.edu
Visit:
http://members.theglobe.com/pakatnamu/primera/primera.html