Day 2 of Intercultural Learning
Yesterday was our second day of Intercultural Learning. We created our Mandate for our time abroad, determined who the Stakeholders are in our projects, spoke about Intercultural Communication, and examined the Adaptation Process.
Once the classroom learning was done, Maya & I headed back to the Lodge to just hang out for a bit and get some stuff done before dinner. At 5:30pm we prepared to head out to dinner, only to find out that the place we were going to meet at was closed! So we ended up going a couple of blocks away to a place called Alexander's. It was pretty good. John Julian met us there by fluke. Afterwards, some of us decided to just stay in at the Lodge and watch a movie. But then we couldn't get the movie to work, so we ended up retreating to our rooms for the night.
Day 3 of Intercultural Learning
Today was by far the best in terms of gaining pertinent information. A resource person from the four countries the interns will be visiting came in to spend 2.5 hours with us. Eric Asare was the gentleman from Ghana that we had the privilege of speaking with. He was so pleasant and passionate about his country. He has been in Saskatoon since 2005 as a Ph.D. student at the University of Saskatchewan. He spoke of politics and warned us to stay away from taking sides in debates. According to him, in Ghana there are not political opponents but political enemies. However, soccer unites people. This is excellent since the African Nations Cup will be held in Ghana in 2008! From January 20th to February 10th games will be held in Accra where we will be as well as Sakondi, Tamale, and Kumasi. We have plans to go. From the passion Eric displayed for soccer in his short time with us, I can just imagine what an incredible experience this will be! We learned a lot from him and it just heightened my excitement and my impatience. I just want to get on the plane and go already!!!
Next few days
But, there is still one day of training left. Tomorrow we will be reviewing insurance policies, the organizations where we will actually be working, and then we will embark on a co-op tour in the afternoon. Wednesday morning will be an early one with a 6am flight from Saskatoon to Toronto. Once in Toronto, Maya, Andres & I have a 10 hour layover. Our flight from Toronto to Amsterdam is at 10:20pm. Once in Amsterdam, we have a 2 hours layover and then it's a direct flight from there to Accra, Ghana!!!
Not sure when I will next get a chance to post, so if I do not get the chance in the airport in Toronto, it will probably be in Ghana. Many new adventures & observations to convey soon, I am sure. I will do my best to get as much as possible on here so as to keep a log for myself and to keep you, my faithful readers, updated and enjoying the ride with me!
Take care & good luck with the transition back to school for those of you in the midst of it!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Intercultural Learning Begins...
Today we began our three days of Intercultural Learning. It was interesting, but much of it seemed to be common sense. It is getting harder to sit in that classroom with only a one hour break for lunch. I think we are all itching to go, and with the beautiful weather and campus outside, the last thing we want to do is stay cooped up all day! However, we are all really looking forward to Monday when we will have someone come from each country where an intern will be placed to discuss what it is like to adapt to living in those countries and what cultural differences and nuances to be aware of.
After we left today, Maya, Jen, Aimee, and I headed downtown to do some shopping. Along the way, we saw another statue (apparently they are all over downtown Saskatoon), some Mounties leaving a wedding, and a horse-drawn buggy.
Unfortunately, by the time we got to the mall, we only had like 20 minutes because it closed at 5:30pm! Crummy, but oh well. We lost Aimee along the way, so then Maya, Jen & I went out for dinner to FreeHouse, a cute little restaurant with a Patio. Some delicious appetizers to share and some great conversation; it was a good time. Now I am off to rent a movie with Maya and then hopefully finally go to bed early and manage to spend a day in the classroom without yawning tomorrow! We'll see how that goes...
After we left today, Maya, Jen, Aimee, and I headed downtown to do some shopping. Along the way, we saw another statue (apparently they are all over downtown Saskatoon), some Mounties leaving a wedding, and a horse-drawn buggy.
Unfortunately, by the time we got to the mall, we only had like 20 minutes because it closed at 5:30pm! Crummy, but oh well. We lost Aimee along the way, so then Maya, Jen & I went out for dinner to FreeHouse, a cute little restaurant with a Patio. Some delicious appetizers to share and some great conversation; it was a good time. Now I am off to rent a movie with Maya and then hopefully finally go to bed early and manage to spend a day in the classroom without yawning tomorrow! We'll see how that goes...
Co-ops 101
Today we began our YEI Training. We headed over to the University of Saskatchewan Arts building for 8:30am breakfast and our day officially began at 9am. Staff from the Centre for the Study of
Co-operatives (now referred to as CSC) lead us through a very thorough introduction to co-operatives. It was very interesting.
Brett Fairbairn, the head of the History Department at U of S and a former Director of CSC, started us off with Co-operatives - all you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. He gave us a good history briefing on co-ops and elaborated on how since the 19th century co-ops have been used to meet needs while adhering to different political philosophies. He spoke about Schulze-Delitzche, Raiffeisen, Desjardins, and Moses Coady and their contributions to the Co-op movement. Throughout his presentation, I could not help but think of ways that we can incorporate some of this information into the CYL Program. I guess I always have camp on the brain! I also started considering looking into a Masters Program through CSC. After all, you can never have too much education! :)
After Brett, Roger Hammond, a Research Officer at CSC, facilitated a session on Some Contemporary Issues and Opportunities. We were divided into three groups and asked to discuss the topics of Sustainability, Education, and Member Engagement.
At lunch we had the opportunity to talk to some other staff from CSC as well as some Grad Students and a former intern from the program who was over in Korea for a year and then stayed there for an additional 4 years.
After lunch, Murray Fulton, a Professor of Economics & Agriculture and another former Director of CSC, lead us through The Economics of
Co-operatives. He had some formulas that he presented to us as well as some games to get us thinking about the financial benefits of co-ops. I really enjoyed the games. Probably because they were somewhat math related and I am a nerd like that!
Finally, we ended off the day with a second session on More Contemporary Issues and Opportunities, lead by Lou Hammond Ketilson, the current Director of CSC. The issues to discuss were financing, renewal, and gender equity.
Then it was back to the lodge to drop off some excess food. Maya and I then went off in search of a dollar store to buy some Canadian swag to bring with us for the students in Ghana. Gotta love the low provincial tax of 5% here!!! We had a blast on our way there and back. I have no doubt in my mind that we are going to have sooo much fun together in the months to come. We get along great! We are already making plans to visit one another once we are back in Canada. It's fantastic.
For supper, we went to a rooftop patio at Broadways in downtown Saskatoon followed by some drinks at Amigos where some live bands were playing. A beautiful day and I actually managed to take some more pictures.
On our way to dinner, we past the Ronald McDonald House which was gorgeous.
Then after dinner, we past a statue in the street and Mathieu & I decided to pose for some photos.
All of the interns are so interesting and have such a wide variety of experiences that they bring with them. It is so refreshing to speak to them about where they have been and where they are headed. It is very exciting to think that very soon, we will all be off on another adventure!
Tomorrow: Intercultural learning begins...
Co-operatives (now referred to as CSC) lead us through a very thorough introduction to co-operatives. It was very interesting.
Brett Fairbairn, the head of the History Department at U of S and a former Director of CSC, started us off with Co-operatives - all you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. He gave us a good history briefing on co-ops and elaborated on how since the 19th century co-ops have been used to meet needs while adhering to different political philosophies. He spoke about Schulze-Delitzche, Raiffeisen, Desjardins, and Moses Coady and their contributions to the Co-op movement. Throughout his presentation, I could not help but think of ways that we can incorporate some of this information into the CYL Program. I guess I always have camp on the brain! I also started considering looking into a Masters Program through CSC. After all, you can never have too much education! :)
After Brett, Roger Hammond, a Research Officer at CSC, facilitated a session on Some Contemporary Issues and Opportunities. We were divided into three groups and asked to discuss the topics of Sustainability, Education, and Member Engagement.
At lunch we had the opportunity to talk to some other staff from CSC as well as some Grad Students and a former intern from the program who was over in Korea for a year and then stayed there for an additional 4 years.
After lunch, Murray Fulton, a Professor of Economics & Agriculture and another former Director of CSC, lead us through The Economics of
Co-operatives. He had some formulas that he presented to us as well as some games to get us thinking about the financial benefits of co-ops. I really enjoyed the games. Probably because they were somewhat math related and I am a nerd like that!
Finally, we ended off the day with a second session on More Contemporary Issues and Opportunities, lead by Lou Hammond Ketilson, the current Director of CSC. The issues to discuss were financing, renewal, and gender equity.
Then it was back to the lodge to drop off some excess food. Maya and I then went off in search of a dollar store to buy some Canadian swag to bring with us for the students in Ghana. Gotta love the low provincial tax of 5% here!!! We had a blast on our way there and back. I have no doubt in my mind that we are going to have sooo much fun together in the months to come. We get along great! We are already making plans to visit one another once we are back in Canada. It's fantastic.
For supper, we went to a rooftop patio at Broadways in downtown Saskatoon followed by some drinks at Amigos where some live bands were playing. A beautiful day and I actually managed to take some more pictures.
Right: walking to dinner
Middle: All of the interns, Monique & Lesley at dinner
Left: Moi taken by Jen
On our way to dinner, we past the Ronald McDonald House which was gorgeous.
Then after dinner, we past a statue in the street and Mathieu & I decided to pose for some photos.
All of the interns are so interesting and have such a wide variety of experiences that they bring with them. It is so refreshing to speak to them about where they have been and where they are headed. It is very exciting to think that very soon, we will all be off on another adventure!
Upper Right: Lesley & Mathieu
Left: Me & Maya
Bottom Right: Jordana & Jen
Tomorrow: Intercultural learning begins...
Friday, August 24, 2007
In the Prairies
Training: Day 1
Today was really more of a travel day than anything else. I got to the Ottawa Airport at 8:30am to check my bags in, say goodbye to Mom, Dad, Celine & Phil, clear security and board the plane for my 9:45am flight to Toronto. Mom told me to go wave to her once I cleared security. Standard right? Well I walk through and guess who gets to be the "random" person patted down. The lady who did it was pleasant enough, but goodness they check EVERYWHERE. I felt a little felt up. And I didn't even leave the country! I boarded the plane first in my lovely aisle seat and was soon joined by Jen and Aimee, two other interns who will be going to Uganda.
At 10:45am we arrived in Toronto and headed to the gate for our next flight to Winnepeg. Little did we know it, but Aimee had unintentionally sat down to Monique, the YEI Manager, so we all moved on to Winnepeg together.
We got to Winnepeg at 1:45pm Winnepeg time and met up with Caitlin, Andres, and Jordanna and sat in a lounge with lunch for a bit before moving on to the next gate & flying to Saskatoon. We arrived in Saskatoon at 3:00pm Saskatoon time (5pm Ottawa time) and met up with the other two interns, Mathieu & Maya (my roomie to be), as well as Lesley who is one of the other YEI Coordinators.
From there, we got in a van and headed to the College Drive Lodge where we will be staying for our stay in Saskatoon. We each have a room to ourselves with beds ranging from twins to queens. I lucked out and got a double. Seems cozy. Tonight's only planned event was dinner & we went to a little place called Amigos. It was delicious.
Tomorrow, training officially starts on the University Campus from 9-5pm. We are going to meet staff from the Centre for Co-operative Studies. I am excited to put some faces to names I have heard about for a while.
This seems like a great group of interns, and I have no doubt that we are shaping up for an incredible week of amazing people and shared stories of past adventure and anticipated adventure to come!
Today was really more of a travel day than anything else. I got to the Ottawa Airport at 8:30am to check my bags in, say goodbye to Mom, Dad, Celine & Phil, clear security and board the plane for my 9:45am flight to Toronto. Mom told me to go wave to her once I cleared security. Standard right? Well I walk through and guess who gets to be the "random" person patted down. The lady who did it was pleasant enough, but goodness they check EVERYWHERE. I felt a little felt up. And I didn't even leave the country! I boarded the plane first in my lovely aisle seat and was soon joined by Jen and Aimee, two other interns who will be going to Uganda.
At 10:45am we arrived in Toronto and headed to the gate for our next flight to Winnepeg. Little did we know it, but Aimee had unintentionally sat down to Monique, the YEI Manager, so we all moved on to Winnepeg together.
We got to Winnepeg at 1:45pm Winnepeg time and met up with Caitlin, Andres, and Jordanna and sat in a lounge with lunch for a bit before moving on to the next gate & flying to Saskatoon. We arrived in Saskatoon at 3:00pm Saskatoon time (5pm Ottawa time) and met up with the other two interns, Mathieu & Maya (my roomie to be), as well as Lesley who is one of the other YEI Coordinators.
Room I am staying in at the College Drive Lodge in Saskatoon
From there, we got in a van and headed to the College Drive Lodge where we will be staying for our stay in Saskatoon. We each have a room to ourselves with beds ranging from twins to queens. I lucked out and got a double. Seems cozy. Tonight's only planned event was dinner & we went to a little place called Amigos. It was delicious.
Tomorrow, training officially starts on the University Campus from 9-5pm. We are going to meet staff from the Centre for Co-operative Studies. I am excited to put some faces to names I have heard about for a while.
This seems like a great group of interns, and I have no doubt that we are shaping up for an incredible week of amazing people and shared stories of past adventure and anticipated adventure to come!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
My bags are packed; I'm ready to go!
Well, the time has officially come. One more sleep and then I will be on a plane to Saskatoon for training. I cannot believe how fast the time has flown! I will do my best to get pictures and highlights of my time in Saskatoon up as soon as possible. I found out today that the house I will be staying in in Accra for at least the first two months does have internet. Though unreliable, I will therefore have access to work on my blog and keep all of you up to date!
Please feel free to forward this address on to others. I did not get the chance to email it out as I thought I would, so please family & friends pass it on to other family & friends!
I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and support while I embark on this incredible adventure. I have received some very kind words. Please know that I really appreciate them and I will carry you all along on this ride.
Cannot wait to get back and share in person the account of my days in Ghana. But until then, enjoy reading, and take care of yourselves!
Love,
Sonja
p.s. I went to the bank with the CYL Snack Shack Proceeds and will be donating $630.00 US on behalf of our fantastic youth in the program. Way to go CYLers! Warm Fuzzies! :)
Please feel free to forward this address on to others. I did not get the chance to email it out as I thought I would, so please family & friends pass it on to other family & friends!
I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and support while I embark on this incredible adventure. I have received some very kind words. Please know that I really appreciate them and I will carry you all along on this ride.
Cannot wait to get back and share in person the account of my days in Ghana. But until then, enjoy reading, and take care of yourselves!
Love,
Sonja
p.s. I went to the bank with the CYL Snack Shack Proceeds and will be donating $630.00 US on behalf of our fantastic youth in the program. Way to go CYLers! Warm Fuzzies! :)
Thursday, August 9, 2007
2 Weeks 'til Training!!!
So in two weeks at this time, I will be in Saskatoon at training. I am getting soooo excited to go! Three weeks from today I will be in Accra!
Over the long weekend, I went shopping to equip myself for my trip. Saturday on my way back from camp, I went and picked up a backpack to transport my laptop. Convenient & it's cute! (That was one of my requirements, as ridiculous as that is) Then on Sunday, Dad, Celine & I went to Toronto so that I could go shopping at Mountain Equipment Co-op for my travelling backpack. Also got my headlamp for those lovely nights when the electricity is out and sleeves for my laptop. Dad & Celine decided I should be decked out as a Canadian, so they got me a couple of Canadian flags to put on my backpacks...sweet! Celine had offered to sew them...hope you're still up for that Slinks, because I am bringing them home!
Conversations with people keep getting me more psyched to leave already. Today Denyse Guy, the Executive Director at On Co-op (aka my boss) & I were talking about it and she mentioned that I am absolutely going to love it because people in Africa are not about materialism - they put an emphasis on relationships. That has had me thinking a lot.
My favourite quote is a Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I think that relationships are definitely the most enriching part of our lives, so I am really looking forward to living as a part of that society for 6 months. It will be a great reminder as to what is truly important in life. Anyways, I could go on in a rant about consumerism and materialism, etc. right now, but this is long enough as is & I should get to bed since it's 2AM and I have to leave here at 8AM to head to camp. EEP!
Over the long weekend, I went shopping to equip myself for my trip. Saturday on my way back from camp, I went and picked up a backpack to transport my laptop. Convenient & it's cute! (That was one of my requirements, as ridiculous as that is) Then on Sunday, Dad, Celine & I went to Toronto so that I could go shopping at Mountain Equipment Co-op for my travelling backpack. Also got my headlamp for those lovely nights when the electricity is out and sleeves for my laptop. Dad & Celine decided I should be decked out as a Canadian, so they got me a couple of Canadian flags to put on my backpacks...sweet! Celine had offered to sew them...hope you're still up for that Slinks, because I am bringing them home!
Celine (younger sister) & I walking back to the van from MEC (left) and Dad & I walking back to the van (right)
Conversations with people keep getting me more psyched to leave already. Today Denyse Guy, the Executive Director at On Co-op (aka my boss) & I were talking about it and she mentioned that I am absolutely going to love it because people in Africa are not about materialism - they put an emphasis on relationships. That has had me thinking a lot.
My favourite quote is a Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I think that relationships are definitely the most enriching part of our lives, so I am really looking forward to living as a part of that society for 6 months. It will be a great reminder as to what is truly important in life. Anyways, I could go on in a rant about consumerism and materialism, etc. right now, but this is long enough as is & I should get to bed since it's 2AM and I have to leave here at 8AM to head to camp. EEP!
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