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SPRING 2005
ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE
By Melissa Sidebottom, Bi-lingual Spanish Language Intensive for Social Workers, San José, Costa Rica
A man by the name of Michael F. Staley once said, "There is no challenge more challenging than the challenge to improve yourself." I have found life to be a series of challenges for myself and for people in all walks of life. My name is Melissa and I am an alumnus of the 2004 Bi-Lingual Spanish Language Intensive for Social Workers in San Jose, Costa Rica. When I found out about a study abroad program that would allow me to build upon my Spanish language skills and explore another culture I saw it as an opportunity. I have always wanted to travel, particularly if the experience would be a chance to grow and contribute to others.
Amazingly, opportunities do not usually come without challenge. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and I walk with forearm crutches. I've learned to see challenge as a way of life. For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to use crutches, a wheelchair, or just travel outside the U.S., many places lack accessibility or are inaccessible both here and abroad. The United States is significantly accommodating in many places, and Costa Rica is progressing in accessibility for Latin America.
dence in my abilities both academically and personally. For me, just getting around in Costa Rica was a challenge, and I found that the thing that I missed the most was the independence which accessibility to places and transportation affords. I would walk around the neighborhood
Traveling to Costa Rica has enhanced my confiand university whenever I had the chance just to explore; I knew that the afternoon rains would soon make walking more treacherous.
Melissa Sidebottom prepares a Costa Rican dish with her host family. Contributed by Melissa Sidebottom.
The most valuable part of my experience was living with my host family, because they helped
me to feel safe in a new situation. I remember feeling overwhelmed at the airport in San Jose, because I felt exhausted and I was a bit overwhelmed by instant immersion in another culture. At this point there was no turning back, and I just felt that I would be able to handle whatever happened during the next five weeks. I can recall writing in my journal for my KU instructor that after meeting my host family and managing awkward Spanish I wished that I could've downloaded Spanish into my brain. My host family was always available to talk to, and included me in many of their family activities. Near the end of my stay my backpack was stolen, and my host family was very reassuring. Fortunately for me I only lost my textbook, homework, and about $5, but I couldn't believe that I had fallen for a very common distraction technique.
My host family and some of the neighbors in the neighborhood were very welcoming, which gave me the impression that they were proud to have visitors from other countries. I also noticed that the majority of Costa Ricans that I saw living with physical disabilities depended upon family members. Yet, they seemed to find ways to overcome obstacles as I have. If I could do anything different, I would probably take a willing travel companion to help me go on excursions, bring extra money, and stay a little longer. I would encourage anyone to try study abroad, even if it is only a short stay, because being in another environment helped me to realize what I can accomplish.
Global Awareness Program (GAP)
The Global Awareness Program (GAP) is a new program at KU that offers students a broader view of the world and recognizes undergraduates' international experiences. Students can have an international experience through study abroad, taking classes with an international focus, foreign language study, or participating in international co-curricular activities.
Undergraduates in any major can earn global awareness certification. Students completing this program will have their international experience noted on their official KU academic transcript. They will also receive a certificate from the Office of International Programs.
For more information about GAP contact:
Jane Irungu
GAP Coordinator
International Programs
Strong Hall Room. 300
Tel. (785) 864-7265
gap@ku.edu
www.international.ku.edu
Spring Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am to 12 noon
Language Programs
Want to learn a new language or improve your language skills? The following summer study abroad programs offer language and culture courses.
Language and Culture in Vitória, Brazil
Bi-lingual Spanish Language Intensive for Social Workers (San José Costa Rica)
Language and Culture in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Croatia
Language and Culture in Paris, France
Advanced French Studies in Strasbourg, France
Language and Culture in Eutin, Germany
Advanced German Language in Holzkirchen, Germany
Language and Culture in Florence, Italy
Exploring Contemporary Japan (Hiraatsuka, Japan)
Language and Culture in Puebla, Mexico
Spanish Language and Journalism Internship in Puebla, Mexico
Arabic Studies in Ifrane, Morocco
Language and Culture in Kraków, Poland
Language and Culture in St. Petersburg, Russia
Language and Culture in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Language and Area Studies in L'viv, Ukraine
JAYHAWKS ABROAD
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SPRING 2005