THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2003
STUDENT LIFE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5
Native grooves move study abroad students
By Beth Braunsdorf
bbraunsdorf@kansan.com
Jayplay staff writer
For some students studying abroad, new language proficiency wasn't all they picked up.
The music of the countries they visited also rubbed off.
Andrew Holtmann, Leawood junior just returned from a six-month stay in Accra, Ghana, located in western Africa. There he experienced how fulfilling the drums could be.
"Everyone I met was a drummer, drum teacher or played guitar," Holtmann said.
Besides drums, Holtmann got the opportunity to take a few xylophone classes.
Andrew Holtman, Leawood junior, (right) gives Rasta Bush Doctor (left) guitar lessons near the University of Ghana. Many foreign students traded guitar lessons for drum lessons, fruits or other items.
Unlike the in United States, Holtmann said music was one of the biggest parts of Ghanaian life.
"The popular music was mainly reggae that was uplifting for hopeful people in need of help,"
"The popular music was mainly reggae that was uplifting for hopeful people in need of help," he said.
Holtmann said he also attended free music festivals.
Contributed photo
"They had lots of music, drum lines, dancing and a parade," he said. "It was a
Andrew Holtmann
Leawood junior
Holtmann said he also enjoyed Ghanaian radio more than U.S. radio.
huge celebration."
"They play more music,more often with many more musicians," Holtmann said.
Every country has its own music icon. Holtmann said Ghana's popular export was Rocky Dawuni.
"He's like the Bob Marley of Ghana. He played his drums and guitar and spread his Rasta love," Holtmann said.
Julia Tata, Palm Desert, Calif., junior just returned from a seven-month stay in Adelaide, Australia.
"The music was extremely Americanized," she said. Tata attended a John Mayer concert in a bar that resembled Lawrence's Granada. The ticket price was similar to what she thought it would cost in the states.
Tata never learned to play a new instrument, but the didjeridoo, an Aboriginal musical instrument, did interest her.
As for keeping in touch with their new found music, Holtmann said he would
continue listening to the music he brought back, but Tata said she would stick with what has always appealed to her.
— Edited by Andrew Ward
Heard on the Hill
What are reading now, and would you recommend it?
"Mary by Nabacov. Yes, he writes some beautiful prose." Mickey Argumedo, Lawrence junior
"The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."
Joseph Proffitt,
Lawrence senior
"Anthology of Spanish Poetry from 1890- 1939. It's for class."
Amber Sharp, Kansas City senior
Mystery of Providence by John Flavel. Yes, I think it is very good."
Mark Miller, Ulathe sophomore
for those times when you're just too damn lazy to grab a paper
是： 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100.