[nabs-l] Studying abroad: tips and tricks.

[Carly Mihalakis]

Good morning, Kaiti,

You lucky duck, you!

I don't think for all the reasons you stated that you will have 
problems being hurt, or robbed. your experience in Jamaica will be 
memerable and it is not for those reasons.

A few years ago, I met this Jamaican guy in downtown Denver and fell 
in love with patois. Unfortunately, I lost track of Edwin, but at the 
Denver main library I checked out all this print material which I 
scanned, and read, myself. Yes, Christianaty is definitely a 
structural presence of a Jamaican identity and, being that it is so 
structural, unlike ornamental Christians you might find here, I don't 
think you'll encounter too much of the things you named about 
previous experience with Christians. But then, you might be intrigued 
by presences of Mama Afrika you might see within culture, and 
tradition, if not to say spirituality?
Personally, something that has always intrigued me is how 
Christianity as well as other influences are blended with old Afrikan 
presences to form West Indian culture. You might wanna read about the 
history of the Jamaican experience to better place your own 
experiences and other findings into a certain context? Personally, I 
really get off on knowing a historical context, and how my findings 
of a group is influenced by history, and culture.

I would love to be treated via a 2nd hand, of your Jamaican 
experiences! would love to hear of how blind people are regarded 
within such a society. Will you write to me if you find time/resources?
call: 408-209-3239
for today, Car 9/28/2014, Kaiti Shelton via nabs-l wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I have applied for a ten-day study abroad service project to take
>place in June of 2015.  If selected to be a part of this program, I
>will travel to Boston Bay Jamaica and use my music therapy training to
>work with special needs school children, patients at an infirmary on
>the geriatric and psychiatric wards, and in a homeless shelter.  It
>would be a great experience for me, both personally and
>professionally.
>
>I'm trying not to be too optimistic, but I think I have a fair shot of
>getting in.  The interview portion of my application process went
>really well, and I've met all other requirements.  I've already
>discussed accessibility for the course materials and things like
>safety with the program's director, and he seems more than willing to
>accommodate with electronic materials and some extra orientation if I
>need it when I'm at the site.  He told me that all that is left is for
>my professor to give her approval, and she's already told me that she
>thinks this would be great for me and that I have her support.  So,
>all signs look pretty good.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that
>everything panns out as expected.
>
>I am now curious as to how others on this list have studied abroad.  I
>realize my situation is a little different because it's short term and
>experiential rather than class work, but there are still aspects of
>the experience I am wondering about.  For example, how did you raise
>the funds to go if that was an issue for you?  How were you received
>in the airport of the country you visitted?  What was it like in the
>country you visitted when locals saw you/talked to you?
>
>I have limitted travel experience.  My first plane ride was to the
>2012 National Convention, and although I navigated both airports like
>a champ and had no problems, I've never had to deal with customs or a
>foreign airport before.  I also can't find anything about how
>Jamaicans view people with disabilities.  I know that Jamaica is a
>very religious country, and that Christianity is the prominent
>religion, but I've had people from various sects of Christianity do
>everything from claiming I was blind because some demon punished me or
>my mother, and others who just acknowledged it for what it was-a
>genetic or physical thing without religious affiliation, and that's
>just in the U.S.  In my research I've also learned about the crime in
>Jamaica, and am a little worried about being an easy target.  The
>program I would be a part of is very well-staffed, and I would never
>be out of the enclosed living area without a staff member to chaperone
>me.  The program also has a 100% track record in ten years for
>students returning home unharmed and with all their belongings, and
>the program's director told me that we'll be in a pretty safe area
>since we'll be in the countryside with local farmers and fishermen who
>know what the students are doing and don't want to bite the hands that
>feed them persay, rather than by the resorts where tourists are taken
>advantage of frequently.  Nevertheless, I want to do everything I can
>to ensure that I am safe if I end up going abroad.  I want to remember
>the trip for the good things and the learning, not for getting hurt or
>losing something valuable.  What extra measures would you experienced
>study abroad students advise I take if selected to go?  Any
>suggestions are welcome, especially if anyone has done study abroad or
>service work in the West Indies before.
>
>--
>Kaiti
>
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