Hello everyone,
I'll take a few minutes to update you on my life - a bit behind schedule, but that's okay (better late than never, right?). The beginning of November was pretty quiet in my life (although quite hectic everywhere around me - see my last blogpost to find out why). But once the first weekend passed, the rhythm of things picked up quite a bit.
On Tuesday, November 8th, I successfully completed my first solo trip in Peru: nothing big, but I went to Lima alone. I was let out of work a bit earlier in the afternoon so that I could catch my bus and get to Lima before the sun went down. The trip went very smoothly: I arrived in Lima shortly after 6pm and then took the bus straight away to Miraflores (the safest, cleanest, nicest part of Lima). When I got off the coach bus I was excited to be travelling alone again; I had forgotten the rush of how it feels. I mean, I carefully researched exactly where to go so I wouldn't look lost and would be efficient with my time, but it was nice to be independent and self sufficient. SUCH A GREAT FEELING. And I felt much safer this time in Lima. Probably because I know from where to where I was going and now I am familiar with the area, so it is not as scary. Also, my Spanish is much better than when I first got here (I kept thinking back at how much time had passed since the first time I did the trip from Lima to Huacho).
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
INDEVOURS presents Roy Sesana tomorrow!
Hello everyone!
I would like to invite you all to attend INDEVOURS' first fundraising event of the year: a very special talk by Roy Sesana. Roy Sesana is a medicine man of the Gana Bushman from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Speaking through a translator in his native language, a part of the Khoisan family of languages most notably recognized by its characteristic clicks, Sesana speaks about land claim issues in the Kalahari between the indigenous populations, fighting to stay on their ancestral lands, and the local government. The talk is taking place at the William G. Davis Centre (DC) 1350 on the University of Waterloo campus tomorrow, Friday, June 3rd, and will commence at 7pm. There is a suggested donation of $10 that will be put towards helping us pay for our field placements.
As I mentioned last week, all 4th year International Development students (there are twenty-six of us) are coming together to organize quite a few fundraisers over the course of this semester in order to raise funds and awareness about our upcoming field placements. I am a part of the event organization committee (we also have a marketing/advertising committee, a donor relations committee, a web and social media committee, and a project reporting committee). Needless to say the past few weeks have been incredibly busy with planning the event and jumping over the hurdles that have presented themselves along the way, but I am quite excited to meet Mr. Sesana and his translator tomorrow and see our hard work come together in what I hope to be a very exciting event.
I would like to invite you all to attend INDEVOURS' first fundraising event of the year: a very special talk by Roy Sesana. Roy Sesana is a medicine man of the Gana Bushman from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Speaking through a translator in his native language, a part of the Khoisan family of languages most notably recognized by its characteristic clicks, Sesana speaks about land claim issues in the Kalahari between the indigenous populations, fighting to stay on their ancestral lands, and the local government. The talk is taking place at the William G. Davis Centre (DC) 1350 on the University of Waterloo campus tomorrow, Friday, June 3rd, and will commence at 7pm. There is a suggested donation of $10 that will be put towards helping us pay for our field placements.
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| Roy Sesana |
Stay tuned as we continue to plan other fundraisers over the course of the term. In the meanwhile, you can now make a donation to the INDEVOURS campaign directly! I appreciate all of your support.
Thank you so much and hope to see you tomorrow!
Sheila
Thursday, May 26, 2011
College Conspiracy: An interesting take on education in North America
Hello,
This week I would like to share with you a video that I recently watched on YouTube. It's called "College Conspiracy":
Now while I must admit that I have not watched the entire hour-long video, I would highly recommend taking a look at the first three minutes or so. First of all, I feel that the combined voice, background sound, and graphics make this quite a captivating clip that draws viewers in. Although the producer of this video does use figures and statistics that do not necessarily represent all of the colleges in the U.S., the underlying message that I have taken away is that we are all trained (programmed, shall we say) to achieve well in school so that we can one day make it to college, and then go on to having a high-paying career. And I would agree with this statement to a certain extent.
As I am nearing the end of my undergraduate degree, I definitely feel as though there are certain things that have lacked in my education thus far (and others that have surpassed expectations, of course). When I started university, my Grandpa told me that if I learned nothing else, I would definitely learn to think this year. That, I believe, is entirely true. I learned to think. And write academic papers. But in terms of 'hard skills', I do not feel as though I possess that many. I may have learned to lay bricks on volunteer trips to Guatemala and El Salvador, but this does not mean I could go build a house on my own tomorrow. Perhaps this is because I am not in a program leading to a professional designation such as a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. So this means that I must find my own way.
The video also talks about the rising cost of tuition and other fees (such as textbooks). Oh boy, is this ever something I know about. Since I have been in university (4 years), tuition (including ancillary fees) has risen from approx $5,000/year to approx $6,000/year. That's a $250 increase per year! This coming year, I will also be completing a field placement in Peru, and this has quite a few additional costs associated with it. To give you an idea of the money that I am trying to earn/fundraise over the next few months:
Return flight: $1,500
Travel and health insurance: $300
Vaccines: $250
Living costs (incl. accomodation): $4,380
WUSC Field Placement Fee: $3,000
Tuition: $6,000
Total: $15,430
Alright so my living expenses in Peru will definitely be less than those here in Waterloo (or last year when I was in Lyon), but it is still quite a hefty amount to pay when you consider that I will be unable to work during those 8 months and that I am currently in school and therefore unable to work full-time.
So this semester, we are fundraising! Our class is coming together this semester in order to fundraise to help cover the costs of our field placements. We have branded ourselves INDEVOURS (get it? INDEV for International Development and a play on the word endeavours). You can check our out blog here: INDEVOURS, or find us on facebook or on twitter. Our goal: raise $30,000 this summer (just over $1,000 per student, or less than 10% of what our field placement will cost). Will you help us?
I'll keep you posted with upcoming events and the progress that INDEVOURS is making. Have a great week!
Sheila
This week I would like to share with you a video that I recently watched on YouTube. It's called "College Conspiracy":
Now while I must admit that I have not watched the entire hour-long video, I would highly recommend taking a look at the first three minutes or so. First of all, I feel that the combined voice, background sound, and graphics make this quite a captivating clip that draws viewers in. Although the producer of this video does use figures and statistics that do not necessarily represent all of the colleges in the U.S., the underlying message that I have taken away is that we are all trained (programmed, shall we say) to achieve well in school so that we can one day make it to college, and then go on to having a high-paying career. And I would agree with this statement to a certain extent.
As I am nearing the end of my undergraduate degree, I definitely feel as though there are certain things that have lacked in my education thus far (and others that have surpassed expectations, of course). When I started university, my Grandpa told me that if I learned nothing else, I would definitely learn to think this year. That, I believe, is entirely true. I learned to think. And write academic papers. But in terms of 'hard skills', I do not feel as though I possess that many. I may have learned to lay bricks on volunteer trips to Guatemala and El Salvador, but this does not mean I could go build a house on my own tomorrow. Perhaps this is because I am not in a program leading to a professional designation such as a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. So this means that I must find my own way.
The video also talks about the rising cost of tuition and other fees (such as textbooks). Oh boy, is this ever something I know about. Since I have been in university (4 years), tuition (including ancillary fees) has risen from approx $5,000/year to approx $6,000/year. That's a $250 increase per year! This coming year, I will also be completing a field placement in Peru, and this has quite a few additional costs associated with it. To give you an idea of the money that I am trying to earn/fundraise over the next few months:
Return flight: $1,500
Travel and health insurance: $300
Vaccines: $250
Living costs (incl. accomodation): $4,380
WUSC Field Placement Fee: $3,000
Tuition: $6,000
Total: $15,430
Alright so my living expenses in Peru will definitely be less than those here in Waterloo (or last year when I was in Lyon), but it is still quite a hefty amount to pay when you consider that I will be unable to work during those 8 months and that I am currently in school and therefore unable to work full-time.
So this semester, we are fundraising! Our class is coming together this semester in order to fundraise to help cover the costs of our field placements. We have branded ourselves INDEVOURS (get it? INDEV for International Development and a play on the word endeavours). You can check our out blog here: INDEVOURS, or find us on facebook or on twitter. Our goal: raise $30,000 this summer (just over $1,000 per student, or less than 10% of what our field placement will cost). Will you help us?
I'll keep you posted with upcoming events and the progress that INDEVOURS is making. Have a great week!
Sheila
Thursday, May 19, 2011
A special evening with former Governor General Michaëlle Jean
Hello everyone,
Last Thursday I had the privilege to attend quite a special event here on campus at the University of Waterloo. The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean came to campus to give the 2011 Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Service Lecture, and beforehand there was a special, Haïtian-flavoured dinner organized for seventy or so people. Four International Development students were invited to attend the dinner at the University Club, and I was a part of that group.
We were asked to arrive a little bit early to get some group pictures in and help with the set-up for the reception and dinner. Two of us were to greet the guests as they arrived, and the other two were to mill around and strike up conversation with the other attendees (mostly faculty in Environment or INDEV, people from RBC, and other major donors). I was quite excited to volunteer myself to mingle with the guests as we all waited for Mme Jean to arrive. The evening brought back memories from summers working at Rideau Hall.
For two summers, I worked as a guide/interpreter at Rideau Hall (in Ottawa), the official workplace and residence of the Governor General of Canada. This was during the time of Mme Jean's mandate, so I have already met her on a few occasions and had the chance to attend quite a few events where she presented awards and gave speeches. One of the most valuable skills I learned during my time at Rideau Hall was how to feel comfortable in a room full of strangers, enter into conversation and remain professional. At Rideau Hall, we occasionally had events of 200+ people, and my job as a guide would be to talk with the guests, tell them a little bit about the history, art or architecture of the room they were in, and just have general conversation. Let me tell you that it is much easier said than done! The first major event that I worked was the closing ceremony for the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference. With a little bit of help from our coordinators, we learned to introduce ourselves to people who were deep in conversation and integrate ourselves into their groups. Nerve-wracking to begin with, but after a while you pick up some tricks and a lot of courage.
The evening last week felt oddly familiar. As guests began to arrive, I would walk up to clusters, introduce myself, and then tell them a little bit about my studies, the International Development program, or just join into whatever discussion they were having. This allowed me to meet many faculty members, high-ranking university officials and other guests of the university that were eagerly awaiting to meet Mme Jean.
When Mme Jean arrived, she went around from group to group to say a quick hello and take pictures with them. The International Development students present had the opportunity to take a picture with her as well:
We also got a picture taken with the rest of the International Development staff:
It was very nice to meet with Mme Jean again. I have always found her to be a positive, energetic and caring person, even though she has an incredibly busy schedule (she was in Dubai the day before her talk at Waterloo, and was leaving for Haïti the following day). In the talk she gave that night, it was incredibly well tailored to her audience. She spoke directly to the International Development students to give us words of strength and encouragement, and to remind us not to do 'for' but to do 'with'. She spoke about youth engagement, the evolution of humanitarianism, its strengths and shortfalls, and about her role as the UNESCO Special Envoy to Haïti.
Hearing her speak gives me hope for the future: I often get told that I am too optimistic or that my energy will soon fade when I head out into the 'real world', I see people becoming jaded or cynical about their ability to make a difference and have doubts in others. While I recognize that not everything is perfect and that it may never be, the fact that Mme Jean still has the enthusiasm and energy to do what she does gives me faith that if I continue to stay positive and to do what I can, no one will be able to bring me down and that I will leave my mark on the world, whatever that may be. And that is a great gift to be able to give to others.
Don't let the fire inside of you get put out by others. That is what I took away from that night. Not because it was explicitly stated, but because actions speak louder than words. And hers were ringing loud and clear.
Have a great week!
Sheila
[to read more about the event, follow this link: Investment not aid: Michaëlle Jean calls on young Canadians to champion inclusive international development.]
Last Thursday I had the privilege to attend quite a special event here on campus at the University of Waterloo. The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean came to campus to give the 2011 Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Service Lecture, and beforehand there was a special, Haïtian-flavoured dinner organized for seventy or so people. Four International Development students were invited to attend the dinner at the University Club, and I was a part of that group.
We were asked to arrive a little bit early to get some group pictures in and help with the set-up for the reception and dinner. Two of us were to greet the guests as they arrived, and the other two were to mill around and strike up conversation with the other attendees (mostly faculty in Environment or INDEV, people from RBC, and other major donors). I was quite excited to volunteer myself to mingle with the guests as we all waited for Mme Jean to arrive. The evening brought back memories from summers working at Rideau Hall.
For two summers, I worked as a guide/interpreter at Rideau Hall (in Ottawa), the official workplace and residence of the Governor General of Canada. This was during the time of Mme Jean's mandate, so I have already met her on a few occasions and had the chance to attend quite a few events where she presented awards and gave speeches. One of the most valuable skills I learned during my time at Rideau Hall was how to feel comfortable in a room full of strangers, enter into conversation and remain professional. At Rideau Hall, we occasionally had events of 200+ people, and my job as a guide would be to talk with the guests, tell them a little bit about the history, art or architecture of the room they were in, and just have general conversation. Let me tell you that it is much easier said than done! The first major event that I worked was the closing ceremony for the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference. With a little bit of help from our coordinators, we learned to introduce ourselves to people who were deep in conversation and integrate ourselves into their groups. Nerve-wracking to begin with, but after a while you pick up some tricks and a lot of courage.
The evening last week felt oddly familiar. As guests began to arrive, I would walk up to clusters, introduce myself, and then tell them a little bit about my studies, the International Development program, or just join into whatever discussion they were having. This allowed me to meet many faculty members, high-ranking university officials and other guests of the university that were eagerly awaiting to meet Mme Jean.
When Mme Jean arrived, she went around from group to group to say a quick hello and take pictures with them. The International Development students present had the opportunity to take a picture with her as well:
 |
| From left to right: Sarah Voegeli (INDEV student), Feridun Hamdullahpur (6th president of the University of Waterloo), Dana Vanthof (INDEV student), the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Sheila Ball (INDEV student), Eric Christensen (INDEV student). |
 |
| From left to right: Larry Swatuk (INDEV Program Director), Dana Vanthof, Eric Christensen, Sarah Voegeli, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Sheila Ball, Gráinne Ryder (INDEV Field Placement and Language Program Coordinator), Bruce Frayne (INDEV Professor). |
Hearing her speak gives me hope for the future: I often get told that I am too optimistic or that my energy will soon fade when I head out into the 'real world', I see people becoming jaded or cynical about their ability to make a difference and have doubts in others. While I recognize that not everything is perfect and that it may never be, the fact that Mme Jean still has the enthusiasm and energy to do what she does gives me faith that if I continue to stay positive and to do what I can, no one will be able to bring me down and that I will leave my mark on the world, whatever that may be. And that is a great gift to be able to give to others.
Don't let the fire inside of you get put out by others. That is what I took away from that night. Not because it was explicitly stated, but because actions speak louder than words. And hers were ringing loud and clear.
Have a great week!
Sheila
[to read more about the event, follow this link: Investment not aid: Michaëlle Jean calls on young Canadians to champion inclusive international development.]
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Infinite Talent
Hello, and welcome back!
Now that the Winter 2011 semester is over I can breathe a little more easily. I am still quite exhausted but happy to have it all over with. What I thought would be one of my easiest semesters yet turned out to be one of the busiest, but everything worked out well in the end and I achieved some of my highest marks in university yet!
The next few posts I'll be making will be inspired by the ad campaign for Peru. This advertisement shows someone stitching a beautiful pattern, with the words "infinite talent" written next to it:
I think that these two words are very important to highlight and to keep in mind as we go about our day-to-day business. I think that all too often people feel that they aren't smart enough, or aren't athletic enough, or... Instead, we should recognize that each of us has many talents; this can include knowing how to cook a delicious meal, being able to design clothes or jewelry, or playing a musical instrument. I think that each individual has an infinite amount of talent within them, we just have to learn how to harness our potential and put it towards something that is meaningful and brings us happiness.
So I'd like to leave that with you this week. What makes you special? What are your passions?
Have a great week!
Sheila
Thursday, April 14, 2011
It's crunch time!
Hello everyone!
Sorry to disappoint but there won't be much to this week's blogpost! I am in the middle of studying for exams (well, I only have one, really), but also packing up my room to move back to Ottawa in a few days. It will all be over very shortly but unfortunately I won't have the chance to write you a nice long message this week.
As promised, here is another picture of the new brand for Peru. These are some souvenirs that you can purchase throughout the country:
Let me know if you want me to pick you up anything while I'm away! Have a great week!
Sheila
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The end of yet another semester
Hello everyone!
I hope you are all doing well. For those still in school, congratulations on almost being done another semester - one last push. As we come to the end of the month and of the Winter 2011 term, I think it's nice to look back on things that have been accomplished and new projects on the go.
March 2011 was an exciting month for me! First of all, I heard back from one of the scholarships that I'd applied for and found out that I have been chosen as a recipient! I am one of the proud winner of Export Development Canada's International Business scholarship for 2011, a value of $3,000! That will help me pay for a chunk of my field placement next year. I've also applied for quite a few more scholarships, and my cohort is currently brainstorming fundraising ideas that we will carry through and implement during the spring/summer semester, so stay tuned!
School has also been going very well - I only have one take-home exam and one final exam left before the end of the term, but classes are now done for me. It feels pretty good. Somehow throughout my university career I've managed to increase my average almost every semester, which is a good trend to continue I guess! I'm looking forward to the coming spring semester where I will have a much lighter course load (only 3 classes). This will give me more time to work as a first aid instructor (and I'm also looking for more part-time work). I will also be trip planning for the month of August, so exciting times are ahead!
I'll leave you here with the first (of many) new advertisements promoting tourism in Peru:
Feel free to leave me your comments and thoughts on their new branding! What do you think? Does it catch your eye? Don't forget to come back next week to see another one of their marketing posters!
Have a great week!
Sheila
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sand dams
Hello!
As I mentioned last week, this post is dedicated to telling you about a new technology that I have been learning about this semester called sand dams (http://www.sanddam.org/). Sand dams are a new, up and coming technology that can be used in drought-prone regions or places where harnessing and storing water is difficult. The construction of sand dams helps in recharging aquifers (or ground water) so that wells and hand pumps in the area can extract water from the ground. Here is a picture of what a sand dam looks like:
As I mentioned last week, this post is dedicated to telling you about a new technology that I have been learning about this semester called sand dams (http://www.sanddam.org/). Sand dams are a new, up and coming technology that can be used in drought-prone regions or places where harnessing and storing water is difficult. The construction of sand dams helps in recharging aquifers (or ground water) so that wells and hand pumps in the area can extract water from the ground. Here is a picture of what a sand dam looks like:
Sand dams are dams that are built across seasonally dry river beds. The area must be appropriately selected, preferably with large boulders or rocks on either side of the river beds to serve as supports for the dam. Initially, you build a dam that is only a few feet high. When it rains, some of the water will be retained to form a reservoir. More importantly though, all of the sediment that is being carried by the rainwater will be blocked from continuing downstream from the dam. As the sediment builds up, water will continue to flow over the dam. The dam is only supposed to affect a maximum of 10% of streamflow so that communities downstream can continue to use the water for sanitary and irrigation purposes. The following year, another addition to the sand dam is made to make it a little bit higher. When the river floods again, some of the water will remain in the area, sediment will build up, and more water will flow over the dam. The idea here is to create a reservoir and give the water the chance to be absorbed into the ground to recharge the aquifer. The picture below gives you an idea of how a sand dam is built:
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Field placement update!
Hello!
I have great news!!! (Actually, I've known this for an entire week now, I just wanted to keep you hanging until Thursday to discover it.) Last week we had a meeting with Grainne, our field placement coordinator, to give us an update about the field placements and to review some of the terms in our contract. And now we have dates! It has been confirmed that we will be starting our in-country orientation on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Lima, Peru. We will all be returning to Pearson Airport in Toronto on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, to then be transfered to St. Paul's University College. All of the field placement participants will be livng at St. Paul's for two weeks as we debrief from our international experiences, finish up our capstone projects, and have a banquet! (I will also be turning 23 during this time, so I guess a celebration will be in order!) It's pretty exciting to know when we will be leaving. Until now, I was feeling so-so about the field placement because I have not had much say in the planning or organization (except that I chose to go to Peru over Vietnam, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Botswana and Malawi), but that's about it. Now at least I can plan my summer accordingly, and it feels as though it's so much more real. So I'm excited.
The other exciting news I received is that Grainne has made an exception for those of us who wish to travel beforehand! Originally we were told that we must all depart from Toronto together as a group and travel to Peru on the same flight, but we were informed last week that if we wish, we can change the date of the plane ticket to fly to South America earlier. This is absolutely AMAZING, because I have a large break before the field placement starts. I am taking three required courses this summer, but they will all be over on Monday, July 25th. I have a physical check-up with the doctor on August 8th, and after that I am free as a bird until I begin my field placement! I had originally thought of going to visit Rosalie (my little sister) in France where she will be working for the summer, but I am now strongly reconsidering just taking off early and going to visit Bolivia and Argentina? Why not! I think I have convinced my best friend, Roop, to come along on the ride too! If anyone else would like to join along you are more than welcome to come!
So that's my exciting news! Next week I'll be writing about one of the most innovative, under-used technologies in the developing world that I am currently doing a group project on. So stay tuned!
Have a great week everyone!
Sheila
I have great news!!! (Actually, I've known this for an entire week now, I just wanted to keep you hanging until Thursday to discover it.) Last week we had a meeting with Grainne, our field placement coordinator, to give us an update about the field placements and to review some of the terms in our contract. And now we have dates! It has been confirmed that we will be starting our in-country orientation on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Lima, Peru. We will all be returning to Pearson Airport in Toronto on Sunday, April 22nd, 2012, to then be transfered to St. Paul's University College. All of the field placement participants will be livng at St. Paul's for two weeks as we debrief from our international experiences, finish up our capstone projects, and have a banquet! (I will also be turning 23 during this time, so I guess a celebration will be in order!) It's pretty exciting to know when we will be leaving. Until now, I was feeling so-so about the field placement because I have not had much say in the planning or organization (except that I chose to go to Peru over Vietnam, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Botswana and Malawi), but that's about it. Now at least I can plan my summer accordingly, and it feels as though it's so much more real. So I'm excited.
The other exciting news I received is that Grainne has made an exception for those of us who wish to travel beforehand! Originally we were told that we must all depart from Toronto together as a group and travel to Peru on the same flight, but we were informed last week that if we wish, we can change the date of the plane ticket to fly to South America earlier. This is absolutely AMAZING, because I have a large break before the field placement starts. I am taking three required courses this summer, but they will all be over on Monday, July 25th. I have a physical check-up with the doctor on August 8th, and after that I am free as a bird until I begin my field placement! I had originally thought of going to visit Rosalie (my little sister) in France where she will be working for the summer, but I am now strongly reconsidering just taking off early and going to visit Bolivia and Argentina? Why not! I think I have convinced my best friend, Roop, to come along on the ride too! If anyone else would like to join along you are more than welcome to come!
So that's my exciting news! Next week I'll be writing about one of the most innovative, under-used technologies in the developing world that I am currently doing a group project on. So stay tuned!
Have a great week everyone!
Sheila
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Learning by living
Hello everyone!
Tonight's note is inspired by my sister, who just found out today that she will be working as a tour guide at Vimy Ridge in France over the summer. Way to go Rosalie! She has been super excited all day about leaving to go to France and working and living there over the summer, and it reminded me how much travelling means to me and how important I think it is.
Let's face it - for someone my age, I'm a pretty accomplished traveller. I've visited 24 countries (2 of which I've lived in - Canada and France), and will be moving for Peru for 8 months in September. I love travelling. I've looked for opportunities to travel, and taken every chance I could get. A lot of it comes down to priorities, in my opinion. For instance, I barely ever go to the restaurant or buy fast food items (I would rather pack a lunch from home). This allows me to save up money that I can put towards a trip instead of spending more on a daily basis. I have also managed to do quite a few trips on a tight budget, by staying in youth hostels (sometimes with up to 18 people in the same room!), buying groceries instead of eating out, and shopping for cheap travel options. Three of the trips I've taken (Arizona/Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador) have been to volunteer, and so for those ones I was able to fundraise to cover part of the costs, too. Travelling is important to me, and I will continue to do what I can so that I can continue to see the world!
I feel travelling is important for quite a few reasons. The biggest one is to learn: learning by experiencing a new language, a new culture, speaking with new people who may have different religious or educational backgrounds as you, living in a new climate, and enjoying the beauty that is around you. Even though I am currently completing my 4th year of university at a well-reputed institution, I feel I have learned much more through travelling than I ever will through formal education. I love the feeling of arriving in a new place, discovering a new currency and learning to barter with locals at a market in a foreign language, while trying to figure out your bearings in a new city. Visiting museums, finding remnants of the past, and exploring natural wonders have made each experience unique and enriching.
So as Rosalie prepares to fly off to France to work for the summer, and I continue my preparations (and plan fundraisers to help subsidize costs) for my trip to Peru next year, I am quite excited for all of the things I am going to learn. My main goal is to be fully trilingual by the time I graduate. I am already fluent in French and English, and would love to feel 100% confident in Spanish (as of right now, I can hold a conversation, but my vocabulary is lacking). I am sure I will make lasting connections and really get a feel for the way of life in Huacho, Peru. I am looking forward to live on the Pacific coast for 8 months (and I hope the weather will cooperate!). I wonder what traditional dishes will be like! And how punctual people are. Oh the things I will learn to live with and adapt to. Life is an adventure. Why not start now?
Have a great week!
Sheila
Tonight's note is inspired by my sister, who just found out today that she will be working as a tour guide at Vimy Ridge in France over the summer. Way to go Rosalie! She has been super excited all day about leaving to go to France and working and living there over the summer, and it reminded me how much travelling means to me and how important I think it is.
Let's face it - for someone my age, I'm a pretty accomplished traveller. I've visited 24 countries (2 of which I've lived in - Canada and France), and will be moving for Peru for 8 months in September. I love travelling. I've looked for opportunities to travel, and taken every chance I could get. A lot of it comes down to priorities, in my opinion. For instance, I barely ever go to the restaurant or buy fast food items (I would rather pack a lunch from home). This allows me to save up money that I can put towards a trip instead of spending more on a daily basis. I have also managed to do quite a few trips on a tight budget, by staying in youth hostels (sometimes with up to 18 people in the same room!), buying groceries instead of eating out, and shopping for cheap travel options. Three of the trips I've taken (Arizona/Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador) have been to volunteer, and so for those ones I was able to fundraise to cover part of the costs, too. Travelling is important to me, and I will continue to do what I can so that I can continue to see the world!
I feel travelling is important for quite a few reasons. The biggest one is to learn: learning by experiencing a new language, a new culture, speaking with new people who may have different religious or educational backgrounds as you, living in a new climate, and enjoying the beauty that is around you. Even though I am currently completing my 4th year of university at a well-reputed institution, I feel I have learned much more through travelling than I ever will through formal education. I love the feeling of arriving in a new place, discovering a new currency and learning to barter with locals at a market in a foreign language, while trying to figure out your bearings in a new city. Visiting museums, finding remnants of the past, and exploring natural wonders have made each experience unique and enriching.
So as Rosalie prepares to fly off to France to work for the summer, and I continue my preparations (and plan fundraisers to help subsidize costs) for my trip to Peru next year, I am quite excited for all of the things I am going to learn. My main goal is to be fully trilingual by the time I graduate. I am already fluent in French and English, and would love to feel 100% confident in Spanish (as of right now, I can hold a conversation, but my vocabulary is lacking). I am sure I will make lasting connections and really get a feel for the way of life in Huacho, Peru. I am looking forward to live on the Pacific coast for 8 months (and I hope the weather will cooperate!). I wonder what traditional dishes will be like! And how punctual people are. Oh the things I will learn to live with and adapt to. Life is an adventure. Why not start now?
Have a great week!
Sheila
Thursday, February 17, 2011
My post-grad plan
Until a few months ago, I had no intention of pursuing post-graduate studies. My plan was to complete my undergraduate degree and to go find a job somewhere, either for the government, a non-governmental organization, or... I was keeping my options open. As I was discussing my thoughts with some of my mentors and doing some more research, I realized that I would be employable after graduation, but that I would quickly hit a glass ceiling if I did not add some more letters to my name by completing a master's degree.
Around the same time, I found out about a series of joint master's programs that are offered by the European Commission. There is an extensive list of post-graduate programs on their website, and they all offer large scholarships to complete the programs. Essentially you complete your first semester at one university, and then move to a different city or country to complete your second, third, and fourth semesters. Yet another opportunity to travel and gain different insights!! I have spent quite a bit of time looking through the different programs and have narrowed it down to two.
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in either Flood Risk Management or Hydro-Informatics and Water Management. The Flood Risk Management takes place in Dresden, Germany (1st semester), Delft, the Netherlands (2nd semester), Barcelona, Spain (3rd semester), Ljubljana, Slovenia (2 months), and then you complete your thesis at one of the universities or complete a work placement within a company. The Hydro-Informatics and Water Management program takes place at universities in Germany, England, Spain, France, and Hungary, and you can select where you wish to spend each semester. The 4th semester you complete either an internship or a research paper. Both programs offer full scholarships of €48,000. I am planning on completing the majority of the application process this summer, so that I just have to make touch-ups and minor changes when I am in Peru.
If neither of those programs pan out, I am also planning on applying for a few programs in Switzerland (offered in French), and perhaps at different universities across Canada, including Université du Québec à Québec or Rimouski, Royal Military College, and the University of British Columbia.
My goals are to advance my knowledge and understanding and critical awareness of specialisations at the forefront of discipline in water management, decision support systems, water and society. I want to apply scientific principles in the development of environmental solutions to practical problems in the water environment and water infrastructure operation. In doing so, I hope to play a key role in ensuring the safe, environmentally sound and sustainable management of natural and domestic water resources. I am interested in managing projects of this nature, and so I would also like to develop skills in project management by attending seminars and workshops.
I have always had an interest in international affairs and I am now looking to apply this to my future career. After my studies, I want to apply the knowledge I have learned in international development and water management to monitor and develop mitigation plans for areas that are prone to natural disasters in other countries.
If you have any ideas, suggestions, or contacts that might be useful I would greatly appreciate your feedback! I know that the future holds many great things, and I am excited to continue along on this journey.
Have a great week!
Sheila
Around the same time, I found out about a series of joint master's programs that are offered by the European Commission. There is an extensive list of post-graduate programs on their website, and they all offer large scholarships to complete the programs. Essentially you complete your first semester at one university, and then move to a different city or country to complete your second, third, and fourth semesters. Yet another opportunity to travel and gain different insights!! I have spent quite a bit of time looking through the different programs and have narrowed it down to two.
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in either Flood Risk Management or Hydro-Informatics and Water Management. The Flood Risk Management takes place in Dresden, Germany (1st semester), Delft, the Netherlands (2nd semester), Barcelona, Spain (3rd semester), Ljubljana, Slovenia (2 months), and then you complete your thesis at one of the universities or complete a work placement within a company. The Hydro-Informatics and Water Management program takes place at universities in Germany, England, Spain, France, and Hungary, and you can select where you wish to spend each semester. The 4th semester you complete either an internship or a research paper. Both programs offer full scholarships of €48,000. I am planning on completing the majority of the application process this summer, so that I just have to make touch-ups and minor changes when I am in Peru.
If neither of those programs pan out, I am also planning on applying for a few programs in Switzerland (offered in French), and perhaps at different universities across Canada, including Université du Québec à Québec or Rimouski, Royal Military College, and the University of British Columbia.
My goals are to advance my knowledge and understanding and critical awareness of specialisations at the forefront of discipline in water management, decision support systems, water and society. I want to apply scientific principles in the development of environmental solutions to practical problems in the water environment and water infrastructure operation. In doing so, I hope to play a key role in ensuring the safe, environmentally sound and sustainable management of natural and domestic water resources. I am interested in managing projects of this nature, and so I would also like to develop skills in project management by attending seminars and workshops.
I have always had an interest in international affairs and I am now looking to apply this to my future career. After my studies, I want to apply the knowledge I have learned in international development and water management to monitor and develop mitigation plans for areas that are prone to natural disasters in other countries.
If you have any ideas, suggestions, or contacts that might be useful I would greatly appreciate your feedback! I know that the future holds many great things, and I am excited to continue along on this journey.
Have a great week!
Sheila
Thursday, February 10, 2011
How did I get here?
My life has taken a turn where I get much more joy from helping others than material things. Since I left high school, I have had a complete change of career paths: I began studying in September 2007 in a double degree program in mathematics and business at the University of Waterloo, but quickly decided that was not for me. Only a few months into my university career, I decided to transfer into an International Development Honours program, through the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. Here is my story.
Since childhood, I have loved travelling, and decided that I always wanted that to be a part of my life. I loved many subjects in school, notably mathematics, biology, and history. Around grade 6 I remember wanting to be a civil engineer (probably because I loved playing Roller Coaster Tycoon). After that I was convinced I wanted to be an orthopaedic surgeon. In grade 11, my math teacher told me she thought I would make a great diplomat: I am already fluent in French and English, I can easily converse in Spanish, and I have well-developed negotiation skills.
When I was 'university shopping' in grade 12, I attended the fall open house day at the University of Waterloo. That day, Mark Kielburger gave the keynote address. His speech was incredibly motivational, talking about child labour and the inequalities that exist in this world, and empowering youth to stand up and make a change. I felt as though I was almost too old to start helping out (I was 17 at the time). The following summer, after graduating high school, I spent 2 weeks on the Arizona/Mexico border volunteering and learning about border issues that exist between the two countries. This sparked another passion of mine, humanitarian work.
In the fall of 2007, I began studying at the University of Waterloo (UW) in a combined Mathematics and Business program (jointly run with Wilfrid Laurier University). I love math, and figured that combining it with business would be quite useful. I thought that I might specialize in finance, to one day work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) on my way to becoming a diplomat. I quickly decided business was not the right fit though. I transferred into International Development, a new program at UW that started in the fall of 2008. I am also completing a minor in Geography and Environmental Management as well as a Diploma in Environmental Assessment.
In February of 2008, I travelled to Guatemala to build a house with Habitat for Humanity, which was an incredible learning experience. A few months later, I decided that I wanted to lead my own trip. In February 2009, as a trip leader for Habitat for Humanity, I selected and led a team of 10 individuals to go to El Salvador during reading week to build two houses. Over 9 months, I spent an average of 15 hours/week organizing the details of the trip such as flights, accommodation, insurance and fundraising.
During the 2009-2010 school year, I completed a 9-month study term abroad in Lyon, France. Already fluent in French, I embraced the French culture and learned as much as I could about local customs and events, while improving my communication skills in a foreign environment.
I am currently back in Waterloo completing required courses and preparing for my internship. For my last year of university (2011-2012), I will be travelling to Huacho, Peru to complete an 8-month field placement with the local water and sanitation services provider, EMAPA Huacho. This will be an amazing opportunity to work in Spanish and experience the realities of a small water utility trying to expand and improve services to meet the needs of all while confronting watershed degradation and water source pollution. I will be working to improve corporate governance and educate users to reduce water consumption and waste. More information about the organization can be found under the 'EMAPA Huacho' tab.
I'd love to hear your feedback! Feel free to follow my blog and leave any comments you have. I'll be posting every Thursday afternoon, so tune in next week to find out a bit more about what my plans are after graduation!
Until next week,
Sheila
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