Crazy Classes

So experiential learning is basically the coolest thing ever! That is the conclusion I have come to so far.

On Wednesday I had my first Field Work Methods class. My professor Steve(also my advisor) does a lot of theater for social change work so he incorporates that into our class. So in order for us to learn about participant action research, we had to act out carnival in Brazil. We got into groups outside and had to make up a dance then combine all together in a parade sort of thing. For homework we had to write what we observed. Pretty awesome.
Yesterday I had my global issues course. We watched the movie "road to Guantanamo" if you haven't seen it, put it at the top of your list! My friend Rachel and I are doing our group project on child trafficking in and out of Costa Rica. This was also going to be my theme for my independent study but after talking to Steve I decided on something else.
I am going to be doing a photo project comparing children in Nicaragua and Nicaraguan immigrant children living in the squatter community outside San Jose. Steve and another staff member, Gail, so a lot of work in the community so I am going to do that research while here. Then for my two weeks of independent study I am going to Nicaragua. I have emailed Plan Nicaragua and am waiting to hear back to see if I can go to some of their community projects there. Wednesday night I went with a bunch of students to Jazz Cafe in San Jose because one of our professors wives was dancing flamenco. The Band and dancers were amazing! I will definitely have to go back to that place.
Whitney and I ventured to the USA style mall last night so I could buy a few things. I needed some random stuff but I also bought a webcam!! So all you people who have cameras on their computers, I can now see your beautiful faces!
Today I had my first Indigenous Peoples of Latin America class. We did a lot of talking then went outside and read the declaration that a group of indigenous people in the great lakes region reads before any community meeting. It was really interesting. I got to read the part about trees being a symbol of peace in many societies.
My host sister is having her birthday party tonight and there is going to be a band and tons of people at my house. It's going to be crazy I think. I invited my friend Jeanette to come over so she can hang out with me. I am pretty excited about this.
I have TONS of homework that I am going to get started on now so I can go to the beach tomorrow.
Here is the link for the youtube video I made today with a tour of my school. I will try to do make the one of my house either today or sunday.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mfZPOy3ri1Q

ciao

ps. I am really excited about the possibility of foxy, alana and mermaid coming to visit

The First Few Days

So here I am in Costa Rica!
I it absolutely amazing here. The weather is perfect, I like my school and my host family.

I arrived on sunday evening around 4:30 and was met by my Host mother and sister. The woman, Marci, who was suppose to pick me up was really sick. My host mother and sister drove me from the San Jose airport to their house in Heredia, where I will be living the next 4 months.
My mother is 52 and is an in home hairdresser. My sister is 20-something and works someplace. They both take a lot of pride in what they look like. They are the only immediate family members I have. I have already met my aunt, uncle and younger boy cousin. They are all super nice.
Our house is in the barrio of Merecedes Norte which is a bus ride and 7 block walk from the center (school). It is a small house, typical of people in Heredia. I have my own room and bathroom and its really cute. I will post a youtube video this weekend if I have time. My street is beautiful because I am on a small hill so I can see the mountains.

The school is so nice. Its tucked away on a street in the middle of Heredia by the National University. I will also post a youtube video of this at some point. Half of the center is outside with hammocks and couches. Everyone is usually hanging around before/after classes. There is a kitchen to make stuff with free coffee and such. Its really incredible.

On Monday I went to the center for the first time for new student orientation. There are 5 new students, 2 boys and 3 girls. One girl, whitney, is here for her study abroad with LIU and the rest of us are transfers. We did general information sessions and a tour of a little bit a Heredia. What a beautiful city. Well.. here is it considered a city but in the states it would be a town.

Tuesday was the "ingathering" for all students. We went to this cute little place in the mountains near Heredia. There was a field, pool, river, etc. We just had Hangout/bonding time in the morning and in the afternoon learned about the semester's courses. Everyone is really cool. They are my kind of people. I can already name most of them so Yay for me!

Today was my first day of classes. I have spanish Mon-thur from 8:30-10am and I am the only one in my "class"!! So I basically have a personal spanish tutor 4 days a week. My spanish is already SO much better. I am remembering a lot from my basic spanish class and being around is all the time is a great help. I can only speak to my host family in spanish which is challenging but helping me pick it up quicker. Later this afternoon I have Field work methods. My adviser is the professor of the class. He is a perfect adviser for me. He has done a lot of work with human rights issues and even did his graduate studies in Human trafficking.
The classes I am taking are
Spanish, Field work methods, indigenous peoples of Central america, Global issues in a LA context, electronic portfolio construction, living latin american culture, and independent writing.
We have 3 integrated field trips, a one day trip to an indigenous community, a 3 day trip to different parts of costa rica to indigenous communities and the beach =), and a two week trip to ecuador. We do a lot of work on the field trips for our classes.

At the beginning of march I have my two-week independent study project. I have a lot of ideas for what I am going to do but havent picked one yet. I am thinking of doing something with kids in Nicaragua, possibly with Plan because I have those connections. A lot of students are going to mexico, DR, ecuador or panama for theirs.

Hmm what else.. This weekend a bunch of students invited me to go to Puerto Viejo ( THE BEACH) with them. I am not sure if i am going or not because it is my host sisters birthday and they are having a party on friday at the house.

Oh If anyone wants to send me a letter or something then here is the address,
Annie Schneider
Global College - COS
Apartado 8496-1000
San Jose, Costa Rica

mail gets delivered every tuesday and thursday.
Okay I have a lot more to say but this is long enough.
Adios for Now!
Reminder: My birthday is Feb 7 =D