"The entire Amazon basin spreads for 2.5 million square miles - larger than the size of the continental United States west of the Mississippi. No one could reasonably claim to know the French Quarter in New Orleans after spending a week in Boise, or San Diego after skiing in Aspen; the wildlife in Yosemite Park differs remarkably from that in downtown Minneapolis. That's the breadth of the Amazon."
- Mark London and Brian Kelly
Hello to anyone who cares enough about my life to view this blog. I will be keeping an account of my travels through Brazil for my semester abroad (woo).
I am participating in a Resource Management program run by the School for International Training (SIT). The program is approved by the Skidmore College Office of International Programs, and as such I will receive credits toward graduation, but my grades will not transfer to my transcript.
I will be staying in a homestay for the first 5-6 weeks of the program in Belém, the capital of the northern state of Pará (population 1.5 - 2 million). In Belém, and for the first two months of the program I will take three classes: an intensive language study of Portuguese, a Resource Management Seminar, and a Fieldwork seminar. Both seminars are based upon guest lecturers ranging from government officials to college professors. The fieldwork seminar mainly deals with culturally appropriate means of conducting research (i.e. how to interview a citizen without ending up with a black eye). During the final month of the program I will carry out an independent research project which I will have designed. Currently, I have very little idea what I will research, but I would like it to involve the economics of agriculture and various pressures on farms of varying size... Although I am sure that my ideas will slammed to the ground and reshapen in a manner completely foreign (zing!) to me throughout the next two months.
This is the nature of my trip, and I am indescribably excited, yet nervous seeing as I do not speak the native language. Such is life, taking on greater challenges than one is accustomed to are generally good for the soul. Bring it on
Andrew
p.s. if you caught the post-title reference, you win.
7 comments:
Andrew, you are totally awesome. I can't wait to follow all that you will do on this amazing adventure. Thanks for setting up this blog.
Andrew
Thank you for connecting with me on your Blog. I am thrilled by \the depth of your involvement and your interst in agriculture and the other rescources
you will be studying.
Your blog will be on my bookmark bar and highlighted. I am so anxious to follow your adventures.
Grandfather Burt.
it's sugarcult
Andrew! I will living vicariously through you on this adventure. Make sure you are DOUBLY safe and savor every experience your path takes you on. It is a truly great journey.
Hi Andrew,
Wow! What an incredible time you are about to have! We're soooo jealous! We also think you're amazing and brave. Please keep the postings coming so we can travel with you.
Love, Cate and Paul
A - Here's to safe, productive, horizon-broadening travels. I will be thinking of you and look forward to keeping in touch via your blog.
- Aunt A
Andrew,
I bristle with anticipation to hear of your adventures. I'm proud to be your uncle.
paul
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