Graduating in December?

The deadline for ordering your academic apparel (cap, gown, hood, etc) is midnight, Oct. 31, 2006. Graduation ceremonies are schedule for Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

The LeaderShape© Institute

Are you ready for one of the most dynamic and life changing leadership experiences in the country? The first ever University of Louisville LeaderShape© Institute is coming May 8 through 13, 2007. LeaderShape© is a six-day intense leadership immersion experience that will take students on a journey in personal and leadership development and potential. Students learn what it means to “lead with integrity” and walk away from LeaderShape© with a renewed sense of purpose, passion and a breakthrough in their leadership capacity. An information session will be for students to hear from past national participants and learn all the details of this institute. This session is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in Floyd Theater. For more information about LeaderShape© visit this link at the Campus Life website or or visit the national site.

Medina del Castillo, center spends her free time volunteering at La Fundacion TATO, a non-profit organization that provides services (education, therapy, food, etc.) for autistic children and adults. To read more about her experiences as a Rotary Ambassador Scholar in Mexico, read below.

NEW FEATURE:

Voices from Abroad
By Medina del Castillo

Over two months ago, I arrived in Colima, Mexico, and I must say life feels a lot different. As a Rotary Ambassador Scholar, I am here for one year studying political sciences at the Universidad de Colima. Although I completed my Master’s in political sciences at U of L, I am continuing to take graduate courses and even undergraduate courses here. The language barrier makes the classes even more challenging, but I must say I am finding it easier to write and think in Spanish now than in English!

When I arrived here in late July, I thought I was already prepared for Mexico. Having lived in Oaxaca, Mexico, for two months a year prior, I thought I knew what Mexico had to offer me. Colima has shown me a different lifestyle, one that many Americans would not consider Mexican. Life in this tiny state is indeed slower and more relaxing (all those siestas make it so!), but the perceptions and stereotypes we sometimes affix to Mexico could not be more wrong. From the news or movies, we view Mexico as very poor and corrupt. While my host family admits corruption does exist, they only view certain areas of their country as poor (Oaxaca and Chiapas). The rest of the country may not be rich in money, but in culture, tradition, family and life, it is. These aspects are valued by Mexicans. Living with a host family has taught me how the Mexican way of life centers around family. I have become accustomed to their meals, which are amazing, and their daily routines. For me, there seems to be more than 24 hours in a day. Everything here is taken one day at a time.

Of course, as I am correcting my American perceptions of Mexicans, I am correcting the Mexican’s perception of Americans. I hope I have shown them that we are not all made out of money, nor do we think we are better than everyone else. In class, the United States government and its relations with the rest of the world -- especially with Mexico -- are mentioned daily. While I was already familiar with how foreigners viewed our country, hearing it daily is giving me a global perspective not just of our own country but of other countries. When you are an exchange student, you tend to flock to the other exchange students. My friends include one other American and the rest represent Europe, Canada, South America and other parts of Mexico. Together as a group, we all have interesting tidbits to share about our countries with the class.

Aside from studying numerous hours of the day, I have been busy with another aspect of my Rotary ambassadorial role and that is the idea of practicing goodwill to others. Through the international office at my university, I found a volunteer position at a non-profit for autistic children and adults. Twice a week, I am either translating English texts into Spanish or teaching English classes to the students. While the job takes patience, it has been extremely rewarding. When I came to Mexico, I expected to only improve my language skills and my own knowledge of Mexican culture, life and politics. I never realized that I would learn so much about another type of culture, in this case autism. The experience continues to open my eyes. Soon it will be November and three months will have passed. I am here for at least seven more months. I am amazed how time is flying by. I am curious about what Mexico will continue to offer me seven months from now. ¿Quién sabe?

For more information about Medina’s experiences abroad go to http://medinainmexico.blogspot.com