Friends of the International Center, at UC San Diego Newsletter Volume XLIII, No.6 February 2016

A Celebration of the Year of the Monkey —by Chris Wills

Last February, my wife, Liz Fong to the west, and to the highland tebrate crea- Wills, and I spent a month explor- Baliem Valley to the east of Raja tures, and the ing the world’s most diverse coral Ampat that is the home of some world’s most extensive collection reefs. During our trip we dove of New Guinea’s most amaz- of tiny pygmy seahorses. on Cape Kri, a reef that holds the ing tribes. Then we will set sail We will also spend time above world record for number of through the islands of Raja Ampat water, looking at the beautiful is- species seen on a single dive—374! themselves. lands themselves and visiting Raja Ampat—Bahasa for We will visit both the soft coral some of the scattered villages. “Four Kingdoms”—is a scattering reefs in the south of the archipela- Raja Ampat is a world that re- of largely uninhabited Indonesian go and the hard coral reefs in the mains largely unexplored. Be sure islands that lie to the west of New north. These reefs provide some to join us on this adventure! Guinea. Raja Ampat is surround- of the most beautiful underwater New Guinea is not known for ed by some of the world’s most landscapes on the planet. There we its gastronomy, which is why we amazing human societies. We will will encounter the huge schools are featuring , also set the stage for you by brief re- of tiny silversides that other fish more appropriate for a celebration turns to the hidden valley of Tana feed on, schools of manta rays, a of the year of the monkey. The fab- Toraja, on the island of Sulawesi bewildering diversity of inver- ulous Chinese feast produced by Theresa Song and Peggy Cheong plus an army of cooks will be sure to power you through this adven- ture!

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Local children in a Raja Ampat village getting ready to dance for a Clown triggerfish on Raja Ampat reef visiting government functionary Page 2

A Fabulous Banquet Instead we will have the usu- al fabulous filet mignon dish, the to Celebrate phenomenal giant prawns, my —by Liz Fong Wills favorite braised eggplant dish, plus a poultry and a pork dish, Loo Hon Jai or Buddha’s Delight and other wonderful surprises. A My mother’s talents did not lie in the direction of Chinese banquet has to have the Liz Fong Wills cookery, and she could never have produced a ban- full complement of beef, seafood, quet like the one that Peggy Cheong and Theresa pork, poultry, and veggies or else Song and friends prepare for us every year for our fundraising Chinese it is considered not complete. We New Year Dinner. However, my mother did make Loo Hon Jai, a Buddhist will also top the meal off with a vegetarian dish with 15 or more ingredients, to celebrate the New Year. Chinese dessert. Called Jai for short, the dish is traditionally served in Chinese house- In addition to our complimen- holds on the first day of the Chinese New Year. It is an important part of tary house wine, premium wine the Buddhist tradition of maintaining a vegetarian diet for the first five will be available for purchase by the days as a form of self-purification. Each and every item has a particular glass. The brainchild of Elisabeth auspicious significance. The following are often found in Buddha’s De- and Kurt Marti, this is yet one more light: bamboo fungus and/or shoots, bean curd sticks, black and/or oth- way Friends try to raise money for er types of mushrooms, , daylily buds, fat choy (Hair our international scholarships. seaweed, clusters of a black hair-like cyanobacterium), ginkgo nuts, red Come help us celebrate the jujubes or dates, lotus roots and/or seeds, dried oysters, peanuts, snow Year of the Monkey with a fantas- peas, water chestnuts, fried or braised wheat gluten, and wood ears (aka tic, non-boring banquet! black fungus). I’m sure that you are wondering why we aren’t serving this dish. Epi- curious describes it as being “extremely subtle and very delicate … it is all about texture.” That is a polite way of saying BORING! wwwwwww

A Celebration of the From the Scholarship Year of the Monkey Committee Chair: Filet mignon and Fundraiser for Besides enjoying fabulous food Friends Scholarships and following the amazing ad- ••••• ventures of Chris and Liz Wills A Chinese feast in New Guinea, we will hear from followed by two Friends scholarship recipients about the importance of interna- an illustrated talk on the tional scholarships like ours. stunning world of Raja Ampat Come meet Yingzhen (Nancy) by Prof. Christopher Wills Zhang, an American medical stu- Elisabeth and Kurt Marti dispense premium wines Saturday, February 27 dent who plans to participate in 6:30 p.m. a clinical rotation at a 1,200-bed International Center tertiary care hospital affiliated with Zhejiang University in China, and You may make reservations Ruichen Sun, a Chinese student via eventbrite: completing her Ph.D. in Biological http://FICasia2016.eventbrite.com Sciences with special concentration or by check for which you will find a in neuroscience. Both Nancy and handy coupon on page 11 Ruichen are recipients of a 2015 Luna Fung Scholarship.—Ruth Deadline: Feb. 19, 2016 Newmark The dive boat Arenui under sail

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Golden Triangle: Thailand, Myanmar, Laos Akha hill tribe woman in ethnic costume President’s Message I write this month’s column from may be a field rat, a smartphone is tion. Each of our Friends activities, northern Thailand where English somewhere to be found paving the whether or not officially intended is not commonplace outside of way to a better future for the next as an English skills class, provides tourist centers. In possession of generation. our international visitors an op- just a few phrases of Thai, it is re- The ability to communicate portunity to improve their com- warding to see the smiles of appre- is paramount to forging relation- munication skills and to create ciation from the locals as I do my ships and cultural understanding. their own path to a more enjoyable best to communicate. Of course, Happily, it takes only rudimentary stay in San Diego. the danger is that the eagerness on skills and a willingness to engage Katya Newmark the Thai’s part to communicate has to establish lines of communica- [email protected] them quickly speaking far more than I can possibly understand, and we laugh and resort to ges- tures. It is amazing how well peo- ple can communicate relying solely upon desire and hands. Technology has crept in as well to facilitate communication and for some matters, like to insure that a dish contains no shrimp (to which I am allergic), I show my smart- phone with its translation, using both Roman and Thai alphabet. I am not the only one to rely upon my smartphone as the Thai use their smartphones to teach their own children the 44 consonant and 15 vowel alphabet, using a variety of games and programs. Even in the poorest hill tribes, where fami- lies crowd into humble abodes without running water and dinner Beautifully-lit shrine at a festival in Chiang Rai

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Wednesday Morning Coffee —by Georgina Sham

This month we pay tribute to a very special volunteer, Keiko Hirai, who has just told us the exciting (for her) and bad (for us) news that she, Maretoshi, and Yuki will move back to Japan by the middle of March, as Maretoshi Tashu Malik, Georgina Sham, and Keiko Hirai has accepted an excellent faculty position in Osaka. useful and fun projects. She had Keiko arrived in La Jolla in us learn origami; showed us how 2007 with her husband, Maretoshi, to decorate gift boxes and photo who was first a postdoc, then a re- frames; and taught us how to make search scientist, and is now an as- beaded jewelry, autumn wreaths, sistant project scientist in UCSD’s miniature pincushions from bottle Skaggs School of Pharmacology caps, and more. Not only does she and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He introduce her own projects, but she works long hours, which has given acquires craft skills demonstrated Keiko a lot of time to volunteer, by others so well that she can teach and we are very fortunate that she them herself. Case in point: when chose to do so at the International Doris Sant’Anna moved to Florida Center. and left us a lot of materials, Keiko Keiko with daughter Yuki Keiko is especially fond of was able to take over from where working in the kitchen, and no Doris had left off. Keiko is skilled, has brought her daughter with her wonder—she’s a great cook. Soon well organized, and chooses proj- to the Center practically from Yu- she was helping every week at Fri- ects that can be completed in two ki’s birth on. We have literally seen day Café: first learning the ropes, hours, while using very little funds Yuki grow up right at our feet. then working as chef with Café from our kitty. As if this were not Keiko has helped in too many Coordinator Anjali Scholten, and enough, she is also instrumental in ways to enumerate here. Most sig- after Anjali returned to Germany keeping track of all our supplies in nificantly, she also serves as co- with Ginny Young, and each will the kitchen, pantry, and craft cabi- coordinator of the Friends cooking tell you that Keiko was her right net, She is amazing! classes, but come March, Tashu hand. No wonder that already in Malik will remain as sole coordi- On the third Wednesday of 2010 Keiko was named Interna- nator of the International Cooking the month, Keiko assists with the tional Visitor of the Year! Experience. When Tashu learned Friends International Kitchen Two-and-a-half years ago, Kei- that Keiko was about to return to lunches. Most memorably, she cre- ko had baby Yuki. Did that slow her Japan, she lamented: “If it were up ated the menu, shopped for, and down? NO! She has continued to to us we would never let her go.” led the cooking for a Caribbean go backpacking with her husband We invite all of Keiko’s friends lunch; for a Hawaiian, she brought whenever they can find the time, to a Bon Voyage party to be held in molds for the state’s popular Spam and has continued to be just as in- her honor on Wednesday, February musubi; not to mention that she pre- volved at the International Center 24, at noon. The in-house lunch pared a Japanese lunch almost sin- as before. As a matter of fact, Keiko will be prepared by Mary Woo, glehandedly! Keiko is unmatched at contributing ideas, recipes, and Feb. 3: Yarn weaving with Lynn Jahn and Jennie Chin. leadership. Feb. 10: Decorating Valentine’s cookies with Lynn Jahn. By no means is cooking her Feb. 17: International Kitchen: join Lexi Jiang in only talent. She is also an expert preparing a Chinese lunch. crafter, who has led the Wednesday Feb. 24: Making key chain holders with Keiko Hirai. Coffee participants in a number of Farewell lunch for Keiko at noon.

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Lynn Jahn, Jennie Chin, and may be made by e-mailing me, Ginny Young (but we wouldn’t Georgina Sham, at gbsham@ be surprised if we found Keiko in gmail.com and making advance December 2015 the kitchen too!). The menu will payment to the Friends of the Friends Volunteer Hours feature lasagna (with or without International Center. Come help meat), salad, and garlic bread, us say goodbye to Keiko. We will 812.5 = 4.62 FTEs with brownies and ice cream for greatly miss her expertise and dessert. Cost is $5 per person. friendship. I don’t know what we Reservations are required and will do without her!

February Calendar Dexter Davis: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23: Gus’ A Resale Shop Volunteer English Conversation Table, 10:00-Noon —by Joe Nichols Feb. 3, 17: Family Orientation, 9:15 On Thursday afternoons, Louise whips through the record keeping Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24: Wednesday Keeling and I have the pleasure lickety split. Meeting people from Morning Coffee, 10:00-Noon of working with Dexter Davis, different countries, he says, helps one of our student volunteers. He him get a broader picture of the Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25: Inter- is a Junior at Thurgood Marshall campus. mediate English, 10:00-11:30 College, majoring in mathematics Dexter has an interesting Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Friday Chat and economics. It seems volun- take on grades. He feels that if Group, 10:00-Noon teering in the Friends Resale Shop you attend every lecture, do the is a family tradition, as his sister work required, you should get Feb. 9: Board Meeting, 10:00 worked in the Shop while she was an A grade; if not, the professor is Feb. 9, 16, 16, 23: FIC Craft a student at UCSD. doing a poor job in teaching the Circle, 1:00-3:30 Dexter is from Redding and class. Needless to say, he is an A reminds us that Redding is real student. His best-kept secret is Feb. 11: International northern California; perhaps that he really likes Disneyland. Cooking Experience, 9:30-1:00 it could better be described as Dexter is one of the four male Feb. 15: Presidents’ Day southern Oregon. volunteers we now have—good He enjoys helping out at the news indeed. We thank Dexter for Feb. 17: International Resale Shop and his math skills helping the Friends raise money Kitchen, Noon make closing the Shop easy, as he for our scholarship program. Feb. 27: Ethnic Dinner, 6:30

An Authentic Korean We look forward to more of our participants stepping forward Cooking Experience to lead classes, as it gives them a —by Tashu Malik chance to present their culture to others and makes International Our International Cooking Experience started the Bulgogi Cooking Experience truly interna- year 2016 with a Korean cooking class led by guest tional. chefs, Hellene Ahn and Jeongmin Choi, who shared Our February 14 class will with us the secrets of a Korean kitchen, as they led focus on Valentine’s Day. Aptly the class in preparing a few Korean classics, such as called A Sweet Valentine, we will Beef Bulgogi (grilled beef), Pajeon (seafood and veg- prepare an assortment of Valen- etable pancake), Sujebi (noodle soup), and Matang tine’s desserts. Sujebi (candied sweet potatoes). Moreover, Jeongmin and Hellene kindly brought us some kimchi and yuzu tea, which we enjoyed Happy with our post-presentation meal. Valentine’s Day!

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Friday Chatters —by Ellen Scott

The Friends Friday English conver- wishes, Hongji.” sation table, affectionately called the Friday Chatters, meets every Fri- day, rain or shine. Post-docs from Brazil and China; visiting scholars from Korea and Turkey; under- grads from Chile; dependents from Iran, Spain, Mexico, and France, all bring their special skills, interests, and concerns to the table. Conver- sation is invariably relaxed and lively. Over Danny Adams’ fresh- brewed coffee (Danny, the I-Center return to the Friends kitchen for fosters active listening and guiding building mechanic, is a big help in another cooking lesson and tast- correct pronunciation. Michelle making Chatters feel welcome), ing. Brown is our scribe; participants we explore American customs, idi- The secret to our success may relate to her youthful exuberance oms, and politics; help each other be the limited group size, which and daily challenges as a young cope; and just enjoy each other’s allows us to stay nimble. Chat parent in a new culture. Ellen company. Friendships have been leaders can respond readily to our Scott’s mediator experience helps forged; support bonds created. participants’ needs and interests keep the group focused and bal- Chatters often linger on Fri- by remaining flexible—hindered anced. days for the International Café to by few guidelines and rules. Folks Long after they return to their plan beach and tennis dates. Out- can come and go during a weekly home countries, Chatters stay in ings slated for 2016 include hik- session. No topic is off-limits— touch. One visiting scholar from ing in Torrey Pines Reserve; tide- swear words and sexual politics China sent this holiday greeting: pooling at Dike Rock just north of included. One challenge is to dis- “Christmas is coming, I know it Scripps Pier; mingling and munch- courage our more-fluent partici- is the most important festival and ing at the Friends Annual July 4th pants from dominating the con- holiday for you. So I would like to party and beach ; and a versation and give everyone an send best greeting to all of you and walking tour of the UCSD Stuart opportunity to speak. your whole family. Have a good Art Collection, led by longtime The facilitators bring differ- time and enjoy your holiday! Best Friends supporter, Jerry Fitzsim- ent skills to the table. Speech and mons. Who knows? We may even language therapist, Cindy Tozer, Donations —by Ruth Newmark

Unquestionably Friends Treasurer, Before we thank, here in our self by speaking in Māori, explaining Karen Davis, and Corresponding Newsletter, the many generous do- that he had learned the rudiments Secretary, Susan Graceman, were nors, I would like to turn back to the of New Zealand’s native language kept very busy processing and International Center Holiday lunch, while studying at the country’s acknowledging the many wonder- to which we invited two recent oldest and most prestigious uni- ful end-of-the-year donations that Friends scholarship recipients, who versity, the University of Otago. He poured into the Friends mailbox. spoke poignantly about their study treasures the possibility given him Most contributions, but not all, were abroad and the importance of their to conduct lab experiments not only earmarked for scholarships—some award that covered the high cost of on the Dunedin campus, but also on were made in honor of a specific travel and a bit more. a research vessel, work that tied in person. Ralph Torres introduced him- well with his chemistry major and

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Paul’s memory. We are most grateful Mitchell, who upon his retirement to Yiyang Zou (a former student of from the United States Army Paul), Tonia Pizer, Dulce Dorado, moved to San Diego and became Kirk Simmons, Carol Robertson, a dedicated volunteer tutor in our Kim Burton, Katie Palumbo, Jan English-in-Action program. Doug, Tuomainen, Jennie Chin, and Mary as we knew him, was lauded not Woo for their contributions to a Paul once, but twice—in 1986 and again in Ralph Torres and Dan McFarland Y. Yunouye Scholarship. 2004—for his exceptional devotion We note with pleasure a do- to his students by being named Tutor marine science minor. Of course, nation to the Tecle Kidane-Mariam of the Year. Ralph took full advantage of the Scholarship made by Carol & Stu The donation came as a total natural beauties of New Zealand by Smith. Several staff and Friends surprise (after all Doug had died in participating in outdoor activities members, who knew Tec during his 2009) and came from son Doug, who that stretched beyond hiking and role at the I-Center as international accompanied it with a very touching mountain biking to include bungee student advisor, continue to keep letter in which he noted his father’s jumping and skydiving! Tec’s strong belief in international strong advocacy “for understanding Dan McFarland spoke about the education alive—he himself was across barriers of language, culture, delights of his Global Seminar on once an international student from or any other differences. My Dad Jazz in Paris led by pianist extraor- Eritrea—by making scholarship was proud to be honored as a 30- dinaire, Professor Cecil Lytle. Dan, contributions in his memory. year tutor for the program, and he a sophomore majoring in aerospace Nori & Stanley Faer made a was rewarded many times over by engineering, who plays the saxo- much-appreciated donation to our the enduring relationships many phone, told us that he packed his Community Compassion Fund. of his tutees formed with him. He horn on the chance that he might And as a follow-up to President had a powerful intellect, and your jam with his professor, which he Katya Newmark’s end-of-the-year program gave him a vital outlet for did; but that was not all. He also letter to our membership, we re- mentoring others.” was given the opportunity to drive ceived a flurry of donations. We are Quoting further from Doug’s around Paris with the world-famous greatly indebted to the many who insightful letter: “In today’s chaotic saxophonist Branford Marsalis. sent in scholarship gifts heeding her world with over-charged rhetoric, While Friends were proud to words: “The money you donate not the International Center represents showcase the breadth of talent of only touches the life of one person, the best efforts of a great university Dan and Ralph, guests appreciated but has the potential of changing and of committed volunteers to help hearing from our two scholarship the world. So many scholarship students recognize and, throughout recipients, so representative of their recipients report that their life’s their lives, act on what people fellow awardees. course has been redirected through understand and share in common. Friends are truly appreciative their experience abroad, resulting in I’m sure my father would approve of all who contribute to making our a shared resolve of structuring their making this donation, but not just scholarship program a reality, this life to bring about positive change in the light of contemporary events. year helping 57 students to expand in the world.” His own story was remarkable: he their horizons in a meaningful, often We thank: Janet & Maarten fought as an infantry officer against life-altering, international academic Chrispeels, Heidrun Faulkoner, the Japanese during several Pacific setting. Dorothy Gish, Susan & Barry campaigns and was wounded. I We thank those who with Graceman, Lynn & James Jahn, never heard one racist or jingoist their annual membership renewal Louise Keeling, Jean & Jeff Selzer, word from him against the Japanese. added contributions to the Friends Georgina & Lu Sham, and Laurette I think that was a result not only of scholarship fund: Nancy & Bill Verbinski, as well as Lily & Shao- his being a sober student of history, Homeyer, Barbara Baehr, Penny & Chi Lin, who made what has become but of his having entered Japan Dane Winkelman, and Ann Bowles. an annual contribution to the Diane at the close of the war and then In response to a notice in the me- Lin Scholarship fund in memory experiencing the people’s humanity, morial program for the heartwarm- of their niece, Diane Lin (Friends dignity, and sense of honor. These ing celebration of the all-too-short President 1997-98). are values we sure hope not to lose.” life of staff member Paul Yunouye, And much to our delight, Friends received sufficient donations Friends received a significant to fund a scholarship this spring in donation in memory of Joseph D. Thank You!

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Scholarship Letters

Dear Friends of the International Center, Thank you for helping me along my way to study abroad in Edinburgh. Studying far away from home has allowed me the distance to look at my life with an honesty that was difficult to have when I was back home. I’ve been able to strengthen the relationships with the people that mean the most to me back home, and reorient my compass for when I return. Also, being in Scotland has been an absolute blast! I’ve had the pleasure of attending Ceilidhs, hiking in the highlands, enjoying the concert scene in nearby Glasgow, and getting the rain I never had back in San Diego. I’ve attached a couple pictures I’ve taken during my time here to give you an idea of what it’s like. Marshall Seid Education Abroad Program, Scottish Universities Marshall College, Computer Science major Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh

By a couple of pictures, Marshall meant eight! From among these, I have chosen one, although I was tempted by some snow-covered mountain scenes.—Scholarship Committee Chair

My Experience in Lund, Sweden With my time abroad at an end, I ing. As stressful as the situation was, became an endless source of things wanted to let you all know that I had I’m glad it happened. It was my first that I wanted to learn. Even though I an amazing time studying in Sweden, challenge being abroad, and I was have left Sweden, I still plan on con- and I am extremely thankful for the able to overcome it. It gave me a con- tinuing to learn Swedish, because role the scholarship had in making it fidence boost for what was to come, one day I plan on returning. Beyond all possible. With my memories still and now I can say that I’ve been to Ice- learning Swedish, I fell into habits that fresh in mind, I want to share with you land, even though it was brief. I ended up enjoying and hope to con- all the highlights of my time abroad. As I settled into Lund, I found it tinue in California, such as cooking From the start, my journey to both fun and challenging. While there most of my meals and biking every- Sweden did not quite go as planned. were similarities to things back in Cal- where. While all of these things have My flight leaving Boston bound for ifornia, there were also many things been different and sometimes difficult Iceland got delayed, causing me to that took some getting used to. The adapting to, I have enjoyed the differ- miss my connecting flight to Copen- biggest thing that I had to adapt to ences and am extremely glad to have hagen, from where I would take the was hearing and seeing Swedish ev- had the experience. train to Sweden. Courtesy of the air- erywhere. With almost no previous Since this was my first time be- line that I was flying with, I ended up exposure to Swedish, the first few ing in Europe, I took the opportunity staying in Keflavik, Iceland for a little days were a great challenge. How- to do some traveling. I was able to short of a day. Since this was my first ever, since most Swedes speak Eng- visit places that were rich with history time traveling by myself outside of the lish, I was able to get around; how- that I had only heard about in class. U.S., the situation was a bit stressful. ever, this fact later became a curse I learned about the impact of World I was afraid that I would miss my ori- as I was trying to learn Swedish but War II while in Berlin, and visited pal- entation, and, at times, I was unsure found myself falling back to speaking aces of past Royals in Copenhagen. of what to do. In the end, everything English. By taking an intensive Swed- I took a boat tour of Amsterdam worked out: I made my rescheduled ish language course, I grew very mo- through its canals, and I tried some flight to Copenhagen and I was able to tivated to learning Swedish, and the real Belgian chocolate while in Brus- make my orientation the next morn- words that once stressed me out sels. Being able to visit these places

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was amazing, but I loved coming back I was also able to enjoy a very pendence and self-confidence. I have to Sweden and learning more about Swedish Christmas. Celebrated on learned a lot about myself and about the Swedish language and culture. the 24th of December, it was a day a different culture and place. I’ve met I was able to experience so many filled with lots of fish and sweets. We so many new people, and I made new things while on EAP in Lund. watched two animated shorts, “From memories that will last a lifetime. Five Luckily for me it snowed one week- All of Us to You” [a Disney production- months may not be a very long time, end—that was my first time seeing more popular in Scandinavia than in but it was enough for me to change snow fall. It was amazing to watch, the U.S.] and “Sagan om Karl-Bertil and see the place where I grew up in but I quickly learned why people move Jonssons Julafton” that have become a different light. to warmer weather. The start of De- Christmas classics in Sweden. Thank you all again for making cember brought with it Advent. Christ- It is cliché to say, but studying this possible! I truly look forward to mas decorations adorned Lund, and abroad has been a life changing ex- encouraging future students to trav- Christmas markets popped up every perience. It turned the future that I el abroad and have an adventure of weekend leading up to Christmas. had planned on its head, and I devel- their own. I hope you all have a gott Even though the days got shorter, I oped new plans that I would’ve never nytt år! loved seeing the candles and lit-up considered before studying abroad. I Med vänliga hälsningar, stars that people place in their win- feel like I have developed a more open Megg Garcia dows to brighten the night. mind and bolstered my sense of inde- Muir College, Biochemistry and Cell Biology major

EAP Study in Chile In fall 2015, I participated in the EAP ic, I cooperated with Chilean Universities Program and another classmate to spent about 6 months at the Pontifical give a final paper on Catholic University of Chile (La Católica) the economic relation as an exchange student. During my between China and stay in Chile, I not only have learned Chile since 2000, in about topics that I might not have which we pointed out been able to study in the U.S., but also some major char- have gained useful experience from my acteristics of these internship, which will definitely prepare countries’ foreign poli- me for my future career. It is hard to cies, and analyzed the believe that I am already at the end of origin and effects of Asian Study Group at La Católica the semester and more surprisingly to the Free Trade Treaty me, I have overcome so many obstacles signed in 2005. With opportunities to countries and learned to adapt to a that seemed to be insurmountable at access abundant academic resources multicultural group. the beginning, and have reached all the and work collaboratively on a specific Apart from academic and profes- goals that I had set for myself before topic, I have gained a better insight sional experiences, the process of applying for this program. into trans-regional relations, and have applying for a student visa to Brazil I am very thankful for being part of become inspired to study transactions while I was still in Chile has greatly this program because academic experi- between these two regions in my future improved my ability to handle compli- ences at La Católica enable me to be education. cated situations and deal with constant more informed about the relationship Being in Chile has also built me pressure. My 6-month stay in Chile is between Latin America and China, a up professionally. After visiting several also my 6-month struggle with the visa topic that intrigues me, but is barely companies and organizations during application. By processing the applica- discussed at my home university. In the the first month, I began to work for tion successfully, I obtained skills to be course Latin America Foreign Policy, I Acción Emprendedora (AE), a non-profit more able to deal with difficulties in my read several articles regarding China’s committed to supporting start-ups in life, and will soon embark on the EAP expansion in developing countries, and Chile. Although I did not acquire tech- Brazil Program. listened to a speech given by Professor nical knowledge or experience to be a Yingtao Xie Isabel Rodriguez, an expert who has business professional while working at Muir College, International studied China from a Latin American AE, I was able, for the very first time, to Studies/Economics major perspective. Passionate about this top- work with many people from different

February 2016 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page 10

Global Seminar in Scotland My only regret during my time studying abroad was that I hadn’t selected a longer program. The structure of the UCSD Global Seminar allowed me to go abroad in the first place; but still, I wish I could have stayed longer. As an engineer, people don’t expect me to think deeply about the humanities or politics or the non-technical problems that face the world. Yet my experience in Scotland was a great opportunity to do just that. I recall one of my first real conversations with a local Scotsman on the train to Linlithgow. During the course of our conversation, we managed to speak of education, healthcare, transportation, and a number of other issues that, as it turns out, Scotland and the United States share. And while I will not detail here the impact on my opinions, I can say that Occasionally, I like to share after gaining some understanding of the conflicts surrounding these issues in highlights from correspondence with another country, I was able to reconsider many of the opinions I hold on these past Friends scholarship recipients. issues in the U.S. More importantly, it opened my mind to the idea that regard- Some may remember Bambi Chapin, ing these issues, there are often many more feasible solutions available than who received her award in 2000 for we tend to consider, even when we think we’ve covered “all sides” of the issue. fieldwork in Sri Lanka that ultimately led This trend continued throughout my time in Scotland. Seeing the unarmed to a doctorate in cultural anthropology. police helping citizens with directions, taking public transportation to nearly every Carol Smith recalls making transpar- one of my destinations, even watching the cashiers at the supermarket sitting encies for a presentation Bambi gave for rather than standing at their tills. All of these experiences highlighted cultural our Armchair Travelers.—Scholarship differences, big or small, in areas much more varied than “food and clothing.” Committee Chair And these cultural differences have spurred me to think not only of the big issues, but of the smallest things we might never think to do differently. Hi, Ruth Attached is a goofy photo of my peers and me while hiking CairnGorm I just wanted to say happy New Year! I mountain (I’m looking up and to the left). This was probably one of my favorite am off to Sri Lanka again for a month; days of the trip, because we ran into bad weather. Despite rain and gusty winds, this time to set up a new comparative we continued onward, and I found the experience absolutely exhilarating. It was project, with one leg in the U.S. and quite unlike any hike I had done before. another in Sri Lanka. I am not sure any As for this fall quarter, I’m mostly glad I survived the chaos. I often felt as of this would have happened without though I had even less time to breathe than usual in the quarter system, but I your initial support! do believe I did well in my classes. I did have a successful time leading my team John and I separated soon after within the Triton Rocket Club through some exciting projects, and I began initiat- coming back from Sri Lanka during ing for Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. our initial stay, but we remain close. I am forever grateful to the Friends of the International Center for making Tucker is in his second year at Johns my trip to Scotland possible this summer. You’ll be pleased to know that since Hopkins, studying computer science I’ve been back, I have become a major advocate for study abroad and have en- and endlessly working on developing couraged numerous friends and peers to pursue an international experience. new aps. Trevor Irwin Bambi L. Chapin Revelle College Associate Professor of Anthropology Aerospace Engineering major University of Maryland

Update I am currently finishing my dissertation and looking for employment, both in and outside of the U.S. I very much appreci- ate the Friends of the International Center’s grant, which has allowed me to spend more time on my research than I could afford otherwise. Ben Van Overmeire Ph.D. candidate from Belgium, Department of Literature

February 2016 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page 11

Reservations for The Year of the Monkey Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Please complete this form and enclose a check, made payable to the Friends of the International Center. Send to Ethnic Dinner Chair, c/o Friends of the International Center, UCSD International Center 0018, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0018. Alternately, you may reserve via eventbrite: http://FICasia2016.eventbrite.com Reservations must be received by Friday, February 19, 2016. Late reservations will be charged an extra $5.00 or may be refused. Name(s): ______(Please spell out the names of everyone in your party for nametags.)

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Number of Friends (@ $50.00): ______I need handicap parking and have a placard: ______Number of Guests (@ $60.00): ______Number of UCSD Students (@ $25.00) ______Additional Friends Scholarship Donation: ______Total Enclosed: ______✄ GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING: HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL with a gift to the Friends of the International Center Scholarship Fund Friends of the International Center, UC San Diego Birthday ------In Honor In Celebration of ------Anniversary icfriends.ucsd.edu Congratulations ------Other ------In Memory [email protected]

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Address______Contributors: Joan Adamo, Jennie Chin, Karen City ______State _____ Zip______Davis, Nori Faer, Nancy Homeyer, Kristine Kneib, Audrey Leriche, Katya Newmark, Amount of Gift Enclosed: $ ______Joe Nichols, Renate Schmid-Schoenbein, No donation is too small. Georgina Sham, Marion Spors, Eleanor tum Suden, Liz Fong Wills Please make your gift payable to Friends of the International Center Scholarship Fund and mail to: Friends of the Interna- Contributing Photographers: Katya Newmark, tional Center, UCSD International Center 0018, 9500 Gilman Carol Smith, Stuart Smith Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0018. Your gift is tax deductible. ✄ Circulation: Renate Schmid-Schoenbein

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February 2016 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page 12

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February 2016

Friends of the International Center Friendship • Scholarships • Hospitality Supporting international education at UC San Diego and the International Center for 54 years

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Friends of the International Center is incorporated as a non-profit educational charitable trust by the State of California and is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Thus all donations, including resale items, are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law for those donors who itemize their donations. February 2016 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter