Friends of the International Center, at UC San Diego Newsletter Volume XLVII, No. 6 February 2020
President’s Column
Dear Friends, erings you encounter the same It is impossible not to see hearts experiences associated with travel all around us during the month as you are transported outside of of February, not only because San Diego, reliving places visited Valentine’s Day reminds us to or learning about and imagining ETHNIC DINNER: honor our relationships, but also places yet-to-be seen, all while INDONESIA because February is Heart Health meeting new people from all over month with its reminder of the the world. Saturday, importance of living a healthy Traveling removes us from lifestyle. I have previously opined routines, allowing us time to de- February 29,2020 that Friends of the International is compress, as does attending our 6:30 PM good for your health and in sup- programs and activities which Great Hall port have shared research about are never dull, mindless routines the health benefits stemming from and are usually stress-free (absent International House friendship, giving, and volun- fire alarms); traveling opens us to teerism, so this year I add another new ideas promoting our creativ- Join us at a Catered branch of research supporting my ity—even simple things like ob- Dinner, enjoy a hypothesis that Friends is good serving new color combinations, Gamelan Concert and an for you and your wellbeing! sounds, or material usage to hear- Illustrated Presentation, ing others’ solutions to common An ever-growing number of Amazing Indonesia, studies have shown a clear con- problems; and it prompts us to nection between travel and well- learn new things stimulating our by Prof. Christopher Wills being (Global Coalition on Aging, minds—heretofore unknown cul- Framingham Heart Study, AARP tural practices, new words and/ A FUNDRAISER FOR to name a few) such that it is now or expressions, new areas of re- FRIENDS SCHOLARSHIPS well accepted that travel has well- search, etc. ness benefits at virtually every Research by Dr. Michael Mer- with a brief talk by one of our age: think family vacations, col- zenich, acclaimed father of brain Friends scholarship recipients lege study abroad (a not-so-subtle plasticity, reveals that people who plug for our Friends scholarship travel, learn additional languages, To Make Reservations: program), and leisure adult trav- and continue to experience new el. And, yes of course, I recognize things throughout their lifespan, ficIndonesia2020.eventbrite.com that Friends is not a travel agency, are far less likely to develop cogni- yet I nonetheless trust you will tive decay than their peers who do RESERVATIONS DUE BY agree that notwithstanding the ab- not embrace the unfamiliar (Soft- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 sence of physical travel, through Wired: How the New Science of Brain your attendance at Friends gath- Plasticity Can Change Your Life). Page 2
Apparently, exposing our brains to something new is not only a positive exercise for our brain’s mental acuity, but also leads to in- creased social connections, good for our brain, since when learning something new we are compelled to interact with other people with greater intensity than we experi- ence in our daily life. With luck, I retain some per- suasive art skills and have con- vinced you to increase your par- ticipation with Friends, if not for the fun, collegiality, or community spirit, then at least for your good health! We have daily programs year-round and in February have two evening events that are sure Sulawesi bride and groom to be rewarding travel experienc- es, so do not be a recluse. Wishing you a very Happy Amazing Indonesia Valentine’s Day and Heart Health —by Liz Fong Wills month! Katya In August 2019, the President of Indonesia announced that the country’s capital would move from Jakarta to Kalimatan, which is the Indonesian Katya Newmark portion of the island of Borneo. (Also on Borneo are the Malaysian states [email protected] of Sabah and Sarawak, plus the tiny nation of Brunei.) Jakarta has more than 10 million people and has serious sinking problems that will result in the city being underwater by the year 2050. Some streets are already more than one meter below the water level and seawater comes through the pavement. The sinking is due to the explosive growth of the city and the pumping of deep underground water. In addition, the traffic is be- yond horrible and the air severely polluted. Construction of the new capital will begin in 2021, but currently the eastern portion of Kalimatan still has orangutans, clouded leopards, and local people called Dayaks. Birute Galdikas is one of three famed prima- tologists trained by Louis Leakey (along with Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey) and she has been working with orangutans in the pristine rain- forests of Kalimatan since 1971. When she arrived, tropical rainforests were everywhere. Birute has fought deforestation and the building of palm oil plantations ever since. It takes 300 acres of rainforest to support a single orangutan, because there must be enough trees of different species, fruiting at different times, to provide enough for the orangutans to eat year-round. Red Bird of Paradise My husband Chris and I spent a day with Birute in the summer of 1996, recording the sightings and activities of orangutans near her re- search station. It was a memorable day starting with a large male orangutan who greeted us at the end of the pier and grabbed a can of beer from me. (We had brought a six-pack of beer as a token present for the research team.) In seconds, the 300-pound primate popped the can open and chugged the beer down! It happened so quickly that I barely had time to try to wrestle the can back. Then I realized that the orangutan was much, much bigger and stronger than I am and I would never win the tug-of-war. We spent the day spotting orangutans, including one that Birute had nurtured and released into the wild, 200 feet above our heads. It was really hard on our necks! At the end of our visit, we left the way we had come,
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in a little outboard motor boat Chris told us briefly about some of of flavors used in Indonesian cook- down the river. There were pro- the stories he intends to tell about ing and in part to represent different boscis monkeys in the trees along his and his wife Liz’s seven trips to islands. You can expect a multi- the riverbanks that tried to cross Indonesia. To whet your appetite course, catered dinner showcasing the river by jumping from one further, we have included here three dishes from Java, Lombok, Sumatra, tree to another. Most ended up do- of his photos. Borneo, and Sulawesi. ing spectacular belly flops, but at Festivities will begin with The dinner being a fundraiser least they didn’t have to swim all a pre-dinner concert by the San for Friends scholarships, we have the way. The river was polluted by Diego-based ensemble Kembang invited one of our recent scholarship mercury used to separate the gold Sunda that performs Sundanese recipients to speak. by miners upriver—a fact that was gamelan degung music from West To make reservations: likely not known by the fishermen Java. In ancient times, degung mu- ficIndonesia2020.eventbrite.com we saw. When it got dark, the riv- sic was played in the royal courts to Please note that reservations erbanks were filled with fireflies welcome guests, accompany dance, are due by February 19 and that a flickering in unison, making for a and aid in meditation. Today, de- vegetarian/pescatarian option is magical and memorable ride. gung music is typically heard at available on demand. These forests, with their in- traditional Sundanese wedding credible inhabitants, are already at ceremonies and other important severe risk from logging, mining, events where an atmosphere of and replacement with vast ugly oil elegance and Sundanese cultural palm plantations. I fear that all of authenticity is desired. A gamelan this destruction will be accelerated orchestra consists primarily of a when the Indonesian capital is re- variety of percussion instruments. Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Yoga built in Kalimatan. Traditionally a musician will play Feb. 1: Friends Dinner Social: several instruments. The seven- Thailand, 6:00 SSS member Kembang Sunda ensemble has performed throughout south- Feb.3, 10, 24: Tai Chi, 2:00-3:00 ern California since 2007, with Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25: Gus’ Table, Amy Hacker, music instructor at 10:00-Noon Cuyamaca College, as its director. Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25: FIC Craft Circle, 1:00-3:00 Feb. 5, 19: Family Orientation, 9:15
Chief Willem of the Dani tribe of Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Wednesday western New Guinea Coffee, 10:00-Noon Friends Ethnic Dinner: Indonesia Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Mommy/ Saturday, February 29, 6:30 PM Daddy & Me, 1:45-2:45 Great Hall, International House Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27: Everyday Like its many predecessors, our English, 10:00-11:30 February 2020 Ethnic Dinner will Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28: Friday Chat, highlight the cuisine of the fea- Some of Kembang Sunda’s instruments 10:00-Noon tured country in combination with an educational program. Many of Indonesian cuisine is an amalgam Feb. 11: Friends Board Friends dinner guests are familiar of regional dishes with steamed rice Meeting, 10:00 with the adventurous spirit of our as a staple. Katya Newmark com- Feb. 13: Cooking Class, 9:00- main speaker, Professor of Biologi- posed the dinner’s menu, largely Noon cal Sciences Emeritus Christopher inspired by the delicious food that Wills, and sign up for our Ethnic she and her husband, Matthew Feb. 17: Presidents’ Day Dinner simply to see his marvelous Costello, ate on their trip to Indone- Feb. 29: Ethnic Dinner: photographs and hear him speak. sia in the summer of 2019, in part to Indonesia, 6:30 In the Friends January Newsletter, showcase the complexity and layers
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Meet Sunil Prasad
I’m Sunil Prasad, born on 7th De- company, wishing to further my own cember, 1986, in a very small vil- development, as well as understand lage, Jhinkpani, Jharkhand, India, the field of communication. With where I lived until my junior year of my knowledge of business, I had schooling. Since I was very naughty the ability to flourish with minimal in childhood, my parents put me guidance, and by using proactive in boarding school for further high measures could handle uncertainty. school study. We are a family of seven I was soon promoted to Business and I am the youngest among the Development Manager, in charge of five siblings (all married now). My a large team working for new chan- elder sister gave me the nickname nel development, both in retail and Sunny and I am always called by sales. With this not only came the that name by family and friends. It responsibility to motivate myself Sunil Prasad at Universal Studios forms one of the strongest senses of and the team, but I also was respon- identity in my life. sible for recruiting and training my family to visit the U.S., so everyone My grandfather, Mr. Ram Das team and chasing targets. My work was delighted. For me, as a J2 visa was born in Bihar, but due to lack involved a balancing act between holder, finding a job is a big chal- of job opportunities he moved with making my team happy and driv- lenge, because I have to wait for at his family to Jhinkpani in 1951 and ing them, and for this achievement least three months after applying started working in a restaurant. My I was honored as a “MegaStar” (a to the U.S. government for a work father Mr. Deo Prasasd (eldest son), national recognition for exceptional permit before I will be allowed to was then only 12 years old and used professional achievement) thrice in work here. to help my grandfather at work, but my four-year tenure. Meanwhile, I attended Friends also helped his younger brother with In January 2017 I was married Family Orientation. To keep myself his studies. Later, in 1967, after com- to Dr. Asha Kumari, in an arranged busy, I decided to attend all Friends pleting his high school, he started marriage, as per Indian custom. daytime programs. I enjoyed the working with ACC Limited, one of This ritual has long been the norm classes, because they were so interac- the largest producers of cement in in Indian society. Even today, the tive. To keep myself usefully busy, India. He retired in 2011 and now majority of Indians have their mar- I thought of becoming a volunteer spends his life with my beloved riage planned by their parents and myself, so that I could help new mother, Mrs. Bedamia Devi. other respected family members. people and families in the same After completing my schooling, Asha is supportive and my perfect way I was being helped. I did this I entered Ranchi College in 2004 better half. I am so lucky to have mainly to understand and interact with a new form of rejuvenation in her in my life. with people, and to learn about life. After graduation, I decided to My wife completed her doctor- their culture, lifestyles, and beliefs; pursue a master’s degree and came ate degree in Biotechnology from however, I quickly decided to share to Bangalore, Karnataka, in 2008. I Banaras Hindu University, India, my own views and thoughts about completed my Master’s in Business in 2018 (it is one of the oldest and our Indian culture that is considered Management with a Marketing most prestigious institutions in one of the oldest and most diverse specialization in 2010. During my India), whereupon she received an cultures in the world. college years, I had the best of times offer to join UCSD as a post-doctoral I shared many things about with my friends, something I still employee in July 2019, prompting India, such as its caste system, the cherish when I think about it. her to move to San Diego, in order tradition of arranged marriages, and Through campus placement, to extend her research career. Of the practice of living as a joint family. I started my career in the banking course, to stay with my partner and I also talked at different Friends pro- industry, where I spent five years, to support her, I moved to San Diego grams about Indian festivals: how obtaining significant experience as a three months later, in October 2019, we celebrate, dress, and eat special sales executive to a manager. In 2015, with the thought that I too could festive foods, and I volunteered at I switched industry and joined Voda- find new opportunities in my field. the Resale Shop. fone, a British multinational telecom We are the first couple from our So far my life in San Diego as an
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international visitor is great, with few hiccups. I’m loving it. There are several reasons behind that, i.e.: The weather is awesome most of the time, particularly when com- pared to the heat we face in India. People here are so welcoming and never make me feel I’m not one of them. I have observed that if you are a student or dependent, there are plenty of communities and associations that will help you with problems that you may Editor’s Note be facing. I’m a foodie and love spicy food. Curious to know how, if at all, our Friends program leaders mark Valen- This is never going to die with tine’s Day, I inquired. Because I posed my question many weeks before the numerous restaurants in the actual event (Friday, February 14) and my question followed so closely San Diego offering every type the beginning of the New Year, few program leaders had as yet given the of cuisine, including wines and celebration of Valentine’s Day much thought. Nonetheless, I received beers, which you can possibly some noteworthy responses. think of. Weekends allow me to “Friday Chat may have a love theme to the questions we pose. e.g. explore the food scene more and Where did you meet your spouse or significant other? Describe your first more. One of my favorite La Jolla date. Who proposed to whom? The conversation usually just flows and restaurants is Red O, a Mexican we all get to know a little more about each other,” wrote Cindy Tozer. restaurant, and my favorite dish Nori Faer, chair of Gus’ English Conversation Table, responded in a is Mariscos Chile Relleno. similar vain: “We are likely to discuss the differences in dating customs Besides food, the lifestyle is in each participant’s country, and among the married when and how a great here and people seem to confession of love was made. I can tell more when we are in full swing.” be enjoying every moment. Also, “Is there an ingredient more associated with love and friendship than compared to India, there’s less chocolate?”, asks Cooking Class co-chair, Katya Newmark. “For Friends traffic, which makes it possible February Cooking Class, we will be offering a range of savory and sweet to drive around easily. dishes celebrating chocolate that we know will leave everyone sated and The beaches, along with other eager for a Valentine’s Day celebration.” great spots like Sunset Cliffs and Yukina Nakazawa revealed: “We, Mommy/Daddy & Me, usually just Sea World, as well as the many sing nursery heart songs and do a few heart-shaped crafts for Valentine’s parks and the zoo, make San Day. We plan doing the same this year, so it’s not a big event like a major Diego a place like no other! holiday, such as Halloween or Christmas, but we at least recognize and Last but not the least: I have found take note of Valentine’s Day.” a special friend, cum mentor, in Speaking for the Craft Circle, Jennie Chin Cynthia Tozer. Cindy is a gem wrote: “In the past, as I am aware, we have and a very cherished person, not really focused on specific projects for any full of happiness. I love to spend of the holidays, but if something comes up, I time with her; she has given me will let you know.” so much insight into American According to Lynn Jahn, Wednesday Cof- values and culture in her unique fee will be celebrating Valentine’s Day, “but warm way. we have not had time to set our schedule. I know that Katya Newmark will be teaching Friends Volunteer a card-making session that will include a Val- entine’s Day card, but I don’t know when. We Hours for have other activities as well, but let’s make it December 2019 a surprise, so people will come and discover Prototype of Katya’s the fun at Wednesday Coffee.” Valentine’s card 566.5 = 3.22 FTEs Don’t forget to visit the Friends Resale Shop that, as of this writing, was preparing itself for Valentine’s Day.
Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter February 2020 Page 6 Visiting an American Home Elisabeth Marti does a marvelous job of matching international schol- ars and families with local hosts. One Sunday, Loreen and Roland Wilhelmy treated Hiroko Kuki Villardi, husband Gabriel Porto Villardi, and their baby to brunch at their Rancho Santa Fé home. Re- porting back to Elisabeth, Loreen described the visit as follows: Gabriel, Hiroko, and Anna Villardi “We had a lovely visit with Gabriel, Hiroko, and Anna. Anna munications. Hiroko took maternity was a delightful, sweet baby girl. both had to admire each other at a leave from her bank position, but Her reaction to Tajar [the Wil- double double-paned window or Anna was still born in Japan and helmy’s friendly and sometimes wire cage/crate. did not come to the U.S. until she enthusiastic dog] was darling and “Thank you for introducing us was four months old. Gabriel hails his reaction to her was hilarious. to this family. We are looking for- from Brazil, but has been living in I think he thought she was a live ward to being with them again be- Japan for 17 years. The Villardis will doll toy to play with, but of course fore they have to return to Japan.” return to Japan in March 2020. For her part, Hiroko reported Should you be interested in that they had a great time with the opening your home to some of the Membership Wilhelmys and that they are here most fascinating international schol- because of Gabriel, who is on sab- ars to come to UCSD, please contact Membership Chair, Georgina batical leave studying wireless com- Elisabeth at [email protected]. Sham, informs that Xiaowen Zhang has been attending almost all of the Friends daytime programs and Fiona Digney: 2015 Friends Scholarship Recipient along with her husband, Yuhao, a graduate student in computer sci- Some of our members may have seen a prominent article in the La Jolla ence, has joined our organization; Light (December 26, 2019) or read other notices of Fiona Digney’s D.M.A. please welcome them. A native recital held on January 8. A star percussionist, Fiona came to UCSD six of China, Xiaowen, or Jane as she years ago upon the encouragement of Professor Steven Schick, who heard signs her e-mail, has already started her play in Australia. Here she has been working towards her doctorate in volunteering for Family Orientation. music and been performing actively—locally, nationally, and internation- We regret to report the death ally—frequently with the percussion ensemble redfishbluefish. of Y.C. (Bert) Fung, who died in Asked about her future plans, Fiona answered: “I am planning to stay in December at the age of 100. The San Diego, as I have a green card now and am the managing director for founding chair of the Department local non-profit performing arts organization Art of Elan, and as of next of Bioengineering, Bert led the de- year will be the new Executive Producer for the Ojai Music Festival—so partment to international fame, so lots of exciting things. I still have a dissertation to write, and I plan to much so that one of our awestruck defend and graduate in June 2020. Fingers crossed! Chinese scholarship recipients once “Hope to see you and many others at the concert on Wednesday—it told that she could not believe that will be really special. Just over an hour long, two fantastic pieces; a world the author of an invaluable textbook premiere by myself and my duo partner Kyle Johnson [who also received she used in her home country was a a 2015 Friends scholarship], and the wondrous two piano and two percus- member of the UC San Diego faculty. sion work Music for a Summer Evening by George Crumb. For this piece, We send our condolences to Bert’s I’ll be joined by UCSD professors Steven Schick and Aleck Karis, as well children, Brenda and Conrad, and as recent UCSD graduate Kyle Adam Blair. It will be a very accessible grandchildren, including Tony, a concert for all to attend, and I am looking forward to sharing this gorgeous graduate of his grandfather’s de- music with the community.” partment, currently working on his Accepting Fiona’s invitation, I found the concert wondrously beautiful. master’s degree in bioengineering. —Friends Scholarship Chair
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Donations Donations to the Friends UCSD of her time in San Diego, Mariko —by Ruth Newmark Foundation account earmarked for Usui, who headed Mommy/ undergraduate study abroad came Daddy & Me from 2016 to 2018 until As our Friends President so aptly from Louise Kauffman and from her boys started school, but con- pointed out in her end-of-the-year Dubhasis Dasgupta (also known tinued to coordinate the Thursday request for donations, support for to many Friends as the husband playgroup until the family moved our programs, in particular for our of Tuktuki Bhattacharya), whose to Florida, included these words of scholarship program, is both crucial donation comes monthly. praise for Friends: and much appreciated: Not just our scholarship recipi- “I want to send you best wishes “By investing in our UC San ents, but many of our international and my heartfelt gratitude for Diego students YOU have a posi- visitors comment how much they all your kindness and friendship tive impact not only on one student appreciate our programs and how to me and my family during our but on a spider web of students. Friends welcoming atmosphere time in San Diego that will forever By supporting programs you have provides them with a sense of be our treasured memories. It has a positive impact on not only on belonging to a loving community. been half a year since our moving one international visitor, but a I quote from two of the most to South Florida and now we are spider web of friends and family recent communications I received: loving our life here, too. Although across the globe. Time and time the first from an undergraduate ma- we are now situated on the opposite again, both students and program joring in mechanical engineering, side of the continent and seeing a participants share that the greatest the second from a native of Japan. different ocean, anytime we are gift they receive from Friends is the Wrote Wells Huang: “I’m at the Atlantic shore, we so often knowledge that there are strangers currently near the end of my pro- think of you, San Diego, and the who care about them and believe gram in the Netherlands and have campus, where all the beautiful that they have value.” had a tremendous time overseas. things happened!” A few of the end-of-the-year do- During my time, I tried to balance So, thank you all for your con- nors were already acknowledged in my time between exploring the tributions—large and small, be it in the January Newsletter, but because Netherlands and studying for my a monetary manner or in kind— Friends mail takes a circuitous cam- courses. As I come back next week, that allow Friends to continue to pus route, here follow the names of I want to thank the Friends of the further global understanding by many more. International Center for providing offering friendship, hospitality, and We thank Conrad Fung for me a scholarship to aid my travels scholarships to our UC San Diego his loving contribution, made in abroad. It provided me with extra international community. the name of his late father (see income to finance trips across the Membership p.6), to the Luna Fung country and across Europe that I Scholarship named in honor of his would not have been able to take late mother’s many contributions to otherwise.” Friends of the International Center, Accompanying her Holiday just as we thank K.C. & Shu Chien, greetings with fond reminiscences who similarly contributed to the Luna Fung Scholarship. Other contributors to our scholarship program are: Nikki 2020 Jim Arnold Lecture Waters, Ellen Warner Scott, and Friday, February 21, 2020, 4:00 p.m. Estella Paniagua. UCSD Natural Sciences Building Auditorium Many donors sent contribu- Speaker: Jennifer Eigenbrode from NASA tions without specifying how Friends might use the money. Friends Board member, Candace Kohl, who received her Ph.D. in as- We are very grateful to: Laurette trochemistry under Jim Arnold, invites us to attend the 2020 Jim Arnold Verbinski, Nori & Stanley Faer, Lecture to hear Jennifer Eigenbrode, an interdisciplinary astrobiologist Stephanie Sides, Tazuko Usami, at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. A participating scientist for the Dorothy & David Parker, Janet & Mars Science Laboratory mission, Dr. Eigenbrode’s work aims to improve Martin Chrispeels, Gail Fliesbach, planetary mission design, contamination control, and instrument measure- and Christa McReynolds. ments that will enable the search for life beyond Earth.
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Scholarship REPORTS
Hello Friends of the International Center and supporters, e-mails and one application focused on the physical, political, and later, I was provided with the spiritual implications of walking. Not opportunity to intern at a only do I appreciate walking much nanobiotechnology laboratory more as an activity (which is pretty at the University of Bologna, crucial for Bologna, since the best working each week with its way to move around the city is by walk- team on designing and com- ing), but I have seen so much more of pleting experiments, all while the city because of walking. Professor practicing my Italian language Verdicchio, who also teaches cours- skills. I also was able to learn es at UCSD, is incredibly knowledge- the craft of making tortellini, able and has shaped this course into Katya Newmark, Joshua Beal, and Ruth walk the great halls of the OLD- something truly special. Newmark at the Friends May 2019 EST university in Europe, and So, yes, this whole experience did scholarship awards dinner visit some of Italy’s most re- take a little adjusting. Maybe it takes a markable cities (Venice, Rome, week for clothes to dry, and crossing Since my time abroad in Italy is about Turin, and more). the street can seem like a game of halfway through, I wanted to reach out Because of this UC Education Frogger, but without this experience and provide you all with a quick sum- Abroad Program, I have also had I would not have been able to view life mary of my experience thus far be- the great pleasure of making what I in such a different and unique way. I cause you have all provided so much hope to be lifelong friends. Not just have learned to follow the Italians in for me. within my study-abroad program, their amazing way of life, especially When I first arrived in Bologna, but with other international and Ital- with how they live in the moment. I love Italy, all I can say is that I was aston- ian students, as well as with some that Italians sit down for every coffee ished—by the beauty of the city, the of the people living in Bologna. I even and meal; they never take anything kindheartedness of the people, the consider the owner of my local piz- to-go. Rather than focusing on the preservation of history, and the in- zeria as a great friend. I usually stop “next thing” (whether that be work, credible food that has a funny way by about once a week for a pizza and shopping, getting home sooner, etc.), of leaving a smile on your face after together we sit down and eat a pizza I find that the Italian people would every bite. From that moment for- while talking about anything, from Bo- rather sit down and socialize. What ward, I was in love with the city of logna to soccer or even his favorite for a majority of Americans may be a Bologna, and I knew that this experi- places in Italy that he likes to travel to. morning “pit stop” to get their coffee, ence was going to open my eyes to Each and every day, I feel closer and becomes instead an opportunity to an entirely new world. Now each new closer to the Italian people and their meet others, socialize, and not focus world comes with its own learning ex- culture, and that same feeling would on that “next thing.” I really love this, periences, e.g. getting accustomed to not have been possible without study- and I have made many changes in my Italy’s crazy traffic patterns of nimble ing abroad. life due to this one simple lesson. Vespas, air-drying garments, and its My classes have all been very All I can say is, I am very grateful overall fast-paced lifestyle. However, enlightening and enjoyable! I am cur- for��������������������������������� this once-in-a-lifetime opportu- these new ways of life are what I have rently taking courses for my Italian nity. I send my thanks to Friends of found to be most enlightening during Studies minor: Italian Cinema studies, the International Center and all of its this study-abroad experience. It has Roman History, and Italian Literature supporters for helping me make this been these minute-by-minute differ- with a focus on walking pieces. Now I dream come true. ences that truly set this experience know that a class on Italian literature With all of my gratitude from the apart from anything else. and walking may sound strange, but bottom of my heart, thank you! As time continued, I found myself it has to be my favorite of all of the Joshua Beal encountering incredible opportunities courses. It has been deceptively il- Biochemistry and Cell Biology major like I could never have imagined. Two luminating … in the course we have
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Global Seminar at Saint Andrews This past summer, I had the joy of we visited several lochs and ancient visiting Scotland for a UCSD Global castles, some of which are still in use Seminars program at St. Andrews today. The lochs were breathtaking, University. Thanks to the Friends of some as clear and smooth as mirrors, the International Center scholarship, others full of boats and fish farms, I was able to travel and fully experi- supporting the economy of the tiny vil- ence the wonderful people, nature, lages on the shores of each loch. and culture of Scotland. Let me take The most exciting part of that you through a walk of Scotland via my weekend, however, was meeting academic and social excursions. Hamish, the Harry Coo (a sample of an In the first week, our class was especially furry breed of cattle found fortunate to get a behind-the-scenes throughout the north of Scotland). tour of two different primate research We all took turns feeding Hamish with facilities at the Edinburgh Zoo; one carrots, potatoes, and other treats. It Hamish investigating chimpanzee social and was a blast! torical sites we visited was the fa- learning behaviors, the other looking The final class excursion before mous Edinburgh Castle, way up on at monkeys. This trip, along with the we departed helped us deeply connect a hill and surrounded by tall walls. other academic excursions, brought to our studies of how humans were From the top, we had an amazing our classes to life and helped us con- able to find edible plants and animals view of the entire city, a beautiful nect what we were learning to the to survive through direct interaction mixture of old and new, full of life and real world. with all that Scotland’s nature has to history. Another class excursion took us offer. During this guided foraging expe- I have always wanted to study just a short distance from the class- rience, we learned which plants were abroad, and I am profoundly grateful room to the beaches of St. Andrews. edible, which ones had medicinal uses, to the donors who helped make this Here, we learned to create stone tools and which to avoid at all costs. We experience possible. I will never for- using an ancient technique called “flint gathered a few leaves, stems, bulbs, get the experiences I had, both in the knapping,” just as we had learned flowers, and berries, and helped cook classroom and out. I know I will be about in our classes that week. I was a delicious vegetable stew. It was the able to apply all that I have learned so proud when I made a semi-func- perfect (and tasty!) end to an amazing in my journeys going forward, even tional arrowhead after hours of hitting trip. after graduation. rocks together. The flora and fauna of Scotland Thank you Friends of the Inter- On one weekend class trip, we were truly breathtaking, from streams national Center for making this won- learned how marine mammal re- and waterfalls, to forests and lochs, derful and unforgettable experience searchers use citizen science to Scotland is lush, green, and full of life. possible. gather data. We each took turns try- It makes perfect sense why people Grae Maddox ing to spot whales and dolphins with have been living here for millennia. Cognitive Science major our binoculars, struggling to see a fin During my visit abroad, I was able or tail amongst the choppy waves. We to experience the wonderful sites of managed to spot a small pod of three Scotland in a social setting as well. bottlenose dolphins, as well as a cou- My newly acquired friends and I began ple of whales. We were then taken out exploring the small and unique town on a boat to try to see some animals of St. Andrews. One of our favorite up close, and observe the behavior we places to spend an afternoon was the had discussed in class. The weather cathedral ruins on the edge of town. was wonderful, and we quickly spotted The ruins overlook the water with nu- a large group of harbor seals sunbath- merous historical information plaques ing and splashing in the water. We telling the story of the cathedral and watched the seals, and they watched of the town. It was amazing to see us, each curious about and enthralled history right in front of us and to be by the other. able to touch something that has been The following day, some class- around longer than the United States mates and I took a bus tour up to the has been a nation! Grae Maddox Highlands and the Isle of Sky, where One of the most impressive his-
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Hello Friends of the International Center, What is Home? During the summer of 2019, I was able The month leading up to my flight to to use my scholarship from the Friends of Barcelona, my anxiety levels were the International Center to participate in a through the roof. I had so many fears Medical Spanish Immersion program in Rio- and insecurities about everything that bamba, Ecuador. I spent four weeks work- could possibly go wrong the minute ing in a variety of medical clinics during the the wheels of my plane lifted off the mornings and then taking Medical Spanish ground. Fifteen weeks. Almost four classes in the afternoon. months. As someone who has only I worked at a rural clinic in Cacha, two been away from home for a month urban clinics in Riobamba, and in the pediat- at the longest, time was my great- rics department in a hospital in Riobamba. Theresa Asuquo on the right est fear. What if I did not like my In these settings, I was able to practice the homestay? What if I wouldn’t make medical Spanish I was learning in my classes to talk to patients and the Ec- any friends? What would I do if I got uadorian medical students and attendings I was working with. It was such an homesick? If anything went wrong, I incredible experience to be able to connect to patients in their native language, would quite literally be stuck in a for- and learn about a different health care system as well. eign country for a third of the year. During the weekends, my program cohort and I travelled to other cities Endless doubts filled my mind and in Ecuador allowing us to experience Ecuadorian culture through visiting mu- tainted the way I perceived this expe- seums, exploring nature, and getting our adrenaline pumping through some rience that I had looked forward to all extreme sports like canyoneering. my life. Instead of excitement, all I felt Since returning to San Diego, I have been able to use the Spanish I learned was dread and fear. this summer to connect with patients during my medical shadowing experi- Two months in and I could not ences and when I am helping at the UCSD Free Clinic. None of these oppor- have been more wrong. My experi- tunities would have been possible without the scholarship from the Friends of ence here has been more than what the International Center, and I am so thankful I was selected for this incredible the brochures promised, and beyond experience. what I could have imagined. Thank you again for this opportunity! Growing up as an only child, my Theresa Asuquo parents, with the exception of my dog, M.D. candidate, SOM, Program in Medical Education, Health Equity were really the only constants in my life. Along with being the greatest Happy New Year! support system, they were also my At the end of the year, I like to revisit the best parts of my year and to give best friends. Being away from the thanks to those who made them possible. To you, Friends of the International only home I’ve known for such a long Center, I would like to give thanks for your financial support towards my sum- time without my parents to help me mer study abroad program in Paris. As a budding biologist, I had stumbled out of a pickle was terrifying. Because upon an unexpected interest for sign languages while taking ASL classes my of that, I had so many concerns about sophomore year. I joined a sign language linguistics lab as a research assis- the living situation I had blindly com- tant to further my interest academically, and was then recommended to take mitted to. the Sign Languages in Paris Global Seminar with Professor Lott for five weeks When I found out that my host to explore the historical roots of French Sign Language. mom spoke absolutely no English, Thanks to your generosity I was blessed with five weeks that gave me I was baffled. I was positive that the the opportunity to network with keystone individuals in the Deaf community in three years of Spanish I had taken in America and France and to visit significant locations in the history of American high school had in no way prepared Sign Language. These five weeks, I was also able to expand my knowledge of me to live in a household where it French culture and become a better international citizen in the process. would be the only language spoken. You have enriched my college education with experiences that I may share Granted, I did want to improve my with those who have not had my opportunity, and so that we may all become Spanish skills and diving head first better informed and more culturally aware. I thank you from the bottom of my into my homestay would definitely heart for this opportunity of a lifetime. You have inspired me to give back one help. Making friends was also a huge day, when I have the means to, to help others go abroad and to experience concern of mine when it came to liv- beyond their wildest dreams. ing in a homestay. . Jan Hsiao, Biology Bioinformatics major Starting out, communicating with my host mom (whom I now call
February 2020 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page B
Mama Lluisa) was definitely a strug- can’t say that I’m fluent yet, I can now my happy space, and I can’t put into gle. The combination of not having understand almost everything Mama words how grateful I am to have got- used Spanish outside of class and the Lluisa says to me. ten so lucky with Mama Lluisa. speed at which my host mom spoke One of the things I love most The lyrics from a song a friend made understanding anything she about being in a homestay is being recently showed me really resonated said to me practically impossible the able to come “home.” Having lived in with my experience: “If all I have is me, first couple of days. Though commu- apartments my past two years of col- then all I need is family/If all I have is nication the first week consisted of a lege, I never felt extremely comfort- home, then all I am is happy.” lot of gestures and varying forms of able in them. Home to me was still All I knew when I came to Spain “Lo siento pero no entiendo,” patience where my parents were. Here this was myself. Since then, the people I and intense listening helped me pick apartment has grown to become have met and Mama Lluisa have be- up the language. As a personal goal, my home. I feel at ease when I walk come my family. The kindness and I tried to avoid using Google Trans- through the door after a day of class- warmth of Mama Lluisa have turned late as much as possible and forced es or a long weekend away. Whether my homestay into my home rather myself to find alternative ways to de- it be seeking the comfort of my bed than just a place to live. And as the scribe what I was trying to say, and or looking forward to a home-cooked song says, all I am is happy. found that through struggle and ask- meal, this apartment has become the Win-Ying Zhao ing Mama Lluisa for help, I was able to home where I can be myself. Since OAP in Spain learn a lot more a lot faster. While I I’ve arrived, it has quite literally been Mechanical Engineering
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February 2020 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter