Friends of the International Center, at UC San Diego Newsletter Volume XLII, No. 2 October 2014

President’s Message Given the many changes that have Please be sure to send in your occurred in society over the last 50+ reservations for our Fall scholar- years, the founders of the Friends ship fundraising dinner featuring of the International Center are to Persian cuisine. I can assure you be commended for their incredible that you will be very sorry if you vision: the Friends mission state- miss out! ment remains as relevant today as Katya Newmark it was when the organization was [email protected] founded: The purpose of the Friends of the International Center, a nonprofit Marion Spors and Alma Coles packing up organization, shall be to support inter- boxes in preparation of our office move October Calendar national education, to foster friendship, Oct. 1, 15: Family Orientation, understanding, and cooperation within office on the south side of what is 9:15 the international community, and to sometimes called “Building B,” or create a meeting place on the UC San “IFSO,” or, by old-timers as the “old Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Wednesday Diego campus for people who share student center,” the 2-story brown Morning Coffee, 10:00-Noon these aims. wood building located directly Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Friends We remain hopeful that our across the street (Mandeville Lane). Friday Chat ‘n Chew, 10:00- beloved International Center build- Not only was the Friends Noon ing, with its recent reconfiguration mission visionary, but so was the of space, will continue to serve as a Friends logo: a colorful hub sym- Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28: Knit-Along, meeting place for both local and in- bolizing a moving crossroads, a hub 1:00-4:00 ternational communities for many of activity where travelers can come Oct. 9: International Cooking years to come. together to share their common interest Experience, 9:30-1:00 For those who have not recently in and knowledge about each other’s been to the International Center, countries. Careful readers may have Oct. 14: Board Meeting, 10:00 you might be surprised to find that noticed a slightly different logo: we Oct. 15: International Kitchen the Friends office is not where you have retained the timeless hub, but lunch, Noon expect it to be. We are in the process have attached to it the Friends of the of our own internal reconfiguration, International Center name, as well Oct. 23: Football 101, 4:30, but you can find a Friends office as our trifold mission: friendship, Porter’s Pub within the main IC building on the scholarships, and hospitality. We Oct. 25: Ethnic Dinner, 6:30 second floor on the west end, best hope that you will react favorably accessed from the ramp or exterior to the new logo and will continue Oct. 27: PAO Expo, 11:00-3:00, stairs to the west deck by the park- to help spread the word about who Price Center Ballroom West ing lot, AND you can find a Friends we are and what we do. Page 2

Ethnic Dinner #110: Not only does the Friends of the International Center Directory and Handbook pro- vide the names and contact information of our membership, Saturday but it also includes some concise historical material, among it October 25 at 6:30 p.m. a complete record of all Ethnic Dinners and their cost, starting ••••• with a Chinese Dinner (@$4.00!) offered in March 1973. This month, Friends will host an Iranian Dinner, and a count tells Iranian Dinner us that this event will be number 110 in a long-running series with illustrated talk by that, then as now, was conceived as an occasion to socialize, to Negin Nazarian and familiarize ourselves with different cultures, and to raise funds Alireza Sarebanha for Friends projects, most often for international scholarships. Because of a scheduling conflict, this year’s October Eth- ••••• nic Dinner will not involve UC San Diego Family Weekenders, A Fundraiser for Scholarships who are heading to the San Diego Zoo. Although Friends were asked to change our event from Saturday to Friday evening, we could not accommodate this request, since the International Center is fully booked that day. Nonetheless, we will have UCSD students in our midst, not the least several who will help with mounting the event. Also among us will be Haleh Yazdi from and Chris McCarthy, newly returned from research in Mongolia, both recent Friends Scholarship recipients asked to speak to us about the meaning to them of our scholarship. Come welcome them and help us raise money for 2015 Friends Scholarships.—Ed. A Journey to Iran —by Katya Newmark

ing English conver- The next dish to follow will sation group, where be Salad Olivieh, a very popular she learned about our cold chicken salad that research International Cooking suggests was introduced to Iran Experience classes. She in the late 1960s, but is a dish of attended several—ap- Russian origin created in Moscow preciating them all— by a French-trained chef. Ancient and was soon asked Persia was a bridge between East to offer one herself. and West and modern-day Iran, Her session featured the eighth largest country in the the cuisine of Shiraz, world, continues to serve as a Shohreh’s hometown. crossroads for many cultures. On Saturday evening, October 25, The class was a great success. I The entrée will feature two diners will be treated to an authen- was so impressed by the food and classic dishes. (1) Fesenjon polo, a tic Persian meal totally prepared Shohreh’s knowledge that I invited , and chicken by volunteers under the direction her to work with a group of us on stew, that is considered by many of longtime Ethnic Dinner chair, offering a full dinner for Friends to be one of the most delicious Liz Fong Wills, and Shohreh and guests. She graciously agreed. Persian dishes, melding tender Karimaghaei, a native of Iran, here Shohreh, Liz, and I have selected sweet and sour chicken bathed with her husband, Arya Iranmehr, the following menu. in a tangy pomegranate and a Ph.D. student in UC San Diego’s The meal will begin with an walnut sauce. Department of Electrical and Com- appetizer of kashk bademjan, an Key ingredi- puter Engineering. Shohreh, too, is and cheese dip, served ents include a trained computer engineer, but with sangak (flat ). While pomegranate currently does not hold a permit to many have tasted eggplant dips molasses and work in the United States. from other countries, the addition fresh , Shohreh tells us that she en- of kashk, a whey unique to Iran, ingredients not joys coming to the International together with caramelized so commonly Center, at first participating only and , gives this eggplant dip found in South- Pomegranate in the Friends Wednesday morn- its identifying Persian flavor. ern California. molasses

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(2) Kalam polo, rice with tiny meat- asked to move from the Interna- balls, a flavorful and aromatic bas- tional Center to the large lecture Resale Shop mati rice dish that traces its origins room in Center Hall, the neigh- —by Marion Spors to the ancient city of Shiraz. Its boring building located directly preparation, layering herbs, cab- across Library Walk, where Iranian Thanks to a terrific group of - vol bage, the tiniest of meatballs, and doctoral students Negin Nazarian unteers we have had a great sea- what I jokingly call “magic grape (Mechanical & Aerospace Engi- son. We added some nice art and powder,” yields a dish that tastes neering) and Alireza Sarebanha display pieces, and have had a unlike any other. To cleanse the (Structural Engineering) will pro- number of great donations, such as palate, we will offer Salad shirazi, vide a narrated photographic Judith Muñoz’ donation of brand a refreshing salad of cucumber, presentation on Iran: an insider’s new Clae shoes. tomatoes, onions, and in a view of a country seldom visited Our monthly meetings have lime vinaigrette. by Americans. helped to improve communication For our vegetarians, we will Friends are delighted to fea- regarding everyday Shop busi- have separate plates with Kookoo ture the cuisine of Iran and to pro- ness, and allow us to get to know sib zamini, a Persian spiced potato mote a view of the country from each other and to discover hidden . those who know it best. talents. We have several possible And to end the meal, diners Don’t delay making your din- new recruits and have a few things will be offered Ranginak, a typical ner reservations—the deadline is in the pipeline—working on store Persian date dessert. October 17. For ease, you will find logo, Facebook page, and Insta- Traditionally our Ethnic Din- a reservation form on p. 11 or on gram. And of course none of this ners include a cultural program, the Friends website (icfriends. would happen without our awe- and after dinner our guests will be ucsd.edu) under Special Events. some customers, many of whom come in every day. Membership We regret to note the death, at age 83, of Freeman Gilbert, emeritus profes- What: Football 101 and sor of geophysics. We extend our condolences to his wife, Sally Gilbert, whose association with our organization dates back to its very beginnings, Chargers Watch Party when a group of volunteers rented a cottage in downtown La Jolla to serve Where: Porter’s Pub, UCSD as an International Center for the newly-founded University of California, San Diego. Sally was among those, in 1962, who laid a brick tricycle path When: Oct. 23 at 4:30 for the children. In the 1980s, Sally assumed a principal role in running Learn the basics of American football the Friends Resale Shop, leading to her being named Friends Member of from former players and through the Year in 1984. watching a live broadcast of what is In May, Friends lost yet another longstanding supporter: life member sure to be a spirited game between Solon Palmer, Jr. In the 1960s and 70s, Dr. Palmer (then a physician with two professional National Football the Scripps Clinic and a dedicated member of Rotary International) and League teams: the Denver Broncos his wife, Peggy, (who preceded him in death in 2012) were instrumental vs. our own San Diego Chargers. in raising money for our International Center. It was Solon as President This event is an opportunity of the International Center of La Jolla, Inc. (along with Ruth Newmark as for international students, scholars, Vice President and Helen Lovenberg as Secretary) who, in 1969, signed and their spouses to learn about the the official agreement with the UC Regents outlining the establishment most popular sport in the United and operation of an International Center on the UC San Diego campus. States and its impact on our culture. At press time, we learned of the death from liver cancer of life mem- Friends are welcome. ber Estelle Shabetai, who could often be seen at the International Center To make reservations, please on Wednesday mornings tending to the Kitchen Exchange. Estelle and contact event chair, Judith Muñoz, her husband, Dr. Ralph Shabetai (1924-2010), a cardiologist on UCSD’s at [email protected]. faculty of medicine, often attended Friends events. They were especially Better yet, go directly to: interested in our scholarship program, in particular as it relates to Friends https://docs.google.com/forms scholarship recipients going to study at the University of Edinburgh, where /d/1su7pYmRub0XKK0JN63Fq Ralph had received his medical training. Estelle will be greatly missed by lYN3sF5iwFIb-q7VWezUM5Q/ both Friends and Oceanids. viewform?usp=send_form.

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Judith Muñoz and Eleanor tum Suden man the check-in table Ruth Newmark engages in conversation with several of the as Kristine Kneib receives her nametag and table assignment Friends scholarship recipients 2014 Scholarship Awards Ceremony —by Ruth Newmark with photos by Katya Newmark, Stuart Smith & Carol Smith

Our organization’s mission underscores friendship, siderable part of our scholarship funds. Its physical hospitality, and scholarships. The May 20 Annual transformation has made the shopping experience an Membership Dinner and Scholarship Awards Cer- even more welcoming one. emony was no exception, yet it was the celebration of Special thanks, too, is due those who raise mon- scholarships that was its primary focus that night. Let ey in other ways, most importantly those who help me illustrate the value of our scholarships by sharing mount our Ethnic Dinners, 109 of which have been a few student quotes. offered since the series’ inception in 1973. Number 110 “I hope you know how grateful and how ap- is scheduled for October 25 and will take us on a jour- preciative I am of the scholarships the Friends of the ney to Iran (see pp. 2-3). International Center provide to so many students, Many more make generous individual monetary including myself. Without your support, studying contributions and we thank you all. abroad would have been very difficult, and I cannot Besides these Friends efforts, different units of even imagine what it would be like if I had missed our University contribute handsomely, in many cases out.”—Christina Ching, International Studies major, matching our funds. A big thank-you to the Office of EAP in Thailand Graduate Studies, the Office of Student Affairs, the “As a first-generation college graduate in my fam- School of Medicine, the Financial Aid Office, and the ily, I have a personal understanding of the importance UC Education Abroad Program. Such collaboration of scholarship programs such as the one offered by the between a volunteer organization and the institution Friends of the International Center, and am deeply ap- it supports is rare, and even more rare is that UCSD al- preciative of the opportunity this type of funding of- lows the Friends Scholarship Committee to make our fers to students at UCSD.”—Amy Kennemore, Ph.D. own selection. We seem to be doing a good job, for the candidate in anthropology, recipient of the 2013 Gayle University entrusts us to make the selection for sev- Barsamian Scholarship eral other study-abroad scholarships. “I am elated! What an honor. Thank you so much As Friends Scholarship Committee chair, I above for this award, your generosity, and the work you all all will miss working with Associate Vice Chancellor are doing.”—Martin L. Boston, Ph.D. candidate, De- Ed Spriggs, who retired at the end of June, and we partment of Ethnic Studies thank him for his strong support of the Friends Schol- Such expressions of appreciation in turn demand arship program during his 13 years at Student Affairs. words of gratitude to each and every one who con- Wrote Ed: “Once again, the Office of the VC-Student tributes in a multitude of ways to making the Friends Affairs is pleased to receive your annual report on Scholarship program a reality. the last year’s Friends Scholarship program and the Friends are especially indebted to the enthusiastic accompanying request for another year of match- volunteers at our Resale Shop that generates a con- ing financial support. We appreciate very much the

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Friends’ hard work to raise funds independently for Graduate Students Studying Abroad this program and the many other efforts of the Friends in support of the International Center and our interna- tional students and scholars.” Rewarding as such collaboration is to the Friends, it is similarly rewarding to the University. To cite Prof. Kim Barrett, Dean of Graduate Studies, who attended the annual dinner: “The evening is always a highlight of the year, but this year’s dinner was particularly en- joyable—we did indeed have some outstanding stu- dents (and conversation) at our table. …The effort you give to the annual scholarship competition, and your committee, is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks for all you do for our students. We have every intention of continuing to support this most worthy of causes.” By combining efforts and resources, Friends of the In- (in alphabetical order) ternational Center were able this past fiscal year to make 44 Martin Boston, South Africa, Ethnic Studies awards totaling $76,000. Graduate and medical students Nathan Combes, Kenya, Political Science received $2,000 each, undergraduates $1,500. Ted Falk, Turkey, History Students express their gratitude in many ways. Jill L. Harris, Curaçao, SIO Wrote Yeung-Ping Chen, a Ph.D. candidate in com- Christopher McCarthy, Mongolia, IR/PS position and 2014 recipient of the Diane Lin Memo- Elizabeth Miller, Mexico, Visual Arts rial Scholarship: “It is my honor to being invited to the Jennifer Mogannam, France, Ethnic Studies Friends Annual Dinner. … I am organizing a concert Matthew Nanes, Israel, Political Science (as a curator and producer, not composer) in the de- Ian Parker, Indonesia, Anthropology partment of music on June 2. And I will be composing Benjamin Smuin, France/Lebanon, History a large-scale orchestral work for the La Jolla Sympho- José Antonio Villaran, Peru, Literature/Writing ny Orchestra; it will be performed in May next year Leanne Williams, Zimbabwe, Anthropology (2015). Thanks for your care and support, and I will Haleh Yazdi, Iran, Psychology invite you and everyone in the Friends of the Inter- national Center again when those performances are Medical Students Studying Abroad approaching!“ Here begins a list of 2014 graduate student schol- arship recipients. Information on undergraduates will follow in a subsequent Newsletter.

Foreign Students in Residence at UCSD

Madison Cornwell, Malawi John Waggoner, India Christine Totri, England Lindsey Youngquist, India CONGRATULATIONS to our students and Yeung-Ping Chen, Hong Kong, Music Juan José Rojo Solis, Mexico, Literature/Writing THANK YOU to all who support the Judith Hamann, Australia, Music Friends Scholarship program!

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Every Place Should Have an Organization Like the Friends

Wednesday Coffee participants are often at UC San Diego for a limited period of time; we are always sad to see them leave, and rejoice when they return for a visit. Such was the case one summer day when Tatiana Shipkova, from Russia, mar- ried to Edwin Fohtung, a native of Cameroon with advanced degrees from Rus- sia and Germany, came for a return visit. The couple have a daughter named Zoey (about 2 years old), and during the three years that Dr. Fohtung spent as a postdoc in the physics department, Tatiana participated in Wednesday Coffee and then in the Mommy/Daddy & Me program, while Edwin occasionally attended the Coffee’s international lunches with her. In 2013, shortly before they left UCSD, Tatiana showed Wednesday Coffee par- ticipants how to make a tiny adornment called a martisor, traditionally bestowed in Romania and neighboring Moldova on March 1 in celebration of Spring. Edwin now has a professorial position working at Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM. Ta- tiana, who has a green card, is hoping also to find work at Los Alamos. Meanwhile, she is enjoying dancing the Argentine tango 2-3 times a week, having learned of a tango group via Georgina Sham through their mutual love of folk and ballroom dancing. The Fohtungs’ return visit was prompted by Edwin’s wish to meet with his colleagues and Tatiana’s desire to come to Wednesday Coffee to see her many friends. Katya Newmark tells that upon being introduced as Friends President, Tatiana expressed her thanks mul- tiple times, lauding UCSD for having such a wonderful organization: disclosing as proof that Friends had given her a baby shower—held at the home of Mary Woo—something that she still treasures as a very special gift. At some point Tatiana said, and Katya believes that she is quoting her verbatim: “I am so grateful to the volunteers who provide such a warm, relaxed, and welcoming environment. I think that every place should have an orga- nization like the Friends of the International Center with all its different activities. I cannot imagine anyone not choosing to get involved.” In an e-mail giving her approval to print this story and picture, Tatiana recapped: “Indeed, it has been a lifetime experience for me, bringing me friends with whom I stay in contact.” Wednesday Coffee —by Georgina Sham Wednesday, August 27, was the last Mommy/Daddy & Me class for some time for our fantastic lead teacher, Aehyang Park, who has taken an indefinite leave of absence to have her new baby and to enjoy her growing family. By way of a thank-you, we held Aehyang and Alice a potluck lunch that day. The program will keep going in her Stuffed with Love: absence, but we will miss Aehyang very much until her return. was the headline of a Meanwhile, Alice Blake-Stalker will continue to oversee the group, while several of notice in the La Jolla our young internationals intend to lead the classes. Light (Sept. 4, 2014) of Gus’s Table continues to attract a good crowd and to engage in lively conversation. the Friends Wednes- Matters are going so well that coordinator Nori Faer announced that Cindy Tozer will day sewing efforts to lead a second conversation group, called Friends Friday Chat ‘n Chew, every Friday from create stuffed animals 10:00 to 12:00 noon (with bag lunch) at the International Center. to be given to chil- Participation in our Wednesday Coffee craft projects varies from week to week, dren during the holi- but it is nice to see that even those who prefer to just sit and chat are bonding—no days. We commend doubt, due in large part to the Friends Dinner Socials inaugurated last year by Friends our Communications President, Katya Newmark. Here follows our October schedule: Chair, Kristine Kneib, •Oct. 1: Sew stuffed animals as Christmas presents for the children in our Mommy/ for having established Daddy & Me classes—all materials and patterns provided. a fine relationship with •Oct 8: Origami with Keiko Hirai—a requested activity. this community news- •Oct 15: Chilean lunch with Macarena Galaz. Cost: $5 per person. paper and thank the •Oct 22: Sew stuffed animals. sewers for making the •Oct 29: Pumpkin carving—another Wednesday Coffee tradition. Children dressed in cute toys. Halloween costumes will come by to Trick or Treat and we will pass out treats to all.

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Gastronomic Fusion —by Kristine Kneib Late in July, as part of our Wednesday served with a side of mango and Coffee program, Friends offered yet avocado salsa, was brought to life another international cooking dem- by a delightful mint and cilantro onstration, this time highlighting chutney. Explained Tashu with “Plant-Based Foods Rich in Potas- a smile: “Because even a healthy Tashu Malik (holding plate) with Padma sium,” drawing on flavor inspira- meal has some room for a healthy (India), Caroline Molino (Brazil), and Audrey Leriche (France) tions from Indian, Thai, and Mexican dessert,” the meal ended with cuisines. The demonstration was lead chocolate-covered peanut butter by Tashu Malik, who studied culinary arts and catering as a part of her and banana bites, a quick and easy, hotel management training in India. She has also taken nutrition courses delicious, no-cook dessert, using at Mesa College and is passionate about sharing her experiences with potassium-rich bananas. others to help them choose and prepare healthful foods. Because, potassium is es- Tashu created the recipes and chose to use foods that have some sential for good heart health, but of the highest sources of potassium, such as Swiss chard, white beans, also plays an important role in a avocados, and bananas. A red and Swiss chard soup was inspired well-functioning nervous system by dal, a very popular Indian lentil dish. It was flavored with Mexican and good muscle health, Tashu seasonings and thickened with coconut milk in Thai style. This combina- suggests: “Adding more of this tion was not only delicious but also packed a potassium punch, which is important nutrient to our diets highly recommended according to dietary guidelines set out by the U.S. can be as easy as choosing spinach government. The main course of mushroom and white bean quesadillas, over lettuce for our salad, drinking coconut water for our beverage, or choosing dried fruit for our snack instead of candy.” How I Became a Bachan (again) Everyone who attended en- —by Barbara Baehr joyed the fellowship and shared in sampling the meal while further Tutoring Yusuke Okuda was fun. He was an engineer from the Japanese discussing the delicious and nutri- Patent Office, at UCSD on a research project. He was very tall, very thin, tional recipes. and always looked as if he desperately needed a haircut. What he actu- ally needed: warm clothes for our “winter”; so I made a list and he went shopping at Las Americas, the outlet mall. His first purchases were an orange and black plaid flannel shirt and an orange t-shirt to wear with it and a zipper jacket with hood. I gave him two turtleneck sweaters. Once he bought a wool jacket, he was warm and appropriately dressed. Before he left for Japan, he sent me these lovely words of appreciation: “Time flies so quickly. It has been almost 10 months since we first met. I had really, really great time with you! You not only gave me English lessons, but also taught me about American foods, history, and politics. I enjoyed Barbara Baehr with Dr. Wei Deng, a all the meetings with you and felt as if talking with my grandmother. For pediatric nephrologist from China me, you are my American grandma. I’m gonna miss you. I wish you all the best. Thank you so much!!!” exploring the Grand Canyon, Yo- I’m also bachan (endearing word for grandmother in Japanese) for semite, and Yellowstone. the family of a Japanese M.D., who was here many years ago. I tutored I learn a lot from my tutees. the father and helped his three daughters to be enrolled in school. No question but that the rewards More recently I finished tutoring Tae Ho Kim, M.D. Ph.D., a visit- of tutoring run two ways. ing Korean scholar in the gastroenterology division, and received a kind note from him in which he, too, thanked me for my efforts and enthusi- To learn more about the International asm that helped him with his English and taught him about our culture. Center’s English in Action tutor- Presently, I am tutoring four Chinese-speaking medical scholars. For ing program, please contact Shelly most weeks in June and July, all my tutees were coming and going— Taskin at [email protected].

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Scholarship Letters

Me gusta caminar pero no sigo el camino (I like to walk but I don’t follow the road) —Anonymous graffiti artist, Cuenca, Ecuador Voces en Graffiti: Cinco Semanas en Ecuador The five weeks in Ecuador have been some of the best in dren. I would study on the bus as I headed to clinic. After my life. It is difficult to put into words what I experienced. clinic, I would hop back on the bus, often exiting at differ- I didn’t feel ready to come home. I found myself comfort- ent points in the city, in order to walk around and see the able outside of my comfort zone. My Spanish was improv- sights. One aspect which I loved, oddly enough, was the ing every day, and I wanted to continue that challenge of graffiti written along the walls of the city. Unlike what I see communicating in this beautiful language, a language with in Los Angeles with unintelligible gang signs, the graffiti in so many twists and turns that it seemed near impossible Ecuador is frequently weighted with political statements, to grasp all the semantics in one lifetime. Every day I was or more often with declarations of love: learning new concepts, new phrases, new routes, new •Aborto seguro y legal (Safe and legal abortion) places. •Mi cuerpo es mio, ni de la iglesia tampoco del estado (My Flying in to Quito, I was mesmerized by the beauty of body is mine, not that of the church nor the state) the Andes—like nothing I had ever seen before. Lush, vi- •El Yasuni depende de ti! (The Yasuni [rainforest] de- brant, green slopes that seemed to never end. Driving into pends on you!) the city of Riobamba was not quite what I had originally •Eres el dolor mas bonito de mi vida (You are the most pictured. It is not so rural, but rather a busy, dusty city beautiful pain of my life.) that spans over 22 square miles. I began exploring imme- •Te amo queso [I love you cheese) diately, and found myself ecstatic over the cost of food: my •Te amo … (I love you… {fill in the blank}) first lunch, consisting of soup, delicious chicken and rice While many graffiti messages used words, others topped with the infamous aji sauce, and fresh squeezed used images—profound art which brought color and depth juice came to a total of $1.50. The woman who owned to the walls along the streets. the place was so kind. We spoke for quite a while, and she sent me home with oranges, refusing to accept money as long as I promised to return, which, of course, I did. Our first full day started with a tour of Cacha, a ru- ral area just outside of Riobamba. The city is made up of 23 small villages, all lining the Andes, all green, lush, and beautiful. There are only three clinics spread throughout Cacha, and only three physicians who work there. Volun- teers from the Cachamsi program often join these clinics and make appearances at the schools, helping to spread awareness about health from healthy eating to sanitary liv- ing. The people of Cacha are indigenous; most speak only Quechua, the native language. The women’s clothing con- sists of solid bright colored ponchos with full rimmed hats. There are goats, cows and sheep grazing the hillsides. I spent my weekends traveling with fellow students in Segundo was the name of our driver. Segundo means the program to nearby towns. We visited beautiful quaint “second,” as in first and second, in Spanish. However when towns such as Banos, Cuenca, even the beaches of Sali- I asked him why his parents gave him the name and he re- nas. Much of my time in and out of Riobamba was spent sponded in Spanish “I don’t know. I’m the first born,” we all speaking with the locals and learning about their experi- laughed. Segundo was born in Cacha. He prides himself on ences. Seeking out these conversations with locals was being one of the indigenous people of Ecuador. He speaks key for me to feel a sense of cultural immersion. Each both Spanish and Quechua. day my Spanish was improving, I found myself noticing the Each day was an adventure. It began with walking to semantics we had learned in class and using those se- the bus stop and running alongside to jump on. Generally mantics myself in conversation. The more I learned, the the bus only stopped for the elderly and women with chil- more humbled I felt. I have since kept in contact with a few

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individuals whom I met inside and outside of the program. no eschucha nada.” He was deaf and mute. Dr. Y made Hearing from them brings me joy, as well as challenge as a gesture with his hands and the boy’s face lit up with I am once again using Spanish. a huge smile as he signed back. Dr. Y only knew a few Our weekdays consisted of working in clinics/hospi- words in sign, but the instant rapport that it created be- tals for the first half of the day and then heading over to tween him and his patient spoke volumes. the center of town for our Spanish classes with Pablo. My last week was spent in the hospital. Structurally, Pablo went to graduate school for linguistics for six years, this was not so different from the teaching hospitals in so we learned a lot about morfologia, sintaxis, y seman- San Diego: the hierarchy of learning from medical stu- tica. dent to resident to attending. Mornings began with going I had the privilege of working with two different doc- over complex cases, followed by teaching rounds at the tors in clinic before I started in the hospital. Something bedside. On my first day there I shadowed a gastroenter- became very clear to me in those first two weeks—the dif- ologist, who invited me to come observe his endoscopies ference between doctor-centered and patient-centered the following day. These were endoscopies like I had nev- care. The first week I was with Dr. D, who, while kind to er seen—without anesthesia. Patients swallowed a spray me, was quite curt with his patients. He would hand them of topical anesthetic and soon thereafter were lying on a prescription without any explanation of what he thought their sides, awake as the doctor inserted the scope to was going on with them or what the treatment was for. visualize the esophagus and stomach. I remember one This is not something unique to my clinical experiences woman whom I had met the day before. She had come in Ecuador. It is something I have seen on occasion in my into the hospital after weeks of bleeding when using the clinical experiences in the States as well. I felt so lucky to bathroom. She was anemic to a point that normally was have had an education that focused heavily on the value not compatible with life. As she lay on the table in the en- of doctor-patient communication. Regardless, I had many doscopy suite, I felt heavy. I knew what I was seeing right deep conversations with Dr. D; we spoke about everything away. The cancer had completely enveloped her stom- from children and pets to health care in Ecuador, abor- ach. The disease was so far progressed that the doctors tion laws, domestic abuse and the support available for agreed there was little to do for her. I continued visiting the victims, homosexuality, and religion, to name a few. her each day after work. We spoke about her children, The following week I worked with another physician, her grandchildren. She seemed peaceful with the idea of Dr. Y, who was quite different from Dr. D. Dr. Y spent dying, a topic I was not quite as comfortable broaching in time with his patients, educating them about their ail- any language. And yet often silence seemed more appro- ments and the treatment options. He also educated priate and more appreciated at times. me, in between patients, often pulling up lecture series These experiences served as reinforcements to the about certain diseases, and while in Spanish, I found my- physician that I want to be: one who never forgets that self contextually understanding a great deal about what while this might be the hundredth time I’ve seen a pa- he taught me. One day a week, Dr. Y would work with tient with a certain disease, the experience they have in people with disabilities. He was clearly passionate about the doctor’s office or hospital is unique to them, one who this aspect of his work. Each day he taught me about the is able to build rapport so that a patient is comfortable steps the government is trying to take to become more sharing the details of their experience, their fears and amenable to patients with disabilities. As of now, there their triumphs. remains very limited accessibility for these patients. We My drive is now greater than ever to make an impact spoke about the politics of Ecuador, from social to finan- not only in my own community, but globally. I didn’t feel cial issues. We also spoke about dogs. A lot about dogs, ready to leave Ecuador, and there is much to return to. actually. In fact, he Googled pictures of dogs and meticu- This trip solidified my desire to take my skills internation- lously looked to find the ones that looked like his. He has ally, to immerse myself in various cultures, to teach and an English bulldog, a Schnauzer, and some sort of English to be taught. Through this experience I feel I can develop shepherd. He also has one son and wants three more deeper connections with my future patients. This has children. Conversations in Ecuador are very personal. In been an incredible experience filled with vibrancy, music, general, the first questions people ask are: “Are you mar- culture, beautiful towns, natural wonders, great food, and ried?” “Do you have children?” “Why don’t you have chil- amazing people in both clinical and social realms. My dren?” “How many children do you want?”, and so on and gratitude for this opportunity is beyond words. so forth about political views, whom you voted for, etc. Sarah Matrisciano Gilyard While surprising at first, I found the forward questioning quite refreshing. A 2013-2014 Friends Scholarship recipient, Sarah One day, a 17 year old boy came in to see Dr. Y with started her general surgery residency at Kaiser Perman- his father. His father began speaking for him, “No habla, ente Los Angeles this July.—Ed.

October 2014 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page 10

Dear Mrs. Newmark, Cathedral, and walked through the Edinburgh Please extend my regards in this e- famous and lush Holyrood Park. In that I would like to start off by saying again mail to the Friends of the International park is one of my favorite places in the how thankful I am to the Friends of the Center. Again, I thank the Friends very city, Arthur’s Seat. It is the highest International Center for making this much for the scholarship to study here point in Edinburgh, and from there you Global Seminar experience possible in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is so beautiful can overlook the city, the countryside, for me. and lush, and the countryside is amaz- the Firth of Forth, and the distant land Time flies when you are having fun. ing. Walking down the city streets is across the sea inlet. The two weeks I’ve been here have been like passing through time. Some of The two classes are also going well. nothing short of spectacular. Being able the structures here are older than I love the subject matter (Enlighten- to immerse yourself in a new culture, our own United States. As a structural ment, Revolution, and Romanticism in in a new place, is absolutely refreshing. engineering major, I am fascinated by Edinburgh), and it is even cooler being So far, I have tried two traditional Scot- the architecture. in the city where that history has taken tish specialties. The first one is haggis, place. On the streets, I can see statues which is seasoned minced meat and dedicated to the philosophers that we traditionally eaten with neeps and tat- are learning about in class and in our ties (turnips and potatoes). The second readings. is bangers and mash, which is sausage I hope this letter helps paint a and mashed potatoes. Both dishes picture of my Scottish adventure thus are delicious. far. I thank you again for your support. Edinburgh is a great walking city. Daniel Byrne The grocery store is less than five minutes away from our flat, and the Castle is only a 15-minute walk away. I am already starting to feel sad Gifts: We thank Nona Crampton thinking about leaving this wonderful for two thoughtful donations: one made place, but I am so happy that I got this In my application for the scholar- in memory of Betty Shor, with whom once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s all ship, I mentioned that I have family Nona used to pair up as a volunteer in about the journey, not the destination. history in Scotland. Last Friday, I visited the Resale Shop; the other designated Tasha Saengo my roots. A little village called Leslie, to the David Crowne Scholarship. Public Law major about an hour north of Edinburgh, was the birthplace of my great-grandfather. Perhaps the coolest part of my adven- ture in Scotland is that I am retracing Programs Abroad EXPO the steps of my father, when he trav- —by Jay Minert, Director, Outreach & Academic Integration eled around in 1988. During his time in Leslie, he stayed with a retired couple, Don’t miss the Programs Abroad Expo on Monday, October 27, 2014, when and he became good friends with them. international study program representatives will meet with students, fac- Unfortunately, contact with them was ulty, and community members. In its 29th year, the annual fair will be eventually lost, and he had not spoken held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Price Center Ballroom West. The purpose of with them in over twenty years. Expo is to increase awareness of international opportunities in general, as Before I left for this trip, my father well as to provide students and community members with specific infor- gave me an old letter that they had mation about the many overseas study, volunteer, work, and internship written to him. I took a leap of faith, programs available. UC San Diego’s Expo is one of many study-abroad trekked to Leslie, and found their ad- fairs being held this fall on campuses throughout California. dress. I had the greatest privilege of Exhibitors represent a wide range of study abroad opportunities meeting the wife of the couple. She is sponsored by the United States and foreign universities. These include, in her nineties now, and we were able among others, Arcadia University, the American Institute for Foreign to converse for an hour. Afterwards, Study (AIFS), Centers for Academic Programs Abroad (CAPA), the Dan- I walked to the cemetery to see the ish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), International Studies Abroad (ISA), graves of my ancestors. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, and the UC Education Abroad Program Other than my amazing trek to (EAP). Intensive language and special internship programs will be repre- the little village, the experience here sented, along with opportunities for paid and volunteer overseas work. in Scotland is awesome. I have toured For further information, call Expo coordinator Sheri Liebovich at through the Holyrood Palace, St. Giles (858) 534-1123.

October 2014 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page 11

Reservation for Iranian Dinner Saturday, October 25, 2014 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. Reservations must be received by Friday, October 17. 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.)

Address: ______E-Mail: ______

Number of Friends (@ $40.00): ______I need handicap parking and have a placard: ______Number of Guests (@ $50.00): ______I request ______number of vegetarian meals 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 Website: icfriends.ucsd.edu Congratulations ------Other ------In Memory E-mail: [email protected]

Name of Honoree ______The Friends of the International Center Newsletter Address______is published monthly, September through June. All material submitted must be received in writing City ______State _____ Zip______by the editor no later than the 10th of the month Message ______prior to publication.

Name of Donor ______Editor: Ruth Newmark ([email protected]) Address______Contributors: Joan Adamo, Barbara Baehr, City ______State _____ Zip______Jennie Chin, Karen Davis, Nori Faer, Nancy Homeye Judith Muñoz Katya Newmark Amount of Gift Enclosed: $ ______r, , , No donation is too small. Joe Nichols, Renate Schmid-Schoenbein, Georgina Sham, Marion Spors, Eleanor tum Please make your gift payable to Friends of the International Suden, Liz Fong Wills Center Scholarship Fund and mail to: Friends of the Interna- tional Center, UCSD International Center 0018, 9500 Gilman Contributing Photographers: Kristine Kneib, Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0018. Your gift is tax deductible. Katya Newmark, Carol Smith, Stuart Smith ✄ Circulation: Renate Schmid-Schoenbein

IC TELEPHONE NUMBERS Please report all address changes to the Friends The Friends Office (858) 534-0731 of the International Center; the U.S. Postal Service The Friends Resale Shop (858) 534-1124 will not forward the Newsletter. International Center Main Office (858) 534-3730

October 2014 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter Page 12

FRIENDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER NON-PROFIT ORG. University of California, San Diego U.S. POSTAGE International Center PAID 9500 Gilman Drive, #0018 SAN DIEGO, CA La Jolla, California 92093-0018 PERMIT #1909

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October 2014

Friends of the International Center Friendship • Scholarships • Hospitality Supporting international education at UC San Diego and the International Center for 53 years

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City______State______Zip______Membership and donations are tax-deductible. Make checks payable to: Phone______E-mail______Friends of the International Center UC San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive #0018 ___I wish to make a donation to Friends Scholarships $______La Jolla, CA 92093-0018 ___I would like to receive the Newsletter in electronic form ___I am interested in these volunteer opportunities: ______E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: (858) 534-0731

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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. October 2014 Friends of the International Center, UCSD Newsletter