Barbados - Fun in the Sun

One of the best perks about having friends who study abroad and who have international careers is having the opportunity to go and visit them. My friend Joia who was the first person I interviewed for the Career Corner section of KoMiSa's World (click here to check out the interview with Joia) works is a Foreign Services Officer stationed in Barbados. I have been planning to visit her in Barbados all year so I was excited to bored the plane and to make my way to the gorgeous island in the Caribbean Sea for a long weekend.


I had an amazing time visiting the U.S. Embassy, meeting Joia's coworkers and later having great conversations over Korean Food and later sitting on the terrace enjoying the tropical night air. I also enjoyed the local cuisine and was very happy that I could get ginger beer everywhere I went.

Joia was an amazing tour guide. We made the best of every adventure. We also had a great time partying with two of the most popular morning show deejays on the island. If plan to go to Barbados soon be sure to check out Barbados native, Alex Jordan's morning radio show!!! It was on to Frisky Fridays the next night to meet up with more of Joia's friends and dance the night away. With all the delicious food that I ate I definitely was glad to work it all off on the dance floor in the evenings. I even enjoyed going to the grocery store, gas station, and other things we often do in our daily lives. Visiting these places gives me yet another glimpse of the culture, an opportunity to interact with native people and seeing how those who live on the island live their daily lives.

Family and friends are oh so important to me so when I went to Joia's coworkers/friends birthday brunch and was embraced like family it was the perfect addition to a fabulous trip. Great people, delicious food, drinks flowing, an amazing Caribbean backdrop and the celebration of a birthday made me feel right at home.

No Caribbean vacation is complete without a trip to the beach so we definitely took advantage and had some fun in the sun.

A huge thank you to Joia and her amazing friends in Barbados for welcoming me and for taking part in my fabulous vacation!!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

Hasta el proximo Vez,

KoMiSa

P.S. I hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season. May you be abundantly blessed in 2013.

First Lady Obama’s Support for Study Abroad

I recently received an email from the LinkedIn group Study Abroad Faculty and Professionals and an article highlighting Study Abroad and First Lady Michelle Obama was the first article listed and I got excited. After reading the article I was overjoyed to learn more about President and First Lady Obama’s encouragement and support for studying abroad.

Last year First Lady Obama spoke to a thousand young people at Howard University (shout out to a fellow HBCU) in Washington D.C. and discussed the importance of Studying Abroad and the 100,000 Strong Initiative. The 100,000 Strong Initiative, which was revealed during President Obama’s visit to China in 2009. The goal of this initiative is to increase the diversity of American students who choose to study abroad in China. This is definitely a cause after my own heart. After all I am such the supporter of increasing the diversity of Americans who study abroad, whether it be in China or another country of the student's choosing.

I wholeheartedly agree with the following statement by First Lady Michelle Obama.

“The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.  That is so important.  So when you study abroad, you’re actually helping to make America stronger.... That’s why it is so important for more of our young people to live and study in each other’s countries. That’s how, student by student, we develop that habit of cooperation, by immersing yourself in someone else’s culture, by sharing your stories and letting them share theirs, by taking the time to get past the stereotypes and misperceptions that too often divide us.”

I can definitely attest to this statement. Studying Abroad has not only opened my mind and helped to shape the person that I have become; it has also shaped my career path and goals. I know that studying abroad has positively affected others who have taken the opportunity to go for the experience as well.

Knowing that President and First Lady Obama supports and promotes study abroad initiatives gives me yet another reason to admire them.

To see the entire White House Blog click on the title “First Lady Michelle Obama: When You Study Abroad, You’re Helping to Make America Stronger" by Kori Schulman

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/01/19/first-lady-michelle-obama-when-you-study-abroad-you-re-helping-make-america-stronger?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl&goback=.gde_158718_member_183579891

To read more about the 100,000 Strong Educational Exchange Initiative see the link below:

http://www.state.gov/100k/

Amy Wu,  journalism educator at Shue Yan University and Huffington Post Contributor  recently wrote an interesting article about the 100 Strong Initiative entitled, "Pushing for Global Campuses a la US-China. Check it out here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-wu/study-abroad-china_b_2183306.html 

Thanks for reading!

Hasta el Proximo Vez,

KoMiSa

My First Major Spanish Music Concert

One of the best ways to learn about a culture is immerse yourself in it and traveling to another country is considered the optimal way to do so and I agree. However for many of us there are but so many trips we can take in a year so what do we do in the mean time? We look for experiences and events that will allow us to experience the cultures that are captivating our interests. These events could include a foreign film festival, a restaurant with a specific nationality's cuisine, going to an art museum showcasing painting and pictures of an international artist, etc. As for me, I went to my first major Spanish music concert, SalsaPalooza, featuring Eddie Santiago, Tito Nieves, Tito Rojas, and my favorite, La India 20 minutes from my house with Carmen and Neva. We had so much fun!!! Although there was no need for an airplane ticket or hotel room you could not tell me I was not transported to Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic. One of the best and unexpected personal highlights was the confirmation that my Spanish language journey was coming full circle.

The entire concert felt more like a party than a concert. The energy was electric/ contagious. Each performer had a live band that rocked the house, while each performer had great vocals and put on a really great show. The entire audience was up and out of their seats dancing in the isles and wherever there was a space, yes including me. It seemed like everyone had an amazing time. I know I did! Although I cannot bring the concert to you, I can share one of my favorite salsa singers and one of the songs that I love to hear her sing.... La India,"Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre."
Can anyone guess what song it is in English? I will give you hint... Celine Dionne performs this song.
(Scroll down for the answer)

Answer: Power of Love

KoMiSa's Takeaway Thoughts: Experiencing and learning about other cultures can continue whether you are in that cultures country of origin or not. So use your resources like the internet to look for experiences like a concerts, movies, books, etc that will allow you to venture into the cultures you are interested in.

Thank you for reading!!!

Hasta pronto,

KoMiSa

Sharing My Love for HBCUs

This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak at the Malcolm Bernard  Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair. It was such a great site to see so over 40 HBCUs in attendance as well as the many high schools who brought their students.

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am a proud HBCU alumnus and take every opportunity  to share my experience being an HBCU student at Hampton University. When I chose Hampton University I knew that I made the right decision but I had no idea of the blessings that were to come. At Hampton University I not only excelled academically but I  met some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. It gave me the opportunity to connect to some of my cousins who lived in the city of Hampton and to meet other cousins who graduated from Hampton University and were working there when I was a student.

Hampton University was the place where I learned about the various study abroad opportunities and greatly increased my desire to travel and experience other cultures first hand. The family atmosphere that is fostered, which is common in many HBCUs, and the relationships that I have built with some of my professors, faculty, and fellow alumni are still strong to this day.

I have earned additional degrees at other universities both here and abroad, but there is nothing like the feeling that I get when reminiscing, visiting and/ or sharing my amazing experience attending an HBCU.

Choosing a college experience is an important decision. You want to choose a school in which you feel that you can excel academically, build a strong network, and enjoy all that college life has to offer. I received that and more attending an HBCU. Although I did not attend the Malcolm Bernard HBCU Fair when I was in college I am glad to know that it is a resource for so many students today. It was a pleasure to have been a speaker for the past two years. Interacting with the students and having a dialogue with them gives the degree I earned yet another dimension to inspire and help others. I look forward to participating again next year.

For more information on the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black College and University see the link below.
www.hbcu-cfnj.com/

For information on Hampton University see the link below.
www.hamptonu.edu/


Hasta el Proximo Vez,

KoMiSa

KoMiSa's Top 5 Pet Peeves of Traveling

I was reading one of my favorite travel blogs "Oneika the Traveler". Oneika described her top 5 travel pet peeves, which got me to thinking what my top pet peeves are. Oneika and I have a few pet peeves in common (numbers 1, 4 and 5).

1. Everyone Should Speak English

  I think not! Maybe it is the language geek in me but I find that a lack of respect for the culture and native tongue to expect natives of that country to speak English when they have a their own language. I also find it rude. Instead try to learn or at least carry a few key phrases with you in the native tongue of your non-English speaking travel destination. Being able to say hello, please and thank you in the native tongue can get you farther than you may think. Speaking in the native tongue not only shows your respect but it often makes the other person more receptive to helping you. Put yourself in the native person's shoes. Be patient and gracious to whomever you interact with on your trip abroad whether their English is great, okay or nonexistent.

2. Close-mindedness:

Everything is not going to be the same as your home country. Expect both similarities and differences. Be open to the differences whether it be the language, the way the street signs are displayed, the food, the transportation, music, time zone change, etc. Isn't that one of the reasons to travel, to experience not only the similarities but the differences of the foreign land? Travel is so much more than going from place to place. It is about embracing the experiences, the culture, and atmosphere around you.

3. Stares:

I have to be honest, I sometimes dislike the stares that I get when I am traveling. I understand that in some of the places that I have traveled the native people there may not be used to seeing someone with my skin color or my hair texture thus I get stared at. I know that the stares are sometimes very innocent. We all often find ourselves staring at someone or something if it is new to us or not of the norm whether we intend to or not. That I understand and is not what I am referring to. 

What I am referring to are the times when I have a sense that the stares and the comments that follow are less admirable and cause me to feel a bit uncomfortable. I am fortunate that the latter has happened on very rare occasions and most often when I was traveling in a group rather than alone. What has always helped me with this is understanding a bit of the history and present day culture of the place I am traveling to. This helps me to put everything into it's proper perspective and enjoy my trip.

4. Paying for Checked Luggage:

Although I can pack a carry on with everything I need like no other, I hate that I have to pay for something that I feel should be included in the price of the ticket. I mean really, if I buy a ticket from New York to Hawaii for a week long trip, it makes sense that I will need to check a bag.  It is not like I haven't dropped a significant amount of money for plane tickets as it is.  I know that this fee is here to stay. It doesn't mean that I have to like it. Dare I say add the expense to the rest of the hidden fees that are included with the price of the airline ticket. As for now my trusty carry-on and I will continue to gallivant in and out of airports as my travel adventures continue.

5.  High Price of Airline and Airport Food:

I am not a fan of the higher price of airline food as well as the higher prices often found in airports. Some might say that I am frugal. I however like to think that I am just being smart with my money. I have already paid for the flight so I don't appreciate that I have to pay for a meal if I am taking a 6 hour domestic flight. (International flights, a meal is usually included.) To avoid paying for food on planes and higher priced food in airports I often bring my own. I stay in TSA regulations so no liquids but that pastrami sandwhich on rye with coleslaw is all me. 

To see my inspiration for this post check out Oneika's Travel Etiquitte: Her Top 5 Pet Peeve's.  (http://www.oneika-the-traveller.com/travel-etiquette-travel-pet-peeves.html) 
Thank you Oneika for inspiring me to think about and write about my pet peeves!

What are your top travel pet peeves? Leave a comment and let me know.

KoMiSa's Take Away Thoughts: Pet Peeve's may annoy you from time to time but it is no reason to hold you back from traveling nor a reason to ruin your trip. Recognize them for what they are if they pop up, then let them go, and enjoy your travels. 
 
Hasta el Proximo Vez,

KoMiSa

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, no It's KoMiSa Trapeze Flying

Trying new things was always a huge part of my study abroad experiences. Whether it was trying a native dish in Spain, learning to sketch an urban setting in Brazil, or meeting new friends while taking a free walking tour in Paris; trying new things and studying abroad/traveling go hand in hand for me. Should I have to stop trying new things while I am home in my native country?  Of course not!

I have come to realize that traveling and trying new things are important aspects of my life. They allow me to step outside of my comfort zone and grow as a person. Since I can't travel all the time, at least not yet, I figured I would try something out of my ordinary close to home. That is just what I did last week when I went ... Trapeze Flying.

I used to walk by Pier 40 in New York City where the Trapeze School is located every day when I worked at Newsweek but it wasn't until I was in grad school in Spain that I realized that I wanted to take a class. Fast forward a year and I was on the roof of Pier 40 ready to step out of my comfort zone to see what Trapeze flying was all about.

I figured my birthday week would be a great time to take the class and celebrate God blessing me to see another year. Thus, last Tuesday I went to my old stomping grounds and took my first Trapeze Flying class. With my Sharon Striders' Breast Cancer Walk Shirt to represent my ancestors/ angels in heaven I was ready to "fly".

Surprisingly I was not as nervous as I thought I would be. Whenever a nervous thought popped into my head I would visualize myself having a good time. I told myself how freeing it would be and how good it would feel to do something new and different. Learning how to swing and do the beginner tricks was a lot of fun. I did far more than I ever thought I would or could for my first time. It was definitely a confidence booster. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and enjoyed yet another new experience. Would I go trapeze flying again. Definitely!!! Hopefully next time I can convince a few friends to enjoy in on the fun.

To see me "fly" check out the video below.

KoMiSa's Take Away Thoughts: It is great to try new things while traveling or studying abroad but don't forget to see what new things there are to experience right in your "own backyard".

Hasta el proximo,

KoMiSa

Sharing Some Good News

In Honors College at Hampton University, Dr. Davy would usually put students and alumni on the spot during an event, workshop or ceremony and ask, “What’s the Good News?” and you better be prepared to answer. In that spirit I wanted to share some good news you.

Last week I taught my first English as a Second Language (ESL) class at a local community college. The opportunity presented itself the day before I was to teach the class when I received a phone call from the Coordinator of the Corporate and Business Training Department asking if I was available to teach the very next day. I quickly thought about how I could rearrange my schedule and accepted the class. At that point I was only obligated to teach the one ESL class with a possibility of it being extended to last the entire semester based on enrollment. Due to the high enrollment and student attendance for the first day of class I was extended the offer to teach for the entire semester.  I am officially teaching my first ESL class. What a blessing! And to think I called the Coordinator of the department because of a question that I had regarding another one day training class that I will be teaching in a different subject area in a week yet another opportunity availed. God is good!

I have always loved teaching and helping others to learn and accomplish the goals set before them so when I was contacted 2 weeks ago to interview to become an instructor of the Corporate and Business Training Department at a local community college I jumped at the opportunity. I knew this would be a great way for me to get my foot in the door to Higher Education and earn valuable experience while doing something that I love, which is sharing my knowledge with others. Although I have taken many language classes and have tutored students in both the English and Spanish Language, I have never taught an ESL class before but I was up to the challenge. 

Teaching my first ESL class with less than a day to prepare was a thrill. I had no time to be nervous so that worked in my favor. I prayed, prepared my lesson, and went into the class with confidence. My students warmed up to me quickly and were receptive and actively participated in the class. It was an honor to teach so many different ages. Some of my students are a few years younger than me while some are old enough to be my grandparents. It was a great first class. One of my students came up to me after class and thanked me for teaching such a good class. During the interview to become an instructor I was asked how I measure success as a teacher, and that is one way I measure success, when my students feel that they have learned something, enjoyed the class, and look forward to returning to learn more. I look forward to helping my students improve their English through out the semester. 

Thanks for reading my good news! I look forward to sharing more good news in the near future.

Hasta el proximo vez,

KoMiSa

Are You Registered to Vote???

                                              
 
I loved my 8th grade English Class. Mrs. Russo knew how to make learning fun.  I read some great books and even had a poem published that year, but learning about the Presidential Election that took place proved to be one of the best projects that I have done in middle school that still impacts my life today. The year was 1996, Former President Clinton, Former President George Bush and Mr. Ross Perot were running for office.

The project taught me to learn about each of the perspective candidates, their platforms, and each political party that was represented. From the newspaper articles that were read, the television programs that were watched and discussed in class, and the analysis of the speeches made; looking back my classmates and I were some well informed eighth graders. Too bad we couldn't vote then lol. However, we sure are eligible to vote now!

 On the heels of the Republican and the Democratic Conventions, it is so important that all who are eligible to vote in this year's Presidential election vote!!!

Government decisions play a huge role in many of the topics that I write about such study abroad/ international programs and the grants/ scholarships that help students to participate in them and we all are well aware of the impact that the government has on our economy and the job market. Therefore it is imperative that we pay attention and vote!!!

Vote like your life depends on it because in so many ways it does. You have a voice that many people fought so hard for many of you to have so who are you not to follow through on their efforts.

As Ed Gordon said on BET's coverage of the DNC "I am not here to tell you who to vote for. I am here to tell you to vote."

If you are not registered to vote there is no time like the present. Check out the  links below for more information on voting:

Rock the Vote: http://www.rockthevote.org/
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting.shtml


VOTE!!! Don't think of it as a choice but a blessed obligation.

Hasta el proximo vez,

KoMiSa

Career Corner - A Chat with Christina Brown of LoveBrownSugar

from www.lovebrownsugar.com

Many know Christina Brown from her widely popular blog LoveBrownSugar. If you have not you are missing out on Christina’s great insight on the latest fashion and beauty trends. She has recently been featured in Elle Magazine, has graced the runway for the BlogHer 12 Fashion Show, and has been a correspondent for Ford Motors at the BET 2012 Music Awards.  She is also celebrating 3 years of  her blog LoveBrownSugar. Congrats Christina!!! I can’t wait to see how her career continues to successfully unfold. Christina has a love for travel and studied abroad while attending the University of Pennsylvania. I love reading Christina’s blog and am excited to learn yet another facet about this amazing female on the rise.  

Have you studied abroad during your undergraduate and/or graduate school experience?

Yes, I had the opportunity to study abroad 

If so where did you go?

I studied in Paris, specifically a small suburb of Paris call Jouy-en-Josas at one of Paris' biggest business school HEC Paris. 

For how long?

I was in France from February 2008 until June 2008 so about 5 months. 

How was your experience abroad?

My experience abroad was incredible. I absolutely loved it. At first I was very nervous and scared. I had to take most of my classes in French and it's definitely not my first language (not even my second) so I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep up. But I made such amazing friends over there, both study abroad students and locals, and it was really 5 of the best months of my life.

How has studying abroad changed your life? You as a person?

It definitely made me way more independent. Until I went abroad I had never lived completely on my own. I had also never traveled anywhere by myself. That trip to Paris was an eye-opener. I explored the rural pathways of Jouy-en-Josas by myself. I forced myself to make friends who I normally wouldn't have if I was in the US. I really had to get out my comfort zone. And that, in turn, allowed me to grow and it also fed my itch for international travel. After that, I became addicted to travel!

Do you speak any other languages? If so how many?

Besides English, I can speak a little conversational Spanish and French. 

3a. How has studying abroad impacted your languages skills?

Well, while I was in Paris my conversational French was on point. But like muscles, language skills slowly deteriorate if you don't use them. I'm currently on the hunt for a meetup group in NYC dedicated to French language - I really want to get it back! 

How has speaking another language or your willingness to learn the native tongue of the country impacted your study abroad experience?

Well for me it was a requirement. I had to take most of my classes over there in French. So if I didn't understand the language, I was essentially screwed. But I had an amazing group of friends who were natives, who really helped me in class. They took notes for me in English and really worked with me on assignments so that I felt part of the loop. It's funny - as much as I tried to practice my French with them, they always talked to me in English! They wanted to learn English as badly as I wanted to learn French. So we helped each other. 

What is your current career position? How has studying abroad impacted your career choices? the way you look at fashion and culture?

Currently I'm a Social Media Specialist as well as a Blogger. The reason I even decided to go to Paris was because it's one of the fashion capitals of the world. I grew up in New York, so the next biggest fashion capital for me was Paris! It really helped fuel my desire to work in the industry. Parisians have this effortless chic about them. They wear all black like it's uniform. But they always manage to make it look so amazing. To be honest, my first ever "blog" was my Study-Abroad travel journal. It was online for all my friends and family to see. And that really helped me dip my toe into online journalism way before I started LoveBrownSugar.

Do you have any advice for others who want to study abroad?

Do it! Studying abroad is a great experience - you absolutely won't regret it. Not only will you get to experience a new culture, but you'll make lifelong friends and you will grow so much as a result. I really live by the rule that you should invest in life experiences over things so I think it's so incredibly important to spend time exploring the world, especially while you're young.

Christina has awesome fashion and beauty secrets, trends, and so much more to share so be sure to check out her:

Blog: LoveBrownSugar,  Twitter,  Instgram,  Facebook, and Pinterest

A huge thank you to Christina for doing this interview. It was a true pleasure to meet you and run into you again at events in NYC!!!