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