Costa Rica, the Land of Pura Vida!

As the teaching assistant for the Franklin College Residential spring break trip to Costa Rica, I was responsible for chaperoning a group of 15 undergraduate students. My pay-off: a FREE trip to Costa Rica. Not too shabby!

Before taking off to Costa Rica I coordinated four class meetings where we discussed Costa Rican current events, learned about the culture, and even tasted local cuisine prepared by one of our very own UGA faculty members who is a Costa Rican native. Once we arrived in Costa Rica...I was quite surprised by the incredible UGA campus in Monteverde. Yes, UGA owns a "research center" and "eco-lodge" in the lush rain forests of Costa Rica with running hot water and beautifully handcrafted wooden bungalows. The program directors have worked hard to collaborate with the local community and during our 5-day stay we visited a local coffee farm, enjoyed a cooking class in a local woman's house, in addition to all of the students enjoying a one-night home stay with a local family. Our days at the research center were filled with drizzle, mud, wind, a schizophrenic sun, and lots of rainbows. I make it sound so bad, but it was so good...we were literally in the cloud forest where mother nature is in full-effect. The weather did not stop us, we hiked to a waterfall, took Spanish classes, milked cows, went horseback riding, and swung through the rain forest likes monkeys on a zip-line. Another brilliant feature of the UGA ecolodge is that it is all inclusive, the meals are prepared by local community members which makes for some delicious gallo pinto (rice and beans), juicy fresh fruit, and a colorful array of food.

The last two days of the trip were spent at Playa Grande (big beach). The students took surf lessons while I soaked up the sun, did yoga, and walked the beach. It was quite fabulous! Now, back to the grind...

Spring Break in Costa Rica

I'm off to Costa Rica for a week of rainforest and beach fun. I am serving as a teaching assistant for one of my professors who is the faculty director for a spring break course. Pretty sweet gig! Alas, sunscreen and bug juice in tow! More photos later...

Spring 2009 Semester Courses

Now that the spring semester is in full swing, I will attempt to describe the courses I am taking this semester. Before I begin, I just have to say this semester is proving to be much more organic (easy) than the fall semester, as I am enjoying the coursework and life in Athens. (Wow, I never thought I would link 'enjoying' and 'Athens' in the same sentence.)
PHOTO: The ladies research group. Dr. Sheila Slaughter on left, Jennifer, Stephanie, Dr. Amy Metcalfe, and me!

Comparative International Higher Education:

In this course, we travel around the world and learn about (and critique) research conducted on everything from faculty satisfaction to World Bank policies to the effects of globalization. So far, we have traveled from Latin America to Europe to Africa. The past two weeks we discussed how the neo-liberal agenda of World Bank conditionalities are imposed on developing countries. The neo-colonialism agenda is still alive and kickin'! This is by far one of my favorite courses. My professor is Dr. Tom Dyer, who is famous at UGA for his historical account of the University. He is a BIG deal on campus! Just the other day I saw his name (again) on a plaque in a building. Not only is he the historical father of UGA, he is a father figure who is not afraid to correct spoken English in the classroom and believes that content is substance and grammar. For this course we have to write 3 short papers on international topics of our choice and one BIG final project (25 papes).

Introduction to Research Methods:

This course is a research methods sampler platter. We read and discuss the basics of research methods: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches. My professor, Dr. Jim Hearn, is another BIG deal! He has been around the higher education research block for quite some time and is well respected in the field. We just had our mid-term for this course which was multiple choice and short essay on the foundations of higher education research: theories and current issues in the research world. Even though this course is basic, I find it to be a nice primer for future research ideas. In addition to the mid-term, there will be a final exam and a 10-page paper.

International Policy Studies:
PHOTO: Peter Maassen (far left), Sheila Slaughter to his right and Dr. Dyer is standing behind me, and my PhD colleagues.

Visiting professors from around the globe teach this course, reminiscent of my studies in Europe. The first professor in the series, Dr. Amy Metcalfe from Canada, taught a course about gender disparity in higher education. She is also coordinating the research grant with Dr. Sheila Slaughter of which I am a research assistant for, therefore many meetings (with wine) ensued during her visit. Next up is Dr. Peter Maassen from Europe, who just left yesterday, he taught a course on the European integration of higher education (a topic near and dear). Dr. Maassen was my Master's thesis advisor in Oslo, so it was nice to catch up with him and discuss a few collaborative ideas for comparative research. Finally, there is another professor from Norway, Dr. Berit Karseth, who will teach a course on the European integration of curriculum. For each of these short courses we are expected to write a 10-page paper on the topic presented by the professor.

Day After the Snow Storm: CARNAGE!

After 6.5 inches of wet and soggy snow last night, the town of Athens, Georgia shutdown. When I woke up this morning, I was amazed at how bright Athens was...the contrast of white glistening snow and sunny blue skies made for a beautiful day. Many people lost power last night, as trees and power lines--weighed down by heavy snow--came crashing down resulting in candle-lit evenings. I visited friends at the local watering hole, who were without power since 4 p.m. yesterday. They were warming up with the local brew, and charging up their cell phones and computers. This is what I love about snow-days, you have permission to do things that you would normally not be doing on a Monday...like bantering about snowstorm war stories and playing games in the local watering hole. As I walked through the downtown area, I took a few photos of the carnage left behind from the storm. Trees were uprooted, split in half, and cars were stranded everywhere...including the middle of the streets.

Here are a few facebook status updates from friends:

*Cody was loving the snowstorm that we're getting in Athens, until it caused a tree to fall on his brand new car. :( The cab is crushed and the back window...

*Raychel is offering up food, shelter, etc. to anyone still without power in Athens!

*Anthony is hoping his power comes back on soon. But the snow is nice (as is a closed UGA--no midterm tonight!)
*Johanna finds it quite strange to wake up to snow in Athens.

*Stephanie has heat and power, for anyone needing to warm up!

UGA CLOSED ALL DAY MONDAY, MARCH 2

Woohoo, a spring snow storm hit Georgia in March. This almost NEVER happens, except for today! After a trip to Atlanta, we played in the snow on campus, took photos, pushed cars that were stuck, dodged falling trees, drank wine, made chili, and lamented in the fact that school/work is canceled tomorrow.

TO: UGA Faculty, Staff and Students
To update all previous announcements -- The University of Georgia Athens campus will be closed all day Monday, March 2. Personnel previously designated for duty during weather emergencies should report as assigned.

Heard on the streets of downtown Athens earlier today, "I have lived here all of
my life and I have never seen it snow like this before."