Collide Magazine Issue 5 Beyond Borders

Page 1

CONTINUING THE DIVERSITY DIALOGUE | SELLING TO SUSTAIN | SHAKEN HOPE

WHERE IDEAS & STORIES IMPACT !"OCT 2011 ! ISSUE 5

editor's note... W

Future teachers, coaches, and counselors:

Reasons to Hang Around

Azusa Pacific Students:

• Earn your teaching credential and master’s degree in as little as 18 months.

• We’ll waive the $45 application fee.

• You won’t need to request transcripts.

• Talk to your academic advisor about taking credential classes during your senior year.

hen starting to plan an issue on global topics, it was only a matter of time before someone said it: “Students are so living in an APU Bubble…” “If only students got out of the APU Bubble…” I nodded my head in agreement as reporters rattled off justifications for their story ideas—the pesky phrase showing up with each new pitch.

Darin Curtis, M.A. ’95 Tierra del Sol Middle School 2 011 California Teacher of the Year

This phrase has made its way into our daily APU-speak, but rarely with a positive connotation. At each mention, I try to imagine what this ‘bubble’ would even look like. In my head, the ‘bubble’ is like the protective force field covering Hogwarts in the last Harry Potter movie. In that instance, students were warding off death eaters. Here in San Gabriel Valley, it seems like what we’re describing is hiding from the secular world. Photo B

way y: Jill Gallo

But as our team dove deeper into this process, we uncovered a lot more ‘popping’ the bubble than maintaining it. ‘The APU Bubble’ is not some thick shield after all. It’s being breached, and often, by students like you that care about the world around us. In our theme issue, BEYOND BORDERS,

our reporters have collaborated to bring you stories about transcending physical and mental margins. These include a resident director’s testimony of her move from Zambia to Adams Hall, businesses impacting communities with their products, and APU alumni approaching diversity talks in the workplace. In our main feature, “The Local Guide to WorldClass Travel,” we’ve given you the chance to move beyond the so-called ‘bubble’ by visiting culture towns in Los Angeles. And that’s not even half of it. Online, you’ll find more. So sit down, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and make yourself feel comfortable. In only our second year of publication, our Collide magazine staff welcomes you to enjoy our fifth issue. We hope these stories inspire you to do more than read. We hope you reach for those suitcases, go global locally, or initiate some conversations that get you moving beyond borders. As always, thanks for reading. Sincerely, Kaitlin Schluter, Journalism major Editor-in-Chief

WHERE IDEAS & STORIES IMPACT

Collide Student Magazine !"Oct 2011 ! Issue 5 Editor-in-Chief ✳ Kaitlin Schluter | kschluter08@apu.edu

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Advertising Representative ✳ Adam Daley | collideads@gmail.com Art Director ✳ Jonathan Dickson | jdickson08@apu.edu Publicist & Copy Editor ✳ Emeli Warren | ewarren08@apu.edu Advisor ✳ Karen Sorensen-Lang | kslang@apu.edu

(800) 825-5278

Contributing Photographers ✳ Jill Galloway, Amanda Marsh, Jonathan Dickson Contributing Writers ✳ Chelsey Barmore, Caleb Dennis, Elissa Emoto, Chelsea Johnson, Sarah Rogers

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Collide is a publication of The Clause, a multi-media student voice of undergraduate Azusa Pacific University. Our stories seek to bring people together on our pages where our ideas collide and stories impact readers. We provide narratives, inquiries, and dialogue in a Christian academic setting that values individual's stories as well as community concerns. Our writers are student-journalists interested in crafting articles that connect with readers and challenge them to grow as people and reporters. 12964

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Contents . . . 0

5

5 Study Abroad: Mapping out Your Adventure S)-6+"'73,'6":3,83'=*")3'(*B,3="+,-3"*)-6+"*;/(/"2(),"'(" /6-;')2,('."/*;':/1"B3,=")</">28<"S2/33'*"),")</"#B32;'(":.'2(*4"

7 10

7 Normal, Everyday Miracles 5-..E)2=/"=2(2*)3+",0/3*/'*"&'*(?)":'3)",B")</":.'(1"7-)"F,6"

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9 How To Globally Connect on Campus #$%"&'()*"+,-"),"./'0/1".2)/3'..+4"52(6",-)"&'+*"),"73,'6/(" +,-3"8.,7'."/9:/32/(;/")<3,-8<",(";'=:-*":3,83'=*4

10 From Z to A #6'=*">'..?*"(/&"@/*26/()"A23/;),3"B//.*")</";-.)-3/"*<,;C",B" )</"B3/*<='("6,3=*1"/0/(")<,-8<"</3")3'0/.*"7/8'("2("D'=72'4

14 18 21 23

11 Raising Their Hands

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14 The Local Guide to World Class Travel J9:/32/(;/"'(,)</3";,-()3+"&2)<,-)"7,'362(8"'":.'(/4"K=:,**27./L" M,)"&2)<"N,*"#(8/./*?";-.)-3/"),&(*4

18 Selling To Sustain

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21 Shaken Hope P(/"*)-6/()"Q(6*"<2=*/.B"B';/E),EB';/"&2)<"*='*</6";'3*1" 6/*)3,+/6"7-2.62(8*1"'(6"*<'C/("*-3020,3*"2(")</"'B)/3=')<",B" R':'(?*"&,3*)"/'3)<I-'C/4

23 Continuing the Diversity Dialogue O<3//"'.-=(2")3'(*.')/")</"62*;-**2,(",B"620/3*2)+"2(),")</" &,3C:.';/1"&2)<",3"&2)<,-)")</"</.:",B"#$%4

25 Global Gadgets

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CHECK OUT THESE OTHER STORIES: PALESTINE APPLIES FOR STATEHOOD The historical event is causing political waves. Students studying abroad in Palestine and Israel share their experience and add to the conversation.

GROWING MILES APART

VENTURE BLOG

!"#$%&"'()*$%&#+,-"."/)%01"2"&#% or inhibit long distance relationships? Check out this online feature to see how couples are 2(34-/%4&%5"13%(+1"$$%6"1'#1$7

Check our website every Friday for a new blog post on local events, food, culture, and $0"&.4/,&$%4-%"81%+"228-4&)7% Take the plunge and venture out. We have, will you?

Study Abroad: Mapping Out Your Adventure BY Elissa Emoto | Communication Studies

Students are packing their bags for a world of education. South Africa. After a great deal of traveling, spiri­ tual growth, and time spent at River of Life, an organization that empowers surrounding com­ 34('.'0%&)1105.0$&*6&789&)($&:8;<=&8&>()++6&4(­ derstood how studying abroad can help students discover their personal identity. The Center for Global Learning and Engage­ ment has been able to supply students with in­ sightful tips and information about study abroad,

River of Life who showed me what the true face of hope and faith really looks like.” I wrote these !"#$%&'(&)&*+",&-"%.&#',/.&*01"#0&*")#$'(,&)&2',/.& home, after experiencing a semester abroad in

which make dreams of studying abroad a reality for those who take the time to plan ahead. Be­ low we’ve compiled data on students who have already taken the plunge.

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300 250 $200

For more informa­ tion on studying abroad at APU go online. apu.edu/ studyabroad

0

Where are students now? TOTAL STUDENTS

168

Top 3 Programs South Africa

48 High Sierra 40 Oxford 20

Plan Ahead... X2)<2(")</"*)-6+"'73,'6":3,83'=*" )</3/"'3/")<3//"62BB/3/()",:)2,(*",3" Y)2/3*Y"),":'+"B,3"+,-3")32:Z

Tier A: ?& Students will pay their regular APU tuition and their full&>()(5')+& aid will apply.

U.S U.K Europe AUstralia China South Africa

“So I remind myself to not forget the amazing memories I’ve made, the people I’ve met, and experiences I’ve had in this beautiful country. I hope I never forget: the valuable things I learned about growing up in the age of apartheid, the system of legal and racial segregation between 1948 and 1994, my home and friends at African Enterprise, that one time I decided to jump off a bridge, and the genuinely beautiful people at

What’s the cost?

?& Tier A programs also offer automatic transfer of academic 5#0$'.&)($&>()(5')+&)'$@ ?& The programs that qualify for Tier A are APU based, such as the South Africa semester, High Sierra semester, etc.

Tier B: ?& Students will pay their regular APU tuition and most of their >()(5')+&)'$&%/"4+$&)--+6@ ?& Most programs in Tier B are offered through BestSemester, as well as one program offered through Geneva college.

Tier C: ?& Students will have the option to remain registered with or take a leave of absence at APU. ?& Leave of absence: Students will (".&#050'A0&)(6&>()(5')+&)'$&)($& will pay the selected program directly. ?& Tier C programs: Boston term, EduVenture: Indonesia, Focus on the Family Institute, Jerusalem University College, etc.

From Z to A

HOW TO:

Globally Connect on Campus

Her journey from Zambia to Azusa taught her that people share commonality despite differences; they just want to be loved. By Chelsey Barmore | English

T

Photo By Jonathan Dickson

By Chelsea Johnson | English

I

t’s no secret that Azusa Pacific encourages its students to ‘go global.’ From the multitudes of booths on the Cougar Walk during move-in weekend, to the several offices that cater to global activities, getting pluggedin to worldwide efforts is the thing to do. But with so many options, this can all feel like a bombardment of information. Even if you’re willing to trudge through the pages of online information, you may not see the point in getting involved overseas. Between homework, work, extracurriculars, and attempting to maintain a social life, dedicating time to one more thing can seem overwhelming. However, even in the midst of college chaos, Collide spoke with some offices on campus about why and how you can make an impact outside your own zip code. Multi-Ethnic Programs (MEP) is often considered to be

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the center of campus diversity and global expression. They boast an open door policy, where anyone is welcome to sit on the couch, hang out, and feel safe to talk about anything. I decided to test this theory. Sure enough, when entering the MEP office across from The Cougar’s Den, I was welcomed by a group of people who were more than willing to chat with a nervous, first-time reporter. When asked to describe MEP’s purpose, senior intern Brittany Morton said, “We’re not only a safe place for people who feel like they’ve been hurt, or unheard on this campus. But we’re also a safe place for people to come who need to learn or who need to broaden their minds.� MEP hosts several events a semester including Gospel Sing, a globally-inspired fashion show, and progressive dinners focused on promoting diversity, apprecia-

tion, and understanding. In addition, MEP advises the ethnic organizations on campus which include: Asian Pacific American Student Organization, Black Student Association, Latin American Student Association, Middle Eastern Student Organization, Native American Student Circle, and the Pacific Islander Organization. For mission trip opportunities, the Office of World Missions (OWM) sends 34 Focus International teams to 25 countries around the world. Student program coordinator and a two-time missionary to Ghana, Victoria Leith discussed the multiple opportunities available to students and why she thinks students should get involved. “Because I think that’s what God has called us to do. The Bible says to evangelize to the corners of the Earth. I think that it’s important to raise awareness, [to] be aware of what’s going on in the

world,� said Leith, a senior psychology major. “I think that being in America we are so, I hate to say it, sometimes ignorant of what is going on in the world. I think it’s important to go out and see how blessed we truly are. And with that blessing comes responsibility. We’re responsible to share with others what we have been given.� OWM also works with local organizations like Life Water International to support global causes. They also organize Global Vision week, beginning the first week of November, to promote global awareness and participation on campus. Another way to become familiar with other cultures is by going to International Chapel held Fridays in UTCC. It provides a different style of worship, sometimes in another language. This is an opportunity to enjoy multicultural fellowship and community.

For dates, times, and information on Global Vision Week, go to www.apu.edu/globalvision. For more information on mission trips, go to www.apu.edu/iom/owm. To get involved with Multi-Ethnic !"#$"%&'()'*#+),-)*./0")#123/)%3"#'')1"#&)*./)4/5)#5)6#7$%")8%9:()#")$#)*#);;;<%+7</=7>&/+<

his school year, Adams Hall received a new Resident Director who is originally from Zambia. Suwilo Charity Namfukwe, who goes by her middle name, has experienced moving from country to country, as well as transitioning from one culture to another. However, with every experience, this woman has gained much wisdom and insight for her role as an RD. Through Charity’s past experiences, she brings her philosophy about how to view individuals within her new role at Azusa Pacific. “People are people,� said Charity. “At the end of the day, when you strip away all of the egocentricity of culture and norms, you’re just left with a person who wants to be loved, who wants to fit in, and who wants as much as I do for someone to take time and ask them, ‘Tell me about you.’ ‘What makes you, you?’� For Charity, moving internationally and experiencing different types of cultures have transformed her identity. She was born in Zambia and raised in Sydney, Australia as a child. Because of this, Charity values and understands the importance of being able to feel comfortable in a new environment—an issue freshman typically face. “It can be so tempting to say, ‘I don’t know much about this culture, it’s overwhelming. Will I ever fit in?� said Charity. “You have to

Photo By Amanda Marsh understand that people are people who just want to be known.� After living in Australia for four years, she and her family moved back to Zambia where she took residence in a prestigious boarding school along with her sisters. “It was a school for very affluent kids,� said Charity. “A father of one of the girls that I went to school with is now the president of my country.� Because her father was a pastor, she was able to receive a stipend to continue eighth through

twelfth grade. After graduating in 2002, she later attended Grace College, a small Christian university located in Winona Lake, IN. She studied Psychology and Criminal Justice and also received her master’s degree in mental health. Her religious upbringing consisted of growing up in a Christian home. But although she knew “all the answers,� Charity said she had no relationships with God. “I couldn’t explain why my life felt so empty,� said Charity. “Something just didn’t seem right.� When she turned 13, she at-

tended a Sunday celebration that changed the rest of her life. Charity said at that moment a “switch flipped.â€? It was that decision to be a follower of Christ that changed her relationships. Now in the dorms, Charity sees this position as a calling. “Doors just opened wide and full to come here,â€? said Charity. “It was definitely God leading.â€? Charity knew about APU because a friend of hers attended. Before, she was living in San Jose, Calif. where she obtained “California fever.â€? She knew she wouldn’t mind staying. So far, she has been impressed by her encounters with members of APU’s community. “I’ve been so overwhelmed with just the quality of students I found on the campus, and the faculty and their hearts for the world,â€? Charity said. Charity has had the opportunity to receive an education from three different parts of the world and deal with many personalities and cultures in her lifetime. These experiences have taught her the importance of connecting and loving others for who they are. Her transition to APU has been a great one though so far. Two questions that Charity has kept throughout her life will continue to come to mind as she begins her RD role. Her mother always impressed the following: “How are you going to care for people? How are you going to love people above yourself?â€? $! ( 1/!Ä‹+.#ÄĽ +((% !Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ?Ä Ä€

"That is what keeps me going-- Knowing I have made some small breakthrough with my students." —Brian Kam

Students are struggling across the nation but don’t tell that to these teachers. ‘Giving up’ is not part of the lesson plan. Photo Courtesy Teach for America

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seventh grader raised his hand shyly in class. “Yes, Jonathon what’s your question?� the teacher asked. “Ms. Sylvester, I don’t understand how to do this math problem,� the student replied. The instructor contemplated what he had just said. It was her first day on the job and the material she was teaching should have been learned when he was in fifth grade. As she looked across the classroom, she noticed that other students had been struggling with the same problem. She knew it was up to her to get these students where they needed to be in order to advance, but it wouldn’t be easy. This narrative is used to illustrate just one common problem that many schools face in some low-income urban communities: math skills. Unfortunately, students in these areas also struggle with low reading and writing skills. To help bridge the gap between educational inequality, trained graduates and professionals work in these communities for two years to try and make a difference through a program called Teach For America (TFA). The purpose of TFA is to ensure that students in impacted areas are able to receive the education they deserve, potentially changing their

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By Chelsey Barmore | English

"I teach for Kay. I teach so that he will know I'm not going to give up on him." —Emily Hood lives. For the selected teachers involved, TFA provides leadership training for future job positions. Teach For America stemmed from a Princeton University undergraduate thesis written by Wendy Kopp in 1989. According to TFA, the program received 500 graduate students who joined a year later. Since then, 33,000 leaders have reached and affected 3 million children

over a two-year period of involvement. TFA’s challenge is finding leaders from all socioeconomic backgrounds with a passion for social justice. According to Teach For America’s website, when teachers are from low-income families or historically overlooked racial backgrounds, they have the potential to have a profound additional impact on their students. This is due to the fact that they can connect with those students in ways others can’t. These teachers can help reveal to their students that they have the potential for success in education and in life. The website also reveals that 95 percent of principals across the U.S. rated TFA teachers more effective in their overall performance than beginning teachers. Madeline Robertson-Salt, an APU alumna and current manager for TFA’s recruitment for the Los Angeles region, commented on the enrollment process for potential candidates. “Leadership skills showed through being embodied in service, extracurriculars, academics, and undergraduate services, combined also with a passion for social justice [plays a key role],� Robertson-Salt said. Having leadership capabilities within clubs or programs, like Alpha and Student Life, are

all potential factors in being recruited for this organization. Applicants also don’t have to be a Liberal Studies major to be involved with this program. “Teach For America looks for all majors because it affects all of us,� Robertson-Salt said. Once accepted into Teach For America, reality sets in and the rigorous training begins. The new teachers attend an intense six-week training program called Institute. This teaches and prepares the new recruitments how to build a curriculum and how to direct lessons to low-income students. After, the new teachers are then interviewed among school districts, and eventually assigned to a community as a full-time teacher. The application process can be daunting with the many required interviews, lessons, and analysis tests. However, the benefits that can be acquired with this program, if accepted, can culminate to a very rewarding experience. APU alumnus Brian Kam is teaching a math class in Camden, N.J. Kam graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and

said his job can be difficult day to day. The fear of failing as a teacher for his students can become worrisome. “I know that this is a learning process,� said Kam. “Someone told me that I shouldn’t try to be the perfect teacher. I need to take time for myself.� APU almuna Emily Hood graduated with a Liberal Studies major and also feels the strenuous pressures within the classroom. She is currently teaching at Hazlehurst Pre K-8 School in Hazlehurst, Miss. “I’ve wanted to be a teacher,� said Hood. “That’s what I’ve hoped for and prayed for, for a very long time. So it’s hard to be in a place where I feel like I’m not good at what I do.� The fear of failing one’s students was a common theme among APU alumni involved in Teach for America. However, they all try their best with each new school day and challenge. “I love my students and I adore them,� said Hood. “They have such hard lives that I will never

Teach For America is currently accepting applications to begin the summer training institute and start teaching in Fall 2012. Deadlines for applications can be found online.

be able to understand.� Though with challenges, comes great achievement. Kam received a homework assignment from a student who was having a hard time with geometry. The note thanked Mr. Kam because the student was finally able to understand one of the lessons. “Whenever I get a small note like this, or a student says something to me, they don’t always realize what they are saying,� said Kam. “That is what keeps me going – knowing I have made some small breakthrough with my students.� Rachel Cavanaugh, APU alumna who graduated with a Theology major, also teaches at Hazelhurst. She was encouraged when she realized that her studies have influenced her teaching style. “If the role of the Church is to teach us to be the most human as we learn to live like Christ, a lot of what I’m teaching my little kids is beyond numbers and letters,� Cavanaugh said. “It is teaching them to be

human, how to share, and how to love each other.â€? On the other hand, Emily Hood realized why she was positioned to teach at Hazlehurst. “I teach for Kay. I teach so that he will know that I’m not going to give up on him,â€? said Hood, referring to one of her seventh grade students in her special education class. “I’m still going to treat him with love, kindness, and have patience with him‌I know that I’m supposed to be here because he needs to see consistency,â€? said Hood. “He needs to know that someone believes in him, that someone knows he can read and [there’s] someone who’s not going to give up on him.â€? Teach For America provides the opportunity to be a part of something bigger. The stories of APU’s alumni, Kam, Hood, and Cavanaugh, share that being a part of this program presents difficulties and challenges along the way. However, through those situations, one can transform the life of students, bring hope to a child, and close the education gap for the next generation, regardless of background.

The last two deadlines are January 6 and February 12. For more information on the program’s requirements and locations, visit www.teachforamerica.org.

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-FRANK ROMERO-CROCKETT

change, and foreign melodies will fill the air. In Little India, a business community located on Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia, women dressed in brightly colored saris blend in to western fashions. In Chinatown, paper lanterns stream across sidewalks and Chinese characters label buildings. Further into L.A., Olvera Street offers an outdoor market that brims with a fragrance of enchiladas and churros. And that’s only half the hemisphere– without a plane ticket. Dr. Edward Chang, co-author of “Ethnic Peace in the American City: Building Community in Los Angeles and Beyond,” sees culture towns as an opportunity to not only experience a culture, but understand cultural differences. “We need to be able to understand what they are, who they are, what they represent, and how they contribute to this mosaic community,” said Chang, a professor of ethnic studies at UC Riverside. Chang explained that ethnic enclaves are a reflection of L.A.’s history of immigration. These pockets of communities began to appear during the 1970s, not all with a positive homecoming. Areas like

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Chinatown were previously seen as ethnic ghettos that stood as a symbol of segregation. Today, ‘ethnic enclaves’ is used as a more positive term. Many of these areas have evolved into major tourist attractions and centers for cultural education. Teresa Chung, administrator of the Thai Town Community Arts and Cultural Center, shared that a lot could be learned just by visiting one of the areas. In fact, she learned more about Thai traditions living near the culture town than she did growing up in Thailand. Chung attended an international school before moving to L.A. and was surprised to find that Thai Town contained the largest Thai community outside of the actual country. It was here that she was able to attend festivals and witness demonstrations of Thai culture. Now as a member of the cultural center, she hopes to provide visitors the same opportunities to go beyond borders. Sug Kitahara, executive director of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, has also benefitted from living near and visiting culture towns. Kitahara grew up near Little India, which is cloistered along four blocks of

(1) Olvera Street's main plaza hosts cultural dances. (2) Old Chinatown plaza offers a taste of Chinese culture, from specialty stores to intricate architecture. Photo By Kaitlin Schluter

Photo By Kaitlin Schluter

lanning a trip to a different country isn’t easy, to say the least. There’s the plane ticket, the hostel, the language barrier, the scheduling, the packing, and the crowded seating. Not to mention, traveling is hard on the wallet. The average roundtrip plane ticket to Europe costs roughly one thousand dollars. In college financial terms: 143 Chipotle burritos, no guacamole added. But the bonus of living near Los Angeles, one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse cities, is that cross-cultural experiences are just a drive away. Hidden among the skyscrapers and valleys are “little” slices of faraway lands. They come in the form of culture towns, which are reflective of a growing population of immigrants and their families who lead the way for new generations. For most that live in these areas, it’s a matter of knowing it when you see it. Billboards will begin to bear a different language, architecture will

Pioneer Boulevard. Beyond that, the area is rich in varied cultural dishes, including Vietnamese and Filipino dishes. “All of these places basically bring their homeland to you,” said Kitahara. “You get the feel of that vibe and culture for sure. You’re gonna meet people from their homelands and when you go into the stores, you really get a sense of their culture.” As much as these areas promote cultural tourism, they also preserve the rich history of these communities. In the El Pueblo de Los Angeles district, the City of Los Angeles and the Getty Institute are working together to preserve a 79-year-old mural and open an interpretive center. Famous Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siquieros painted the image on an Olvera Street building. Opportunities like these allow visitors to continue to enjoy the town’s history. “It has always been my hope that visitors see themselves in the rich history of Los Angeles,” said Robert L. Andrade, general manager of the El Pueblo Historic Monument. “I want them to take away a sense that they too are part of this wonderful story.” For students looking for a longer-term experience, Azusa Pacific University’s Global Studies department offers a chance to study in L.A. for a full semester. Frank

Romero-Crockett, assistant director of the Los Angeles Term program, said the goal is to get students outside of their everyday experience. This includes students taking public transportation or living with a host-family in a diverse community. Although the student never boards a plane, Romero-Crockett noted that culture shock still happens. “Having this cross-cultural local experience, it’s interesting how Los Angeles is sometimes a harder adjustment than students going abroad,” said Romero-Crockett. “You can deal with AIDS in Africa or political conflict in the Middle East, but there’s something about immigration, homelessness, pollution, or food access that really gets people feeling uncomfortable because they live it.” Classes are taken in the Koreatown area and students get to intern with a local organization centered in the city. Romero-Crockett has seen the impact of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone to understand another’s life experience. He shared some words of wisdom passed on by a host family. “It’s not stepping outside of your comfort zone, but adding to it,” RomeroCrockett said.

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By Elissa Emoto | Communication Studies

three businesses pay it forward by impacting others one product at a time. [\"]2)*"=,6/."&/'32(8")</"^F3,0/_"(/;C.';/"`U[Va"!";,-3)/*+"[\"]2)* $! ( 1/!ċ+.#ĥ +((% !ŏđŏāĉ

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hanged by the stories heard overseas, the founders of three organizations have influenced the globe with their ethical business models. 31 Bits, Give Prints, and International Princess Project, are part of a new generation of companies that enhance the empire of ethical consumerism. These companies empower lives in different areas such as, the devastation of war in Uganda, sharing God’s love with people, and human trafficking in India. Through hard work and faithfulness, these businesses are setting trends in our consumer driven societies, one product at a time.

31 Bits

The mission of 31 Bits that utilizes fashion to empower women in Uganda has successfully provided business opportunities in the war-torn country. Over the past three years, 31 Bits jewelry has also helped redefine consumerism for the “socially-minded fashionista.” Alumni of Vanguard University, the 31 Bits team consists of five women: Kallie Dovel, Alli Swanson, Brooke Hodges, Anna Nelson, and Jessie Simonson. During their senior year the women dreamed of giving the Ugandan women, who make the paper bead jewelry, a chance to live sustainable lives. “We have covered [31 Bits] in prayer,” said Swanson, the Director of Marketing. “And it is so much bigger than we could have ever thought or imagined.”

Their dream evolved when celebrities like Jessica Alba began wearing the necklaces, a feature of their jewelry appeared in People magazine, and a lasting partnership began with Reef sandals. “We went out to Reef and said a million prayers beforehand,” Swanson said. “It wasn’t that good of jewelry at the time, but we told the basic story and Reef was stoked.” Reef placed an order for 30,000 strands of paper beads to complement the “Ugandal” sandal. The initial six Ugandan designers expanded to 40 designers and eventually 100. The sandal sold out within a few months of its release. Its success led to more 31 Bits and Reef collaborations for the Ugandal 2 and 3, and the latest Ugandal 4. Artistic fashion shoots and eye-catching

graphic design, has allowed the jewelry brand to become trendsetters in the fashion world. 31 Bits recently announced the launch of a new line of ethically made wedding accessories. “Why not buy something that is not only handmade and totally unique, but goes to such a bigger cause,” said Swanson. Aside from providing a source of income for their beneficiaries, 31 Bits also strives to provide English lessons and financial training. They also establish community groups, AIDS and health education, and vocational training, which is available to each Ugandan woman involved. “If you have a calling, it is for a reason,” said Swanson. “You can do business that gives back, and you can do business that is done right.”

"I really feel like if you have a dream and an idea, keep pursuing it." —Sean Gibbons

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Give Prints

At the age of five, the first flash of her camera sparked a passion in Cristina Robeck to share God’s love with people through photographs. “For me photography has always been a big part of my life,” Robeck said. “For as long as I can remember I’ve had a camera in hand, snapping away at pictures.” After a mission trip to El Salvador she asked, “How can I help this country?” Robeck’s desire to make an impact in at least one person’s life, and the dream of Give Prints became a reality. Give Prints, a for-profit company, was launched for consumers to buy photographs from a website in

which 50 percent of their money would be donated to a charity of their choice. Robeck’s knack for networking is what she calls a “God-given gift.” She utilizes her gift of making connections to hire photographers who contribute to Give Prints’ gallery. “The idea is for photographers who are new to business or trying to go forward,” Robeck said. “My commitment to them is to help showcase their work and get them out there if they haven’t done that yet.” Give Prints has 13 contributing photographers

International Princess Project Reminiscent of the brightly colored Indian sari, Julie Wood, the executive director of International Princess Project (IPP), reflected her job title in a vibrant red and orange blouse. The organization has a goal of ending human sex trafficking while empowering the women of India. “I felt like God was saying, ‘This is who I made you to be, and this is where you can have the most impact,” said Wood, who worked in APU’s Office of University Advancement until 2006. Through programs like IPP’s PUNJAMMIES™ initiative, the goal to end the second largest criminal trade in the world is progressing. This initiative provides jobs and training about self-sustaining lifestyles for women brought out of sex trafficking. “If these women can make something so that they don’t have to prostitute themselves, they are going to need a job,” said Shannon Keith, the founder of IPP. The contrast of the sari’s vivid colors against the darkness of India’s red-light district inspired Keith to create a unique type of pajamas. A blend of the English

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who each offer unique perspectives of life through a camera lens. Sean Gibbons, a marketing major at Cal State Fullerton, is one of the younger photographers for Give Prints. At the age of 15, Gibbons bought his first camera, a Canon Rebel XT. Camera in hand, he began traveling the world and his passion for photography sparked. “One of my favorite things [about Give Prints] is that as the purchaser, they are able to buy a photo they like and then choose a charity from the list of different ones,” said Gibbons. Give Prints offers their customers the choice of eight difference charities, These include Three Angels Children’s Relief that aids children in Haiti and Walking on Water, which evangelizes through a surf camp. “It is cool to see [Give Prints] expand,” said Gibbons. “I think it is going to get really big eventually.” Robeck describes the growth of Give Prints as a blessing that has been able to give back to many people. “When I was in college I would have never imagined that I would be here right now,” said Robeck who encourages college students to take advantage of their opportunities, “I really feel like if you have a dream and an idea, keep pursuing it.”

word pajama and the language Punjabi, the PUNJAMMIES™ emerged. All PUNJAMMIES™ profits go back to the holistic support of the 155 Indian women who make them. “We have really continued to double our growth in terms of reaching more women, which is the ultimate goal in bringing as many women as possible out of forced prostitution,” Wood said. Wood recently traveled to India and listened to the stories of those saved from forced prostitution. In India, she recognized the shame-based culture and the guilt of those who felt trafficking was their fault. “The tears in their eyes, talking about the hope that they have, and the joy they have after working for the center was beautiful,” said Wood. “It was really a privilege.” These three companies will continue to use their privilege of selling compassionate products to empower lives and become permanent trendsetters in the world. $! ( 1/!ċ+.#ĥ +((% !ŏđŏŏĂĀ

SHAKEN HOPE When tragedy struck Japan in the form of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, one student didn’t wait around to make a difference. By Kaitlin Schluter | Journalism

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here’s a certain point on the bus route between Japan’s coastal cities where the scenery changes. A fine line is drawn, distinguishing between what once was and what now is. Bent lampposts line streets marked with gutted-out buildings. Cars are totaled and squashed, stacked against each other like dominoes. Boats the size of hotels are shipwrecked on public roads. Red ‘X’s’ are spray painted on the remains of houses, marking the location of dead bodies. Just less than five months after Japan’s worst earthquake to date, Azusa Pacific University graduate student Jake Mason stood face-to-face with this destruction. The area, now flattened wastelands, was one of many regions struck by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011. The initial event shook the country and triggered a tsunami, sending walls of water pummeling through Japan’s northern coast. By April, reports revealed more than 12,700 people dead and 14,700 missing. Four days after the quake, Japan Red Cross reported 530,000 people displaced from their homes. Mason, like so many others, witnessed this tragedy through the lens of a television the day it happened. But there was something about these images that moved him to do more than watch. He responded, and in less than a month, a mission trip was formed. “I was just like, I have to do something,� said Mason, a nursing student in the EntryLevel Masters Program. “I think so often people have that thought and they think, ‘Oh,

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“ I think so often people have that thought and they think, ‘Oh, someone else is doing it. It’ll be handled.’ But as it turned out, I was the only person that came in and set it up.�

- Jake Mason someone else is doing it. It’ll be handled.’ But as it turned out, I was the only person that came in and set it up.� Mason was following what he called ‘a gut thing’ that soon developed after receiving an e-mail from a Japanese friend. The e-mail explained that an earthquake had just hit, with shakes big enough to demolish his house. Mason, who had completed a three-year program teaching English in Japan, said the message struck him. He said he felt the same way he did when 9/11 happened. He had to help. His initial plans were to fundraise but he later considered the possibility of going. He

contacted the Office of World Missions who promised to support him if he organized it. At this point, Mason had no experience leading a team or going on a mission trip. Mason boarded a plane along with six other team members for Japan on July 30, 2011. The harsh reality hit upon stepping into impacted areas. There was still much to be done, even though almost five months had passed since the initial shake. “There was one school that was close to the shoreline and literally, in the fourth story, had a car halfway into the windows of the building,� said Mason. “Half the car was sticking out and you’re like, ‘That’s 40 feet high.’ Seeing that, that’s how you realize the power of what actually happened.� Jacqueline Pham, a team member and nursing student in the Entry-Level Masters Program, described seeing “debris piled as high as a mountain.� Mason approached her at the end of March with the idea of a trip. Pham, who is not Christian, had always wanted to do something like this. She agreed immediately to join. While there, Pham was moved by the resilience she saw in those they served. This included one child who celebrated her third birthday a couple days after the tsunami took its toll. “These little kids don’t have toys or grass to play on,� said Pham. “It makes you think when you’re stressing about finals. It’s nothing in comparison. They don’t have a home.� The team spent three weeks partnering with CRASH Japan, which stands for ‘Christian relief,’

c/=7/3*",B")</"PXc"R':'("@/.2/B"c2**2,("O/'="'(6"02*2)2(8"#$%"B';-.)+":'3)(/3"&2)<"T@#S>"R':'(4"`53,=" ./B)"),"328<)aZ"T<23':<,(/"b<'=:<,-0,(81"R';I-/.2(/"$<'=1"R,(,)<'("X272*,(,1"R'C/"c'*,(1"c'6,(('" D'(61">23'+'='1"#(8/."S'e,(1"N,33'2(/"X'(8"'(6"A2'('"N//4"T,-3)/*+",B"PXc"R':'("@/.2/B"c2**2,("O/'= ‘Assistance,’ ‘Support,’ and ‘Hope.’ The nonprofit organization seeks to equip volunteers in aiding the surrounding communities. They also partner with local churches to create a long-term impact. Ministries varied from clean up to food distribution. They even performed a special foot massage designed by a victim of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Daniel Wong, who works at CRASH Japan headquarters in Tokyo, was able to spend time with the team at the base camp. The organization has a total of five locations that house up to 1,000 volunteers. Wong now sees the ministry starting to move more toward emotional care, spiritual support and counseling. Eileen Nielsen and her husband are both trained counselors volunteering with CRASH Japan. Both have lived in Nagoya, Japan for 18 years planting a small church. They were home the day of the earthquake. Two weeks after, their missionary friends encouraged them to help with survivor care through the organization. “Our [relational] experience with Japanese up until now, reserve, polite and guarded, has changed like night and day,� said Nielsen in an e-mail. “I find in a few short meetings, I am hearing about their lives and struggles, which in the past would have taken years to have been

hearing. The Japanese are resilient, but they need encouragement and hope. This is what volunteer teams bring here in abundance. â€? But although there will be a turning shift in ministry, Wong said clean up is still be a need. “As long as volunteers come and they’re willing to work, there is work to be done,â€? said Wong. “It doesn’t seem like there’s going to be a lack of debris for them to clean up‌People are still hurt by it.â€? Another team and cohort member, Madonna Zand, understands what that hurt looks like. Roughly twenty years ago, a 7.8 earthquake struck her neighborhood in Iran. Zand and her family were almost trapped in her house because a concrete slab had fallen and made it difficult to get out the front door. Zand will never forget the experience and decided to help other survivors. However, she didn’t realize that leaving would impact her faith. Zand, 40, grew up Muslim and attended church only for prayer in Iran. The church they attended every Sunday in Tono, Japan was her first church experience. At the time, Zand

said she was “trying to believe in Jesus� and wanted to convert. Zand remembers feeling an overwhelming sense of peace. “I didn’t think anything except God,� said Zand. “It was there, in Tono, that I decided I have to change. I called my husband and said, ‘Honey, I’m going to change my religion.’� Now Zand considers herself a “studying Christian� and wants to go back on another trip. Looking back on the journey, Mason admits that it was a lot to take on for a firsttime experience. He also thinks, though, that taking the risk was worth it. Just the team’s presence alone was a good enough reason to go. The team recalled being thanked by locals on a daily basis, just for traveling so far to make a difference. Despite the financial barriers and last minute planning, Mason encourages a “looking up [to God], then looking inside� approach when beginning such an endeavor. “If you feel like you’re being drawn to it, do it, even if it seems scary or you’re not sure,� said Mason. “If you got that gut feeling being pulled, I would say do it and give the rest up to God.�

"The Japanese are resilient, but they need encouragement and hope." --Eileen Nielsen

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Courtesy of OWM Japan Relief Mission Team

CONTINUING THE DIVERSITY DIALOGUE

It’s a familiar conversation but beyond the classroom, alumni share how APU diversity discussions have or haven’t prepared them for the workplace. By Sarah Rogers | English

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iversity. Alongside “community,� diversity is perhaps one of the most popular APU buzzwords. Whole offices are dedicated to the idea of a diverse on-campus culture. Study abroad programs focus on getting students outside the confines of U.S. borders. God-honoring diversity is key to our school’s academic vision. But what happens to diversity as a value when students graduate? A whole new life is waiting outside the crossroads of Citrus and Alosta avenues. What does diversity look like in the realm of full-time jobs and working beside and for people of different religions, ethnicities, ages, and lifestyles? How does APU’s efforts in diversity translate to life beyond college? Three Azusa Pacific alumni unravel their experiences with diversity at APU and in the workplace.

Popping the 'Jesus Bubble'

Kirsten Garrett, a May ‘11 business administration major, served as a MultiEthnic Leader scholar, the Black Student Association secretary and the only student representative on the Diversity Collaboration Committee. Now, Garrett works for Target as an Executive Team Leader for Guest Experiences. Since June 2011, she has been one of six store managers for the Ontario, Ĺ?ĂăĹ?Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ?Ĺ? +((% !Ĺ? 0Ĺ?Ä‚Ä€Ä Ä

Calif. store. “Target is really big on building a team,� Garrett said. “They look for how you can bring a diverse perspective to the company.� Although Target cannot hire based on specific qualities, Garrett believes a variety of ethnicities and gender are essential aspects of team building. Garrett said, “It’s interesting how all of the executive team leaders combined together make a really good store because we bring different perspectives.� Between her and her five peers, there are five different ethnicities represented. Both genders are balanced on the staff. Their ages range from 22 to 44. Religion is a facet of Garrett’s encounters with workplace diversity. “I had to adapt to my Jesus bubble being popped,� said Garrett. “I feel like APU doesn’t prepare you for diversity in terms of religion.� Many of her team members openly practice faiths other than Christianity. As a manager, Garrett needs to make sure employees don’t feel uncomfortable regarding her faith. Garrett, who is African-American and Mexican, came to APU from Oceanside, Calif. where her best friend was white and Lebanese. In comparison to her hometown, Garrett believes APU is not diverse even though the numbers have gotten better. Diversity at APU, she believes, is mostly

weighed on race. “Target has a better understanding of what diversity is than APU,� said Garrett. “The reason I say that is because at APU, a lot of people are scared and come from more sheltered backgrounds. You have to be careful how you word things because you’re all Christians.� Garrett believes students need to capitalize on being in a loving Christian environment that is generally more respectful and understanding of diversity mistakes than the workforce is. “I feel like APU did prepare me for entering the ‘real world,’ but that was because I took diversity seriously,� Garrett said. “Once you get out into the real world, people are less forgiving,� said Garrett. “Really dive into the opportunity you have and get to know people from different perspectives because it enriches the way you speak and communicate, making you better able to relate to others.�

Culture Shocked in Azusa

As the word “diversity� suggests, APU students do have different experiences and backgrounds with diversity. May ’11 graduate Ben Ritter, a Caucasian communication studies major, grew up in a rural Illinoisan town. His high school was comprised of

350 white, middle class income students. Los Angeles’ diversity and Azusa itself were an overwhelming culture shock. “For me, starting at zero and going to a place like APU was a huge jump,� Ritter said. He believes most students who were upset with APU’s ‘lack of diversity’ likely have experienced a better diversity model. To Ritter, APU is incredibly diverse. “APU is a global-minded university,� said Ritter. “The university understands that it stands in the context of brothers and sisters in Christ all around the world. It is not an island.� Graduating from APU, Ritter found most of his friends were of a different ethnicity and background than him. Currently, Ritter works for John Stott Ministries as the Director of Public Engagement. John Stott Ministries is the U.S. subsidiary to Langham Partnership, an organization supporting the growth of the global church through training and equipping pastors worldwide. Though he works from home, Ritter gets to travel. This October, he will be traveling to Kenya to gather stories and media from congregations of Langham-funded pastors. Although Ritter believes John Stott Ministries isn’t comprised of a diverse staff, the organization’s mission is rooted in diversity. “The mission of John Stott Ministries is to

bring together Christians around the globe in every single nation, to break down the walls of class and wealth to show we are all part of the church,� Ritter said. According to Ritter, APU did prepare him for the “real world’s� diversity. “It would be a shame to go to APU and to live by such a diverse city like Los Angeles without having a diverse intercultural experience. All of the programs and opportunities are available at APU to prepare students to walk into a diverse workplace,� Ritter said. “It’s up to the students themselves to make that decision.�

Communicating Diversity in Faith

Lauren Valencia, December ’09 communication studies graduate, is both Mexican and Native American. Although she appreciates APU’s emphasis on diversity, she believes too much emphasis is placed on it. “I definitely think it’s important, but I don’t think it should be the forefront thing,� Valencia said. Since February 2011, she has worked at Attack! Marketing, a promotional event agency that coordinates events from flash mobs to street teams. Many of their events are either bilingual or target a specific minority group. Their hiring process places less emphasis on diversity. “The most important thing is to hire someone who is going to do a good job and

diversity is secondary,â€? said Valencia. However, the team at Attack! is eclectic and open-minded to opinion, cultural and lifestyle differences. Valencia’s transition from APU to the secular workplace has taught her about openness and interacting with people of different beliefs and opinions. “I have had conversations about my faith with coworkers and they’ve all been good conversations,â€? said Valencia. “I want to learn more about what they believe and vice versa.â€? Growing up in a Christian home and attending a private Christian high school, Valencia was mostly unexposed to differences in Christian beliefs and lifestyles. APU opened her eyes to a multifaceted Christianity. From both APU and Attack! Marketing, Valencia has learned how to find the beauty in everything. “I know that’s a broad thing to say, but there’s beauty in non-Christians who don’t believe what I do,â€? said Valencia. “It breaks my heart when people say, ‘Oh that person believes that so I don’t want to interact with them.’ I think at the end of the day that’s why people are turned off to Christianity. I think APU does a good job of finding the beauty, honestly.â€? Diversity is a complex issue both at APU and beyond campus borders. The conversation does not stop with graduation. Diversity is also outside the classroom and in the workplace. $! ( 1/!Ä‹+.#ÄĽ +((% !Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ?Ĺ?Ä‚Ä…

Tech Trends Pulse News

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he world moves at such a fast pace, but thanks to technology, it is becoming easier to keep up both at home and abroad. To gain a broader understanding of the world, it is important to know what is going on in it. Now, thanks to Smartphone technology, it is as easy as downloading an app.

Creator: Alphonzo Labs Available For: iPhone, iPad, and Droid Cost: Free Pulse News is a revolutionary app that gives you control over what news you see. Through a series of panning story bars, you see the most recent news. This colorful app shows you only the news that you set it to show. The app has many preset sites of which you can choose from already. If there’s one not listed, you can simply add it by entering the URL from the settings menu. After that, it will automatically add all posts from the site you wish to follow on your story bar. There is also the ability to share all findings on Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail, keeping your friends and followers in the loop as well. Pulse informs you of not only the most current events going on in America, but around the globe as well, as it shows you updates from your chosen news sites. It allows you to find out about issues and more within a matter of seconds through the use of hands-on, multimedia technology.

iTranslate it! Creator: Devare! Available For: iPhone Cost: $0.99

Should you find yourself in another part of the world and needing to translate something immediately, iTranslate is a great app to use. It has a wide selection of languages that you can translate between, with everything from French to Spanish and even Hebrew. The coolest part about this app is that it is formatted like an iPhone text conversation. You enter the phrase, word, or sentence that you are looking for, and the app ‘replies’ just as it would in a text message. Switching languages can be done by simply clicking “languages� in the right hand corner of the screen, and then scrolling through the list of options.

GLOBAL GADGETS

By Caleb Dennis | Journalism

Tripit- Trip Organizer

Blancspot

Creator: Blancspot Media Available For: iPhone (coming soon to iPad) Cost: Free

Creator: Tripit Inc. Available For: iPhone, iPad, and Droid Cost: $3.99

Everything about Blancspot is the definition of ‘cool news’- two terms of which are often not synonymous with each other. But this app does news in a whole new way, by being even more artistic and visually brilliant. Unlike Pulse, full screen color photos with brilliant resolution pop up to show the current events upon opening the app. After clicking any of the photos, you are taken directly to the story. Similar to Pulse, Blancspot features panning news feeds, which update as news happens. Though this app also offers news, Blancspot’s homepage is more graphically pleasing. The only real downside to it is that you don’t have much power to customize. The app also takes the use of social media to a new level, featuring feeds that show what other people are saying on Facebook and Twitter about the article you just read.

Whether making a spur of the moment road trip or a voyage overseas, this app makes it easy to plan everything out. Tripit functions as one paperless itinerary. It keeps track of everything about your travel plans from plane flights, to car rentals, to hotels and restaurant reservations. Simply keep track of all of this by forwarding confirmation e-mails to plans@tripit. com, The app will automatically sync all information in one place, so that you don’t have to carry around pesky papers everywhere you go.

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Photos Courtesy Pulse & Tripit

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Photo Courtesy of Audrey Borges

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