Medley Magazine by Medley Magazine

letter from. the editor medley 2009 issue 5 Dear Readers, Working with medfry for the past two and a half years has been an amazing learning ex足 perience. It gave me the opportunity to work with people from so many different places, cultures and religions. This fifth issue of medfry focuses on all things abroad. You don't have to study abroad to experience other cultures. Check out our story on the SU chapter of Engineer's With足 out Borders and their trip to Kenya (page 7), our piece on the Journey of Understanding (page 14) and our story about the diversity of feminine fashion (page 16). But, if you are interested in studying abroad, check out our feature story (page 8). We'll give you all the tips and tricks you need to afford going abroad, and how to save money once you get there. If you want to go abroad, but know Europe isn't the place for you, read our story about the SU Abroad center in Chile, or our letter from a student currently studying in Hong Kong. And, as always, we have the medflJ)l staples, Foreign Imports, with an international movie, recipe and music playlist, along with the Tidbits page, which features a number of interesting foods and drinks from all over the world. medfry is all about cultural diversity on campus, in the city of Syracuse and abroad. As an Italian-German-Irish American I'm not the most diversed person on the staff, but I've tried to explore and understand as many different cultures as possible, and feel that my time at medley has only made that easier. It's my second, and final, semester as medf~ls editor in chief. Whew! I've enjoyed my time at the top of the masthead, but I'm ready to pass the torch to the current manag足 ing editor, Andrea Alemany. Thank you Andrea, our advisor Elane Granger, and all the staff; this magazine would not be possible without your help or dedication to perfection. I hope that my experience working with the magazine reRects the readers' experience in reading it. Best, Ashley Christiano Editor in Chief Medley.magazine@yahoo.com.

medley is dedicated

to providing a forum for students to explore international and cultural differences and its manifestations on campus, in the city of Syracuse and abroad. medlli)l magazine is published once a semester with funding from your student fee. All contents of the publication are copyright 2009 by their respective creators.

medley issue 5

table of contents

4 Cultural Connections Four Religous Groups on Campus

6 Adventures beyond

the Hill

A Whole New World 16 Fashion & Femininity Traveling beyond Europe

12 Studentpicturesfrom

around the world

Eat, drink, shop, and play

7 Building a Brighter

Future SU students improve orphanages in Kenya

14 Jourmy ifUnderstanding Bridging the gaps of cultural and political difference

18 Foreign Imports International film, food and music

19 Tidbits International food & drinks

Black Celestial Choir Ensemble

endricks Chapel erupts with the booming sound of the Black Celestial Choir Ensemble (BCCE) as 3.0 vocalists and musicians play gospel songs like "Matthew 28" and "The Blood." BCCE aims to Impact people dIffer足 ently than other choirs, without relying on popular songs, says graduate student Nicole Alexander, the group's current business manager. BCCE is well known in the Syracuse community. The group freguently per足 forms at churches and schools in the area and always receives a ,varm welcome. \'(fhen performing in a program with other choirs, they often perform last. "I don't want to say you save the best for last, but I think people have a high expec足 tation of BCCE," Alexander says. "They put us there because they want to leave with that closing." The high quality of BCCE stems from its creation in 1977 when seven students formed the gospel group for minority students. "It was something that people sat down and talked and prayed about," says Alexander, who joined BCCE as a freshman in 2002. Even though BCCE members come from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, it has not forgotten its roots, Alexander says. Holding the position of director for the BCCE is a prestigious honor. Only four people have ever directed the choir. Byron Canada, a 2007 alumni, currently leads it. BCCE will continue to sing its music with some help of God, the group's true di足 rector. "I truly do believe that the anointing of God is over BCCE," says Alexander.

SU Pagan Society

t's 8 p.m. on a cold February night and the campus is quiet with few people shuffling through the snow. A group of eight students congregates outside Hendricks Chapel, creating two concentric rings in the snow with their feet. Candles embedded in the ground illuminates the night as the smell of incense fills the quad. The SU Pagan Association performs its Imbolc or Candlemas ritual as a cleansing preparation for spring. Leslie Teagarden, the group's president, explains that each member cleanses an item in each of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Salt, incense and candles represent each of the first three, respectively. When they step into the rings, they focus on the ritual, Teagarden says. "It keeps bad energies out that could interfere and keeps the energy that we're raising in the circle," she says. "\Vhen you step inside, it creates a different mindset." In addition to practicing rituals, the SU Pagan Association holds weekly discussions about the religion's mantras. Paganism emphasizes nature, lack of institutionalization, acceptance and diversity. Followers also believe in respect and equality among living things. Its prayers give thanks, rather than asking for things. Reincarnation is another important tenet of Paganism. Teagarden says she didn't know how she lived her past life until she met "Bill the Wizard," a respected elder who recently passed away. Bill said she was a tree, and shortly after, some friends said the same thing. "Other people say, 'I was a wolf,' or 'I'm the reincarnation of Cleopatra,'" says Teagarden. "I've got, 'I'm a tree.' It's kind of boring, but I'll live with it."

Student Buddhist Associa1'ion

p to 20 students sit silently for an hour in the Small Chapel at Hendricks Chapel. Though not all of the attendees practice Buddhism, they do take part in the meditation sessions SU's Student Buddhist Association (SBA) offers. Caroline Savage always attends the Wednesday 5:30 p.m. session and occasionally leads a meditation as a substitute. The stress-reducing quality of meditation makes it popular among students, especially during exam time, says Savage, who first discovered Buddhism in 2007 through SBA's free meditation sessions. Since then, the religion, along with a visit to a monastery in the Catskills in the fall of 2008, has changed her life. "That was a really transformative experience, getting to live somewhat how Buddhist monks and nuns live. I came back and I was on fire," Savage says. The compassion and mindfulness of Buddhists drove her from her Catholic upbringing toward the Eastern faIth based on the teachings of Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. A core of about six student leaders brings speakers to SU to share aspects of Buddhism. These events provide insight into Buddhism for those uninterested in or intimidated by meditation, Savage says. Last semester SBA hosted a group of Tibetan monks and this spring they plan to bringJane Hirshfield, a poet whose work relates to her experiences with Buddhism to campus. "Even though the Small Chapel isn't like a Zen temple or anything, there is very much a community at that 5:30 \'V'ednesday time slot," Savage says.

Hindu Student Council

abriela Krawiec and Jaahan Kaur are not Hindu, but they do actively participate in the Hindu Student Council. The council's meetings and activities appeal to non-Hindus for many reasons, explains Kaur, who hails from Delhi, India, but practices Sikhism. The Hindu Student Council allows her to connect to her homeland because she grew up surrounded by the ideas and celebrations of the deeply-rooted religion. For non-Hindus on campus, Hinduism offers insight into Indian culture and a welcoming atmosphere. "India has been ruled by Islamic ru lers, it's been ruled by the British, pretty much everyone," says Kaur, who explains that many other religions have inAuenced Hinduism, making it relatable. The group also devotes much of its energy to service opportunities throughout the Syracuse community. This semester, they are giving their time and money to the Central New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal. The group believes that no matter how they do it, they must give back, says Krawiec. They also plan to join in on Take Back the Night, Relay for Life and other local events. \'V'hcn the council isn't busy supporting the community, it is organizing major celebrations. Last semester, in honor of Diwali, a festival of l1ghts, the group hosted a play recounting the major events of the holiday, which commemorates the return of the exiled Lord Rama. In the spring, they observe Holi, a festival of color, just as revelers in rndia do: throwing colored power and water balloons at each other. "I n I ndia, everyone is celebrating Diwali and Holi," says Kaur. "You do it because it's fun. And the process you do end up learning a lot about the actual religion itself."

[Q) IT' 0[flJ [k by Daniel Cailler

by Daniel Cailler

nce upon a time, AI's was Awful AI's; it was fully stocked with fancy cigars, and smoking inside was legal. While all that has changed, AI's re mains one chill place to relax. An AI's patron should prepare for a staggering selection of drinks. The bar offers 28 beers on tap and even more by the bottle. Wine aficionados can taste test one of 24 reds and 12 whites by the glass, as well as choose from hundreds of different bottles on its extensive wine list. With 400 plus spirits, AI's makes it difficult to try the whole menu. For the hungry folk, fine-artisan cheeses, cured meats and paninis now replace Ai's once worldly cigar selection. With live music, a billiard room, darts, and pinball, AI's is a fine way to start your evening. It is located at 321 Clin ton St. For more information, visit: wViw.alswineandwhiskey.com

or students looking to get the most bang for their buck, New Fuji Chinese Buffet may be what they are looking for. The buffet has an impressive spread: all the Chinese food basics and more. Frog legs are even occasionally offered. Fuji has many vegetarian options as well. And for fans ofJapanese delicacies, there is a moderate selection of sushi and nigiri. The real college student appeal, however, might be Fuji's decent selection of low-priced beers. Bottles are as low as $1; pitchers are less than $3. Weekend specials apply. Lunch is from 11 a.rn. to 4 p.rn. and costs $6.99 Monday through Friday, $7.99 Saturday and Sunday. Dinner is $10.99 every night. The full sushi selection is only available during dinner, but you won't find the same deal at a dedicated sushi restaurant. New Fuji Chinese Buffet is located at 2690 Erie Blvd.

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by Courtney Egelston

nstead of spending Saturday afternoon in front of the TV, learn something new. The Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), located in the heart of Armory Square, is perfect for a cheap dose of interactive, educational fun. The museum offers hands-on exhibits and a planetarium. \'Vhile some sections are too kid-friendly for college students to enjoy, everyone can appreciate crawling past dripping water in the chilly Discovery Cave. You may be the tallest person there, but no one can deny the sheer awesomeness of an indoor waterfall. General admission is $5 or $11 including an IMAX movie. The MOST is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a six-minute drive from Main Campus and the Connective Cor ridor's Franklin Street bus stop is walking distance On the left: New Fuji from the mu Chinese Buffet seum. >------------<0

®!m@[P) by Jennifer Cheng

n Syracuse's cherished warm days, Razzbarry, an Amory Square boutique, opens its doors and spills on to the sidewalk. Chalk doodles and pastel jewels adorning the concrete draw customers inside. The funky boutique, which opened in 1994, resembles Urban Outfitters with its retro fashion, jewelry, toys and home furnishings. Quirky ornaments like baby Buddhas, chrome gnomes and Jesus actions figures which decorate the store create an eclectic crisscross of exotic, erotic, vintage and boho. The well-traveled shop owner buys whatever strikes her fancy for her store, such as carnival-colored chickens made of recycled plastic from South Africa. Razzbarry is also the only shop in Central New York to sell Day of the Dead merchandise from Mexico. Only at Razzbarry will you find oriental lanterns dangling over a Hawaiian bead curtain and a pair of salon-swinging doors. All items are charmingly mismatched against the pink and green walls. Razzbarry is definitely worth exploring and is open Monday through Satur day, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 181 Walton St.

medley issue 5

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Bui d- g a Brighter Future 6:45 a.m. in Kinangop, Kenya, Kyle Kwiatkowski wakes up. He showers and dresses quickly, careful not to disturb the early

orning stillness, and walks out to the edge of the property to

wait for the sunrise. As he passed by the abandoned chicken coop and

vegetable garden, he stops to watch the first of the sun's rays emerge

over the line of trees ahead.

This past January, Kwiatkowski went to Kenya with the Syracuse

University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) to build a

larger kitchen and dining area at a local orphanage, along with Jillian

Cole and Andrea Robelotto, both senior civil engineering majors, and Kyle KWiatkowski, Ryan Jean ~

Ryan Jean, a senior chemical engineering major. Andrea Robelotto, Jllhan COle~S

. a natJona . I organtzatlon .. Iun d erpnVl "1ege d communJUes .. and the kids at Kenya EWB IS t h at h e ps ~

across the globe by creating sustainable engineering projects. The SU chapter chose {1J~

to work with Into Abba's Arms Foundation for African Orphans in Kenya after reviewing EWB-USA's potential project list. A larger kitchen and dining area were c..~

necessary to feed a growing number of children. The trip was extremely gratifying ~ """:'

for the SU chapter, which had spent years planning, recruiting members and _...~ •

raising funds for their project. ~V

On the way to Kinangop, the group traveled through Nairobi, passing ~

many towns and villages along the way. Houses made of sticks and sheet

metal showed the Kenyans' different lives and left the group wondering

~\~ what to expect at the orphanage. When they arrived, they found a

large, well-maintained structure with running water and electricity. ~

In between the meetings and measurements, they developed "tal

relationships with the kids, played games and explained the purpose of their visit. The group was surprised by the !IIIir

overwhelming sense of joy in the children's lives. "They are ~

happy with the way it is, they don't think they need more," Robelotto says. "The children at the orphanage played outside

and always had smiles on their faces, they are happy for ,,~

everything they get. They really are a family." ~

Everyone found their place after a few days. Robelotto bonded

with Solomon, a little boy with wide chocolate-colored eyes, who ~

noticed her after she sang a solo in church. Kwiatkowski met a little

~~. girl named Grace. The children struggled to pronounce Kwiatkowski's ..

~ -g. name correctly, and finally dubbed him Prince Caspian, after the mythic ~~. ~ hero in the C.S. Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia". When it was time for the f'"'~ ~ group to leave, I<:wiatkowski received a note with pictures on it from Grace, W~ The students of EWB watch a science experiment that ~ addressed to "The Prince." "It was the sweetest present I have ever received," ~ • demonstrates the Coriolis effect on the Equator. Kwiatkowski says. 6 :E The group looks forward to returning in June to continue building the kitchen ~C .... ~ ~ and dining room, to make sure that the children have the best environment in which 0--1;i} ~ to learn, play and grow. On the other side of the world, the children of Kinangop f...tqrris ~ will be waiting for Prince Caspian and the others to return.

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yracuse University Alumna Christina Kelly

SU senior Tim Sydlo studied in Chile in the fall of had lived in upstate New York her entire life. 2008 because of his dual international relations and She grew up in Buffalo and attended Syracuse Spanish majors and his career ambitions. He hadn't University. She decided she needed a change. So in the originally considered studying there, but his academic fall of 2006, she escaped the cold weather to spend a advisor convinced him that it would be an invaluable semester abroad in Santiago, Chile, over 5000 miles opportunity to see the region in which his studies were south of the life and culrure she knew so well. focused. Sydlo realized that he had learned all he could Kelly is part of a new wave of srudents who avoid about Latin American culture in the classroom. He had the traditional semester abroad in Europe, and decide to also already studied in Madrid the previous fall semester, tudy elsewhere. Students like Kelly seek more exotic and and was interested in the cultural and linguistic differ less-traveled locales where they can learn about foreign ence between Chile and Spain. cultures and have more interaction with native citizens. The experience excited him, but pre-departure SU Abroad responded to this trend with recently added doubts and concerns plagued him. Because of his se options in Hong Kong, Beijing and Santiago, along with mester in Madrid, Sydlo was well practiced in Spanish, summer stays and internships across the globe, and may but he only studied and spoke the traditional Castil expand into the Caribbean and Africa in the future. ian form. He worried that he wouldn't understand the For Kelly, SU's program in Madrid was out of the ques Chilean dialect and the commonly used slang. He made tion because she thought she would only have American speaking errors when he first arrived in Chile, but his friends and would constantly speak-English. She wanted to host family was patient and helpful. They corrected his immerse herself in a new and foreign world. "I wanted to grammar and taught him proper pronunciation and new experience something less developed," Kelly says. She was words. The language differences, however, led to an also mterested in learning more about her Latin American embarrassing moment. heritage. SU Abroad helped Kelly find a country that fit her Over dinner one evening, his host mother told him criteria. At the time, SU Abroad was looking to expand into about a girl they knew around his age. Because of the dif Latin America. She and her counselor decided on Santiago, ferent pronunciation and rapid speech, he thought she had a city high on the department's list of new destinations. She asked if he liked the soup they were eating. He responded with "Si, es muy rica," which, when referring to food, was the onlySU student to study in Chile that semester. The number of students studying in Africa, Asia, means "Yes, very good." "Rica" in Chilean slang means Latin America and the Middle East has grown signifi "hot" rather than "good." "So instead of saying that I liked the soup, I acciden cantly in recent years. The "Open Doors" report, a study conducted by the Institute of International Edu tally said that a girl I had never met was really hot. I wa so cation which compiles data on study abroad programs embarrassed," Sydlo says. His host family was confused and trends, found that the percentage of students study at first, but quickly realized that he had misunderstood. ing in Europe has fallen each year since 1996, as Latin They shared a good laugh about the situation. America and Asia rose in popularity. Of the top 20 lead 5ydlo felt that his time in Chile helped him understand ing destinations in 2008, China and Chile respectively the culture. In his classes, he learned about the history of ranked fifth and sixteenth-a large increase in popular the country, and his host family and mends introduced him to how Chileans lived day to day. It took Sydlo some time ity from previous years. SU Abroad monitors changes like these at SUo The to adjust to the "sobremesa," the period after meals when development staff collaborates with faculty, academic Chileans sit around and chat, but he began to enjoy it be departments and students to create programs in loca cause it allowed him to practice his Spanish and spend time tions related to majors and minors and areas of student with his host family. "For someone who is used to grab intetest. 'We constantly keep our finger on the pulse," bing a snack on the run and flying out the door, like I am, says Amy Sloane-Garris, director of enrollment man that took a little getting used to," Sydlo says. little things in agement for SU Abroad. the city surprised him, like the amount of public affection The department decided to create a program in Latin between couples. 'They love making out in parks, on bus America because of student requests for a program in es, metros and benches, pretty much everywhere," Sydlo a Spanish-speaking couQtry that was more adventurous says. He was also surprised by the foods. 'There are some than Spain. "A different type of student goes to Chile," questionable flavor combinations, such as potato chips Sloane-Garris says. "They have a different mindset. and mayo," he says.'The bags ofpotato chips are sold with They are getting a real, authentic experience and expo little packets of mayo in them." sure to being a real resident of the city. They appear to Despite the challenges to adjust to a change of culture, be quite enamored with the program." Kelly and Sydlo enjoyed their abroad experience and At the end of her stay in Santiago, Kelly reported back learned a lot about Chile, and even about themselves as to U Abroad about her experience in the city and the well. When Kelly returned to Syracuse, she missed Chile' university she attended, so the development tearn could warm weather, her new friends, and the pace of Santiago. decide if it was student-friendly. "I was basically a guinea But she was gfad to be home. It had not changed much in pig for the Chile program," Kelly says. Santiago passed those few months, but that senlester following her stay

the test, beating Lima and Bueno Aires, and SU Abroad she actually enjoyed Syracuse's blustery weather - for a sent students there for the spring 2008 semester. little while at least.

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»> ave Now, Play Later by Marissa Brae

nother year of college is almost over, and although it is difficult to think about anything past May. I'm here to tell you about one op portunity that is worth planning ahead for: studying abroad. Having spent the spring Semester of my junior year in Spain, my goal is to spread the word about my amazing overseas experience to every student. Of course, this opportunity wouldn't have been possible for me without advance planning. So here are some facts and figure. Every November, the In stitute of International Education publishes its "Open Doors" report with stati tics concerning American students studying outS'ide the country. According to the roost recent information, 241 ,791 studen ts studied abroad during the 2006-2007 "YouJII forget about that grease school year. you had to mop off the restau This means that despite our current foreign relations rant floor when you are drink problems and the negative ing sangria in Plaza Mayor." shadow that hangs over our country in the eyes of many outsiders, students still make the jump overseas. As a freshman, I knew that during my Junior year I would be packing my bags and saying, "Hasta la vista, America," and "Hola, Madrid." This knowledge was reflected in the decisions I made course-wise and job wise over the following two years-and it paid off. OK, now for the fun part. Here are my tips on how to make one of life' greatest opportunities a reality!

lJeID[k® ~@[J® ~@~ These days, planning ahead is absolutely necessary regarding both finances and college credits. Despite recent improvement, the U.S. dollar is still weak com pared to titans like the pound and the euro. So, saving up is mandatory. Your course load is another thing to consider. The required amount of credits necessary for graduating is around 120. Of this 120, typically 30 go toward your major and another 65 or so are required cor.e classes. That leaves rougWy 20 "free" dasses. Perfect. That's a semester-worth of throwaways to be used in lealy or Australia, right? Wrong.

medley issue 5

When Bio 101 and Stats are kicking your booty, a self-defense class may seem pretty awesome, but it also eats away your free electives. Slowly but surely those 20 free credits start to disappear until you want to spend the spring semester of your junior year in Prague, but your advisor says you still have to take Introduction to Sociology. "It's important to begin laying out a curricular plan early in the college career-whether it's to set aside free or general elective credits for study abroad or add ing unique courses relevant to your major which can only be taken abroad," says Amy Sloane-Garris, the director of enrollment management for SU Abroad. SU students can chose from seven international campuses or from a variety of World Partner pro grams. The number of location options plus the year-round programs, result in a 42 percent rate of university students who study abroad. And the num bers are increasing. "When SU students understand that by selecting an SU Abroad program their credits are SU credits, the tuition is SU tuition and financial aid travels with them, it makes the experience far more attainable," Sloane-Garris says.

~@ ~©lW®@® It always pains me to hear friends say tbey didn't go abroad because of the money. I am not made of millions, and lstill managed to spend four months living in and traveling around Europe. Stlmmers are for making money, so get out there and start working! You'll forget about that grease you bad to mop off the restaurant floor when you are drinking sangria in Plaza Mayor. If you can't find a job or feel pressured to do an unpaid internship, then look online. Web sites such as Fastweb and Study-Abroad Funding offer scholar ships and grant money to make sure the study abroad experience is a possibility for everyone. "Study abroad is no longer the provenance of the privileged student," Sloane-Garris says. "With early planning, a student who wishes to study abroad in their junior year will be well set for an enriching experience abroad."

~ ~

to Save

Your Euros Pesos and Yen By Kirsten Acuna

Excited to go abroad, but not thrilled about the extra expenses of living in a foreign country? Follow these tips to save money overseas.

left and above: Shanghai, China photos by Jinyan Xu

above: Kolmar, France left: Bruges, Belgium photos by Jolyn Wu above: Kenya below: Dubai, United Arab Emirates photos by Kyle Kwiatkowski

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Bridging the gaps of cultural and political differences by Jennifer Cheng

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t was the first time Indonesian student Anti had ever seen mus tard. Celina Tousignant, a senior magazine journalism, Spanish language and literature and psychology major, explained to her what it was, laughing as Anti scrunched her face in disgust. And so began the Journey of Understanding. ., Students in the SU Abroad London program have the chance to spend 10 days in Wales as part of a group of 24 students from five politically charged countries. Encompass Project, based in London, cre ated the Journey of Understanding in which students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Palestine and Indonesia are brought .' together for an unforgettable experience. The group stays at the Outward Bound facility in Aberdovey,

Wales, with no Internet access, limited cell phone use, and little op

portunity for the students to interact with anyone outside of the pro

gram. With little to do and nowhere to go, the students spend their

time tallting and learning about each other. In the daytime, they hike, rock-climb, and participate in other demand ing activities. But the real intensity emerges in the evening discussions. There are bound to be "We were just people bitter feelings and flying accusations when 24 of the world. The titles young people from some of the most conflict lost themselves and we ing nations in the world are asked to discuss were just friends." their di fferences. World peace isn't achieved overnight, as Tousignant and Nathan Muller, a senior television, radio and film Encompass Project Students pose for a picture major, learned. One night'S discussion focused on sharing stereo types of each others countries, says Tousignant. Many had gathered their impressions of American women from movies like "Mean Girls." There weren't any negative jabs at Americans, only humor ous generalizations and misunderstandings. But trouble brewed between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The staff tried to avoid discussing the major issues during the first few days, but Muller says it was always the "elephant in the room." The bitter feelings finally overflowed when someone said during the stereotype discussion that Palestinians are "violent." Muller recalls the bitter finger point ing, the tears, and the confrontations. "Everybody would use the word 'you,'" Muller says. '''You' killed my friend, 'You' want all of us dead. 'You' was such a bad word because, as individuals, we did not specifically do it, but we generalized." As the days passed, feelings began to change. For example, Muller, who is of Jewish heritage, developed a new understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I was raised to be pro-Israel," he says. "Now I am neither pro-Israel nor pro-Palestine. I guess I'm

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medley issue 5

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pro-world. Both sides are right and wrong at the same time, and both make claims that are correct." The confrontations eventually became discussions and the dis cussions became conversation among friends. Muller recalls an emotional discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict when one student said, "Just the fact that you and I are talk ing and you're listening to my side is a step in the right direction." The Encompass Project was created in memory of Daniel Braden, who was killed in 2002 by a terrorist bomb in Bali, Indo nesia. Braden's family committed themselves to opening channels for intercultural dialogue between young people. Donors fund the program and cover all expenses for the 24 participants. \1Vales was selected as the program site to prevent any nationality from claim ing home turf advantage. This separation helps foster a feeling of equality in the group. The students had the opportunity to meet Daniel Braden's parents in London before leaving for \1Vales. This softened many hearts, recalls Tousignant. Losing a child is a pain that transcends any border. "Whenever you hear parents of children who've passed away, it's really intense. You see it in their eyes," says Tousignant. "It was a unifying compassion for all of us." For Muller, the program's defining moment was when five of the students sneaked out one night and climbed up a hill to a spot overlooking the water. An Israeli student strummed his guitar, while the others huddled under blankets and stargazed. The moment was surreaL There he was, sandwiched between a Brit and an Israeli, sit ting next to a Palestinian. "This moment, he isn't an Israeli, and he isn't a Palestinian. We were just people of the world. The titles lost themselves and we were just friends," Muller says. "And if you can do that in 10 days, imagine what you can do if you work really hard at it." Don Desawade, a senior television, radio and film and market ing management major at SU, recalls an activity in which everyone shared major events that occurred in their lives. Desawade planned to talk about his high school graduation and leaving home for college. Before it was his turn to share, he heard a Palestinian student share a very different life-changing event. She described a night when Israeli soldiers beat up her father in their home. Desawade realized that he lived in a completely different world. He reflected on his own big events and was embarrassed by them. Desawade was also particularly affected by another Palestinian student's story. She recalled going into Israel to buy groceries with her sister and passing through the checkpoint into Israel successfully. When returning, however, the Israeli guard would not let them pass. She begged the guard, point-

ing desperately to her home right across the checkpoint. The guard then turned a tank around, pointing it directly at the two girls. They eventually made it home, but it was a bitter, frightening experience. Although the life experiences shared were serious, none of this affected the playful outdoor activities. Tousignant fondly remem bers running down a hill screaming, competing to see who could go the farthest in one breath. "Everybody cheated; it was so liberat ing and free," she says. "You're able to bond with people on the simplest things. Humor is international. Had we not had humor, the week would have been very different." National borders did not affect teamwork either. Desawade re members rafting with his team members. He didn't like sitting at the head of the raft and taking the brunt of the icy waves. But then he turned around and saw that everyone was paddling in sync, work ing together to move faster. Desawade says that moment, for him, encompassed the purpose of Journey of Understanding. And this underscores the biggest requirement of the program: that the students are asked to return to their campuses and share what they have learned from their experiences. They are asked to write for the Encompass newsletter or website, submit an article about their Encompass experience to a newspaper, or do an oral presentation to a group. "It's difficult for donors to see the results of the program because there are kids from five countries," says Muller. This motivates him and his fellow Journey of Understand ing participants to continue their journey here at su. They do not want everything they learned to go to waste.

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Fashion &

• • • by Samantha Lifson and Hannah Warren

medley issue 5

~der extends to every facet of our daily ~dia, the sari is lives, and fashion has always influenced how one of the traditional we see it. The discourse of gender has affected everything, from the signs on restroom doors to the very languages we speak. Take, for ex ample, the signs that separate the men and women's public restrooms. The female figure is always wearing a dress to distinguish her from the boxy male, even though the dress is no lon ger necessary to express femininity. Also, the gesture in American Sign Language for "boy" conjures the image of a baseball cap, and "girl" traces the outline of a bonnet's strings.

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traditional clothing is still worn in rural areas around the world, urban cen ters are a different story. From Hong Kong to European metro centers, suits, slacks, collared shirts and high heels are modern female work attire.

clothing pieces. It is a single piece of cloth measuring six yards that wraps around the body without the aid of pins or clasps. It drapes in a com plex pattern but the concept is simple; it tucks into itself to stay in place.

a common practice in Is lamic cultures, has caused controversy in the Western world because many believe the practice oppresses women. Nisha Gupta, a women's and gender studies professor, dis agrees. "The idea that the burka is oppres sive is a western imposition. Those women would say that wearing the burka is freeing because they don't have to worry about people observing them or looking at their bodies. They can feel sort of protected," she says. "Scrutinizing doesn't happen. If you were wearing a burka, you could be wearing the sexiest thong under it, and you could be feeling incredibly sexually empowered, but nobody would know."

Aican textiles have made a comeback in the US, appearing on the runway and among uni versity students. The kanga and the kitenge are popular, traditional garments from the southwestern region of Tanzania. Kanga are long swaths of light cotton fabric, designed with a recurring pattern and often printed with inspirational sayings or proverbs. Kitenge are commonly made of heavier fabric with similar patterns, but without printed words.

~ion is a universal language. Any fashion

designer knows that styles around the world draw from one another in cycles. What women wear speaks volumes about how they live and how they want to be perceived. Fashion and culture are undoubtedly connected, and women define the term "femininity" by how they choose to dress

~Wering, putting on makeup, even shav

ing legs and applying deodorant are all per fect examples of the capitalist complex that females are trained to uphold. Doing all these things makes women more feminine in the eyes of Americans, but also costs money, time and energy. "You weren't born wanting to wear mascara," says women's and gender studies professor Robin Riley. Advertising, however, influences women to want to wear make-up in order to be accepted by their peers and noticed by men.

The Scots aren't only known for their kilt-wearing men, they are also known for their haggis - a traditional food consisting of sheep liver, heart and lungs mixed with onions, oatmeal and spices. The mixture is then packed into a sheep's stomach and boiled for a few hours.

If you never had a guinea pig as a pet, you might find it easier to try some guinea meat served with a side of rice and salad in Peru.

Considered a qh~h tonic· in Chinese eulture.. baby mice wine is made from 'sllltf g-b~y mice into a bottle of rice wine. 1t apparently tastes like raw gaso line. Yum!

In Japan, McDonalds serves up three unique orders: Ebi Filet 0, shrimp burgers; Koroke burger, which is made of mashed pota toes, cabbage and katsu sauce; Ebi-Chiki, shrimp nuggets. And you can finish all that off with a delicious green-tea milkshake.

In Thailand, whiskey can be distilled with a venomous cen tipede. But no worries - the insect has been detoxified for human safety. The white whis key is said to be an aphrodisiac and a treatment for back and muscle pain.

Never thought you could ex perience any new food in Eng land? Think again. The British as well as the Irish enjoy a little something called blood pud ding: sausage made of cooked pig blood and fillers, like grains and potatoes.

Love wine? Then take a trip up to the great state of Alaska and try a bottle of seagull wine. Invented by the Inuits, seagull wine is made from literally fer menting a dead seagull in a bottle filled with water.

Thailand serves up delicious SQup speckled with white ant eggs. larvae and baby ants. No bigger than a gratn of.cgoked rice, white ant eggs are-soft with a subtle peppery taste.

For those of you who thought breast milk is just for infants, 11 ou are wrong. Anyone of all ages and genllerC1lll enjoy breast milk in store-~t car tons in Japan.

Concocted in Campton Town ship, 11., Pizza beer is s kI to be , surprise treatl Made lIfUh tOrTl8toes, basil, oregano and garlk:, this beer is sold in more than roO-establishments.

Chinese turtle shell jello is black in color and bitter in taste. So it is often accompanied with a bowl of honey or fruit.

Green and stringy, fish poop could easily be mistake for thin noodles. In the Philippines, it's served raw with a sweet sauce and sprinkled onions.

In Japanese restaurants, you can have the pleasure of tast ing a beating frog heart. Order the frog sashimi and the chef will cut out a frog's heart right in front of you. After you devour the heart, you are free to en joy the rest of the frog in cold, chopped pieces.

Fun fact aboUt ostriches: They're considered to be more aco-friend ly to produce than chicken and cows. Their meat is"-elso less fat ty than other popular meat. So if you are looking to get- your hands on some oStrich, take a trip to Iran or Namibia.

Tired of taking pills and cold medicine to alleviate your ill nesses? You can always go the traditional route and try some lizard soup! In Hong Kong, liz ards are added to soups along with yam, Chinese dates, gin seng, medlar and tragacanth to help with asthma, colds and lung and heart problems.

If you ever find yourself stroll ing around in the streets of Iraq, you should stop in a restaurant and try some boiled sheep head. Pacha is eaten until the whole skull of the sheep is re vealed.