gcnewsletter

Capitol Hill in Pictures

gcnewsletter2011 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:45:38 +0000

by James Levin

Global Trivia

gcnewsletter2011 — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:18:28 +0000

Which country should you venture to if you desire to see over 4o different species of lemur?

Submit answers as comments (include your name)!

The winner will receive a prize. Kind of.

Global Halloween Party

gcnewsletter2011 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:13:31 +0000

Taken by James Levin

Taken by Mondona McCann

Capitol Hill by Joy Penaso

gcnewsletter2011 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:17:06 +0000

On October 21, 2011, Global Communities was able to take part in the fabulous opportunity to visit Capitol Hill. A metonym for the building that actually houses the legislature of the United States, Capitol Hill is two square miles of hill, majestically rising in the center of DC. The visit was comprised of a grand scale tour of the building, showing the beautiful design and architecture that took two centuries to finalize. Learning what E Pluribis Unum means (do you know?), getting a quick look-see of the rooms within the U.S. Capitol, and finding quirky secret spots were just a few of the many highlights of this trip. The most insightful part of the visit would have to be the briefing from a coordinator of Foreign Relations from Senator Cardin’s committee. Not only did he give a description of how work on “the Hill” is, he also gave information on offered internships and just what the heck briefs are. When asked if the overall trip was beneficial, first-year attendee, Maya Dawit claimed, “Yes, I learned all about the different opportunities that are offered in the DMV!” Taking one glance back to the monumental building, Lady Freedom, is just the “cherry on top” to the federal government’s symbolic home.

Fun Halloween Costume Ideas!

gcnewsletter2011 — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:16:19 +0000

Crazy Halloween Ideas:

1) Lost and Found Box: Cut a hole in the bottom of a large cardboard box just big enough so you can wear it around you. Fill the empty space of the box around you with coats, glasses, wallets and other random objects. Write “Lost and Found” on the front of the box and go around asking people “Are these your glasses?”

2) Chick Magnet: Attach Barbie dolls all over yourself.

3) Orbit Gum Girl: Wear white clothes, a colorful scarf around your neck, and a white pith helmet. Carry a pack of Orbit Gum and say things like, “Fabulous” and “For a good clean feeling.”

4) American Idol Contestant: Make a small sign that says “American Idol Contestant # (whatever)” and pin it to your clothes. Dress wacky, carry an inflatable microphone and sing badly.

5) Red Bull Give You Wings: Wear wings and carry a Red Bull.

6) Cupcake: To make the bottom of the cupcake, find some corrugated cardboard (the kind with the ridges). Cut a piece and form it into a circle, big enough to fit around your hips. Paint it the color of your choice and attach it to some straps so it can hang over your shoulders. For the frosting, create a big poof of pink chiffon fabric. Attach it around your upper chest. Sprinkle some glitter on top or make fake sprinkles out of felt. Optional: make a cherry hat but turning a red plastic bowl upside down and adding a fake stem.

7) Dr. Pepper: Get a white lab coat or some surgical scrubs, and pin some chili peppers all over yourself.

8) Tornado: Dress all in black, paint your face black, wear a black stocking cap and black gloves. Find a bunch of “miniatures” — barnyard animals, hotwheel cars, tractors, houses, etc. Attach all of your accumulated stuff to black yarn or string, and fasten to your clothing with glue or pins. When someone dares to ask what you are, spin crazily around the room making a roaring noise!

9) Rapunzel: Find a cardboard box (or use a round plastic clothes basket) that will sit upside down over your head to form a “castle tower.” Cut the front so two pieces swing out like windows (this is where your face will show through). Cover the basket with brown craft paper, and decorate it to look like a stone tower (you can add fake ivy, flowers, birds, etc.). Attach brown fabric along the bottom of the box, so it hangs down and covers your body. Wear a long braided wig that hangs down out the window. Attach a small action figure, so it looks like he is climbing up your hair.

10) Three-Legged Man: Wear a long trench coat. To make the extra leg, cut one leg off a pair of pants that match what you will be wearing (jeans are easiest) and slip it over an L-shaped stick. Add a matching shoe. Pin one sleeve of the trench coat in your pocket so it looks like your hand is in your pocket, and hold the stick leg inside the coat with your free hand. Make sure to do lots of cool dance moves!

-By Susan Shen and Song Yu

On a more conventional note:

For Girls:

Katy Perry in “Last Friday Night”
Nicki Minaj
The Black Swan
Angels and Demons
Marilyn Monroe
Fairy
Britney Spears
Pin Up Girl

For Guys:

Charlie Sheen
James Bond
Cowboy
Austin Powers
Elvis
Caveman
Flava Flav

Dress up with your friends too!

The cast of ”Glee”
The Smurfs
The cast of “Jersey Shore”
Angry Birds
Mario and Luigi
The Disney Princesses
Harry Potter characters
The Incredibles
Ghostbusters
The Flintsones
The Power Rangers
Sesame Street

-By Joyce Yu

Exchange Student Interview

gcnewsletter2011 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:01:30 +0000

Name: Tasuku
Year: Third
Major: Tourism (in Japan)

Have you ever visited the United States before you began your studies here?
Yes I have been to New York City and San Francisco on vacations.

What is your favorite part of the University of Maryland?
The people are nice and i have made many friends.

What is your least favorite part of the University of Maryland?
I don’t like the food from the dining hall. I miss Japanese food.

What is your favorite Japanese dish?
My favorite is Natto which is made from soybeans and is very healthy.

Are there any differences between school here and school in Japan?
Here, I take a variety of different classes such as a communications class, a music class, and an American studies class. In Japan, my classes were less varied.

Interview by Courtney Hoff

Polyface Farm Pictures

gcnewsletter2011 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:58:41 +0000

PolyFace Farm, as seen in "Food, Inc." in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

GC Students observing the luscious (and ecologically diverse!) grass of PolyFace Farm.

Polyface Farm owner, Joel Salatin gathering the herd of cows to move to a new pasture.

Photos by Tammy Walsky

Cricket Extravaganza!

gcnewsletter2011 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:39:31 +0000

Following a screening of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, Global Communities hosted its first cricket match. Although many of the participants had no previous cricket experience, and high taxes (or lagaan) were not at stake, everyone had a great time!

Photos by Nimo Thande:

Polyface Farm Artwork by Nancy Kelleher

gcnewsletter2011 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:26:15 +0000

Exchange Student Interview

gcnewsletter2011 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:51:47 +0000

Name: Jean-Baptiste
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Year: 3rd
Country: France

Why did you apply to be an exchange student?
I applied to be an exchange student because I wanted to discover a new way to study which is really different from what I’m used to in France. I chose to come to the US to have a “college experience” as you can imagine it when you watch TV: good studies and a crazy night life!

How does it feel to spend time away from your home country?
So far it’s not so hard to be away from my home country! It’s probably because I’m used to traveling far and for quite a long time.
Of course I miss my family and friends and french food but it’s ok!

How do you go about meeting friends in a new country?
Again, I’m probably used to it but it’s really easy to make friends especially here because people are really friendly! And when you live in a dorm there is always someone you can be and speak with!

What is one thing you have learned so far being in United States?
So far I learned that football is a REALLY big deal! Way bigger than I imagined!

Interview by Saunam Vij, Susan Shen and Song Yu.