Life Across the Pond...

  London, England, United Kingdom
Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Dear Friends and Family:

Climate Change Address at Houses of Parliament

More so than in Jamaica, life across the pond revolves around more than courses and textbooks. It involves lectures at the Houses of Parliament, addresses about the impact of climate change measures on developing countries, presentations by Israeli government advisors about the Gaza strip, discussions with grassroots activists about local protests, and tours through the House of Commons chambers. Instead of being centred on one country, course material has broadened to encompass global perspectives, current events, international governance...and a daily consumption of acronyms (IMF, UNDP, EU, FAO, WTO, DFID, USAID, WFP, UNICEF, ICC, ICJ, etc.).

Specifically, the UK programme has involved both a really engaging course load (Classes: Development Studies, Global Governance, Project Management, Structure and Management of Not-for-Profit Organisations, Reflection on Service

Coworkers at WER

Learning) and a great internship at World Emergency Relief (or WER, http://www.wer-uk.org/content/home). The latter has provided the opportunity for me to apply the theories we have debated in our courses, and to see how an international aid agency supports community-led projects in over 15 countries. WER's focus on sustainable aid and their relational (rather than hierarchical) approach with their community partners has made quite an impression on me. Their programmes around the world deal with child safety/housing, social services, education and safe water/food. My job as an intern, among other activities, has been to review future project proposals for funding. I have really enjoyed this task and working with the WER team. They are a great group of people that are dedicated and passionate about their work. The director of the UK office claims that they are "a serious group of people that don't take themselves too seriously", which (as is evident by the picture on the right) seems just about right. :)

Otherwise, it would be really difficult to share everything that has happened during this semester, thus far. In a great way, there is simply too much to say. So, instead, the highlights and a slew of photographs from the UK are included below. :)

A FEW UK FAVOURITES:

Hot Cross Bun!

Favourite Foods: Toasted Hot Cross Buns Oozing with Melted British Butter, Oven-toasted Cheese-covered Crumpets, Tea with Milk, White Coffee, Caramel Shortcakes, Baked Chicken Kiev, White Chocolate Magnum Ice Cream Bars
Favourite Phrases: "What a country bumpkin!" "Hey, Love!"

FAVOURITE/MOST INTERESTING EXPERIENCES, SO FAR:

** Touring the House of Parliament with my fellow classmates. It was so fascinating to stand in the room where Robin Cook declared his resignation in reaction to the UK's pending involvement in the Iraq war;

Winston Churchill

to learn about Lenthal and his defiant and incredibly brave act against Charles I, and to witness the current-day superstitious acts of members of the House of Commons rubbing the feet of Churchill or Thatcher. Standing amidst so much history gave me goose bumps. :)

** Providing group and solo presentations at Roehampton University about the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Emergency Relief.

** Attending classes. Though multiple papers (and the dissertation) are still due, formal lectures have ended and I already miss them. Our professors were great and the course material has just made me yearn to learn more.

** Participating in extracurricular events and forums about global issues. On a weekly basis, we receive notices of events happening about development and international humanitarian issues. Usually, the presentations are delivered by high-end officials, government advisors or grassroots activists. Such events have provided wonderful opportunities to gain perspectives beyond textbooks and newspaper headlines. It's been really exciting! :)

** Biking into the City for the first time, and passing "There's Big Ben, Kids" just as the clock struck 13:00. It was, at that point, my longest bike ride, and my first time heading into London by the city streets instead of the Tube. When Big Ben struck as I rounded the corner, it felt as if the clock was welcoming me into London. :) It was great!

Obama Wins!

** Watching the presidential inauguration from overseas, and laughing at a participant's comment from Washington: I came because I wanted to make absolutely sure Bush had gone. :D

** Remaining in contact with the Programme Director and children of DTC (the orphanage in Jamaica), and reviewing the fieldwork collected in country about the adult-preparation services for HIV-positive orphans transitioning out of residential care. A national child welfare magazine recently requested an article regarding the subject for the fall, which is really wonderful. I'm thrilled about the opportunity to spread awareness about the issue.

** Volunteering for my first Monday night homeless walk in Central London. Organised by multiple churches in the area, small groups of volunteers are sent out onto the streets to provide clothing, blankets, and warm cups of tea/coffee to those in need. Each week, updates are sent to each volunteer about the individuals on the street (i.e., Sophie thinks her job interview went well, Joseph is hoping his application to the shelter is accepted, Pawel is in need of a warm blanket and size 9 shoes, etc.) and efforts are made to not only fill each person's needs but to advise on available social services. It was a privilege to volunteer with this group of people, and to meet the men and women on the street. Without a doubt, I plan on participating with them again.

Heather - Post 10K

** Signing up for my first 10K race and committing to run the entire length in a 5' egg costume. (Yes, you read that right. ;)) I'll be running to promote the "Be a Good Egg" fundraiser for World Emergency Relief (http://www.beagoodegg.com/video/). Countdown to the race/Amount of time left to train: 6 weeks. Current distance I can run: 2+ miles. Racing companion: A fellow co-worker dressed as a 6' chicken. Wish me luck on May 25th. Am hoping to prove (once and for all) that the egg actually did come before the chicken...or at worst, not to be scrambled by the end of the event. ;)

Official Snow Day in Putney

** Experiencing my first official snow days! Waking up to a silent, beautiful world of white powder and seeing the community respond to the city-wide transit halt with suburban snowmen, snowball fights and sledding.

** Biking through the first snowfall (earlier in the week) and thinking it was ash from a nearby fire (You can take the girl from California, but you can't take California from the girl.)

Snowmen Loungin'

** Sledding (or, "sledging") down Wimbledon Commons Hill with friends, Will and Debbie, in a car roof luggage box lid. It was either that or a tea tray (the only other option for a sled in town). ;)

** Watching Manchester United play at Fulham Football Club Stadium. Many of the Man-U players have already played at World Cup or are slated to participate in the international competition in 2010. It was incredible to watch that level of soccer live. Dad, as one of my first coaches, I wish you had been there!

Claudia and I on Newquay Surfing Trip

** Surfing in the Atlantic! :) It definitely wasn't the warm coast of Cali, but it was still a blast to surf on a 7'6" in Newquay (Cornwall) in April with a new group of crazy London friends, and Putsborough (Devon) in January with my friend, Tom.




** Photographing the G-20 protest from the frontlines. This was a fascinating experience. The afternoon protest was a combination of disappointment and inspiration.

G-20 Protest

The few people that cared combined with those that thrived on chaos. Police cornered off the exits, and prevented anyone from leaving the area for 4+ hours, making the environment thick with tension. While effigies of bankers were torched and signs damned consumerism, many participants littered the area with their McDonalds and Starbucks wrappers. The irony was thick. I took a lot of pictures (many of which are below), and met several really well-intentioned and good people (both protestors and police officers). I later heard that the morning events were much more effective and organised. It was particularly interesting to read the editorials about the event, and to hear the perspectives of those that weren't in attendance. In the end, I was very glad that I went.

** Providing a presentation about the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its recent arrest warrant for Sudanese President al-Bashir to my Global Governance class. It was an assignment that had consumed me for weeks (please refer to entry titled "What I've Forgot to Mention: I'm a Nerd" - ;)). I was very excited about the topic, but was quite nervous about delivering it. I highly respected the instructor and had found the course very challenging. To have him approach me at the end of class to say that it was "excellent", was one of the more proud moments I have ever had scholastically.

Tuesday Pub Quiz Crew

** Reaching for V-2 holds with my friend, Dawn, at an indoor climbing gym near London Bridge each week, and failing miserably at Tuesday pub quiz with my friends, Will, Rich and Debbie. ;)




** Being visited by Mom and Erin! :) I could exclaim how much fun our tours were of the Churchill Museum/Cabinet War Rooms (It's Bunker Time!),

Erin and Mom's Visit to the UK

Windsor Castle (to visit the Queen), the Tower of London (for the Ceremony of the Keys), or the streets of Scotland Yard (in search of Ripper clues). I could also happily rattle on about how much we enjoyed traditional High Tea, or nights out to see the musical "Chicago" or the British comedy, "The Boat That Rocks". I could...but the best thing about their visit was just being with them, regardless of where we went. The only thing missing: Toto, the Wonder Dog. If they could've stored him in their carry-on luggage and brought him along, it would've been perfect. ;)

Only four more papers lie between the official end of the semester and I. They are all due within the next two weeks and following their completion, I will be working on solely the dissertation.

It is hard to believe that so many months have passed since I arrived in December, and even more difficult to realise how much time has gone by since I first departed for this programme last August. I am a very lucky individual to have had this experience, thus far, and to be gaining such an in depth education. It couldn't have happened without the help of so many of you.

Thank you, again, for your support and for your letters!

With love,
Heather

England

England

G-20 Protest

G-20 Protest

G-20 Protest

G-20 Protest

G-2 Protest

G-20 Protest

G-20 Protest

G-20 Protest

Who Needs to Dress Down, When You've Got Mates?