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Multimedia Interdisciplinary Research in Anthropology
collaborative and comparative study of tourism
destinations and cultures
Selections from Student Evaluations, OSEA
Summer Field School 2005 - The MIRA Project
Educational
Experience
Facilities
and Lodging
Overall
Program Structure.
Personal and Intercultural Experience
- Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
- Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
- Please describe your most rewarding
experiences
Participant #1.
1. Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
Group dynamics amongst the group were great, we all got along extremely
well and had a great time together. We also got along well with Quetzil,
although at times were frustrated with incidents of disorganization
or apparent stinginess when it came to money. Sometimes we couldn't
understand why our budget was so limited when we paid so much to attend
the program and were living in such a cheap environment in comparison
to the US. Nonetheless, he was a good person and it was a pleasure
to get to spend time with him and learn from him and his many experiences.
2. Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
The scheduling was adequate, I enjoyed the amount of time spent in
each location and there was surely enough time to work, socialize,
and immerse ourselves. Getting as many field notes written as I wanted
was difficult because I would have been writing in a hole the entire
trip, so sacrificing was definitely necessary. We were always busy,
didn't get much sleep, but I suppose that's the way things go when
you are trying to maximize your experience.
3. Please describe your most rewarding experiences
My most rewarding experiences were always while doing field work,
especially when I would spend hours talking to locals and getting
to know them and appreciate their way of life and ideas. I will never
forget the amazing people I got to know on this trip, they gave me
a warm impression of the Yucatán and were always so open with
me. I also loved the opportunities to take vacations and see places
on our own time, without the pressure of doing research.
Participant #2.
1. Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
I felt like everyone got along really well. The small number of people
also facilitated the close-knit community we formed. I think we had
a nice mix of people. The time and experiences we shared together
really brought us together. I thought it was great that we were able
to get to know Juan. He showed us around town and really showed us
a good time. I enjoyed the meals we would also have with Jorge and
Juan together. It was nice to get to know those guys. In Piste, Victor
was an excellent host. He was always there to help us with whatever
we needed. I thought it was a great gesture that he would come all
the way from Piste to be at our final dinner.
2. Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
I think that given the program was only 6 weeks, no matter what we
did, we would always feel pressed for time. Considering this, I thought
things unfolded as time would allow, and there really wasn't much
we could have done to change it. I did feel that I was pressed for
time in those final few days before the portfolio was due and would
have appreciated another few days. But I think we all did the best
we could.
3. Please describe your most rewarding experiences
I think doing my own research and getting to know Mexico. I loved
that I was able to talk to tourists, especially the Italian tourists,
since I got to practice my Italian. Doing and finishing the project
gave me a great sense of satisfaction with my own work. Though it
may have not been the best it could have been, I was happy with the
progress I made in just a few days of writing. I also liked being
able to put my own creative touches in the visual aspect of the final
paper. I really enjoy using 'ethnographic photography' as a way of
enhancing the research problem.
On a more personal level, it was an invaluable experience to be in
Mexico. I got a much better idea of where my heritage lies. I enjoyed
meeting and living among the people. It helped me to learn more about
myself and who I am as a person.
Participant #3.
1. Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
I felt the group dynamics were good in every branch of the triangle.
There will always be rough spots, but the rough spots we had were
minimal and quickly addressed or forgotten. Overall it was a very
positive, supportive, and challenging group dynamic that I enjoyed.
2. Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
The scheduling was as good as it could have been considering all that
we did. Sometimes it felt like you might have to sacrifice one thing
to experience another, but overall it made for a good balance.
3. Please describe your most rewarding experiences
My most rewarding experiences were dancing with Tanya and Mallika,
and otherwise exploring Merida´s and Playa´s nightlife.
I also greatly enjoyed the trip to Holbox with Jenna and Aimee. The
time in Piste with the whole group, except for Tanya who had to leave
unfortunately, was great. Sergio´s birthday party was an absolute
blast. It was also very rewarding to get to know Quetzil, Cesar, Juan,
and Victor on more personal levels.
Participant #4.
1. Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
I think the group was just the right size and that people got along
really well. I actually have rarely participated in any sort of trip
or program with so little drama between people. Caesar was really
great and I enjoyed how he was part of the student group. While sometimes
there was some tension between students and the professor, that was
really over more logistical stuff, and that overall there was a caring
and positive dynamic.
2. Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
I did feel pressed for time frequently, but I don't really see how
this could be avoided and still fit so much stuff into a comparatively
short period of time. I also did feel that I would have enjoyed spending
more time in locations to become immersed in the local cultural settings,
but again I wouldn't want to cut any place out.
3. Please describe your most rewarding experiences
participant #4 provided no response to question #3.
Participant #5.
1. Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
The group of students got along beautifully, and we all became very
close. We were able to work together smoothly, and the caliber of
students attending helped fuel good conversations and class discussions,
not to mention projects.
2. Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
There was plenty of time to relax and to learn, and the culture around
us was very open and available to us. The teaching assistant Cesar
became a great friend and helped us truly immerse ourselves in the
local culture.
3. Please describe your most rewarding experiences
Meeting the great people of Merida who we came in contact with in
various ways through out our trip.
Participant #6.
1. Please assess the group dynamics amongst
students and between students and staff.
The intergroup dynamic was amazing, these are most definitely people
I will always keep in touch with, including Cesar and Carlos. We are
already planning a reunion vacation. The staff - student relationships
were also very rewarding, I learned a lot from everyone's own experience.
Best summer of my life.
2. Assess the overall structure and scheduling
of the OSEA experience - was their adequate time to relax, to conduct
work, to immerse yourself in the local cultural settings?
I think the fieldschool could be longer, start earlier maybe and it
would give us more time to build rapport. Also, there needs to be
more time to relax, because the reading, seminar and fieldwork aspect
of the program is so intense.
3. Please describe your most rewarding experiences
My most rewarding experiences were by far those that made me realize
how lucky I was to be who I am. I met an incredible amount of people
with a great heart who welcomed me into their lives without obstacles.
Being with other people my age as well was rewarding, we shared similar
experiences and built a community based on this project.
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Educational
Experience
Facilities
and Lodging
Overall
Program Structure.
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