We are up and running for Bolivia 2013. Here’s a link to more information:
http://socanth.olemiss.edu/bolivia-summer-methods-field-school/
This year, we are running the program a bit later (end of June-July) to coordinate with a 4 week Spanish course that students may enroll in at the UCB, offered prior to and overlapping with the field school.
Contact us for more information!
From unicef:
A smiling girl does arithmetic at the blackboard in a UNICEF-assisted local primary and secondary school in Pisili, an indigenous Ayllu Yampara settlement in the south-central department of Chuquisaca, near the town of Tarabuco, capital of Yamparáez Province in Bolivia. UNICEF supports a child-friendly education project for indigenous girls in Chuquisaca Department.
© UNICEF/NYHQ2008-1573/Giacomo Pirozzi
‘Bolivia Awaits You’ is the name of a promotional campaign recently launched by the government of Bolivia.
Bolivia’s government has announced that it will invest 20 million US dollars in the next five years in order to strengthen and promote community-based tourism that will primarily benefit indigenous communities.
Two of our students did brief interviews for the State Department’s 100,000 Strong Initiative (a program to encourage American students to study abroad). We think they did a great job!
My wonderful new friends have been the best part of this trip. The last month and a half has been an invigorating take on daily student life, punctuated frequently by unforgettable hikes, jaw-dropping document viewings, and enthralling lectures from former presidents. Kendra, Brandy, Jasmine, and Leighton have inspired me as we prospered through these six weeks together. Our professors gave us all the resources and information we needed to make both our academic and daily lives a great experience. Sincere thanks to you all.
I’ve tried to decide on the two most impressive landscapes I have, and I eventually just had to pick two. The first is in Sucre, at a Catholic monastery up on a very steep hill near a wonderful restaurant called El Mirador, or “The Lookout.” This gives a sense not only of the kinds of beautiful buildings we got to see, but the kind of weather we’ve enjoyed the last six weeks. It almost rained… once. It snowed… but we dodged it. The second picture is a light show that puts even the fireworks of the Gran Poder procession/festival to shame. Only in a valley like this can you see such beautiful pink-orange sunset above you long after it has disappeared behind the mountains, thanks to La Paz’s almost daily empty threat of some sort of weather. The city view from our epic window was always impressive, but this was a special evening.
Thanks to everyone for making this such a educational, fun, and memorable trip. I really hope to come back some day.
Our second summer field school program ended (successfully) this week. Most of the students left and have arrived to their respective homes. We leave Tuesday early morning. We are very proud of all our students, who did some interesting research projects: on saya and Afro-Bolivian identity, on the social meaning cholita fashion, on the workplace dynamics of an artesanía cooperative, a content analysis of primary and secondary textbooks and their impact on “civic” education, and an exploratory survey of health practices in La Paz. We also had a great time exploring La Paz (and other areas) through new eyes. Thanks! We hope to do it again next year.
Oh Bolivia… There is no way to really “sum up” this trip in a way that would do it justice. I’ve had such an incredible time exploring this country, and I am so grateful for everyone I’ve met, and professor(s) Centellas for allowing me and my unseasoned Spanish language skills to be a part of this experience. For each of my small anxieties, there were ever-greater triumphs. I’ve learned so much, and this experience will stay with me forever. Thank you Bolivia, and thank you Ole Miss. It’s been wonderful.
Well, I guess it’s time to say my silent goodbye to La Paz and Bolivia. These past two days have truly shown me the great character this city holds and I will forever miss it. Last night and early this morning (approximately 3 AM), I sat around a bar table with the group I have been researching these last two weeks. Tired as I was after having sat in a cafe for almost 12 hours straight, I was still happy to be at Malegria, spending some of my last hours with MOCUSABOL (an Afro-Bolivian Saya group in La Paz). I met many new members and thanked those who had helped me throughout these past weeks with their time and kindness. As I sat explaining my research, my love for La Paz, and watching them dance, the members each asked when I would return, even those I did not know. They showed me what hospitality and kindness truly meant. I was offered drinks, hugs, and a chance to dance with their group on stage. I was introduced to family members and each offered me a hug and a kiss in welcome and a solemn goodbye. I am forever grateful for the knowledge and help I was given, especially from my friends Romer, Omar, Richard, and Jaime. Romer I thank you for your sweetness and teaching me how to dance Saya, Omar for your pride and attempts to dance me with all those times in Malegria, Richard for the inexplicable storage of knowledge and stories, and finally, Jaime for embracing me and making me welcome within your group. I will never forget the experience I have had with MOCUSABOL nor with the great friends I have made here (Caroline, Laura, Leighton, Jasmine, Kendra, and Hugh).
Nor did La Paz fail me on my very last day. In my rush to buy last minute presents, a woman stopped me and we talked for half an hour about her children, names, our health problems, and health food restaurants. Afterwards, when I stopped at the bank to change money the cashier stopped me and asked when I would be returning to visit them. Thank you La Paz for your hospitality. You do not often find people who treat everyone as if we were life friends. It has been an adventure of a life time full of cow hearts, ostrich meat, embarrassing moments, and heart.
With all my love I leave you.
-Brandylyn Arredondo
The tall, round building in the middle has been my home for the last six weeks. I have come to love the city of La Paz and the paceños who inhabit it. During my stay here, I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people and visit beautiful places. From the language mishaps to the cafe con leche at Alexander, this has been an unforgettable experience. Even though I feel as if I know La Paz (or at least Sopocachi) pretty well, I know there is much more to learn from Bolivia. I am thankful for the adventures I have had and the new friends I have made. Hopefully, I will be back to explore the rest of the country soon.
Besos,
Leighton
Today is my last day in Bolivia. I am sad to leave. This picture is of our apartment view. I will miss seeing this every morning when I wake up and eat my breakfast. Our time here has come to an end, but I will never forget the awesome experiences that I had in Bolivia. Below are some:
1.) Get lost while riding on a mini bus… more than once
2.) Everyone getting sick at once.
3.) Gran Poder and the Entrada— awesome thing to watch if you ever get the chance
4.) Laying/falling asleep in the hammocks in Copacabana until I got a sunburn
5.) Trying to learn how to salsa (key word- trying)
6.) Making some awesome friends in our class (Laura and Carolina, you all are the best!)
7.) Listening to Backstreet Boys/Nsync everyday at Alexander Café
8.) Submarino (a.k.a. awesomeness- it’s hot chocolate, but with hot milk and a chocolate bar)
I know I am forgetting a lot more. There are too many for this blog post.
Well, Bolivia- it’s been real, and it’s been fun. Hope to visit you again soon.
—Kendra Wright
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