Hi Everyone! Here is my very first blog entry...
This morning we met at Utrecht Central Station at 8:45am. This group has been so respectful of the program structure as everyone has made great efforts to arrive on time to everything. Thank you! It may sound like a small thing but it really is much appreciated! Today is no exception, all met at the window statue on time. We arrived in Den Bosch/Avans Hogeschool at 10am. Youssef Azghari, who is a lecturer in communication and sociology, author, and columnist, met us at the station at walked us to the university. Born in Beni Said, Morocco, Youssef came to the Netherlands at the age of six. I met Youssef one year ago when he came to the University of Michigan as part of a Department of State visit. We began planning this collaboration last November when I was here in Den Bosch and it was Youssef who introduced me to Omar.
Our time here started with an official welcome from Ms. Ine van Zon who is the Dean of Social Studies. She talked briefly about the differences between tolerance and acceptance here in relation racial and gender power and access. While she spoke we were treated to coffee and Bosche Bol. Bosche Bol is unique to this part of Holland and can be compared somewhat to a french chocolate e'clair (only much better!) Dean van Zon also kindly offered to pay for lunch for the entire group.
Youssef talked with the group about culturally determined communication and gave comparisons between eastern and western styles. Most students had a opportunity to have conversations with Dutch university students, while some were interviewed for the university newspaper.
After a short tour of Den Bosch, we were free to travel back to Utrecht.
~Dan
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment