Culture Days

Now that the Culture Days are over, I am going to blog about ten I went to. I have to say that there have beena number of culture topics I really wanted to listen to but due to exams as well as other classes I only got to see 14. Among them, there were three Irish topics and 11 American. Seeing some presentations on Monday just made me even more nervous than I already was of giving my own presentation. Everyone did a very good job!  

The first one I had seen on Monday morning was from Julia “Irish Intelligence at its peak”. As this was the very first presentation I went to, I didn’t have any expectations. I think she did a very good job and she has a very good pronunciation. I have to admit that when I read the title, I couldn’t really imagine what this topic will be about. As far as I can remember it was about Michael Collins and the War of Independence. As we had to fill in a feedback sheet as well as a handout, it made it hard for me to concentrate on her topic and to fully understand it. So during the next presentation I filled them in afterwards. 

The next presentation I went to was an American one. Sophie gave a presentation about great American entrepreneurs. As with the topic before, I couldn’t really imagine what she will be talking about. The title didn’t say a lot and I hadn’t it expected to be that interesting. Her pronunciation was really good and she I liked it that she was interacting with the audience. It was a very current topic as it was about the men that invented Google, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram for example. 

After Sophie it was Klervie’s turn. She talked about the TV show Homeland. I have heard about this show before but I have never watched it. It sounded really interesting and I think it gives a very good insight in America’s security system. I really liked her prezi but she should work on her pronunciation as it was hard to understand her with her French accent. 

The last presentation I went to on Monday was from Vid. He talked about the role of religion in the US education system. Although I am not that interested in religion, I know that in some parts of America religion plays an important role. I have to admit that I haven’t understood a lot of Vid’s presentation. It was very difficult to get the words he said because he talked very fast. He seemed nervous – which I couldn’t really understand because I know that his English is very good! 

The rest of the presentations I went to were held on Tuesday. I had seen three presentations before I had to give my own. 

The first one on Tuesday was from Cordula and it was about the Cuban Missile Crisis. I have only heard of this topic before because I mentioned it in my own presentation as JFK was president in 1962. She seemed very confident and well-informed about her topic. 

 

The next presenter was Tanja. She talked about the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism. She has a very good pronunciation and seemed confident as well. (and I got more and more nervous!!!)

The next presentation was from a very good friend of mine, Beatrice. I have been listening to her topic the day before about 3 times as we were practicing a lot. In my opinion, she had a very interesting topic with a lot of new information. For example, I haven’t heard of a city called Palo Alto before. I know there is a movie called Palo Alto, but I didn’t know that this is a city in California. And Palo Alto is considered the most livable city in America. Although I know that se was very nervous, she seemed confident and spoke very fluently.

Then it was my turn. As I have mentioned in a blog post before, I talked about the Kennedy brothers, in particular, about Robert and Edward Kennedy. 

The next presentation was about some great African Americans and their speeches. The presenter was Sarah. Her pronunciation was impressive. She used easy and therefore, it was easy to understand her. I was interested in her topic, because I did some research myself on Martin Luther King as I showed a part of a speech during my presentation where Bobby Kennedy was announcing the death of MLK. 

This was a real culture presentation-marathon I had on Tuesday. The next one was from another very good friend of mine, Annina. As with Beatrice’s topic, I have heard it a couple of times before. In my opinion this is a very important topic and there were some information which really surprised me. I cannot understand why sex-education is not provided in every state?! As there is no cure for AIDS so far, it is essential that everybody is informed about it! 

The last American culture presentation I went to was from Sabrina. She talked about the origin of the Chinese American Culture. It was quite interesting although it Sabrina seemed as if she herself was not that interested in her topic. In my opinion, she should have shown more enthusiasm because that would the audience as well make more interested in her topic. Other than that, she did a good job.

All in all there were a number of interesting presentations which gave a great insight in American as well as Irish culture. 
  

Topics for the KGP:

HIV and discrimination: I chose this topic because I think that this is a very current topic and it is important to know about it!

Livability in America: Very interesting to know what contributes to the quality of life. Moreover, I am really into geography.

Flappers - the roaring '20s: Although I haven’t been able to watch this presentation, I have read through Julia’s topic in class. As I am a woman, I think that is a great topic to study.

Guantanamo: Nearly everybody had heard of the name Guantanamo but only a few people do know what’s happening there. I haven’t watched the presentation but as I was very interested in this topic I’ve read through it and some information was just shocking!

Great American Entrepreneurs: This would be a totally differtent topic to the others. It is about technology.What's more, it is a very current topic because all these inventions affected our lives.

finally... AMERICA!!!

Hey guys!

I just want to remind you that university is nearly finished and  that summer holidays are coming closer. :))) Well, I guess everybody needs to keep on studying though to keep track of their languages… Plus, of course, WORKING! My summer job starts on the 7^th of July.  I wanted to work as much as possible as I’d like to spend the last month of our holidays (September) traveling. 

And finally one of my dreams is coming true, because I will be in AMERICA from the 5^th of September until the 24^th :))) Can’t wait!! 

This last year I was learning so many things about the US without even being there once! I had to listen to other students talking about their adventures in America. Some of them had spent a couple of months there or even a whole year working as an au pair for example. The decision of going to America was very spontaneous. At first, I wanted to visit a friend of mine who will be in Africa for about three months to do some voluntary work. But the more I thought of going to Africa, the more I realized that there are other destinations and countries that are further up on my bucket list. It wasn’t an easy decision, as this friend, who is going to Africa, usually is the one I am always traveling with… my travelbuddy. But then I realized that it’s about me and what I want to do and I definitely want to see America first. It was not hard to find someone who also wants to visit the USA (because, seriously, AMERICA!?!). I end up going with a friend from Germany, who I have met during my travels in Australia. There are numerous cities I’d like to see in America, but for me, the most important ones are Miami and New York!! As my friend (her name is Melanie by the way) has never been to the US either, we easily agreed on our destinations. Not only will we see Miami and New York, but also the Bahamas!!! It’s gonna be an amazing trip! 

GET COLORED!

Hey there! 

Today I want to tell you something about the popular HOLI FESTIVAL. As it took place last Saturday on the 14^th of June here in Graz. It was the first time I’ve been there and it was great fun! I have actually heard about this festival when I was in Australia last year. Some people were talking that there will be a holi festival somewhere in down under - but unfortunately it didn't happen. As soon as I had seen the pictures of this spectacular event, I knew that I have to go there :D it just looked like so much fun! And it was! 

For those of you who do not know what this whole festival is about (I myself didn’t have a clue when I heard of it the first time), let me tell you the story behind it :) 

Because it actually is a very important Hindu religious festival in INDIA. The spring festival is also known as the festival of colors or the festival of love. Instead of Holi it may also have different names in different parts of India, for example Phagwah.
Usually it is celebrated at full moon, but the date varies every year. Most of the time, it takes place in March or sometimes even in February and lasts for two to ten days. The festival has different meanings, it may for example signify the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter and for many it is just a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive.  

The second day has a very specific meaning. On this day, the caste-system is no longer valid. For this reason, all people are wearing white clothes (showing that all people are equal) and color each other with dry colored powder and colored water. They may even start water-fights using water guns and colored water-filled balloons. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders.

Outside of India, the Holi festival is just another reason to party. There are musicians and DJs to entertain the audience ..and, of course, alcohol. So far, the festival is celebrated in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom and even in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Moreover, it takes place in Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, New Zealand and in the United Arab Emirates.

I really enjoyed this festival because it was something different that I haven’t known before. Throwing around with various colors and don’t have to think about how you look (as everyone is colored and it doesn’t matter how your hair looks or your make up) was just awesome! I have been there with many friends of mine and we had a great day. I would definitely go there again :) (although it was a little bit expensive)

Check out the video! 

"Don't live a life, build one! Find your opportunities & ALWAYS be sexy!"

Hey everyone! 

Today I came across a quote made by the famous American entrepreneur Steve Jobs. He said: 

As I was reading this profound sentence, a video came into my mind, which I had watched a couple of months ago. The video contains a speech of Ashton Kutcher which he was holding at the Teen Choice Awards 2013 when he had won the Ultimate Choice Award. At that time, when I watched this video, I just returned from my adventure in Australia and didn’t really know what to study and not even where I should study. So I was somewhere between living life to the fullest in Australia and not having to think about the serious part of life and the REAL life back home. Ashton’s motivational speech and encouraging words really made me think. I admit watching it several times. In my opinion, he said some very important things. 
What I like the most is the sentence: “The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. Everything else is crap!” And I totally agree with that. There is nothing sexier than a man/woman who is clever. Of course, he or she doesn’t have to be brainy like Einstein, but I like talking to people who have something interesting to say as well as deep thoughts. You could be the sexiest man alive, if you have nothing in your head, I wouldn’t be interested in you. So if you want to be sexy, be SMART!

Moreover, I like the part when Asthon Kutcher talks about building a life. And living in a life that was made up by people that are NO SMARTER than us! This just puts it in a nutshell. We all are capable of achieving something great if we just try hard enough and believe in ourselves :) I know, I might sound a bit like a philosopher now, but if you really think about it… it’s true! Life is a choice and it is YOUR choice. 

Watch the video and BE THOUGHTFUL :)