Nov. 6, 2009 I The Clarion
Page 3
News
Personal letters from students studying in Costa Rica
by Lindsay Shaeffer, Cole Altizer, and
Lucy Matthews
Contributors
photo courtesy
Although I miss Brevard and all the
amazing people there, Costa Rica has
been one of the most incredible learning
experiences of my life. In the begiiming, I
was a little worried about the whole "culture
shock" phenomenon. However, the people
here are so friendly and welcoming, so
culture shock was not an issue for me. When
I first arrived, I was greeted with 'besitos'
from my Tica Mom and sister (15 years old).
From that point on, my family has taken
such good care of me, and it has been so fun
getting to know them. My Tico dad, Tica
mom, two Tica sisters and I have formed
an incredible relationship. I really feel apart
of their family, and we fill the house with
laughter I feel so blessed being able to
learn Spanish in such a beautiful country,
and it helps being here with two beautiful
people!! Everyday I learn so much about
the language, culture and about myself It
is a growing experience academically and
personally, and I am having a blast!
-Lindsay Shaeffer
When I first got to Costa Rica I expected
total Culture Shock, but the easy way
of living
here made
for a fast
adjustment
and I found
I fit in right
away. I live
with a family
of four: the
Dad, Mom,
Sister (16)
and Brother
(21). They
made my adjustment to this country easy
and fast. Besides doing the things that are
required of the Spanish minor here, I love
to get away to the beaches on the weekends.
There are so many beautiful places to travel
and not enough time. I love it here and tell
everyone that the only thing this country is
missing is my family and close friends, if
they were here who knows if I would ever
come back.
- Cole Altizer
Hola and blessings from the beautiful
country of Costa Rica! For me, this a place
where the glory of God comes alive. I wake
up every morning to a one-year-old boy.
photo courtesy L. Matthwes
photo courtesy L. Matthwes
with the most brilliant smile you’ve ever
seen, pounding on my bedroom door to
tell me that my breakfast of Gallo Pinto
(traditional breakfast of rice and beans
with scrambled eggs) is waiting on the
table. We are a family of nine, including
grandparents, two of their children, three
grandchildren, myself and another student
from California, and in my house there is
never a dull moment! I have discovered that
the beauty of Costa Rica lies in the hearts
of the people here and how deeply they
value relationships. There are not words
to describe the love that God has given me
for the people of this country and I am just
overwhelmed by this opportunity. Through
weekly work in an elderly home and in the
local soup kitchen here, I am learning more
about serving and the importance of truly
knowing the Spanish language in order to
better serve those I work with. I give God
the glory for how He has allowed us to learn
and grow and the incredible ways that He
has answered prayers.
-Lucy Matthews
Brevard College professor to share poetry
by J.T. Moore
Contributor
This coming Monday, November the 9th,
Dr Ken Chamlee will be reading some of
his new poetry in MG 113. Dr Chamlee has
been a professor here at Brevard College
since 1978, and he has also published
two books of poetry. Logic of the Lost
and Absolute Faith. His poetry has also
appeared in many Journals
and Reviews.
Dr Chamlee was invited
to speak on campus by the
Sesquipedalian Literary
Society. He is the fourth
author the S. L. S. has
invited to read this semester
Dr Chamlee is currently
writing a biography in
poems of the 19th century
American landscape painter
Albert Bierstadt.
the personal, historical, and
enviroimiental connections this
project has for him, and he
will talk about Albert Bierstadt
the man, the historical period
in which Bierstadt lived, the
painter’s reputation, and then
read some of his new poems.
The event will take place in
MG 217 at 12:30 this coming
Monday. Whether you love
poetry, art, or history. Dr.
Chamlee’s presentation will have
On Monday, Dr Chamlee will explain something for everyone.