Who Run the World?
Early on into my program, I promised a post detailing the role of women I observed here in Morocco. And it’s really only fitting, seeing as the genesis of this project is centered around women’s empowerment after all. But before…
Category Stories
“What have I gotten myself into?”
“If at some point you don’t ask yourself, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ then you’re not doing it right.” – Roland Gau This is a comforting sentiment because I’ve had this thought nearly a dozen times over the past…
No Nutella Left
Over the past 5 weeks, I’ve gone through 1 jar of peanut butter, half a jar of strawberry jam and 2 Jumbo bottles of Nutella. I wouldn’t call it stress eating, but I wouldn’t call it a healthy habit either.…
Once Upon a Moroccan Wedding
One of my favorite parts about my job at Feminin Pluriel was the wide variety of students that I got to work with and invest in… Everything from 6 year old beginners to astrophysicists seeking to improve their writing abilities…
The Separation Barrier
In my last entry, I mentioned crossing the checkpoints into Bethlehem. I’m going to talk more about that in this post. In June of 2002, Israel began construction on what is referred to as a separation barrier (which I will…
Confessions of a Volunteer English Teacher
Last week, I mentioned the difficulties presented in my project by the frequent changes in classes due to shifting needs at the Empowerment Center. Over the course of my time here, I have taught just under 10 different classes. As…
Dirty Hands
The only time my hands really get dirty at home is when I willingly garden on the 4’x6’ foot patio of my fourth floor apartment in Nashville. Once the weeds are gone and all the succulents and catci are comfortable…
Welcome to Bethlehem!: Five (and a Half) Days
Where to begin? I arrived in Bethlehem nearly six days ago, and yet it feels like I’ve been here for much, much longer. But I mean that in a positive way. I feel so different already from the girl who landed in Tel…
Stargazing in the Sahara
Last weekend, I joined the group of West Point cadets for a weekend camping in the Sahara desert. The cadets are led by a professor of comparative politics and anthropology, who has become an incredible resource to me as I…
Letting Go
A week ago, I came back from the US feeling strange. After 6 weeks in Honduras, returning to US living was startling, a contrast I had somewhat expected. I loved being with my family and enjoying the comforts of life,…