New year's eve in Yangon

On December 31st, when the world was getting ready to celebrate the new year, our group was having an action-packed day full of surprises. One of the highlights was visiting the Yangon school of political science, just a few blocs from our hotel. YSPS is a unique university where students can study and openly discuss politics in a country where the topic is still very controversial. We met with the director of the school and 12 students who explained why they chose YSPS and what differentiates the school from other government universities. Being AU students we of course started asking thought provoking questions about the current political climate or the ethnic conflict in Myanmar and ended up having a very interesting and interactive discussion. Our visit ended with a typical Burmese lunch with a few of the students and a visit to the National League for Democracy headquarters where we had the incredible honor of meeting Tin Oo, the chairman of the NLD. Later in the evening we toured Shwedagon pagoda (future post coming up on that) and finished with a delicious dinner before making our way back to the hotel, exhausted from a long but exciting day.
Overall new year's eve 2015 will be remembered for years to come!

Victoria

Day 0.5

Trudging out the airport, my mind allowed me to focus on two things: the mosquitoes and the heat. The mixture of sweat and must just made everything so real--we were actually in Myanmar. As I stared out the bus window on our way to the hostel, we passed by men in longhis, run down buildings, and people crossing the road like ones business. How was roadkill not prevalent in this country? By the time we got to the hostel, I got the idea that this probably wasn't going to be your average motel 6 in the States. We walked through the door-less entrance and cautiously walked up the semi-haphazard cement stairs. Tangled wires that hung from the ceiling didn't help my doubts either. Regardless, the state of the building turned out to be quite deceiving in the sense that everyone was absolutely welcoming. The room turned out to be completely fine-- luxurious even (under the given conditions). There was WiFi (granted, it functioned around -5 mbs but it turned out to be just the right start for my withdrawal from social media before PDO), an endless supply of water, Royal tea, oranges, AC, a rather comfortable bed, hot showers and a patio with a beautiful view in the everyday life of the Burmese.
We'll see how everything else goes.
Things I'm extremely apprehensive about:
- getting sick
- being culturally insensitive
- getting through the two weeks without like smelling pungent BO

(Sumire Maki)

Rose Weinmann - Student

My name is Rose Weinmann, I am freshman majoring in economics at American University. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area.  Growing up, I spent some time overseas in Kathmandu, Nepal,  this experience instilled in me a love of travel and learning. I am excited to learn more about  Myanmar’s unique culture, I feel so lucky to be able to experience this country first hand during such an important time in it’s history.

Victoria Pompei - Student

Hello, my name is Victoria Pompei, I’m a sophomore at AU majoring in law and society with a SIS minor. I’m very excited to be travelling to Myanmar this winter break, a country that has been on my bucket list for years! Travelling has always been my biggest passion, probably because I’m the typical example of a third culture kid having grown up between Italy, France and the UK. In the past few years I’ve developed a fascination for south east Asia and visited Thailand and Cambodia on different programs where education was a key focus. Therefore when I learned about this program I immediately knew I wanted to join! I can’t wait to broaden my knowledge on the region and embark on a new adventure with this wonderful group of people!

Sumire Maki - Student

Hello !

My name is Sumire Maki and I am an undeclared first year undergraduate at American University. 

I am originally from Japan but considering the fact that I have lived in the USA for the most of my life, I identify as a proud Japanese American. 

Quincy MA is where I call home but I usually will say that I'm from Boston to skip the tedious explanation.

As a first time participant in the Alternative Breaks program, social justice is quite a new realm for me. However, I am ecstatic to learn more about education, especially with Myanmar as its background. 

Besides education, my interests extend to disabled rights, intercultural communications, photography and dancing. 

My hope is that this trip will somehow be applicable to the community back at the AU and DC area. 

Sean Peterson - Student

My name is Sean Peterson. I am an 18 year-old first year student at American University. I am in the School of International Service and am studying International Relations. I am from Essex, Connecticut on the Connecticut River and near Long Island Sound. Some hobbies of mine include skiing, fishing, running, and boating. This will be my first time traveling to Asia and I am very excited. I cannot wait to learn about Myanmar firsthand. What I am looking forward to most is meeting as many new people as possible and discovering the similarities and differences between our two cultures.

Ryne Cender - Student

Major: International Training & Education

Grade: 1st Year Graduate Student 

Home: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Fun Fact: I am the only Canadian of the group. 

Why you are coming: I want to learn more about the challenges students face in the Myanmar education system as the government shifts from authoritative to democratic. My goal after completing the ITEP grad program is to work with students wanting to study abroad. What I hope to gain from this adventure to Myanmar is an understanding of what motivates students in the country and what dreams they have for themselves, their country, and their culture. Also, the desire to visit a part of the world that has been rarely been visited by westerners is a large motivating factor.