My B.A. at the University
of
Washington
I am interested in studying the possible solutions for developing nations to reach 'sustainability.' Tourism, especially eco-tourism, provides a new way to look at economic growth for local economies. One of the misnomers, though, is how much money gained from tourism stays within the country. Many food and hotel chains, even tour programs are run by American and European businesses, which lead to a leakage of profits back to the West. Eco-tourism seems to provide a new way to keep the profits within the community, but environmental damage and lack of respect towards the indigenous people living in the tropical rain forests, for example, can be devastating to the local economy also. I want to do more research on development solutions, in order to create possible programs that help people suffering from poor health conditions and poverty in underdeveloped countries in Latin America.
My professional goals include working with immigration organizations, where I can plan English as a Second Language classes, citizenship courses, and programs to help immigrants become adjusted here in the United States. I might work for the government in foreign relations work within the Americas also. I have considered moving to the American Southwest, possibly to Arizona to help a greater amount of Latin American immigrants, and because this region of the United States fascinates me with its unique blend of Mexican and American culture, a so-called third culture. Rick Roth, the Geography adviser, recommended the University of Arizona or Arizona State University for continued study of development at the graduate level. I am also considering obtaining a Master's degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in order to help immigrants in the United States or abroad. If I decide to take a break after receiving my bachelor's degree, I may join the Peace Corps to gain field experience and work directly with people in other countries.
Through my study of geography at the University of Washington, I am learning geographic research and map design techniques. I think these skills are valuable for communication of my ideas and will be beneficial in my professional career. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods will allow me to perform research by conducting interviews and analyzing census data for governmental or non-profit organizations. The ability to design effective maps will permit me to communicate my research effectively and in turn, help different populations of people in the United States and Latin America.
In my second year of undergraduate study here at the University of Washington, I have two more years until the completion of my geography degree. Next year, I will be studying development in Quito, Ecuador through the State of Washington Cooperative Development Studies Program. I have declared my second major in Latin American Studies and will complete those requirements when I return as well. These two majors will enable me to learn about social and economic problems, specifically in Latin America. I will then have the knowledge and skills to work with organizations that help immigrants coming to the United States or other people in need.
This quarter, I am taking Geography 330, Latin America: Landscapes of Change with Professor Frenkel, in order to learn more about the historical, political, and social influences on economic development in Latin America. There is a Service Learning option in this course, and I have chosen to volunteer two hours a week at the Latino organization, El Centro de la Raza, where I tutor a group of adults in English and U.S. History in preparation for the U.S. Citizenship Test. I would be involved with more service learning opportunities in my future courses, because it gives me practical experience and introducing me to a possible career field. I am also taking Geography 360, Principles of Cartography, which has introduced me to map design techniques for presentation of research data. The tutorial class for new Geography majors, Geography 397, has helped me think about my goals and plan my future coursework for the most educational experience here. This summer I will take a course entitled Cultural Geography of Latin America, Geography 451 from Professor Warren in the Jackson School of International Studies for continued preparation for my studies in Ecuador. I may continue to research cultural issues in Latin America while abroad, because further research may lead to a senior paper topic in my Latin American Studies major.
This fall, I will be studying Spanish language and culture in Quito, Ecuador. I think this quarter will prepare me for the winter quarter development seminar, in Spanish. I will take a Development, Health, and Environment seminar in the winter of 2000, which will be very beneficial in learning about social and economic problems in Latin America. I will receive Geography 430, Contemporary Development credit for this seminar and Latin American Studies credit. In the spring of 2000, I will do an internship in an indigenous community in Ecuador and apply what I have learned from the seminar. I may receive Geography 496 Internship credit during this experience if I find a UW Geography professor to communicate with over the quarter and share what I've learned.
When I return from my foreign study in Ecuador, I will take more Geography and Latin American Studies courses to complete my degrees and learn about the various conditions occurring in Latin America. During Autumn Quarter of 2000, I plan to take Geography 371, World Hunger and Resource Development with Lucy Jarosz about world hunger and poverty problems in the world. Lara Davis, the Geography adviser recommended the class to me, and I am looking forward to taking part in the service learning component of this course. I will also take Geography 497, Geography Honors seminar if I am accepted into the Honors Program this summer. For my Latin American Studies major, I will also take Portuguese and a Latin American history course.
In the winter of 2001, I plan to take Geography 425, Qualitative Research Methods to learn more about interviewing as a method for ethnographic and geographic research and find out if I want to conduct similar research for an organization or the government as a career. I plan to take Geography 497, Geography Honors to continue preparing my senior thesis. I will also take another Portuguese class and Latin American history class for the Latin American Studies major requirements.
During my last quarter here in the spring of 2001, I plan to take Geography 431, Geography and Gender to gain a different perspective on international development and learn about gender inequalities in the developing world. I would like to take Professor Mitchell's class, Geography 344, Migration in the Global Economy to learn more about migration patterns and their relationship to the economy or Professor Sparke's class, Geography 308, Canada: A Geographic Interpretation, which discusses the concept of political boundaries and indigenous rights issues. I will also take Geography 497, Geography Honors and Geography 494, Senior Essay in order to complete my senior thesis and show research I have conducted based on my development studies here at the University of Washington.
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