Read Irina’s Blog from Mexico

About Me:

One of the first things you would find out if you met me vis-à-vis is that I’m Russian. Born and raised (well, sort of). I was born in Moldova, but at that time it was still part of the Soviet Union, lived in the Far East (which is COLDER than Siberia, average winter temperature: -40 C) and moved to the United States with my parents and younger sister because of the less-than-favorable economic prospects of Russia in 1997. I still speak the language, still eat the food, and still wear red on International Laborer’s Day (May 1st). Today I live in New York City, home of the crowded streets and smelly subway system, but most importantly the UN. I say UN because it is a symbol of what the world should strive for (no, not inefficiency and as some may say uselessness, but for harmony and democratically run organizations). That being said, I am somewhat of a politics nerd. I’m a proud libertarian (and for those that are new to this political affiliation, think socially liberal but fiscally conservative) and a staunch activist for, well, political activism. The only thing worse than bad leadership is apathy, and it’s something I try to fight against as hard as I can. That’s why I am part of the Junior State of America, the largest student run organization in the country. We’re a debate organization, where students are not shunned for knowing who Kofi Annan is (contrary to popular belief, not a brand of coffee!). As I finish off my junior year of high school, I am anxiously anticipating my summer in Mexico and look forward to college, which I hope is just beyond the horizon.

My Favorites:

Activities: I have been dancing for 11 years, studying mainly ballet and tap. Although I’ve decided not to pursue a career as a professional dancer, my love for dance is just as strong as that of a professional. It’s taught me to try new things, to never loose my temper – because you never know when you’re going to need it, and to never give up. Besides dance, I enjoy performing in general, ranging from musical theatre, to regular theatre, to improvisation, and contrastingly, to debate. I also genuinely enjoy community service. Whether I am volunteering at the local national park, which for me happens to be the historic Fort Wadsworth, or working on a recycling initiative in my school, I cannot think of a better reward than to know that my actions helped someone or something. Finally, I love to read. Although high school has (ironically) made it very difficult to read my own books, I never lost that love that my mother instilled me for books.

Interests: My biggest interest is politics, specifically international relations. The world we live in today has been shaped by globalization, for better or worse, and I feel that it is the responsibility of citizens of every country, global citizens if you will, to understand the events and influences that continue to shape our world. When I open the New York Times I immediately flip to the International Section, for knowing what happens “there” helps me understand what happens here, politically, socially, and economically. It is difficult for me to continue naming my other interests, because for that I would have to write a book - with about 1,000 volumes. However, I will write this: I have been blessed with the thirst for knowledge. I can usually find something to entice me, whether it be a simple short story or a complex new invention. Thus chances are, you name it, I’m interested.

Music: Salsa! Although I listen to about everything with pleasure, salsa and Spanish/Latin American music in general really resonates with me. ie: Carlos Gardel, Julieta Venegas, Diego Torres, Paco de Lucia, Mecano, and of course Tango.

TV Shows: Mythbusters, House, Saturday Night Live, the Colbert Report, the Dailey Show, So You Think You Can Dance

Movies: Gandhi, Good Night and Good Luck, Dead Poet’s Society, American History X, Death At a Funeral, Ocean’s Eleven

Books: 1984, George Orwell; Theatre, Somerset Maugham; Man of the House, Tip O’Niel; Ragged Dick, Horatio Alger; The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas; Journalistic Fraud: How the New York Times Distorts the News and Why It Can No Longer Be Trusted, Bob Kohn; Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond

Quotes: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“Live well. That is the greatest revenge.” - ?

“Work like you don’t need the money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody’s watching.” - ?

“The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the disabled.” – Hubert Humphrey

Questions from the field:

Why did you pick your host country?

One of the first spurts of interest in Mexico I experienced came when I was reading a parallel text anthology of short stories by Hispanic authors, entitled Cuentos Hispanicos II. Although I was reading some of the greats, such as Ana Maria Matute and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one stuck in my mind long after I finished. This was Carlos Fuentes’ El Costo de la Vida, a story about the devastating poverty and hopeless outcomes of war. Its powerful language and emotional air resonated with me, even though I have never experienced either of the two. That is the tell tale sign of phenomenal writing – when it can arouse in the reader feelings they did not know they had.

On another account of my readings, I came across Octavio Paz. Immediately I was blown away by his work. His poems reminded me very much of Pablo Neruda’s (one of my favorite poets), filled with expressions of love, while transcending the typical troubadour’s song of love. His poetry has a way of fusing physical and spiritual nature, evoking feelings of uncertainty and yet tranquility in a world of chaos, such as in Frente al Mar. This furthered my already curious interest in Mexican literature.

This year, however, another approach to the arts solidified my interest in Mexico and all it has to offer. This fall I took a humanities course that focused on 20th century art. When we studied cubist realism our main focus was on Diego Rivera and his murals. As we studied The Liberation of the Peon – its color choices, positioning techniques, and most importantly the message it sends – I realized that the plight of the Mexican people is one just as deep and affecting as that of any people. Its story is one that deserves telling by the greatest narrators of time. After that study of Rivera, I became fascinated with this story.

This is why I have chosen to study abroad in Mexico. Being that I am fascinated with the story of the Mexican people, Oaxaca is the perfect place for me to learn. It is recorded that in the Oaxaca province alone, there are sixteen indigenous Central American groups, among them the Zapotecs and Miztecs, which speak and preserve over 150 dialects of their ancient tongues. In addition, Oaxaca was at one point under the control of the Aztecs, and therefore has an abundance of ruins that take one back to a past existent over half a century ago. In addition, it is said that when the Spanish took over Oaxaca, after the conquest of the Aztecs, the priests and conquistadors were so overpowered by the beauty of the land that they decided to build cathedrals that were even grander than nature. Consequently, the architecture of Oaxaca is grandiose and magnificent, for it tries to outdo the unbeatable exquisiteness of the natural world.

The culture of Oaxaca, according to what I have read and seen in videos, is a festive and vibrant one. UNESCO declared Oaxaca a World Heritage Site, due to its distinct display of cultures in the region. I have always wanted to attend a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico, and I recently learned that it is Oaxaca that is contended to have the most exciting celebration on Halloween. However, even though I would not be able to see that celebration during my summer stay in the region, I would be in time for Guelaguetza, a festival celebrating the gods and offering the heavens gifts in return for a plentiful harvest that year. This is considered one of the biggest and most important celebrations in Oaxaca, both for its religious importance and also for its traditional repetition. Dancing, eating, and singing are just the beginning of the festivities – for it is the joyousness in the air that defines Guelaguetza. This I learned just from reading about the holiday; I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like to experience it.

What I came to love best about Oaxaca in my readings was not the distinct celebrations however, although I am equally intrigued by them, but rather the atmosphere that presides over the region in everyday life. The marketplace is an ongoing festival of life, culture and togetherness. A meal is ritual in itself – with its lengthy and traditional preparations, along with customary serving practices – and brings families, friends, and even strangers together over one common life joy. A walk down el Corridor Turistico in the evening embodies the spirit of Oaxaca, and even more so, all of Mexico. The culture of Oaxaca, I realize, cannot be adequately described in the words of a simpleton like myself – only in the words of the great poets such as Paz or Marti. Furthermore, I realize that one who has not visited this enchanting city cannot truly speak for its wonders. However, I am convinced of its splendor and am yearning to experience it for myself.

What made you want to study abroad?

I think just about every teenager dreams about traveling the world. Escaping into an unknown world is what my age group longs for most, because it is outside the normal parameters of what we define as life. I am no exception to this pattern. However, my dreams about traveling the world do not stop at visiting every European country in a week, or at “visiting” Bangladesh (for example) by a connection made in the country’s airport, and therefore never stepping out into the real setting of the nation. When I dream about world travel, I mean I want to experience the world, not just see it. I want to travel along the canals with the Italians in Venice, I want to worship with the Hindus in New Delhi, and I want to dance with the Mexicans in Oaxaca.

In addition, I believe that studying abroad will also prepare me linguistically for my dream career – that of a diplomat. In today’s world, diplomacy is every nation’s first line of defense against serious conflict. Although many believe that diplomacy is just another layer of corruption between governments, I believe that it can serve a higher purpose - for the cause of the betterment of the world. By learning Spanish at this young age, I will have secured a very resourceful language – one that can be used in five continents. Spanish is also a romance language and I therefore could use it as a base for future endeavors in French and Italian.