Defence for Children International gets most of its funding from various Ministries of Foreign Affairs and private organizations and foundations. In the past fiscal year the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been the largest source of income for our organizations. Grant Applications for the Norway MFA are due by the end of this calendar year, so on Tuesday, Laetitia and I headed over to the Norwegian embassy to meet with the human rights ambassador to discuss possible funding for next year. It was a very interesting meeting and an awesome experience. Laetitia and the ambassador began talking about their various experiences, where they have lived, etc. and next thing I know Laetitia had made a smooth transition into discussing the grant application. I really admire the way the conversations shift was handled. We discussed Norway’s stance on children in conflict with the law as well as what their human rights council will be focusing on for the upcoming year. We began discussing the vulnerability and the ambassador had an interesting paint about it. She said that people are not vulnerable, she stated than conditions, and situations create vulnerable situations. I had never looked at it through this light; I think it is a very interesting point of view and gave me much to think about. We discussed how there is a danger in labeling people as “victims”, if they are victimized it makes the individual seem useless, ineffective and less resourceful, which is in turn hurting the individual and the cause. I realized how I throw the term, victim around, and how I really should choose my words more carefully.
Wednesday I was not feeling too feel so I stayed home, rested, worked on my paper, and did a little work from home. Really looking forward to Lucerne and Zurich this weekend!!I have been meaning to post my first essay on the blog for those interested in reading it (no pressure!)…so here it is!
“Peaces” of the Puzzle: Essay 1
Originally, when I decided I wanted to study abroad, Switzerland was not even on my list of options. It is almost as if I have landed here by fate. I was attracted to this study abroad program based on the internship aspect, and the timing. Once I got accepted I began to do my research and realized that Switzerland is a lot more than just chocolate, cheese, and mountains—not that I am belittling ANY of that ! Although I still did not know what to expect. I have spent the past two summers traveling. Summer of 2008 I interned in Barcelona, and this past summer I spent doing community service in Israel. Each experience was so different and I knew Geneva would be like nothing I had experienced before.
When I started writing this paper I was having a lot of trouble because I didn’t want to sound cliché, but how many other ways are there to describe a mountain as breathtaking, which is exactly what they are. This city is so diverse. It is almost as if Geneva is a puzzle, with many different types of pieces; each one has different shapes, textures, colors, smells, etc. At first glance one may wonder how these pieces could ever make a cohesive, fully functioning, exuberant city, but once they are together, and the puzzle is completed it makes perfect sense.
The energy from this city is incredible. I feel this most on my morning commute. I am not a morning person, at all. So when I realized that I have to be at work by nine, with a forty minute commute, and leave time to wait for the tram… and then the bus… and to get lost; I was not looking forward to it. That quickly changed. I enjoy my commute to work, never thought I would enjoy anything before eleven! When I leave “home” the first thing I pass is the fountain in the garden. I love hearing the sound of the water, it is very fluid and calming…how I hope my day will be! Then I get to the tram stop. I find that Geneva, in general is much like their public transportation system…effective, clean, diverse, and relatively easy to navigate. I enjoy packing on to the train with people so close I can’t move. The business man on the phone, the mothers dropping their kids off at school, even the dog…everyone has a place to be and everyone is getting there as quickly as they can with a positive demeanor. I love passing by and seeing H&M on one side of me and a beautiful historic fountain on the other. It is what Switzerland is all about, uniqueness within similarity. I then transfer to the bus via Bel Air Cité. Walking to the bus I pass the cutest little bakeries that I thought only existed in books…over overpriced (as usual) but none the less adorable! Then get on the bus towards Vermont. Vermont, my stop is also the stop for many Non governmental Organizations, as well as organizations affiliated with the UN and non profits. On this bus everyone is speaking different languages, dressed quite nicely, and wears very official looking badges. I love feeling like one of the locals!
I had the preconceived notion that the Swiss were not friendly. I can not even tell you exactly where I got that from, but I just thought everyone was going to be stuck up and rude. Within an hour of my arrival I knew that was not the case. Let me start out by saying that I speak no French, with the exception of hello, good bye, where is the bathroom, and some inappropriate phrases some friends felt necessary to equip me with before I boarded the plane….So here I am in the Geneva airport, with the name of Le Cénacle, no knowledge of French and an over stuffed backpack, 2 duffels, and an absurdly large tote bag. I got my bags, went through customs and stared at a map. Someone must have noticed the dazed and confused look on my face and asked me where I was going. This gentleman showed me which bus and tram to take and wrote it down for me. After getting on the tram I was waiting at the bus stop and once it came I unsuccessfully tried to get ALL of my luggage on the bus. The bus driver stopped the bus, came out and helped me!! I was so pleasantly surprised! He asked me where I was going and at my stop he again, stopped the bus and helped me take everything out of the bus. Another girl got off at my stop as well and she offered to walk my bags to Le Cénacle with me. I told her I would be able to manage on my own but nonetheless it was such a nice offer. Since then I have learned that the Swiss are happy to help, all you have to do it ask!
At first I was very frustrated with my lack of French, and while at times it is still frustrating I have decided to embrace it. I try to learn and pick up as much as I can but I also am taking time to read peoples’ facial expressions and mannerisms and it is quite astonishing to realize what you can get out of a glance or a tone of voice; things I have never had to pay attention to when I can understand the words alone.
I am loving Geneva. Everyday I try to not just visit this city… but to experience it. I want to soak it all in! I think I’m off to a pretty good start and can’t wait to continue my journey with the country that is more than just cheese, chocolate, and mountains!
Bon Week-end! Miss you all!! See you soon!
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