Women's Studies 497A

Name: Jenny Difilippo

Major: Elementary Education with a Women's Studies minor

Homesite: PSU personal page

Quip: I am so excited about spending three weeks in Tanzania this summer. This class/trip has combined so many of my dreams into six weeks of learning and exploring. I have wanted to visit Africa for as long as I can remember. Before, my main concern was going on safari and while this is still a cause for my excitement, I am also looking at Tanzania as a place where I could spend the next few years of my life. I will be applying to the peace corps upon arrival back to the United States and my experiences on this trip will make the decision of if Africa is my top location choice or not. I want to help people and I want to change the world . . .I'm just not sure how to go about doing it yet.

Name: Tony (Toe-Knee) Keith

Major: M.Ed Candidate College Student Affairs

Quip: Excessively animated � easily enamored� neurotically creative � relentlessly optimistic� consistently hungry� infinitely communicating� persistently fidgeting� & passionately trying to save the world� I am seeking to enhance my understanding of social justice while wearing a cool pair of global lenses� I am aspiring to understand myself as a social change agent, advocate, & ally while finding my spirit under the stars of the Serengeti� Quite simply I am a graduate student, a poet, a native of Washington, D.C., and extremely excited about exploring all the possibilities of Tanzania with my new group of friends�

Name: Alyssa Ketterer

Major: Journalism, Women's Studies

Quip: Hujambo! I'm looking forward to taking full advantage of this rare opportunity to combine all of my interests: feminism, education, language, art, and activism. I can't wait to be part of this service-learning project that embodies all of my passions, especially going international! I'm so excited to share knowledge and experiences while participating in the movement toward social justice. This is the beginning of turning theory into practice... a beginning that will lead me into a life-long journey of learning and activism. Asante!

Name: Lisa LaJevic

Major: Art Education

Quip: What an experience this will be! I am looking forward to creating works of art with the students/learners of UAACC. Little about me: I am from Pittsburgh, PA (go Steelers). I taught elementary art for 4 years and am currently working toward my Ph.D. in art education. I love traveling, camping, photography, boating, the sun, and movies.

Name: Krista Moyer

Major: French and Women's Studies

Homesite: http://www.uf-os.net/krisat/

Quip: My interest in social justice goes back as far as I can remember. However, when I was at Governor's School for International Studies, I was given the opportunity to represent Nigeria in a simulated United Nations workshop throughout my five weeks in the program. Since then, I have been passionate about the developing world, and I have dreamed of travelling to Africa. This class was my first opportunity to do so, and the fact that it was a Women's Studies course (taught by Marla at that!) was just icing on the cake. I have also considered joining the Peace Corps after I graduate, and I hope this experience will show me whether or not this is something I would like to commit my life to. I am particularly excited about teaching, and I hope I can bring my knowledge and experience to the center to benefit the students, while also learning from them myself!

Name: Megan Nesper

Major: Journalism/Women's Studies

Quip: Hello! I am very exctied about our class and spending time in Tanzania. I wasn't too sure about what the class was going to be about, but as class continues I am starting to understand what it is all about and what we will be doing during our three week stay in Tanzania. I find it extremely important to always try to help and teach others, and this is an amazing opportunity to do that, but also for us to be helped and learn at the same time. I know that we are in for an experience of our lives, and I can't wait!

Name: Michael Richard Pipe, Jr.

Major: Political Science

Homesite: http://www.personal.psu.edu/mrp206/

Quip: Born in Meadowbrook, PA. Raised in Sellersville, PA and Souderton, PA. Educated at Quakertown Christian School and Christopher Dock Mennontie High School. Bought a "Dean for America" bumper sticker. Arrived at Penn State. Became a political science major. Voted for Kerry. Became an education major. Became a political science major, again. Took Women's Studies 103 and heard about taking a class on global activism in Africa. Signed up for Women's Studies 497A and never regreted it. Astonished by the great minds in the class: Tony well-spoken "pointer", Prince Pultizer Prize winning "clicker", Kristen artistic "waver", Alyssa intellectual "peacemaker", Shona earthy "finger-in-cheeker", Krista youthful "peruser", Carl technosavvy "odd ball", Michael politcal "twist and shouter", Dieu graduate with head high and "finger higher", Megan runner-writer "dancer", Jenny compassionate "Ohmigoodness-er", Kelly international woman of "mystery", Lisa teacher-student "shaken-not-stirred", Jannelle bold and certain, Crystal southern and soulful, and Marla professor with "360 degrees" of spirit.

Tanzania, here we come.

Name: Carl Sutherland

Homesite: http://cesutherland.uf-os.net/

Major: Computer Science and Mathematics

Quip: I have always had an interest in social issues. Given the technical emphasis of my coursework, this class seemed to me to be the perfect opportunity to expand my horizons. Specifically, horizons in TANZANIA!!! I look forward to using my skills and abilities to leave a little of myself behind, and taking a little of Tanzania back with me.

Name: Kelly Wilt

Major: International Politics, Women's Studies

Quip: When I initially heard of the opportunity to be a part of this class and travel to Tanzania, I realized there was no way that I could not participate, as it encompasses nearly all of my passions and interests. I have a strong desire to learn and understand and to help and improve (myself, others, and our surroundings). With thoughts of possibly joining the Peace Corps in the near future as well as (hopefully) doing extensive traveling within my career, I could not imagine a better way to introduce myself to traveling abroad. As we get closer to our departure date I feel myself getting more anxious and nervous. However, I truly feel confident that this will be an amazing experience for all of us.

Name: Kristen Wolfred

Major: Art Education and Printmaking

Homesite: http://www.personal.psu.edu/kmw285/

Quip: I am now entering my fifth year at PSU with an "intent" to graduate in Fall 2007 after a semester of student teaching in Pittsburgh. My interest in using art as a tool for social reform began when I realized how sharing my scented markers in third grade could change the whole outlook of the class from "I am not very good at art" to "at least my art smells like cherry!" In all sincerity, I am only beginning to unravel the curative powers of art and its positive impact on social renewal. Going to Tanzania on this service learning initiative has been a leap of faith for me being my first experience abroad, but I know it will act as a catalyst for my future involvement in art education. I am so thankful to be working with such an intelligent, dedicated, and passionate group of individuals to pioneer opportunity for future aid. I can only imagine what we will yield...