Official First Roommate

I talked about Lesley Loaiza from Tucson, Arizona being my first roommate in the blog entry "My First Host Family"

But now that I look back, my official roommate was really Alexandra Neageau from Romania ! If you can look back at my blog entry, "Reaching Denver" - we were roommates at the Microtel Inn where we spent our first night in the US. (We arrived too early!)

Anyway, it's a wonder what the Internet can do today - imagine, we were all able to have our hotel rooms booked from all over the world! It was Rafael from Brazil who made the arrangements from the comfort of his home in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Thanks Rafa! It's such a wonder that we were able to do that without ever having to meet each other face to face.

Well, they probably used an online booking agent like http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com/United-States/ which I think is so convenient and definitely makes the world smaller! Sometimes Internet booking is also cheaper.

I know the readers of this blog come from all over the world, and most are interested in travel. Let me differentiate 'traveler' from 'tourist' - for me a traveler is one who is eager to feel the local flavor and not just the recommended stuff in guidebooks. If you are a budget traveler, I guess you'll benefit from these links that I am sharing :-) So whether you are really traveling soon or merely traveling through the web - these sites can help you plan your adventure in the United States soon (OR, apply to be an Up With People student for the ultimate adventure!)

Top US destinations

Cheap Miami Hotels
Cheap New York Hotels
Cheap San Francisco Hotels

Cheap Los Angeles Hotels

You can see the famous footprints in Hollywood, LA.

Around this time a year ago...

... I was at the height of my UWP preparations.

From time to time, you will see me update this blog about my previous experiences or about stories that I failed to write about. As I was reviewing my entries for the book I plan to publish.. I saw a lot of holes that I can still fill and entries that I'd like to improve.

Keeping this blog going will also increase awareness about UWP and my fervent wish that people support Pinoys who want to travel with the program.

I also hope to earn a little bit of revenue through advertising so I can support this campaign. So please check back from time to time to read more of the adventure!

Maximizing UWP's Impact in Developing Countries

April 30, 2008

Dear Up With People colleagues,

Hi! My name is Hanna Fernando-Pacua , 26 years old from the Philippines. I traveled with Cast B 2007 last year and it was the greatest experience I ever had. I would like to thank everyone in UWP who made it possible. I couldn’t have done it without your encouragement and support.

I consider myself very blessed to have been awarded a very, very significant UWP scholarship. (Up to now I still find it unbelievable…) If I were to convert the USD 12,000.00 fee to Philippine peso considering the 2008 average exchange rate:

$1.00 = PHP 41.00
$12,000 = PHP 492,000

(when I traveled in 2007, the exchange rate was PHP 52.00 to a dollar!!!)

What can people in my country get for half a million Philippine Pesos ?

Aside from being able to pay the down payment for a house and lot or being able to buy a brand new car … P500,000.00 could also afford :

4 years of college education for 2 students (plus some allowances…) at the country’s premiere state university

10 modest but brand new houses for the poor through the Gawad Kalinga program

4 public high schools provided with internet access and enough computers to improve education delivery through the Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access (GILAS) program

I remember saying in my scholarship application that I would have to give up my UWP slot if I was not given a significant amount. The tuition , for a common Filipino – is simply too much to handle. It was almost sinful to ask for so much money for one person when it could do so much for so many!

Because of the beautiful experience I had with UWP, I am really hopeful that many other deserving young Filipinos will be able to travel. I have been making a career in social development even before UWP – and I think the program would encourage more students to go into this field.

Ever since I returned to my country, I have done some interviews for admissions and also a few presentations about UWP. Based on my experience with working with youth leaders in the Philippines, the potential for interested and of-quality applicants is really unbelievable! But the main issue here is the financial need. Especially now that the fees have increased to $14,000, not including additional expenses such as plane fares and VISA fees.

For lack of a better phrase, “my heart aches” as I interview promising students who worry about the huge financial barrier or as I see young people’s enthusiasm fade once they learn about the tuition fees and other expenses involved.

Even the standard answers I learned from my travel year for the “How much would it cost me ?” questions during admissions presentations won’t do the trick in the Philippines. It is just simply too much for young people to digest (who are most probably fresh graduates or just starting their careers) in our country. Even experienced organizations find it hard to raise half a million Philippine pesos for well-advertised causes. However, I am still trying my best to assist the qualified students in their fundraising and have come up with a resource mobilization manual with “Philippine flavor” (please email me so I can send you a copy)

Perhaps, we can target well-off families and exclusive schools in the Philippines? Let us not close the door on this possibility, but then take note that those who can afford the tuition only make up a small percentage of the Philippine population. I also believe that UWP education should not only be for those who can afford it but for those who deserve it, value it, and for those who will use it well.

I dream of more young people getting the same exhilarating experience that I had when I traveled with UWP. I see this happening by getting more Filipinos to participate with the International cast, or by bringing UWP’s experiential learning experience closer to home.

1. Proposal for the establishment of the Up With People Developing Country Scholarship/ Subsidy Fund– allotment of a specific amount of funds for students from developing / 3^rd world countries.

- can be a special fund window separate from the UWP Alumni Association scholarship that specifically targets developing countries

- would increase the possibilities for more participants from developing countries which may lead to more diverse casts and richer inter-cultural learning experiences

- appointed committees or regional offices can establish specific criteria for students

- would enable students/ potential students set realistic financial goals

- another approach is to make program more ‘selective’ and accepting limited applications so fundraising can be more focused towards the fees of ‘the chosen few’

2. Proposal for an Up With People Developing Country Program – develop a UWP-prescribed Curriculum and Model designed for developing countries.

- Similar goals with UWP but for a more local setting. It’s “knowing one’s own backyard” This could be a division of UWP or implemented in partnership with a local company/ organization. (A local cast can be formed that travels around the country for a certain period of time spreading the message of peace and service. They also partner with local groups, stay with host families, etc..)

- Local setting means localized and more reachable expenses. Financial goals could be more realistic for students, sponsors and potential donors.

- Operations to be supported or endorsed by UWP international but local resource mobilization should also be in place

- This program could maintain its global flavor through international speakers and interaction with the main program of UWP. (i.e. International Cast to meet/ perform with Local Cast)

- Replicating the experiential learning process on the local level enabling more young people to experience it.

- Continuity and sustainability of community impact programs in developing countries, not to mention the publicity and media value for UWP as a whole.

- Building lasting relationships with communities, NGOs and sponsors

- Create a pool of outstanding leaders that has great potential to travel with an international cast of UWP.

- Opportunity for Up With People to empower communities and organizations and create a lasting impact in developing countries

The possibilities are endless! I am sure, if crafted well – the Developing Country Program can catch the attention of local sponsoring institutions. I hope you will be able to help me echo my wishes for the young people of the Philippines and other developing countries.

Imagine the potential global impact Up with People would have if we open up these windows of opportunities and create a multiplier effect on students, organizations and communities.

Please help me develop these ideas and make it a reality. Who are the right people to write for UWP to consider supporting these proposals? I am really open to discuss further these possibilities – please feel free to contact me through my email hanna.fernando@gmail.com , mobile phone +63 917 5201888 or we can arrange a call through Yahoo Messenger or Skype.

Sincerely,

Hanna Fernando-Pacua

Up With People Cast B 2007

Education Intern and Advance Team member for Prenzlau, Germany

BananaSpin Survey Up!

I am constantly searching for ways to improve my craft. As I close this blog, allow me to trouble you for just a little bit more to answer this quick survey.

There should be a pop up of this survey in this blog. If it doesn't pop, please click :

HOW WELL DID BANANA [spin] ?

Thanks so much for everything!

The End of My Journey

As wonderful as it was - and there are still a lot of stuff that I want to go back to, and write about, and share with you... I believe it is now time for me to move on!

It is very hard to sum up what I have learned from UWP. When faced with the question, “How was it?” we alumni would probably share knowing glances with understanding settling happily deep in our hearts. Trying to explain the experience to non-alumni would be very, very difficult – with the risk also of sounding so weird.

I could probably come up with a whole compilation of stuff I learned, ranging from leadership concepts, stages of group development, facilitation and communication techniques to immigration policies – and even a whole slew of games that can be played by people from six to sixty. But I will spare you from that overwhelming sensation and share with you the seemingly small, but valuable lessons that I learned from my UWP experience.

As one of our songs in the Show goes, “One to One, We Change the World” – when we help, let’s not dwell on how many people --- but think more about how we can help them well. Let’s not think about saving the world (this can get overwhelming) but let’s think about helping one person at a time, or taking up one cause at a time and totally being committed to it without flying away from reality. Don’t limit yourself to seeing only a few ways on how people can help others – some blessed people may have the money, the power, and the fame to give away, but you might have the passion, the time, the heart and the talent to share to make a difference in people’s lives.

Open your eyes to your surroundings. You never know when your help can be valuable. Or when what’s happening can be valuable to you. Always remember that even one chance encounter can impact your life (or theirs!). Watch the news. Read the papers. Care and be aware.

The hardest person to ever try to please is your self. We may set outrageous standards for ourselves based on comparison to other people. Let’s make our own (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound) goals and reach for it. Make each task your own.

Accept compliments, treasure and nurture them – and use them well. Believe in yourself enough to have self-confidence … but not too much that you make others lose theirs. Be open to feedback and be thankful for honesty – because criticism can be the best advice that people who really care can give you.

Celebrate differences. The world would be boring without it. You might also be surprised how similar two different people can be – no matter where they are from or what their status in life is. And, always remember that what is “common sense” to you may not be the same kind of “common sense” to others.

Think positive. Do not be scared of the world. Bad stuff are probably only 5% of everything that is happening. Good stuff don’t make the news because they are, well, normal. People and the World are essentially good; they just need to be constantly reminded about it.

It’s never too late to get yourself out of a mess. It’s never too late for you to pursue your passion.

Take pictures. Journal. Remember people’s names. Live in the now but do not lose sight of the past and plan (not worry) for the future.

Communicate. It may be hard sometimes but it would be harder not to.

Dance :-) believe me it doesn't matter if you do it well or not. Just dance and feel its power!

Love and Respect are the two essential values that everyone should possess to achieve world peace.

These were the lessons I learned and will value for the rest of my life. The UWP experience is a very personal experience, and what I have written here may not be the case for my other cast-members. As with any other experience, you live it, you make it your own, and you learn what you choose to learn.

Up with People was an amazing experience, and I will never stop raving on and on about how it made lot of my dreams come true. I traveled the world, went whitewater rafting, danced and sang on stage, did a whole lot of service, made a presentation in front of an international audience, saw Anne Frank’s House for real, been on TV – and a lot more. But it is about time that I plant myself firmly on Philippine soil and start living again.

This blogging adventure, like the actual journey – was never without bumps. I had trouble updating for many reasons, lack of time, lack of will, lack of internet access (but certainly not lack of interesting things! The events chronicled here are not even in the vicinity of EVERYTHING that happened!). If I ever offended anyone in any way, I am deeply sorry but please trust me when I say that I just write from the heart and nothing is ever intentional.

This blog will stay online as long as the World Wide Web permits it to be here (may I share also that I think the Internet is the best modern world invention there is!) – and will hopefully serve as a reference for me to look back to when I start to forget about the good things in life, and when I need to be reminded about the lessons I learned.

Perhaps up until the time that I will be able to compile and edit this and maybe publish a book :grin: Now, that is a dream that is worth pursuing. I will keep you posted AND feel free to keep in touch!

I will continue to arrange trip photos in my www.bananaspinuwp.multiply.com account.

Long overdue twist blogging resumes at www.bananaspin.blogspot.com

Feedback most welcome, email me at hanna.fernando@gmail.com