Today we went to Carthage. It was really neat to see and touch things that have existed for centuries. Sometimes I have a hard time imagining that the Romans built these monuments- it's really extraordinary. We don't have things like that in the States. It's was being in Carthage that made me realize just what it means when people say "the United States is a young country".
While on the tour of Carthage, we learned the history of the Carthaginians and how they were beaten several times by the Romans. I had studied this stuff in high school, but since I don't use it, it took a little time for it all to start coming back to me. We also talked about the what "Punic" and "Carhtaginian" mean. Punic is the mix between the indigenous people in Tunisia and the Romans, just fyi.
In Carthage, we went into the Cathedral of St. Louis. It was enormous with byzantine art that was really pretty. Unfortunately, when Tunisia won its independence, most of the catholic churches were closed or turned into administrative buildings. I find that absolutely saddening because it's as if the state prohibits the practice of certain religions. I imagine it must be difficult to a Catholic in Tunisia. Let's say, for the sake of argument, there were a family that wanted to live in Tunisia, but this family also happened to be really religious- namely, really catholic. I don't think they would be willing to pay the price of giving of their religion in order to move. This whole closing of the churches thing also makes me feel that there is a lack of tolerance in Tunisia. We talked to guide about homosexuality, and he told us that homosexuals were treated in a "disagreeable manner". I found that astounding, because even in the States people at least pretend to be tolerant, and hold their tongues... What's more is that in Tunisia, it's not just the people who are intolerant- it's the government!
Tonight, we went to a show in the Cultural Center of Carthage. There, one of our professors had a part in the play. The play was about the walls that we build that just foster more misunderstandings between countries- the Berlin wall, the one they want to build between Cali and Mexico, etc. But, I also saw other "walls"- the one between men and women, the one between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and the one between the people and the government. It was a really interesting play especially since I like to analyse those kinds of things.
After the play, we were invited to a celebration because it was opening night for the show, and they wanted to celebrate its success. Well, what I think was supposed to be a small celebration was transformed into a big dance party- typical of Americans (and Tunisians, I suppose). In any case, it was a really great night! Everyone was really nice and welcoming!
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est Tunisia Spring '09. Afficher tous les articles
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est Tunisia Spring '09. Afficher tous les articles
mardi 28 avril 2009
Université de Tunis- le 17 avril
Today, we went to the university of Tunis at Carthage. I really appreciated the students a lot because they were super nice! I had started to believe that the Tunisians weren't very welcoming, but they totally blew that theory out of the water. I've concluded that it's a person by person case, and not a generalization that can be made about the entire country- haha!
At the university,the students study languages applied to business. Therefore, they learn French, English, German, and Chinese. Along with these languages, they learn economic theory, and business organization. They master languages and they go to business school as well. I find that to be an awesome idea, and I wish I could find a major like that at Vandy... c'est dommage. I mean, these students are learning all the languages that are important for international business affairs, and they also speak Arabic because they're from Tunisia (or other parts of Africa); thus, they will be able to close business deals with other Arabic countries- Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, etc.
Unfortunately, I also found the students to be a little rowdy and unfocused in their classes. The professor had to stop several times to call the class back to order. For me, it was like being back in sixth grade and not so much like being in a university. I also remarked that some of the students didn't speak French very well. It was then that I learned that French is not an official language of Tunisia; it's Arabic. Even in the hotel, there are servers who don't speak French very well. This makes it a little difficult to communicate with the people there, especially if they're not educated. In the hotel, I've noticed several times when a manager has had to translate from French to Arabic for me...
Next, we had a round table discussion with the fac and students of the university. It was really nice thought, but I didn't like the themes too much. We talked about the financial crisis which is important, but I would have liked to talk about the culture or even about how the students will react to the crisis. First off, there was an official government representative there- overkill much? Yep. He talked the entire time and he only gave the "official" answers to our questions. Also, we couldn't talk about politics. This is completely different from what happens in America and definitely different from what happens in France! When one of our group members asked about the president, the entire room went silent. I have never witnessed something like that. And Tunisia's supposed to be a democratic country! Even the professors- who are usually the source of critique in a society couldn't answer our question. It was stupifying.
Later that night, we went bowling with some the students from the university. We played several games together and it was a really great chance to talk to them about their lives and their studies in Tunisia.
In all, though, I really enjoyed the day. I liked meeting the students and the entire situation made me feel better about the people here.
At the university,the students study languages applied to business. Therefore, they learn French, English, German, and Chinese. Along with these languages, they learn economic theory, and business organization. They master languages and they go to business school as well. I find that to be an awesome idea, and I wish I could find a major like that at Vandy... c'est dommage. I mean, these students are learning all the languages that are important for international business affairs, and they also speak Arabic because they're from Tunisia (or other parts of Africa); thus, they will be able to close business deals with other Arabic countries- Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, etc.
Unfortunately, I also found the students to be a little rowdy and unfocused in their classes. The professor had to stop several times to call the class back to order. For me, it was like being back in sixth grade and not so much like being in a university. I also remarked that some of the students didn't speak French very well. It was then that I learned that French is not an official language of Tunisia; it's Arabic. Even in the hotel, there are servers who don't speak French very well. This makes it a little difficult to communicate with the people there, especially if they're not educated. In the hotel, I've noticed several times when a manager has had to translate from French to Arabic for me...
Next, we had a round table discussion with the fac and students of the university. It was really nice thought, but I didn't like the themes too much. We talked about the financial crisis which is important, but I would have liked to talk about the culture or even about how the students will react to the crisis. First off, there was an official government representative there- overkill much? Yep. He talked the entire time and he only gave the "official" answers to our questions. Also, we couldn't talk about politics. This is completely different from what happens in America and definitely different from what happens in France! When one of our group members asked about the president, the entire room went silent. I have never witnessed something like that. And Tunisia's supposed to be a democratic country! Even the professors- who are usually the source of critique in a society couldn't answer our question. It was stupifying.
Later that night, we went bowling with some the students from the university. We played several games together and it was a really great chance to talk to them about their lives and their studies in Tunisia.
In all, though, I really enjoyed the day. I liked meeting the students and the entire situation made me feel better about the people here.
Tunis, Tunisie- le 16 avril
So, I know it's been a while since I've written, but I'm going to try to do better. I have a few things to catch up on, but I want to start with my trip to Tunisia. I had to keep a journal while I was there, and I'm just going to translate my journal entries from French to English and put them on the blog, so here goes!
I just arrived in Tunisia and I am finding it extraordinary! It's really funny for me to imagine being able to go to Africa by taking an hour-long flight- it's really crazy what technology has given to us!
The first thing that I noticed was that even though Tunisia is a country with a strong Muslim presence, and a lot of extremists (according to my Maghreb class), there are a lot of people who dress with a western style. Personally, I don't know if it's because we're in a big city which has a really strong European influence, or if the people here just have western habits, but it's a image that we don't get to see very often when speaking about Africa.
On the trip from the airport to the hotel, I noticed that there was a lot of construction. I wonder if it's because the area is developing and Tunisia's growing bigger or what. It's a question that I will have to ask later... perhaps. I also noticed that people drive a lot more here in Tunisia. In Aix, you don't really need a car for everyday things- the city's small enough that you can walk everywhere! In Tunis, however, I see only a few people walking; most people are driving in cars or riding on the bus.
Another thing, I noticed that there aren't as many recycling bins as there are in Aix. Granted, we're in the middle of a touristy city, but it just seems to me that recycling isn't as important here as it is in France. The driving and the lack of recycling makes me the think of an American city...
On the other hand, I realized to what point tourism is important for this city. I dare say that I've met more foreigners here that "real" Tunisians- and it's really shocking! We talked a lot about how tourism is the big industry here before we left Aix, but I never realized how big it was! I've met Englishmen, Germans, Asians, etc.- and it's really interesting.
The other big thing that I noticed is that the hotel staff is a little curt at times. They don't have a lot of patience. Even so, I try to speak to them politely in French... they're a little spéciaux. Despite that, the hotel is AWESOME! It's on the beach, there's a pool, a tennis court, etc.- it's great! I also really like the other guests at the hotel too- they're really nice.
I just arrived in Tunisia and I am finding it extraordinary! It's really funny for me to imagine being able to go to Africa by taking an hour-long flight- it's really crazy what technology has given to us!
The first thing that I noticed was that even though Tunisia is a country with a strong Muslim presence, and a lot of extremists (according to my Maghreb class), there are a lot of people who dress with a western style. Personally, I don't know if it's because we're in a big city which has a really strong European influence, or if the people here just have western habits, but it's a image that we don't get to see very often when speaking about Africa.
On the trip from the airport to the hotel, I noticed that there was a lot of construction. I wonder if it's because the area is developing and Tunisia's growing bigger or what. It's a question that I will have to ask later... perhaps. I also noticed that people drive a lot more here in Tunisia. In Aix, you don't really need a car for everyday things- the city's small enough that you can walk everywhere! In Tunis, however, I see only a few people walking; most people are driving in cars or riding on the bus.
Another thing, I noticed that there aren't as many recycling bins as there are in Aix. Granted, we're in the middle of a touristy city, but it just seems to me that recycling isn't as important here as it is in France. The driving and the lack of recycling makes me the think of an American city...
On the other hand, I realized to what point tourism is important for this city. I dare say that I've met more foreigners here that "real" Tunisians- and it's really shocking! We talked a lot about how tourism is the big industry here before we left Aix, but I never realized how big it was! I've met Englishmen, Germans, Asians, etc.- and it's really interesting.
The other big thing that I noticed is that the hotel staff is a little curt at times. They don't have a lot of patience. Even so, I try to speak to them politely in French... they're a little spéciaux. Despite that, the hotel is AWESOME! It's on the beach, there's a pool, a tennis court, etc.- it's great! I also really like the other guests at the hotel too- they're really nice.
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