8411 research outputs found
Sort by
Nature and Nomads: Service Approach to Mongolia Tours
Get PDFTourism has potential to diversify Mongolia’s geopolitically challenged economy. Tourism development and promotion has increased since 1990, and there is reason to expect continued sector growth. Cultural tourism has potential to commodify or degrade cultural resources (Gilbert, 2006, Pigliasco, 2010, Soma & Suhkee, 2014) and alter the physical landscape and identity of local people (Chang & Yeoh, 1999, Seng, 2005, Phua & Berkowitz, 2014). As tourism in Mongolia increases, its effects on cultural resources should be understood. This study of Mongolian tourism interviews fifteen tour company employees to understand how Mongolian culture is perceived and used from a business perspective. What attractions do companies visit and why? How is the government involved? What does this imply for tourism stakeholders? Data shows that Mongolia tour companies lacks standard protocol, making individual companies responsible for tourist activity and resource management. When a limited number of resources are used in different ways, fragmentation may undermine collective interests like cultural preservation. There also appears to be multiple and even contradictory perspectives on cultural authenticity, which complicates the role of nomadic people. Issues of seasonal contracting and exclusive growth are also discussed. The research fills some gaps in Mongolian tourism literature and provides a base for further research
MONEY SPEAKS: EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND FACING DEVELOPMENT IN RASUWA
Get PDFIn the Rasuwa district of Nepal, an area affected profoundly by the 2015 earthquake, development and infrastructure have been fast growing both since the natural disaster and the opening of Rasuwa Gadhi as the more formal trade route to and from China. For those in the district, a race has commenced building as much as possible in anticipation of an influx of tourism and business opportunities from both the border and new trekking in the area, though at varying expectations for both. With all this change on the rise, a big question is how are local efforts – like local schools and local radio stations – informing people of this change and how to manage it, if at all, and how are they responding to it? For the villages of Thuman, Nagathali, and Brenthang, how can efforts by both outside forces and locals themselves bring opportunity for awareness and education now that their socio-economic status is changing and more opportunities present themselves. Also, even when they have changed, how are they handling it in the face of an intergenerational lack of education, with fading tradition and out-migration in the present day? The rate of development in the district, while happening at a speed which delights many, could prove too fast in building a unified community. Through a series of interviews with locals from these three villages, the radio outlets of the region as well as media outlets in Kathmandu, a picture of education and awareness in Rasuwa is presented, drawing from factors pertaining to Nepal in its entirety
“Religion is Religion; My Life is My Life”: Religious Influences on Family Planning Decisions in Kapchorwa District, Uganda
Get PDFThis report seeks to understand the influence that religion has on family planning decisions in Kapchorwa District, in eastern Uganda. Increased uptake of family planning has significant impliations for sustainability and development in Uganda as a whole. As a district with a high unmet need for faily planning, Kapchorwa serves as an important case study. Because over 99% of Uganda’s population reports a religious affiliation, and because literature on family planning claims conservative spirituality as a major cause of low uptake, religion is a natural lens through which to study family planning perceptions and utilization.
Through focus groups and key informant interviews, the study analyzes the responses of 47 inhabitants of Kapchorwa and one religious leader living in Kampala. Findings show that individuals face barriers to family planning access, particularly a lack of accurate information about contraception, the spread of persistent and widely-held myths, and the disapproval of important religious institutions. Despite these obstacles, participants prioritize the spacing and limiting of children over the teachings of any religion. Significantly, religious leaders frequently acknowledge the necessity of family planning for Kapchorwa’s development, and advise against the teachings of their churches in private. Recommendations include involving willing religious institutions in basic sexual health education, and encouraging religious leaders to speak their private beliefs about family planning in more public settings
What Lies in the Gray: Creative Analytic Pieces on the Formation and Evolution of Beliefs in Masxha
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to look at how members of Durban\u27s Masxha township develop their belief systems and ideas about their world. This topic was developed out of a desire to better understand the factors that promote or inhibit individuals from changing their mind about topics relating to their community, society, and culture. I sought to gain a deeper understanding of the specific context of Masxha and the experiences and lives of those with whom I spoke.
To accomplish the goal of learning from lived experiences, this study employed a narrative inquiry approach. Using loosely-structured interviews involving eight Masxha residents, this project was deeply-rooted in participants sharing their lived experiences surrounding the development of their beliefs; the wide array of responses gathered from interviews illustrates the highly individualized nature of these conversations. I found that participants’ beliefs were far less black and white than I had initially anticipated. The nature of my interviews—they were one-on-one and I encouraged the telling of personal stories—allowed participants to share the gray areas of their belief formation in richly descriptive ways. I didn’t know it at the time of my interviews, but these gray areas would become an essential component in my personal reflection on this project.
This paper sought to illustrate the complexity of the belief narratives I heard and to demonstrate that the gray areas—the spaces in between understanding and clarity—are where opportunities for learning take place. This paper also explored findings on the roles of both community and family members in the development of beliefs and the highly complex and personal process of navigating belief formation and evolution.
These stories have been interwoven into a series of creative analytic pieces that serve as snapshots into the far more intricate experiences of the eight individuals whose narratives, by and large, form this project’s foundation
The Experience of Transgender Students in Study Abroad Programming
Get PDFStudying abroad has become a highly valued experience for college students, though the types of participants that study abroad programming attracts tend to be fairly homogenous (Havergal, 2016; IIE, 2017). Sojourners who fall outside this homogeny tend to go unrepresented in study abroad literature and research (Engel, 2017; IIE, 2017). This research will attempt to provide the experiences of one of these unrepresented groups by the answering the following research questions: What is the experience of transgender students in study abroad programming? How can knowledge of this experience inform effective practices to provide transgender students with an experience equitable to that of their cisgender peers? By drawing on the qualitative research study capturing the experiences of four transgender identifying sojourners and utilizing a conceptual framework informed by transgender identity development theory (Levitt & Ipplito, 2014), transgender identity affirmation theory (Nuttbrock, Rosenblum, & Blumenstein, 2002), and the developmental theory of emergent adulthood (Arnett, 2000), this research demonstrates that study abroad programming has a demonstrably positive effect on transgender students, but comes with a risk to their mental health. The research will first present experiences of the four participants that will help describe potential moments that other transgender identifying sojourners might face during three distinct phases of the study abroad process: Pre-departure, in-country, and re-entry. Next, the research will also present specific advice suggested by the four participants as possible methods to aid in the experiences of future transgender identifying students participating in study abroad programs. Finally, the research will present concluding thoughts on the overall experience of transgender sojourners and the various methods providers can utilize to aid in the positive experience of future sojourners
Feedback in the Lesson Observation Process: What Guides a Teacher Towards Development
Get PDFLesson observation is a very common practice all over the world. However, rarely does it look at personal and interpersonal aspects that are needed in feedback in order to develop autonomous and successful teachers. This thesis does not look deeper into what constitutes a good lesson, nor what methods are most suitable for students. Instead, it seeks to look deeper into the phenomenon of lesson observation feedback through the eyes of a teacher in order to see what aspects of lesson observation are useful and guide educators towards their development. What does a teacher need in order to find feedback beneficial and a lesson observation a non-threatening, useful part of his or her work? The focal point of this qualitative research is Lithuanian teachers and observers. They give their personal opinion and perspective while talking about their experiences concerning lesson observation feedback. This provides a meaningful and necessary opportunity to see how both sides – assessors and educators – view the same process. Exploring their real experiences and finding these answers means bringing clarity to Lithuania\u27s current stage of development in lesson observation feedback. It also illuminates potential directions for change in order for teachers to get the most out of lesson observation feedback
Vivencias de jóvenes con autismo de la ciudad de Temuco, desde la percepción de sus familiares y educadores / Experiences of young people with autism in the city of Temuco, from the perception of their relatives and educators
No full textThis study, centered on the life experiences of young people with moderate to severe autism who attend specialized schools in the city of Temuco, Chile. Autism is a common developmental disability that most strongly affects social skills but is also characterized by sensory sensitivities, difficulty with change, and highly focused interests. There is no national registry in Chile of its population with autism, and there is a lack of investigation in the autistic population in Chile. This study sought to complete three objectives: describe factors that make the process of integration into society more difficult, identify the networks of social and professional support that the families utilize, and detail the strategies that the specialized schools use to support the socialization and development of skills in their students with autism. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, where common questions were asked but improvised questions were allowed as well.
From the mothers and educators that were interviewed, I found that there are networks of support established in various settings. The schools run workshops to educate parents and also employ an array of specialists (kinesiologists, audiologists, etc.). The hospital also has many specialists that the parents trust. However, appointments are infrequent and the time that the young people with autism spend one-on-one with professionals is limited, even in the schools. Another thing that makes integration into society difficult is the stigmatization of disability and the ignorance, in general, about autism. The strategies that the schools utilized included image-based systems of alternative communication and the allowance for and accommodation of differences between students.
/
Este estudio tiene un enfoque en las vivencias de jóvenes con autismo moderado y severo que asisten a escuelas especializadas en la ciudad de Temuco, Chile. El autismo es una discapacidad común que afecta las destrezas sociales y se caracteriza por sensibilidades sensoriales, dificultad con cambio, y intereses específicos y muy enfocados. No hay un registro nacional en Chile de su población de personas con autismo, y hay una falta de investigación en la población autista en Chile. Este estudio buscó cumplir con tres objetivos: describir factores que dificultan el proceso de integración, identificar redes de apoyo social y profesional que utilizan las familias, y describir las estrategias que desarrollan las escuelas para contribuir a la socialización y desarrollo de destrezas en jóvenes con autismo. Entrevistas semi-estructuradas fueron usadas, en los cuales había pautas entrevistas, pero se preguntaron otras cosas fuera de la pauta también.
De las madres y las educadoras entrevistadas, encontré información sobre sus redes de apoyo social y profesional. Las escuelas organizan talleres para educar a los padres y tienen un rango de especialistas (kinesiólogos, fonoaudiólogos, etc.). El hospital también tiene muchas especialistas que tienen la confianza de los padres. No obstante, citas son infrecuentes, y el tiempo que los jóvenes pasan 1:1 con profesionales es poco, aún en las escuelas. Otra cosa que dificulta la integración es la estigmatización de la discapacidad y el desconocimiento en general sobre el autismo. Las estrategias utilizadas incluyen sistemas de comunicación alternativa basados en imágenes y las adaptaciones que hacen las educadoras con los estudiantes de manera individual para desarrollar la comunicación con ellos
Hablo Por Mi Disidengia / I Speak For My Dissidence
Get PDFSi el proceso de este proyecto tuviera un tema, sería la evolución (¿o tal vez que yo estaba equivocado?). Estaba equivocado acerca de tantas cosas- supuestos que yo había hecho sobre Chile, sobre la gente con la que me reuniría, sobre cómo iría el proyecto. Sobre conceptos básicos en los que originalmente basé mi proyecto. Aprendí cosas que yo no sabía que no sabía.
Hablo por mi disidencia empezó en la intersección de dos de mis intereses, el manifestarse y el arte, y me trajó a través del feminismo, el colonialismo, la academia, las políticas del cuerpo, el clasismo, la Dictadura de Pinochet, el analfabetismo, el mapudungún…
Este proyecto tiene múltiples partes. El primer componente consiste en retratos de tres activistas y artistas contemporánexs del Movimiento de Disidencia Sexual/Queer chileno, por medio de la xilografía. Traté de retratar sus esencias, uniendo los imágenes, palabras y temas de su trabajo. El segundo componente es “declaraciones del artista”, en que me siento con ellxs para tener algo entre una entrevista y una conversación. Yo hice algo similar con dos sujetxs históricxs más para darle un poco más de contexto a este proyecto- por supuesto, sin la parte sentada. Al final de cada declaración, se puede encontrar “las moralejas”: aprendizajes breves de cada sujetx y sus experiencias que podrían algún día ayudar a otrxs agentes de cambio. Las dos metas principales de este proyecto eran y son rendir homenaje a la historia del movimiento de disidencia sexual y sus figuras (\u27el pasado\u27), y transmitir teorías, estrategias e ideas a una nueva generación de organizadores y activistas (‘el futuro\u27).
Huelga decir que este librito ha cambiado mucho durante su creación. No pretendo que todo aquí sea correcto o puro, porque lo que presento aquí, sobre personas, historias e ideas, está filtrado de manera inherente a través de la lente de un extranjero torpe. Quiero reconocer eso primeramente. Además, las personas ya mencionadas discrepan frecuentemente, incluso en este proyecto. Esto fue incluido intencionalmente.
Últimamente, espero crear sentido y conocimientos a partir de esta intersección de un faggot entre lokas en el año 2018, para que lxs que me siguen puedan crear más sentido desde donde esta publicación se cruza con sus propias experiencias extrañas y complicadas.
/
If the process of this project had a theme, it would be evolution (or maybe I was wrong?). I was wrong about so many things-assumptions I had made about Chile, about the people I would meet with, about how the project would go. On basic concepts on which I originally based my project. I learned things that I did not know I did not know.
I speak for my dissidence began at the intersection of two of my interests, manifestation and art, and brought me through feminism, colonialism, academia, body politics, classism, Pinochet\u27s dictatorship, illiteracy, the mapudungun ...
This project has multiple parts. The first component consists of portraits of three contemporary activists and artists of the Chilean Sexual Dissent / Queer Movement, by means of woodcut. I tried to portray their essences, uniting the images, words and themes of their work. The second component is artist\u27s statements , in which I feel with them to have something between an interview and a conversation. I did something similar with two more historical topics to give a little more context to this project - of course, without the sitting part. At the end of each statement, you can find the morals : brief learnings of each topic and their experiences that could one day help other change agents. The two main goals of this project were and are to pay tribute to the history of the movement of sexual dissidence and its figures (\u27the past\u27), and transmit theories, strategies and ideas to a new generation of organizers and activists (\u27the future\u27 ).
Needless to say, this little book has changed a lot during its creation. I do not pretend that everything here is correct or pure, because what I present here, about people, stories and ideas, is filtered inherently through the lens of a clumsy foreigner. I want to recognize that first. In addition, the people already mentioned disagree frequently, even in this project. This was included intentionally.
Lately, I hope to create meaning and knowledge from this intersection of a fagot between lokas in 2018, so that those who follow me can create more sense from where this publication intersects with their own strange and complicated experiences
Restoring Eden: The Role of Christianity on Environmental Conservation: A Case of Karatu District, Arusha, Tanzania
Get PDFIn order for environmental conservation to be effective it must have a method of translating to people’s everyday values. Developing countries which include mostly bio-diversity hotspot areas are important to maintain sustainable development. Due to most of these countries following an organized religion, predominantly Christian, an alternative method of conservation may be successful to motivate citizens to participate in efforts. In order for this to be successful, members of the congregation must agree that there is a religious obligation to care for the environment. For Christianity this obligation is discussed by the creation story in the bible. This paper will use the town of Karatu, Tanzania as a case study of how successful Christianity can be related to environmental conservation. Data was collected using surveys (n= 155) distributed to members of various churches evaluating their beliefs on the meaning of the creation story as well as their churches involvement in conservation. Additional interviews were used to gain important information about the implementation of conservation by churches and the local government. The results of the study showed that a high majority of people who attended church agreed God commands humans to care for the environment. While churches participated in small acts of protection, mostly efforts to plant trees, they can be more beneficial as a method of gathering and spreading education on conservation. Pastors opinions and willingness to participate is very important for the church to be useful for conservation. Local government and conservation organizations should maintain positive relationships with church leaders in order to pass along beneficial conservation ideas and methods
