Finding unity in diversity.

Who am I? What are my beliefs and values? Am I spiritual? Do I believe in God? I looked deep into my soul and tried to find out the answers- not an easy feat in a room full of about 100 people that came from different continents, different countries, different culture, speaking different languages and mostly whom I have met just few weeks back. We were having a workshop about diversity and the cast in up with people is as diverse as you can get with representation from 19 countries aging from 17 to 29. We have been brought up differently that has defined our ways of thinking, speaking, our manners, and our behaviors… We come from different societies- some are conservative, some liberal, but all different. I was looking at those differences until now. I was looking at the values, behaviors, and thinking pattern of other cultures that were so different from mine. However, everything changed when people started sharing their stories. At one point, I realized that we are actually not that different… I began to see the similarities in the differences we had. Was my faith and belief in my God any different from the beliefs and faith the person standing beside me had for her God? Was speaking about the feelings and life events less difficult to share just because the person is from Mexico or Japan? Would we not have reacted the same way people in Denver did after the shooting in Aurora Theater if it had taken place in Nepal? Yes, we are different in many ways- that will always keep us fascinated and curious while we are together at UWP; but at the same time we are similar in just as many ways, that will bring us to the common grounds where we can form a strong bond amongst each other- that will help us to create a unity in diversity.

Catching up with Up with People!

I had been meaning to write on my blog for so long, but I guess I have been very lazy. Although on my defense, I would like to say that the Up with People schedule is as tight as the leotards and the dancing tights we girls have to wear during our performances… ;)  (For those who don’t know what leotards are, please google it… coz that’s what I had to do the first time I heard it!) Our days are filled with movements (that includes physical exercises and dance), vocals- where I sing beautifully (if you believe me ;)), education workshops, and the technical workshops (which is familiarizing ourselves with lights, sounds, and staging). Besides these daily schedules, we were also able to meet leaders of the community during the leadership round table, scavenger hunt in downtown Denver (which our team lost ……. WHY???D:), and had cultural jam, where I danced in Taal ko Pani- a Nepali folk rock song….and No my partner is not from Nepal! He is from Nabraska, USA…..and he learned the whole dance steps in just few hours!! Collin, if for some weird reason you want to try out the dancing reality shows- you have my vote for sure!

I had an awesome time with my host family as well! It was Tylor’s (my host brother) 21^st Birthday!! I had never seen such happy birthday kid in my life ;) I guess it feels really special to be 21 in USA. It sure didn’t feel that way back home. Anyways, we celebrated his birthday by going out for dinner and doing a shot. We again celebrated his birthday with his mom on Sunday (they both share the birthday! How cool is that?) We then had dinner at his grandparent’s house- of course in the honor of the 21 years old belated birthday boy! :D It was a day filled with fun, good food, and good company! I love you Dalby family (and no Nicole, I do not think your family is crazy!!)

Culture Jam!!

My host brother's 21st Birthday!

Meet my host brother- Tylor

This is our team during the scavenger hunt at the downtown Denver- I still can't believe we lost! :(

Spending a lovely afternoon with Nicole's mom at Colorado Springs :)

We have our first Community Impact day this week, which I am really looking forward to! I will surely write about my experience in my next post….until then, ciao!

Meeting 100 people from 19 different countries and my host family!

The Arrival

I was feeling a little nervous when I arrived at the Denver airport because I was travelling alone for the first time and meeting new people in completely new environment. However, when I finally met my cast mates at the airport and at the Pinnacle center, where everyone was gathered….oh gosh! Have you ever heard the term flooding in psychology where people who have fear of something are made to face their fears all at once? That is exactly what happened with me! For a girl who felt awkward talking to new people, meeting almost 100 people from different countries at once….that was facing my fears in a different level! I tried to talk to everyone there. I don’t actually remember everyone, but I met some really awesome people. They were from 19 different countries! (I checked it out in my file later ;P) So the first day or the arrival day alone was a great achievement for me. (No pictures folks! I was so overwhelmed with what was going on around me that I completely forgot I had camera!)

The host family day

Let me begin by saying that my host family is awesome! My host sister is also my cast mate and so we have a lot to talk about (but that is not just the things we talked about haha). So the first day was the host family day- thank God! My host dad made pancakes (which were awesome!) and then, we went to the zoo!!!

Let me tell you why I was excited. I have been to a zoo only in Nepal, which had very small…..and I have never seen species which are not found in Asia- the Lion, giraffe, seals and other sea animals. Nicole (my host sister’s name) was super excited about the new elephant center….and off we went to the zoo with my host dad, Nicole, and her grandma. It was a wonderful experience to see animals that I only saw in animal planet or national geography. Oh! and I saw Dory and Nemo from finding Nemo!!

This is Nicole. She is my host sister and my caste mate!

This is Dave. He is going to Nepal again in October!

 At the elephant center they put on a small show and this guy from the zoo who was talking about elephants said that he had been working in Nepal- in Chitwan National Park, and was trying to raise funds so that they could build animal hospital there! I met him after the show and introduced myself…. He said to come around the gift shop where he will be signing his book on elephants and told me he wanted to give one to me. When I went to the gift shop, he not only gave the book but took off his necklace and gave it to me! How cool is that! He said that he met many Nepali who were quite supportive to him and his work and that he was very grateful. It amazes me how small the world is and how goodness is everywhere…..we just need to look for it!

In the evening, I showed my pictures from Nepal to my host sister. She was so excited that we could ride elephants and go into the jungle and even bathe with them in Nepal! I invited her to visit Nepal and she was super excited about it! J I met her friend in the evening during dinner and we had these heavenly tasting brownies that Nicole made….A perfect end to a perfect day! I went to bed with a smile on my face.

And the journey begins...

My journey in the UWP began the moment I decided to participate in the program. Filling out the application, giving the interview, filling out the forms...and some more.... ;), communicating (non-stop) with Colleen for even small matters (I am sorry to have bothered you so much Colleen!), thinking every moment afterwards about fund raising, checking out the posts in up with people cast B 2012 group in facebook- commenting, liking or just snooping around (hehe)... the happiness of having a successful fund raising...the sadness when I got no response... :(, and more importantly, getting to know all the wonderful people in the process...I am not even half way there yet- the program hasn't even begun, but the initial phase of my journey has been awesome! Before, I was happy with my friends, colleagues, family, and my culture- they were my comfort (i have learnt to appreciate them more too, also thanks to UWP); but now I am also getting to know about the people and cultures from around the world. I am stepping outside my comfort, but I am learning. (I will write about what I found in other cultures that is different from my culture and how out of comfort I felt, in my other post...so keep reading ;)).

My UWP journey has already begun- before the actual beginning of the program in Denver; and I am sure it will not end when the program ends in Mexico.

US Visa Application- my experiences!

I know this blog is about UWP. However, today I wanted to write about my experiences of applying for US visa, as that is also a part of UWP process.... ;) I don’t know how hard it is to get US visa in other countries…But let me tell you that applying and getting US visa in Nepal- whether for travel purpose, for studies, or for business, is hard…veery hard. Having said that, I applied for the visa two times and it was issued both times. People here call me lucky, which I think I am…J L.U.C.K.Y!!

So let me briefly describe the process. This process is just to get B1/B2 visa, which is the visa category for travel purpose. We first have to fill out the DS-160 form and take a visa photo (mine turned out like I was drunk :-/). After that, we have to book a visa interview date, pay the visa charge along with the bank service charge. The bank gives the date and time for the interview. On the given date and time, we have to arrive in the US embassy. There, we are asked to get on a queue, where we feel almost like a spectacle, coz everyone can see us from the road, many even stopping for a while. (I have been one of those roadside viewer and I have heard many others doing the same wonder which ones on the queue would be the lucky one that day :D). Then, we have to pass a security check tighter than that of the airports (we are asked to take off our belts, shoes, watches etc.!). We then have to get on queue once more, and then finally get inside the hall where the real test of our nerves awaits us. We have to hand over the file in one window, give our fingerprints in another window, and after a loooong wait, are finally called for the interview. During the wait, we can hear the interview of other candidates taking place in different windows. The rapid-fire questions and the nervous and bleak answers add on to the nervousness. Once the name is called, we have to move towards the window. The interviewer will be behind a glass window and will speak through a speaker on the window (be prepared for a robotic voice and having to ask excuse me? Couple of times). After the questions and answers, they decide then and there whether we qualify for the visa or not. If we are rejected, then they say that they are sorry but they cannot issue us a visa. If our visa application is accepted, then they say, “congratulations! You qualify for the visa. Please come on () day to receive your passport.” (In robotic voice of course).

How was my experience? Well, the first time I applied, I was so nervous that I had to use their restroom numerous times. I hadn’t felt so nervous even during my job interview! The second time around, I was nervous again, but not as much as before. I used their restroom only once, so go figure…haha.

Some funny, interesting, and sad incidents that I witnessed:

• Female students coming for the visa interview in short summer dresses or party dresses and their male counterparts coming for the interview in grunge dress-up (torn faded jeans, slippers, or torn converse)… Sigh! It is hard to explain the importance of place/situation appropriate dresses to teenagers…
• There was an old couple (I think they were above their 60s) who had applied for tourist visa to meet their son, who was living in USA. They looked so dejected after the interview. One of the female guards asked them what happened, and they replied that their visa application got rejected because they could not speak proper English and so could not understand what the consular officer said or answer their questions! Apparently they did not know that they can give the interview in Nepali language, if speaking English is hard for them!! I felt so sad for them L
• I was able to overhear few interviews of the students and the answers some of them gave nearly choked me! I wonder how the consular felt….So a guy was asked how he can assure them that he would return to Nepal after completing his studies…his reply (in a pleading voice), “Because I love my country, because I love my parents!” …… another guy was asked why he wanted to study computer science and he replied because Nepal is a very poor country with underdeveloped technology and so he wanted to develop computer technology in Nepal…and the miss world type answers kept coming from the students one after the other, and their visa got rejected one after the other….funny but sad… I was able to listen to some interviews whose visa application got accepted and the difference I found between the two was in the smartness of their answer and their confidence.

So I request others applying for the visa to be prepared, dress appropriately, check all the documents carefully, think about possible questions (especially those related to finance), speak loud and clear, don’t give Miss World type answers- if they ask you why they should believe that you will return, give them proof of your ties here, or any other valid reasons….and finally, be confident!! J If it still doesn’t work out, then there is a Biiig sign board of some astrologer in the building just opposite the embassy who helps you get the visa…go visit him ;)

About UWP

Let me first start by explaining what Up with People program is…Many people ask me “what is up with people program?” and I’ve had to answer the same question many times- during visa interview and during fund raising. I have had to explain it to my colleagues at work, my friends, my family and relatives so many times that the answer comes out all in one breath! “Up with People program is a global education program where around 100 youths representing about 20 different countries travel together with the purpose of gaining international understanding and social responsibility through various training sessions and workshops, regional learning sessions, performances, and  community impact projects”. The program takes the participants to different cities of different countries, where they live with local host families, connect with communities, and learn and practices leadership. I have joined the program for July 2012 semester, and in this semester I, along with other cast members will be travelling to USA, Taiwan, Philippines, and Mexico for six months!

If you wish to know more about the UWP program, want to be part of the amazing experience by applying, or support UWP Global Scholarship Fund by donating, you can log on to the official website: http://www.upwithpeople.org/

I will be sharing about my quirky, embarrassing, enlightening, funny and awesome experiences of travelling with UWP….so happy reading! ;)