Journal #20: Goodbye

This semester is the second one that I study in ALP. In summer, when I finish the summer course, I think I can say something and write a paragraph. But after finishing this semester, I can write a research paper. What a big change.

Before studying in ALP, I think that writing an essay is very difficult and I am afraid it. With international students, they can be good in structure, vocabularies but not in speaking and writing. It is a big problem that we want to overcome. Therefore, when I studied in ALP, I regconize that it becomes easier. Especially, I really like to study the studied method of universities. In Composition class, I was known what students do and what professors want students to study in university. It gives an experience for my studying.

Besides, I often speak English everyday with my classmate. Although our English is not really good, we try to talk together. We discuss and present about many topics that help us improve English skills. I know that it is too far to speak English like a native person, but studying in ALP is a preparation for my future studying.

Thank my teachers.

Ceyda and Yejin

Journal # 19: Baraka

This is the first time that I saw a documentary film about life of many people over the world. Before seeing Baraka, I have known about the life of some countries through films and books but I did not really comprehend as this time. Although Baraka film do not have main actors and words but by showing images, it brings to me a part of nature and human life of 24 countries from 6 continents.

My first impression from Baraka film is that the religious believe. Through this film, I see the differently religious ceremonies of many people. The some first scene, the author shows us the image of people holding ceremonies. Although they come from different countries but they have a similar thing that believed in religion. I can image that when they have trouble or happiness, they also find religion to share with it. This believe helps them overcome the difficulties in life.

My most deeply feeling after seeing Baraka film is the poverty and starvation. Today, we were born and grown in the modern society, so maybe we can image the poor and starving life of others. Baraka shows a phenomenon that there are a lot of people living without food, clothes and home on the world. Nowadays, some people said that they can’t live without television, internet or car, but they do not know that there are still a lot of people live in that condition and they are still fine. This movie helps me look up my life which is abundant and then I will consider it.

Furthermore, this movie also shows the different scenes of two lives: the poor life and the modern life. I can’t forget the image of a person who is shouting. I think he is depressed with the industrial life. In industrial life, people maybe have enough life but they have to work hard and work as machine. They only work, work and work to finding a good life. Obviously, two lives with different trouble show a fact part of lives in the world.

To summary, I know many aspects of human life of many countries through Baraka film. It is an evident of nature and human life. No characters, no scrip but it brings to people who see this movie the different thought. I believe that after seeing Baraka film, people will have more deeply thought about life.

Leslie and Veasna