I had a chance to sit down with these guys last week. I thought they would bring a young perspective to my 'Meeting the People of Greenland' posts. I've included a short video so you all can meet Mike, Pauia, and Hans-lars as well. Last week we had the chance to share some of the 3D technology with older students at GUX (gymnasial uddannelse) - Sisimiut. In the Greenlandic schooling system, this is a bit of a cross between American students' final years of high school and the beginning years of college. Below is a brief, informal interview. I saw this as an opportunity to introduce these guys and share their perspectives. One of the greatest gifts of travel is meeting people different from you. Often, tourism doesn't allow us the opportunity to connect with people this way, as visitors keep to a cruise ship or the tourist spots not frequently filled with locals. In my opinion, that is a major downside of most traditional travel itineraries. If you spend the time and money to go far, chatting with people who grew up where you're visiting can be provide much deeper insight than a guidebook. This is why longer travel programs like study abroad can be life-changing. Since none of my students can study abroad this year, I hope this virtual field trip and these brief introductions to the people of Greenland provide some sort of cultural connection. I hope they encourage you all to seek more international learning opportunities in the near future. Both my life and my perspectives on the world have been greatly impacted by the people I've met abroad. I so badly want that experience for each of my students. In the meantime, enjoy meeting a few more Greenlanders. Hear what it was like to grow up here. You may find you're surprised..not just at the cultural differences you hear about, but some aspects of life that sound familiar as well. If you get to travel yourself in the future, remember that a conversation with someone from another culture can provide you with a lasting memory. And that memory may end up more valuable than your souvenirs or your photographs of beautiful places.
5 Comments
Anthony
11/14/2021 11:21:04 am
I like the sight and perspective to ask a younger group about there daily life, because we never really are able to witness or live in anyones shoes that live in a different country endnote really understanding there daily life, just the tourist life as we see it. There's a lot of differences and it's awesome to here a completely different life then a type ical New Yorker in the city like myself. lol
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Christian Mott
11/14/2021 06:09:04 pm
It’s very interesting to hear from a younger crowd and gaining their different perspective! After all culture isn’t just observed and taught by one age group it’s comes from all people of all age groups. This really gives us a glimpse of what it’s like to grow up in Greenland and learn about their cultures and lifestyles!
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Elaine Majors
11/14/2021 07:05:12 pm
I quite enjoyed this interview! It was very interesting to see their perspective and hear them talk about a variety of things. Such as how they grew up and what holidays they celebrate. I even laughed a few times throughout the video. It was fun seeing Pauia's reaction when Mike said he'd miss the snow and Hans-lars saying the second longest word in Greenlandic and then them trying to explain what it means. This is definitely something you don't get to see or experience if you never take the time to talk to people when you travel internationally.
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Brianna N Novotny
11/15/2021 07:25:24 am
It was great learning about people from a different area like Greenland. It is not everyday you have the opportunity to be able to meet different people like this.
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Sadique Reid
11/15/2021 03:59:52 pm
Wow, what what a wonderful interview. The youth of Greenland!! This interview was very satisfying to watch for some reason, Im guessing because theyre young and im young! What was the name of the holiday that they celebrate in December? I couldnt hear that part. But I love to see that teens and young people will always be fairly similar, even if theyre from different places like greenland.
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About me:
I am an anthropology professor, writer, researcher and global traveler. In fall of 2021, I led an experiential eLearning project connecting US students (and public) with the people, places, and industries of Greenland. I redesigned a research trip into a virtual field trip for my students who didn't have any Study Abroad options. All of the videos, photos, interviews, and storytelling are still here to enjoy! Categories
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