Carina+C.

Phase I: Who Am I? What's My Place?


 * What __really__ makes up your identity?

I am an explorer. What makes me an explorer is the values that have been instilled in me by my family, friends and culture. My parents are teachers, who taught me to value reading, learning and gaining diverse experiences. They brought me up in an Italian-American home, where I learned the importance of having strong family ties, especially when you leave home and explore the world. I’ve always found myself interested in cultures and belief systems that differ from my own. With these interests and values, I’ve been driven to travel around the world exploring new places.


 * What __really__ makes up your sense of place?

When I think of different places I’ve been, images tend to form in my head and I recall feelings that I had when I was in those places. When I think of home, I think of my family in the kitchen, cooking a meal together. When I think of a natural setting, my mind goes to my favorite park trail that my husband and I like to walk together. My sense of place is built up of my memories and feelings about the places I have been.


 * What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project?

When I work with others in a group, I try to keep an open mind about what people are bringing to the project. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t assume you know what someone might know or bring to the table. Traveling has taught me to look for the diverse perspectives and talents bring with them into group situations.


 * What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?

I have been a part of multiple cultural communities: growing up in an Italian-American home, living in a South-eastern American community for most of my life, traveling broadly in Europe and living in Hong Kong. I believe my diverse cultural experiences will help me to bring different perspectives to the conversation.


 * What is one local problem (where you live) that you believe needs to be addressed? Suggest some steps could you take to try to solve it?

I am currently in Hong Kong and one of the biggest problems that I have found locally is the pollution problem. Hong Kong has very bad air pollution problems, brought on by the coal-burning electric companies, the high density traffic that releases fumes close to people’s work places and homes, and the its proximity to industrial manufacturers and factories. The consequences of these pollution-creators are reduced visibility, water pollution and poor health for Hong Kong’s citizens.

One step that could be taken to help solve this problem is that the government could move to update its air pollution measurement standards to match those of international environmental groups, so that the population is aware of how dangerous the air pollution is and how it is affecting them. With that kind of information, the public, corporations and the government might be moved to setting higher emissions standards and having healthier habits, for both the environment and the Hong Kong population.


 * Finally, some problems have been around for a long time. What qualities do you think a person must have to step up and try to solve them?

I think that a person who is interested in stepping up and trying to solve problems that have been around for a long time must have courage and drive. When you take on a big problem, hoping to solve what others have not, there will always be people who will disagree with your ideas or say it’s been done before. It takes courage to tackle a problem and work hard when people are telling you that you’ll fail. I think it also takes drive to keep working hard, even when the problem gets tough and seems impossible.

Phase II: Sense of Place

Upload image (s) here:

I think this picture of the skyline and fireworks display represents a lot about Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a large world city, known for its big business. The skyline along the water is one of its most famous views. The fireworks display is for Chinese New Year – the biggest annual celebration that Hong Kong celebrates. It is much like New Year in America and Europe in that it is a new beginning for everyone and signals the year changing from winter toward spring. It is celebrated with parades, fireworks, feasts and decorations. Doors and windows of stores and apartments are decorated with good luck charms wishing for good fortune and happiness. For Hong Kong locals, Chinese New Year is as big as Christmas in other cultures. Presents are given and received, especially to children, and several days are public holidays, so very few people go to work. Each year is named for one of the twelve traditional zodiac signs. Chinese New Year is also a time to reflect spiritually and celebrate one’s ancestors.



The markets are also very representative of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a big center for business and a large port. Lots of goods from all over the world are sent by ship to Hong Kong and many goods are also shipped out of Hong Kong to other ports. Many of the goods manufactured or shipped to Hong Kong get sold in local markets known around the world for good bargains and exotic products.

Use these questions to help you which picture shows someone else why your “place” is so special to you.
 * Does a scenic picture represent the beauty you believe that your town has?
 * Does a picture of a group of people represent and show a warmth and friendliness that your town has?
 * Does a statue or building convey the feeling of history that makes your place important and unique?
 * Is there a cultural event that represents the values of your home location?

What are your initial thoughts about how your image addresses the questions above? Later, you will be working with the members of your group to create a travel package that includes visits to each group member's home location (see Phase II)

Phase III: Identify Local Issue:

What is your local issue? My local issue is the pollution in Hong Kong.

What can you do to address the issue? I can help supporting cleaning up the pollution in Hong Kong by helping hang signs that remind drivers not to leave their cars idling and that inform citizens of the Greenpeace movement to try to put better industrial standards in place in the region.

What is the global impact of your local issue? Air pollution is a problem that most cities have all around the world. What's more is that the pollution created by big cities affects the surrounding area. In fact, some of the pollution in Hong Kong isn't even created in Hong Kong, but drifts over the border from Mainland China, where there is a nearby industrial region.

Add these thoughts to your Group's Discussion Forum on Local Issues

 I am an explorer. What makes me an explorer is the values that have been instilled in me by my family, friends and culture. My parents are teachers, who taught me to value reading, learning and gaining diverse experiences. They brought me up in an Italian-American home, where I learned the importance of having strong family ties, especially when you leave home and explore the world. I’ve always found myself interested in cultures and belief systems that differ from my own. With these interests and values, I’ve been driven to travel around the world exploring new places.