“Self Evaluation of my academic year (2009)”

Hello, finally I am finishing this process of English learning at the university - I hope it goes well!- and today, I am going to tell you about “Self Evaluation of my academic year (2009)”. In this essay, I will describe the most important events in my academic year and I will try to do an evaluation of all this. To begin with, I need to tell you that this year is very important for me, because it is my last year at the university; I will graduate in December and get my degree in Psychology. As you can imagine, this has been a long process, therefore, this year is not any!. I am feeling very nervous, sad and happy at the same time; since I am going through several changes right now. For this reason, in the following essay, I will talk about those events have happened in this academic year and I will try to reflect on what I am feeling now.

For me, The acadamic year 2009 began the day that we had to take subjects, that is, “in our holidays”. The choice of taking subjects is a very complicated process, because you must be secure about yourself, in order to know in which area you would like to work; and then, to wait for a selection system. For me, it was not easy, due to the fact that I did not know in which area I wanted to focus on. Therefore, I went to talk about this situation with my favorite teacher, who is an educational psychologist. She helped me a lot, because I could choose the best subjects for me: “Educational and School Psychology” and “Education Consultant Institution”. As you can see, my subjects are related to educational psychology.

In the “Educational and School Psychology” subject, I have learned so much about the smooth running of the school and the educational system. Moreover, in this subject, we wrote a very interesting paper about “Mapuche Education”. In this work, my classmate and I interviewed Mapuche people. It was a great experience, because I think that their world view –therefore, their view on education too - is very different and more interesting than our occidental view; because they really develop an integral human being. On the other hand, I have learned so much in the “Education Consultant Institution” subject, because we were working on two projects for one state school. In this place, we made a course about interpersonal relationships, with teachers and students.

In conclusion, I can say that this year has been better than the others, because: I have learned so much (about: Mapuche Education, education system, to work with teachers and students, etc.) and the most important thing is that “I found my professional vocation”, I love educational psychology!. However, I think that next year will be very difficult for me. I will have to do professional internship and my thesis project. Sometimes, I feel that I will not able to do it. Nevertheless, I know that I must trust in my capacities in order to achieve my goals.

Challenges in my discipline...

Hello!,


Today, I must say that the subject of this day is a few difficult. After much thought... I think that, Maybe, the some challenges that my discipline should do are:

Of the Technology area... I think that my career has some problems of resources; our library has few update books... and our laboratory of neuroscience has not the equipment necessary; moreover, its infrastructure is insufficient.

Of the Social Matters area: to treat the social problems since the social sciences; that is, since the sociology, anthropology and psycolhgy.... because if we treat the social problems only since the psychogy...we finish reducing the social problems to the person! - it a a reducctionist look!- . we need share the knowledge with the others careers...

Of the education area: My career have problems with curricular. It is a great problem, because the psychology department reduced a complete year of studies, "to facilitate a continuous syllabus". In this aspect, I consider that my career must improve the superimpose subjects.

The protest of teachers

Hello!

A piece of news I have recently heard of, read in the paper, or watched on TV is "The protest of teachers"

A long time ago, more specifically since the military government , the social condition of the teachers is deficient highly in our city . The military governement introduced a new form to administer the resources in the education, which it will be in hands of the municipalities... In relation whit this, one of the great problems is that the municipalities spended the money of the teachers!!.... and... ey!, the municipalities never gave back the money at the teachers.

Moreover, in the time of the dictadure, the salary of the teachers was considerably reduced, which has brougth several consecuences; as far as the deterioration of the teaching practice... the teachers are not valued as a true "professional".

For those reasons, those last weeks, the teacher has stoped their work -against- to demand their rigths!... because the government must take responsibility of the "historic debt".

This situation affect at the teachers... pricipaly, who work (or they worked) at state schools... But I think, that this situation is a problem of all our society.

I think that my faculty has some problems of resources; our library has few books and the infrastructure is insufficient. Many times, we have to go to the other faculties to find the books that we need!.. or to make the class that we need!.

On the other hand, in the great majority of the career in my facuculty have problems with curricular. It is a great problem, specially to psychology because it was the first career in to change the curriculum; reducing a complete year of studies, "to facilitate a continuous syllabus". In this new implementation, the first years we had very problems, because we had superimpose subjects.

My faculty need more resources and organization. A form to resolve this situation is that
government give most money to the universities..

Election Day

On December of this year, we-"the chileans"- will have to choose a new president; and new deputies and senators!. For me, it will be awful. Today, I don`t know that to do!.

I am registered to vote since four years age. In the time that I decided to vote, I thought that this would have some significance. I was mistaken. Now, I am regretful!... A long time age the democracy does not exist in our country!. More specifically, since political constitution of 1980, because it imposed a system not representative!... and, hey! NO representative in the political, social, economic and even, in the electoral system!!!.... It is not really democratic!!!. The saddest is that it condition keeps till nowadays!!, because the recient gobernment has done nothing for it!!!.

It is awful!!!... I think that my vote is a vote lost!. My possible presidential candidate is very little known =( ... and for me, the other persons running are "interested in travel or robber!" XD. Well, I really hope that the people vote for the goverment plan of every candidate!!!... that they don`t vote for their faces!!!.... The faces lie!!!!

mmm... I have never considered to become a politician. A good political practically give his life for the people, a commitment that I don`t think to be ready to give.

I think that the qualities that a person running must have for president are: a real social commitments; to be a good listener; to know what he/she talking about; to like that the people really participate!, listening really their demands!!

In this aspect... some problems in my country, that I think, require an inmediate solution are: the poverty and inequality!; the political constitution (I think that we must change it!); the inequality in education (I think that we must change the LGE and the evaluation systems); the employment; the environmental contamination; the health systhem...

Religion and learning; what we know

I selected the article "Religion and learning; what we know" wrote by Nick Spencer, because I considerer very interesting that we ask about this relation.

In this article, Spencer reviewed a study of the demographics of belief, with particular reference to the UK; to detailed picture of the class composition of atheism and theism in this place. Here, they relationed two variables a/theism whit socio economic grade.




http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/oct/05/atheist-religion-education-demographics-class




Go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/> Select a news item connected to your area of studies / future career.> Write a summary of it.> Provide the link to your piece of news.> Leave a comment on 2 of your partners' posts.> 200 - 250 words

Criminal Laws

In the last decades, the crimminality has increased considerably. I think that the principal reason of this are the social iniquity and injustice; and for me, the capitalist economic system is the great risponsible. Nowadays, the government is on the side of big business, forgetting the commun people, especially the poorest.

For this reason, I consider that capital punisment is not a good solution to reduce crimminality. Firts, we must to change the social and economic system... It is a change of structure!, which is not made with more reppresive and harder measure .

On the other hand, there are more cons that pros in to apply capital punishment; for example, there are very innocent people that has been acussed and murdered for a crime that they never committed. Moreover, I think that to apply capital punishment also it is a crime, a great crime!; because all "murder" is a crime against humanity!... against to be human!.

In my life, I has been only once victim of a crime, more especificaly a burglary!. Everything valuable was stolen. How it happened??. I don't know; because I and my family were on holidays. It was awful!; they stolen our family heirloom!. We didn't believe.
Nowadays, I think that we had good luck, because only we lost material goods; and, maybe, the burglars needed money to live?

What to do?/ where to go in Santiago?

Are you a tourist or a traveller in Santiago??... Do you like to know what to do and where to go in Santiago???... Ooook, I help you =)
The first that I must tell you something, for me Santiago is a city very distint to other cities of Chile. In this place, the world walk too fast!, therefore, "you live quickly!": "you walk quickly" "you feel quickly","you eat quickly" "you study quickly"...ok.... maybe, I am exaggerating XD.. I admit that I am a few stressed, and that in this moment, only I would like to have a few of peace!...
Well, What to do and where to go in Santiago?
First, you should to go to "La Moneda`s Palace". It is the government palace that you will can easily recognize it, because it is a big building ubicated in the centre of Santiago city. In this place, you can walk trough Patio de los Naranjos or to visit "Centro Cultural La Moneda", where you will can see different exhibition of recognized artist as Violeta Parra! and watch national and international documentarys or films.
Then, If you have hungry, you should visit the popular Central Market or "La Piojera" =)... you have that to eat the chilean food -as cazuelas, pastel de choclo and empanadas- and to drink our delicious beer and wine!!.
If you like to climb, I recomend to go to Santa Lucía Hill and San Cristobal Hill: Santa Lucía Hill because it is a historic place and it has a beatiful view of Santiago; and San Cristobal Hill, because it is the most big hill in Santiago and it has an abundant vegetation =). Moreover, if you want to do sport you can to rise the hill on foot or you can use the famous telefericos (It is a great experience XD).
If you enjoy with the art... you can visit the National Museum (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes) ubicated in the known Parque Forestal, where you will can see expositions of important artists.

My experience in the high school education...

In general, my experience during my high school education was good, because I knew many people important for me -great friends; many loves; nice and near teachers, etc.-, with who I learnt "to live" and "to be who I am".

For this reason, I think that the things most important that one can learn in the high school, it is thanks to (or it related to) a good interpersonal relationships between students, students and teachers, teachers and other teachers, etc.... In my experience, this was essential to learn.

On the other hand, I think that to improve the current educational system our authorities should: first, reduce the iniquity and the uneven income ditribution; to worry about the quality of the curriculum contents, which must always consider the social and cultural context of the students. Therefore, the curriculum contents must to be more flexible; it is neccesary construct a pertinent knowledge to the reality of each student to improve learning!.

In other aspect, the responsible participation of the students is very important in the procces of learning, because they are the most involved in the education system and process.

2SEM: Transantiago: Before and after.

Nowadays, my opinion of Transantiago is a lot better than some time ago, because it has been improving thanks to the increasing quantity of buses and the new routes. But, I must say in a beginning it was awful; many routes were left out of the plan and a few quantity of buses made a the transport system colapse quickly.

If I compare my experience of the pre-transantiago system with the new system, I think that:
- Before, the buses were quick, but it competed for to carry more passengers!, which sometimes was very dangerous, because this situation could end in an accident. In the other hand, I like that these buses covered large distances... I could go to anywhere in only a bus!; to travel all over Santiago!.

- Now, "The Transantiago" is a system that it connect the metro and the buses for to travel for Santiago. Who use this transport, we have a "Bip!" card, that it serve for to travel on bus and subway. The "Bip!" card is the unique form of payment!, therefore we must not forget charge it with money!. Well, I must admit that the Transantiago is safer and cleaner than the other system. In the other hand, some problems of the Transantiago are: a) it colapse quickly!... we have very few buses!; and b) to take a bus after midnight is very difficult!.... Apparently, the entrusted of Transantiago forget the great quantify of people; and also, that there are many young people that they have life!

2SEM. México; a country I would like to visit!

On some of my vacation, I would like to go to Mexico!, because it`s a wonderful country, that has a big historical and cultural heritage; mainly, for its unique culture: a fusion of European (particularly Spanish) and Meso-American cultures -such as the Olmecs, Mayas, Toltecs and Aztecs-, that existed long before the Spanish conquest. Well, I would like to know the History of these native American civilizations and its several knowledges of astronomy, math, medicine and engineering.

Some places, cities, ruins and/or temples that I like to visit are: Palenque Mayan Ruins and the Temple of the Inscriptions; The ruins of Paquime; Uxmal and the Pyramid of the Magician -Uxmal was the greatest metropolitan and religious Mayan center during the late Classical period!-; Chichen Itza, the Temple of Kukulkan, the Feathered Serpent God (also known as Quetzalcoatl to the Toltecs and Aztecs); Campeche -a ancient Maya City of Calakmul-; and the archaeological monuments zone of Xochicalco, Teotihuacan, Monte Ibán, Tikán and Tula.

Moreover, I would like to visit Coyoacán, a small town on the outskirts of Mexico City, for to know "La Casa Azul" (The Blue House), where Frida Kahlo lived and worked; that is now a museum housing artifacts of her life. For me, she was not only a renowned painter, but she also was a appasionate woman in all!: a active communist and feminist sympathizers; who was married to Mexican muralist Diego Rivera!; a turbulent love!.

...I want to go to Mexicoooo!!

2SEM. First Term: Good and Bad points

In the first semester, I learnt different theories of language, more exactly, theories of "analysis of discourse", such as, the "Grounded theory Methodology" and a "Dialogical Approach"... The notion of dialogue/ discourse is very complex, it has acquired several meanings, or different readings. On the other hand , in Educational Psychology, I learnt the extreme labour situations of a great part of teachers in our country and also I learnt as the educational psychology must consider it.

Many times, when I was very stressed and/or tired, I liked to do different free activities to relax me, such as, to listen relax music, to draw or paint and sometimes, I did a few minutes of meditation =) to connect heart, body and mind. However, If I had much free time, I prefered to leave santiago city and visiting my parents and friends. They live in La Ligua, "my great city"... In this place, we know all the city and its people! mmmm..... When It bored me, I went to "Papudo", a little and quiet beach, that is very nearby of my city. Well, I must admit that I love the contact with the nature when I need to be alone.

My ideal Job

My ideal Job would be to work for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) related to "Popular Education". I think the principal quialities and skills I would need for this job are: to consider that knowledge is a social construct; to be a good listener; to understand how people and groups interact; to keep one's balance when a social problems is difficult to treat; and to be interested in how social influence and interpersonal behaviors determine the learning...

I consider that social problems can not examined independently of its actual social and situational contexts; therefore, the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are determined by other people... I think that I would be good at this Job, because: I like to treat with social and educational problems; I know principal theories of popular education -for exemple, Paulo Freire's Educational Theory and Pichon Rivier's Theory-I like to work in group... and finally, because I think that "Students must construct knowledge from knowledge they already possess. Teachers must learn how the students understand the world so that the teacher understands how the student can learn".

"Do Schools Kill Creativity?"

Hello! !!. Today I'm gonna talk about the video "Do Schools Kill Creativity?”, in which "Sir Ken Robinson" talks us about how the schools and the society are killing the children’s creativity. I totally agree with him!... I also think that the schools kill creativity, because the formal education privilege to teach certain kind of abilities and knowledge - mainly, mathematics and linguistics skill- as more important than other. In this aspect, the education had forgotten to encourage to use the brain or body in a more creative way.

In consequence, the educative system not help to children that they have other abilities!, because it oblige them to have a "standard" intelligence and to choose the "correct" and "profitable" career -comercial enginnering, accountant, laws, etc- ; when these children might be great artists in the future, maybe, dancers, singers, painters, actors and actress, etc.
I think that the most important to be happy is "to find and to carry out the own vocation".

My ideal future...

What would I like to be doing in 5 years from now? professionally? personally? where will I be living? What will I be doing?....mmm...mmm...mmm...
In five years from now, I would like to be an educational and social psychologist.... I would like to be in love with my profession and with everything that I do... I would want to work for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) related to popular education or human rights... Maybe, I will need to do a postgraduate diploma degrees, but it will depend if I have money and time for I do it.
I would like to live in Valparaíso, La Serena or Santiago; but also I would like to have the possibility to travel and to live in different places and countries -Cuba, Brasil and México-. Only for this reason, I would want to make money!!...I think that "to travel is to live".

The best in my area

Who is the best in my area?... I think that to answer it is very difficult!; because almost all my classmates are good in some area. For example, Cristian Radiscz the best in psychoanalysis. He love it!. Every day he speaks and teaches us something; specially about his favorite psychoanalysts "Jacques Lacan and Sigmund Freud". Nowadays, he wants to be an assistant professor; and for the next semester, he is trying to make a professor teach us class about Freud. In my opinion, he is the most intelligent and nice classmate! =)

In the other hand, Juanita Pérez is clever and good friend with all the world. She likes educational and social's area. Many classmates consider that she is the best of my course, because she has the highest marks. Maybe, in that respect they are right.

My career

I am student of psychology in the Chile´s University. However, when I finished the secundary education, I didn't Know what to study.... for this reason, I failed to choosing!!!; I entered to engineering!!! :S...
Well, today I go on the right way =). I chose psychology, becouse I like to treat whit different people, and to see how the social and familier problems affect to each one.
The best about it is that you can choose between several areas (one or more; as you like it!); for exemple, you can choose clinic psychology, social psychology, educational psychology and/or organizational psychology... Well, I love social and educational psychology; and some subjects related to these areas are "Sociology", "Memory and Human Rights", "analysis of discourse", "Teachers work and Psychology educational", etc....

The worst of "to study psychology" is when people ask us "Are you analyzing me?"... I don't support it!!.... It is awful!

one photograph...

To choose only "one" photograph is very difficult for me... because I consider that the great majority of my photograph have a special meaning; I remember a particular moment of my life
whit each one of it.

Well... one of my most prefered photograph was taken in February 2008 for Vínicius - a Brazilian friend- and I called it "Vinícius, Ana and I in the great "Morro de Arica"" . This place was very important for us, because it was the beginning of our summer vacation 2008!! and Arica was the first parade of a long trip!

In the picture, I am whit Ana -my best friend!- and Vinícius -my great "friend"- took the photograph. For us, this picture symbolize the liberty!!... "Our Liberty"XD ... because, in this vacation we always were free!!. Also, I must to say that " it was an unforgettable experience!!!; because then of to visit this place, we went to Perú -Arequipa, Cuzco and Puno- and Bolivia - Cochabamba and La Paz-.

Therefore, we knew different places, cultures and customs; and for this reason, we think than this photograph represent the most beatiful and longest trip!

My most precious possession

My most precious possession is... "my cat"!

I don't Know if a cat can to be a possession... but, I don't find anything else!?
well, its name is "Francia", because it is white whit a few black color and I think that it is very elegant and beatiful!.. I think that it is around five years old, and it lives whit me since 2005.

How do I have it? One day, It came looking for food at my home!... and then, it never left!
My family and friends say me that "Francia is fat!" or "Francia is very lazy". Well, for one reason or another, they allways say me that "Francia and you are quite alike"... I ask them "why?!"... they say me "you shouldn't ask things like that!"... well, I think that Francia is the most charming cat in the world!... for this reason we are quite alike! XD

I love it! I think that Francia is reliable, intelligent and beatiful... but I admit that my cat is a few fat and lazy... maybe, in this last aspect also we alike.

regards!

My last Vacation

My last Vacation...

This year, my vacations began on february, because I was working to make money and to scape from Santiago city. First of all, I went my parents'house in La Ligua. In this place, I rested and visited to my friends of college; we did a great and funny party! :). The next week, I, Cristóbal -my brother- and Ana -my best friend- went to Valparaíso, for one week, and then, we travelled to Mendoza!

I always go to Valparaíso!! I love it!!!! Valparaíso is a wonderful place!; the streets and buildings have an old arquitecture and its History is very interesting. Moreover, this city is Known internationally as one of seaports most important South America and -for me-, Valparaíso is the best Bohemian neighborhood of Chile.

....well, What I can to say about Mendoza? uuuff... uuufff .... The first day, the my friend's baggage was stolen!!... how? We don't Know :S. It was a terrible experience, that we prefered to forget! :( ...

The most beatifull of Mendoza are its parks and squares, and its wines are ok! :)... mmm If you like to go to Mendoza, I recomend to rent a bici for to visit the city; and also to practice some extreme sports, as far as, rafting, climbing and hang glider.

My best friends

My best friends...

I have many best friends: Ana, Bárbara and Velia. I met Ana in the Andres Bello college, when we was in highschool (in this time, I lived in La Ligua, a city near Valparaíso). She is very different to me -she loves go shopping and she dislikes talk about politics!-, however, now she studies something relationed whit the public System (Public Administration?) XD ... When we entered at the university, both left our city, now she lives in Viña del Mar and I live in Santiago, but always I see her -I go to Ligua or Viña! =)

At the University, I met Bárbara in my first year of career, when we were doing an investigation for social psychology. She talks a lot and she is very hyperactive!... She loves to practice sports, specially swimming. In his free time -that it is few!-, always she looking for something to do!. I consider that she is a very great friend!, always she is whit me when I need her.

And finally, Velia, my nice and great sister! =) ... she loves me incondicionally!! XD ...it is a obligation! XD... or not?... Well, sometimes we discuss and fight?, but then we do the peaces and again, we are the best sisters =) . She is architec and she works for public company and also for the "Universidad de Santiago" as teacher.

My friends are very important for me. They always are when I have a problem... incondicionally!!!

regards!

...about me

Hi!!

My name is Francisca García and I am from Santiago, Chile. I am student of psychology in the Chile´s University. I like to treat whit different people, and to see how the social and familier problems affect to each one.




My favorite hobby is to travell!... I love know different places and cultures. The first time that I travelled to a foreign country was in the year 2006... I went to Cuba!! in the"Brigade of solidarity whit Cuba". In this place -and also thanks to the Brigade- I know many people of different countries, such as cubans, brazilians, uruguayans, argentinians, bolivians and chileans; every they are very friendly!!... we dream and fight for an united latinoamerica, without economic blockades and without discriminations.







I think that this travell changed my life, becouse I was sharing whit many cultures and realities that are very different to mine.... and the most important , I knew many people important for me :).







After of this trip, I decided to know Latinoamerica!!... in each one of the following years, I have been knowing a different place! =)