Thoughts prior to departure

Dr. Eloise Briere
Our Tour Leader.
I wonder just how transformative this experience will be for us all... I'm glad the peasants' association of Fondwa will also be grading the students, their input is very meaningful... hopefully our trip will be just the first step in the direction of more collaboration with Haitians.

Asante
I am a freshman major in biology pre-med.
Last year I traveled to Chiapas, Mexico.
I love engaging in other cultures and I learn first hand that the dynamic, strong individuals I meet are so much more than 'peasants'.

Kumari
I am doing my Ph.D in information sciences. I am planning to do my research connecting information technology with rural development in third world countries. I am expecting to get a lot of creative insight for my research from this trip.

Rita
I am a junior psychology major, trying to set up a major in comparative ethics.
I have never been outside the country and am interested to see what a less priveledged nation is up close.

Anne
I am interested in this trip because my master's thesis for English is about a Haitian author, Edwidge Danticat. I am also in the Women's Studies M.A. program.
I have traveled abroad to similar destinations in central america where I stayed for over a month.
This will be my second time to the caribbean and I am looking forward to the trip.

Fadja

I am an French major.
I was born in Haiti.
I am expecting to learn a lot through the trip, regarding organization and community development.

Kyle
I study at New Paltz.
This is my second trip outside USA. I am excited about visiting the first black republic
I am taking the opportunity to experience a different culture and ways of life that I wouldn't normally be able to do.

Joseph
I am a freshman.
I am interested in learning french language, and take classes in french. I am really interested in this trip and want to gain all that I can.

Saphire
I am a freshman.
My mom is from Haiti.
I want to see other areas of the world.

Jonathan
I am a sophomore in the department of information sciences.
I am very interested because I would never have a chance to do something like this.
This is my first time traveling out of the country.

Jennifer
I am a junior and an English major.
I think traveling to new places is the best way to learn about other cultures.
I am excited about this trip because it is one that I probably would not have the opportunity to take on my own.

Prior departure discussion - Thoughts from other non-participants, with interest in Haiti

Shiela
I am a major in urban planning. I have worked internationally with organizations like USAID, in places like Asia and former Soviet Union.
I am interested in seeing real grassroots operation that function independantly.

Lucy
I have a Ph.D in sociology.
I am interested in understanding rural sociology of Haiti.

Allen
I have some travel abroad experience. I have visited Africa.
I am really interested in this trip.

	Dr. Eloise Briere Our Tour Leader. I wonder just how transformative this experience will be for us all... I'm glad the peasants' association of Fondwa will also be grading the students, their input is very meaningful... hopefully our trip will be just the first step in the direction of more collaboration with Haitians.
	Asante I am a freshman major in biology pre-med. Last year I traveled to Chiapas, Mexico. I love engaging in other cultures and I learn first hand that the dynamic, strong individuals I meet are so much more than 'peasants'.
	Kumari I am doing my Ph.D in information sciences. I am planning to do my research connecting information technology with rural development in third world countries. I am expecting to get a lot of creative insight for my research from this trip.
	Rita I am a junior psychology major, trying to set up a major in comparative ethics. I have never been outside the country and am interested to see what a less priveledged nation is up close.
	Anne I am interested in this trip because my master's thesis for English is about a Haitian author, Edwidge Danticat. I am also in the Women's Studies M.A. program. I have traveled abroad to similar destinations in central america where I stayed for over a month. This will be my second time to the caribbean and I am looking forward to the trip.
	Fadja I am an French major. I was born in Haiti. I am expecting to learn a lot through the trip, regarding organization and community development.
	Kyle I study at New Paltz. This is my second trip outside USA. I am excited about visiting the first black republic I am taking the opportunity to experience a different culture and ways of life that I wouldn't normally be able to do.
	Joseph I am a freshman. I am interested in learning french language, and take classes in french. I am really interested in this trip and want to gain all that I can.
	Saphire I am a freshman. My mom is from Haiti. I want to see other areas of the world.
	Jonathan I am a sophomore in the department of information sciences. I am very interested because I would never have a chance to do something like this. This is my first time traveling out of the country.
	Jennifer I am a junior and an English major. I think traveling to new places is the best way to learn about other cultures. I am excited about this trip because it is one that I probably would not have the opportunity to take on my own.
Prior departure discussion - Thoughts from other non-participants, with interest in Haiti
	Shiela I am a major in urban planning. I have worked internationally with organizations like USAID, in places like Asia and former Soviet Union. I am interested in seeing real grassroots operation that function independantly.
	Lucy I have a Ph.D in sociology. I am interested in understanding rural sociology of Haiti.
	Allen I have some travel abroad experience. I have visited Africa. I am really interested in this trip.