Seattle - Reports about the Scholarship
Cultural Immersion in the USA
The two students - they took part on the Seattle Scholarship this Summer - share their experiences about the two weeks in the sister city of Pécs.
Zita Szécsi
During the several days spent here we became familiar with the area’s notable places, we hiked on beautiful mountains. It was interesting to see that several miles further on (from Seattle), the land, the climate in Ellensburg’s and Yakima’s vicinity was completely different, and the Native American culture is strongly present.
I like it a lot in Washington, that all the natural (geological) features are present,
mountains, the ocean, lakes, forests, the desert. Since it didn’t rain in Seattle during the two weeks, it is difficult to imagine how it is possible when it pours for weeks.
The past days have also been informative from a teaching point of view, since we have become acquainted with the American notion of lifelong learning. We have seen how the cultured, beautiful environment and the friendly, tolerant atmosphere enhances the learning ability of the people. Even for relaxation, people willingly choose the Public Library or the Community Center.
Everyone belongs to a group, where they are accepted and they understand that the
observance of the rules is a fundamental essential.
I liked the program very much. The one thing which we found missing was: the opportunity to meet with American college students, we should have spent time
with them one-on-one.
We already knew at home that Americans are famous for their patriotism, right now we also understood why this is.
We thank everyone very much for this opportunity to be here, and we are endeavoring to take home the well-working examples in our field (of adult education) and to utilize those at home.
Tamás Prácser
These past few days we were able to get acquainted with this land of vast spaces and dimensions, where everything seems to be possible.
During our stay we met with the wonders of nature, with this infinite and untouched environment. We could see the wild and harsh environment thew incoming settlers faced and had to adjust to - this struggle continues to this day. Obviously, the will to life in these people is very strong.
We have seen their cities, there building styles, beyond the cliches and stereotypes, we got to know life in city and country, the world of work and of business. In the latter, we found it most admirable how purposive, quick acting and logical it is. We got a taste of their life style, their culture, their art, their night life and of how they shape their free-time. We came to realize that the weekend here belongs to the family, to communal relaxation, to sports. We got acquainted with the historic Indian-settler relationship, as well as with the present multiethnic yet in so many ways united society.
We came to know the spontaneous, friendly informality with which the average American views the world and with which he welcomes visitors from afar. At the same time we also experienced the genuine Hungarian hospitality we know so well.
Obviously, given time limitations we could not see and get to know everything we would have loved to see and know, but, I believe, that in the time given we did receive a good overall view of our Sister city : Seattle in the state of Washington and of our fellow Hungarians living here.
We thank you very much.
(here you can read the reports in Hungarian)
In case you are thinking of getting cultural experience in the USA, please make contact with our office.
Contact info: almos.ella@pte.hu
