http://www.flickr.com/photos/35637126@N02/3518456572/

Brave New World

          The National Geographic Traveler Magazine recently published the top 20 “great places in the world to experience in 2012,” and among the list were the favorites - London, Dresden, and perhaps surprisingly, Pittsburgh. The same Pittsburgh, that not a century ago was notorious for boasting smog from its industrial borders, is now considered a high profile destination. Certainly, past generations contributed to Pittsburgh’s success today. Pittsburgh, like most cities, remained a destination throughout the immigration booms of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Irish immigrants held one of the largest percentages, and still do today, in Pittsburgh. Drawn in by the growing steel industry and open job market, many Irish immigrants travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to make a new life for themselves and their families. Ewa Morawska, in her chapter titled “The Immigrants Pictured and Unpictured in the Pittsburgh Survey,” discusses the living conditions and the assimilation into the American culture for these Irish immigrants, and through these beginnings, many generations since have stayed connected to Pittsburgh.

Compared to the green grass and the rolling hills of the Irish countryside, Pittsburgh seemed like a drab setting. Morawska states that “the immigrants deplored the ugliness and squalor of their new urban surroundings.” However poor the setting seemed, or how rigorous the work, the standard of living remained noticeably greater in the United States. Food became more plentiful, and clothes seemed to reflect this climbing of the social ladder, which was the entire motive for such a drastic life change. The immigrants’ endurance of “exploitative work and abusive treatment masked a determined ambition to better themselves” (Morawska 229). Mary Monroe, my great-grandmother, exemplified all of these characteristics. Hailing from the Irish countryside of Galway, an area that was arguably the poorest in the country at the time, Mary moved to Pittsburgh to start a better life, asking only for a job and a place to live. Falling in love with another Irish immigrant, Matthew McDonough, they were able to make a life for themselves and for their four children. Although their house would never be considered rich, they achieved their goal of living relatively comfortably.

Even though the way of life bettered for Irish immigrants, they still fought to hold onto aspects of their homeland in order to not fully assimilate to the new American culture. Morawska states that “immigrants preferred to turn inward toward their own communities and were uninterested in abandoning their customs and ethnic identities to become Americans.” The development of these Irish communities remained an outward symbol of a national consciousness within the Irish immigrant population. Of course, the Irish immigrants already spoke English as a native language, but the accent remained an aspect of pride for the Irish, even if Pittsburghers bullied or teased them. My mother remembers distinctly not recognizing what my great-grandmother said because her Irish accent remained very thick, even decades after moving to Pittsburgh. In addition, my great-grandmother kept her culture alive by performing river dances for family and friends whenever possible. By keeping the important cultural aspects of Ireland alive in her everyday life, my great-grandmother and many other immigrants, were able to stay true to who they were, while still taking advantage of and appreciating all that Pittsburgh had to offer.

Pittsburgh remains one of America’s best kept secrets. My great-grandparents discovered this secret when they immigrated from Ireland. Since then, many of the third generation McDonoughs have moved to various cities in search of a different and better future through job opportunities. However, they are always more than happy to return to their roots and explore all that the city has to offer. They have passed down the love for this city to their children, and even though neither I nor my siblings have ever lived in Pittsburgh, we view it as our second home. It comes as no surprise that Pittsburgh is considered one of the top 20 world destinations to visit during 2012, because I have visited and loved it my whole life.

Works Cited

Morawska, Ewa. "The Immigrants Pictured and Unpictured in the Pittsburgh Survey." Pittsburgh Surveyed: Social Science and Social Reform in the Early Twentieth Century. Eds. Maurine W. Greenwald and Margo Anderson. Pittsburgh: U of Pittsburgh P, 1996. 227-241. Print.

 

 

National Geographic. National Geographic, 1 Nov. 2011. Web. 2 Nov. 2011 <http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-2012/#/botw-main-gallery-pittsburgh_41334_600x450.jpg>.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2344409

The Research Triangle Park and Its Effects

There are many different places in America that would be well suited for raising a family. Out of all the different places that my parents, Mike and Gretchen, could have chosen to raise a family, they chose Durham, North Carolina. Durham is part of a wider collection of cities that includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel-Hill, and collectively these cities make up an area known as Research Triangle Park. The Research Triangle region holds an important place in my family's heritage because of the many jobs that it offers, the quality of life that is available, and the excellent universities that it includes.

In the late 1984, my mother Gretchen moved to Durham North Carolina as a fresh graduate of Auburn Veterinary School. She bought her own veterinary practice in 1988, one year after my father Mike moved to North Carolina to start his job as a chemist at Glaxo Smithkline. At that time, the Research Triangle region was booming with business and my parents were not the only people moving to the Triangle. In fact, according to From Seed to Harvest: The Growth of Research Triangle Park by Albert Link, the number of employees in the Research Triangle region has been growing continuously since its conception in 1959 (Link, 30). The creation of Research Triangle Park (RTP) was first announced by Governor Luther Hodges in 1956 as a way to boost the state’s economy and bring more businesses into the area (Link, 1). Since then, RTP has become one of the largest and most successful science-tech parks in the world (Link, 59). The Research Triangle region has brought in an incredible number of jobs to the state, partly because it is home to many of the most prominent public and private-sector research companies in the world including IBM, Cisco Systems, The E.P.A., and Glaxo Smithkline (Link, 116). My parents had never met before they moved here in the late 1980’s but it was the wide array of job opportunities that brought them to the same region. In fact, my parents met for the first time when my father brought his dog in to my mother’s veterinary practice in 1990. So essentially, it was the diverse number of jobs that RTP has to offer that brought my parents together. Although the excellent job opportunities of the RTP region did play a huge role in my family lineage, it is not the only reason why the Triangle stood out to my parents as a good place to live. Research Triangle Park also offers an excellent quality of living, consistently voted one of the best places to live in the country.

The primary motivators for both of my parents moving to the Research Triangle Region were the job opportunities that the region has to offer. However that is not the only factor that was important in my parent’s decisions. Another benefit of living in RTP is the excellent quality of life that is available. The Research Triangle region contains some of the best hospitals in the world, including Duke, UNC, and WakeMed, as well as excellent public and private schools, and these factors are important to consider when moving anywhere. Another reason why the quality of life in the Research Triangle region is so high compared to much of the rest of the state is because the per capita income for people living in the Triangle is very high. In fact according to Albert Link, there is a distinct and positive correlation between the number of people employed in the Research Triangle region and the average per capita income of the state (Link, 38). RTP did not only bring jobs and business into the state, but it also brought money and opportunities to the region, benefiting the whole area. The fact that the quality of life in the Triangle is so good played a large part in my family’s heritage. If my parents had been dissatisfied with the quality of life in RTP then they might not have ever met, which would have obviously meant that I would never have been born. The jobs and quality of life that Research Triangle Park has to offer are excellent but the basis for creation and the main engines keeping RTP continuously running are the three world class universities that surround the park.

Research Triangle Park is one of the oldest research parks in the nation; typically research parks do not survive much longer than 10 years (Link, 59). The secrets to success for RTP lie on the outer edges of the park. The universities of NC State, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill make up the three points by which the triangle is connected. The universities are the driving forces behind the park’s continued development and success, due to their research and funding (Link, 2). Not only do the “big three” universities help the RTP region with continued development, but they also provide excellent opportunities for the people living in and around the region. In fact, had it not been for the amazing education that is available in the region, my parents would have moved when I was in elementary school to Colorado because that is where they had always wanted to live. But, because my parents were considering many different things in their decision, they decided to stay in RTP because they knew that once I got older I would have many more educational opportunities. The big three universities are the beating heart and the reason behind much of Research Triangle Park’s development but they are also the reason that my family lives where we do today. I am fortunate enough to attend UNC, and I am very happy that my parents decided to stay in the region to give me this opportunity.

Since its conception in 1959, Research Triangle Park has boosted North Carolina’s economy, produced thousands of jobs, and consistently ranked among the best places to live in the nation. The region has also played a significant part in my family’s heritage, having been the reason that my parents met and why I attend UNC. The reason’s why the region has played such a significant part in my family’s heritage are due to the jobs that are available, the quality of life that the region offers, and the excellent universities that it includes.

-Chris Martin

Works Cited

Link, Albert N. From Seed to Harvest: The Growth of The Research Triangle Park.

Research Triangle Park, NC : Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, 2002. Print.

Charleston

northeastern.edu

Medicine has always been important to my immediate family. My father was an anesthesiologist, his father was also a doctor, and I too hope to become a doctor. My mother is a nurse who has explored many different fields within the career. My hometown Charleston, South Carolina is home to the Medical University of South Carolina, a very prestigious medical school and hospital, which started out as just a medical society “regarded nationally and internationally” (12). The hospital officially opened in November of 1824 “as one of the first in the nation to involve patient care” and a “regional resource for medical expertise” (13). My parents first met here and worked there for many years. My dad assisted in the first open heart surgeries performed in South Carolina there. My mother gave birth to me there. I have had a few too many ER visits there. Essentially, the Medical University of South Carolina holds significance to my immediate family’s past and future, as it has for the lives of thousands since 1824, for it is the oldest medical school in the southeast.

            A lot of my family history occurred on the grounds of this very hospital, which seems strange, but for my family, this is nothing out of the ordinary. My mother began nursing school in the cardio division, a program which originated in 1883, straight out of college. My father began his internship on the anesthesia unit after medical school. Both were new to Charleston at this point, and they eventually met one day on rounds. They got married two years later at a church not far from MUSC’s grounds. Seven years later, my mother gave birth to me at this hospital, which ended her career at MUSC. I have gained experience in this hospital after multiple ER visits and summers volunteering in the main hospital. Growing up in a medical environment has inspired me to become a doctor, a dream that I can remember having since the second grade, and I have always wanted to attend MUSC after receiving my degree from Chapel Hill. I feel that this place is important to the Hollon’s past and future because of the monumental events that have occurred there. Not many people can say that about their family. However, the Medical University maintains this kind of status in Charleston as well. Revered for the great research and medical care that comes out of the institution, this hospital is important to not only me, but others across the state and country.

            MUSC holds such a reputation to families and institutions because of the history and success that has continued since its opening in 1824. The Children’s Hospital defines MUSC, for it provides “state-of-the-art treatment of infants and children referred” from around the state, country, and even world (21). I have had some experience, both general and personal, in witnessing the wonders that come out of this portion of the hospital, and it is astounding. MUSC also holds this international reputation with their cardiovascular program “through outstanding heart specialists…treating patients…who are referred to them from around the world” (19). Charleston’s smaller size compared to cities that generate this degree of a medical reputation makes this kind of international recognition very impressive. MUSC looks toward the “future needs in health care education,” which progresses their status beyond others (21).

            Charleston has been my family’s home for a while, and it has become very special to us; medicine has also become a defining factor of my family, which makes Charleston and especially MUSC so significant to me. Both represent foundations of my friends, family, connections, career, and home. More expansively, I know that I share these notions with many people because Charleston is a unique place, as is the Medical University of South Carolina, both for their innovation and personality.

Edwards, James B. The Southeast's Oldest Medical School. New York: Newcomen

            Society of the United States, 1986.

           

http://www.freefoto.com/preview/90-17-8/Ice-skating--Winter-Wonderland-outdoor-ice-rink--Edinburgh

Not So Typical

Lori Wang views herself as the typical American Teen, but her heritage would hint otherwise. Lori Wang’s parents are both from China, but although both of her parents are Chinese, Lori identifies herself as an American. Many Chinese-Americans are closely connected to their heritage and hold on to traditional Chinese values, however Lori attributes her identification as an American to the activities she did when she was younger, the friends that she associates with, and her parent’s lenient attitudes.

Lori Wang’s parents both moved from China in the late 1980’s to attend grad school. Lori was born and raised in Cary, NC and grew up similar to any other American girl, liking Pokemon, playing tennis, competitively ice skating and spending time with friends. When talking to Lori, there are no significant events that make her stand out from any other American teen. However it is her similarity to other teens that makes Lori unique. Although Lori is a Chinese-American, she does not consider her Chinese heritage to be a large part of her life, unlike many other Chinese-Americans.

Part of the reason why Lori is largely unconnected with her heritage is due to the friends that she made when she was younger. According to a recent poll done by Scarborough Research, approximately 78% viewers of the U.S. Open, one of the largest tennis tournaments in the world, are Caucasian (TV Tennis: Demographics of US Open Viewers). Although tennis is predominately played and watched by Caucasians, Lori has been playing tennis since a young age. Since most of the players and viewers of tennis are Caucasian, Lori sees this as one of the main reasons why she lost some of her Chinese identity and became more closely connected with the American culture when she started playing the sport. Lori also competitively ice skated as a young girl, another sport primarily performed by Caucasians. Tennis, along with ice skating, allowed Lori to associate with a diverse group of people, further disconnecting her from her Chinese heritage. The sports that Lori played when she was younger had a large impact on how she grew up and who she grew up with. Along with the sports that Lori played as a teen, another important factor in Lori’s self identity and acceptance of American culture were the friends that she made when she was young.

When viewing Lori Wang’s photos on Facebook, it is obvious that she has a very wide variety of friends, ranging from Indian to Caucasian. Lori attributes some of her identification as a normal American teen to the friends that she associates with. Lori does not feel like she needs to only be with only people of Chinese origin; she has friends of all different races and origins. When Lori was younger, her parents would often choose her friends for her and they would typically be of Chinese origin, however as Lori grew older and started picking her own friends, she felt like she didn’t fit in as well when she was around fellow Chinese-Americans as she did when she was with the friends that she met through sports and school. Recently, Lori visited her grandparents in China for a couple months. When she went there, she felt as if everyone instantly knew that she was an American and she certainly did not feel like she fit in. Even though that is where her parents and family are from, Lori feels as though she is more connected with the American culture, people, and traditions than that of China. A good deal of why Lori feels less connected to the Chinese culture than a lot of Chinese-Americans do is because the she has not grown up having Chinese friends, but she has had branched out to find friends of different cultures as well. Although Lori’s friends had have a large impact on her views about her Chinese heritage, the main determinant of Lori’s cultural identity have been her parents.

In a recent New York Times article entitled “On Chinese Mothers and American Kids” by Lisa Belkin, Lisa takes a look at an extremely strict and traditional Chinese mother named Amy Chua who raised children in America (Belkin). When it came to activities, Chua strictly and fiercely controlled what her children did and made sure that they performed to perfection on everything. She forced her children to be masters of piano, violin, and every other school subject except for gym and drama. She was also in charge of who her children associated with and determined who their friends were. Chua explains that her method of raising children is simply the way that Chinese mothers raise their children, unlike the “laissez-faire” western method of raising children (Belkin). However Lori Wang did not grow up with parents like Chua; in fact she describes her parents as lenient, letting her pick and choose her activities and interests. This is part of the reason why Lori does not identify with some other Chinese-Americans, because she was not raised under the traditional, extremely strict method of parenting in which the parent determines what the child will do and how they will do it. Lori was allowed to choose the sports that she played, the friends that she hung out with, whether or not she wanted to play any instruments, and what she wanted to do with her life. Since Lori’s parents modeled their parenting more after the western method than the traditional Chinese way, Lori was able to explore for herself what she liked to do and who she wanted to be, and she is now not as in touch with her Chinese heritage partly because of the way that she was raised.

The fact that Lori Wang’s parents are from China has had relatively little impact on her life. A great deal of Chinese-Americans feel that they are closely related to their heritage and that their origins play a large part in their life, however Lori Wang feels that she is similar to any other American teen. The reasons why Lori feels more closely connected to American culture and people instead of her Chinese heritage are due to the activities that she did when she was younger, the friends that she has, and her parent’s lenient attitudes.

-Chris Martin

Works Cited

Belkin, Lisa. “On Chinese Mothers and American Kids.” Nytimes.com. N.P. 11 January 2011.
Web. 27 October 2011.

“TV Tennis: Demographics of US Open Viewers.” Sportsbuinessdaily.com. N.P. 28 August 2011. Web. 27 October 2011.

Who ARE Sorority Girls?

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A brunette with ambitious goals, Hannah Hollon isn’t the first example of a sorority girl to come to mind. In fact, she calls sorority girls “Pink and green girls” because of their super animated accents and “sisterhood for life” mentality.  This stereotype of sorority girls is evidenced throughout American culture in movies such as “The House Bunny”, “Sydney White” and “Legally Blonde”. But not all sorority girls are similar to the cliche that Hollywood has set out for them. Hannah Hollon is proof that the stereotype of sorority girls is false; she has ambitious goals, isn’t “pink and green” and doesn’t care about what other people think of her.

In the movie, “Legally Blonde” Elle Woods decides to drop out of her college and sorority in order to chase down her rich boyfriend, Warren who recently dumped her. She studies hard for her LSAT, gets into Harvard Law, all so she can be at the same school as Warren to win him back. Unlike Elle, Hannah has bigger dreams and goals for herself. Because her parents work in the medical field, Hannah grew up in the hospital and has wanted to become a doctor since the 2nd grade. Interested in Math and Science, Hannah plans on going to Medical school in Charleston. However Hannah doesn’t want to major in biology because everyone who is pre-med majors in biology. Instead, she plans to add variety to her medical school application and major in nutrition since it fulfills most of the pre-requisites for medical school. Hannah has also always been a healthy eater and exercises everyday, so she feels that nutrition is a good fit in terms of majors for her. Contrary to Elle’s goals of marrying a rich man, Hannah wants be a doctor and already has defined plans to achieve her goal.

One example of the “Pink and Green” girls would be from the movie “The House Bunny”. In the movie, sorority girls are compared to Playboy “bunnies” in that they are all clones: they look and act the same. “Pink and Green” girls are all similar looking girls with a lot of spirit for their sorority and show it by using letters, wearing pins and dressing like the other girls in their sorority. However, Hannah is not a “Pink and Green” girl. Although Hannah enjoys being in a sorority, she doesn’t flaunt her sorority. She’s a brunette who enjoys camping and the outdoors rather than wearing makeup and partying all the time. Outside of her sorority, Hannah is also in nutrition co-alition, Habitat for Humanity and is taking 17 credit hours. She hates the combination of pink and green, letters and is much more laid back than “Pink and Green” girls tend to be. As evidenced by her personality and hard work, Hannah shows that the “Pink and Green” girl stereotype of sorority girls is a false one.

It seems that Hannah isn’t at all the stereotypical sorority girl, so why did she decide to join one? Coming from out-of state, Hannah didn’t know many people at UNC so she felt that joining a sorority would help her meet people. While visiting UNC, Hannah stayed at a sorority. She liked the girls because they were nice and not what she thought they would be like. The sorority she choose, Pi Nu, shares a lot of the same personality traits such as not being as uptight. Hannah thinks she breaks the stereotype by having a more carefree personality. “I don’t focus on my reputation, and I don’t worry about what other people think of me.” In the movie “Sydney White” Rachel, the President of Kappa Phi Nu Sorority, only cares about whether or not she’s still considered the most attractive girl at her college. As displayed through American culture, it is shown that sorority girl put a lot of time and effort into their appearance and reputation. Hannah however, breaks this stereotype and shows that people can be sorority girls and not have to care so much about how they are perceived by others.

The idea that most people have of sorority girls is that of a group of peppy blond girls who are only friends with each other. Hannah Hollon, a sorority girl at UNC, is proof that not all sorority girls are part of the stereotype since she has ambitious goals, isn’t a “Pink and Green” girl and doesn’t care what other people think of her.

A Transitioning Move

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Any kind of move can be hard, whether to a new school, a new home, a new city, etc. Imagine changing all three at once at a young age. This kind of transition would be challenging and possibly even life-changing. Bridie McDonough experienced this degree of change in the seventh grade when she moved from Rocky Mount to Raleigh. Not only is this a move to a new school, home, and city, but a move from a small town to a big city, which can be unexpectedly different because there are certain stereotypes and personal attitudes associated with people from both backgrounds. Bridie exudes the caring nature associated with living in a small town, yet she breaks the small town stereotype as she has become open-minded and enthusiastic about new things as a result of her move from a small town to a big city.

            When thinking of a small town, one may think of sheltered viewpoints, lack of worldly experience, and limited opportunities. There is such a contrast between the big city and a rural town, yet each has their positives and negatives. People choose to live in these different areas based on the way they grow up and their common preferences. Bridie has experienced both climates, yet still represents the mindset prevalent in rural areas. She has ridden on a plane once, and she has never even left the Eastern time zone. Bridie has also never become engrossed by the technology that has seemed to take over the twenty first century; she purchased her first cell phone, laptop, and digital camera this past summer. While this may seem crazy to some, there is something to be said for not becoming obsessed with this new technology. When people think of big cities, they imagine crowds of people rushing from place to place with their cell phone attached to their ear. The city has become impersonalized by technology, and these people have an unfriendly and almost rude reputation. On the other hand, small town people are known for being kind and caring. Because of the small feel, everyone knows everyone and really cares to know each other, which creates a sense of community. This characteristic is very evident in Bridie. She is genuine and real, characteristics which reside in small towns. Bridie is always friendly, for she truly cares about others. These qualities are hard to find in people who have lived in a big city their whole life, which is why Bridie exemplifies the small town girl.

            When Bridie reached the seventh grade, her mother got a new job as an administrative assistant at the Duke School of Nursing, which relocated them to Raleigh, forcing her to adjust to living in a bigger city. Having to move schools as a seventh grader is hard enough, for the thought of change at a young age can be scary, but Bridie also needed to adjust to a bigger city environment. In Rocky Mount, she had been a minority at a poor, rural school where she received a below average education. Moving to Raleigh meant more educational opportunities paired with a yearning to learn and expand more. She enrolled in a privileged, diverse, and more laid-back school, and even as a seventh grader, she realized that she would have access to more opportunities in a bigger place with a better education. She described the move as easier than one would think. Even though she left behind the friends she met in kindergarten, the kids in Raleigh welcomed and accepted “the new girl” quickly. Bridie saw this as an opportunity to reinvent herself, for she has always been adventurous and enthusiastic about trying new things. However, it was not all smooth sailing. She describes stepping into Raleigh as “culture shock.” Having been used to Rocky Mount, Raleigh seemed huge and still does.

Bridie became more determined and enthusiastic as a result of her big move, and she is more aware of the wider world around her than she might have been had she remained in Rocky Mount. While she has never traveled, she hopes that her future career will take her all over the world. She describes herself as open-minded and eager to learn more through literature, music, and films. She loves meeting new people because new things and ideas fascinate her. These characteristics are not typically associated with the mindset of someone who grew up and lived in a small town. That is what makes Bridie different. Her move to Raleigh really opened her up to the world around her in a good way, which may not have been possible had she remained in Rocky Mount, yet she remains grounded and genuine despite her exposure to the city.

Photo licensed under Creative Commons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapies/3934856469/

Rural Upbringing with World View

Joining the Peace Corps promises adventure, experience abroad, exposure to unique cultures and traditions and diplomacy for the average American.  These global experiences attract so many young Americans, often from rural areas, because it offers a truly life changing experience.  Chris Martin grew up in a smaller town outside of Durham, North Carolina, but he, like many other Americans, has big dreams of joining the Peace Corp and making a positive impact on the global community.  PSAs released by the Peace Corp are targeted at a younger audience, which attracts recent college graduates.  The experience of traveling abroad and engaging in diplomacy stands in stark contrast to the rural American lifestyle.

         Although the Peace Corp is open to anyone that has an undergraduate degree, the majority of members are young, just like Chris Martin.  The average age of a person who joins the Peace Corp is 28 and 90% of people at least have an undergraduate degree.  This clearly shows the target audience of recruiting younger people who are usually recent college graduates.  In just one encounter with Chris you can feel his energy and excitement, which is ideal for a job abroad that presents a new challenge everyday.  This targeting of young volunteers is what drew Chris Martin in, and many other young adults in the United States.

         Joining the Peace Corp involves spending a minimum of two years abroad in a completely different cultural atmosphere than the individual is used to.  In many rural areas of the United States access to unique cultures is often limited, which is part of the reason why Chris Martin is seeking opportunities to expose himself to something unique.  In Durham, the city that Chris lives outside of, 41% of the population is Caucasian and 38% is African American.  Chris describes his school as a place that has some diversity, but nothing like the experience of diversity in the Peace Corp.  This international opportunity is a means to escape the routine of daily rural life.  This lure of new experiences and a complete change sparks interest in the Peace Corp in thousands of Americans.

         There have been many reports recently about the risk of joining the Peace Corp.  Numerous stories of violence and more often rape have been exposed, especially for women who are abroad.  Despite these horrific stories many young adults still have a great desire to join the Peace Corp.  Chris Martin is one of these individuals, and when asked if he was concerned about his safety in the Peace Corp, he responded that he was only worried about missing the ones that he loved while away.  This bravery is truly commendable and is what will guide our world to a more peaceful state.  This inner strength may not be seen in many females that are considering the Peace Corp because of the recent stories of violence.  The threat of rape and violence and the exercises of patriarchy can seem overwhelming to a woman, especially in a foreign country.  Chris Martin is able to avoid this fear simply by being a man, and feeling as though he could properly protect himself, even in a foreign country, because of his gender.  

         Chris Martin has plans to join the Peace Corp after college, and his decision was influenced by his young age, rural upbringing, and gender. The Peace Corp program specifically targets recent college graduates, which attracts numerous young people looking to make a difference, just like Chris.  Chris Martin grew up in a rural area with a father who is a chemist and mother who is a veterinarian.  The idea of the Peace Corp. stands in stark contrast to rural United States, and is a way to escape this lifestyle for foreign experiences.  Chris Martin is confident in his decision to join the Peace Corp. and also is not worried about his safety partially due to his gender that gives him an inner strength.    

Works Cited:

"Fast Facts | About Us." Peace Corps. United States Government. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.fastfacts>

Durham, NC - City of Medicine. The City of Durham. Web. 02 Nov. 2011. <http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/eed/diversity_city.cfm>.