Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Azerbaijan: Baku Tackles Human Trafficking, But Ignores Domestic Violence
Jessica Powley Hayden: 6/12/09
Eurasia Insight
While Azerbaijan is getting tough on human trafficking, officials in Baku are lagging on efforts to address the more pervasive problem of domestic violence. Experts say the dichotomy reveals a willingness to combat foreign ills while turning a blind eye to those closer to home.
In recent meetings held across Azerbaijan, facilitated by the Azerbaijan Women's Bar Association (WBA), women have recounted tales of excessive verbal, emotional, and physical abuse -- and the inability to escape from the hands of their abusers.
"When I was a teenager, I witnessed how a young wife was repeatedly and brutally beaten by her husband," recalled a participant from the town of Lankaron, not far from Azerbaijan's Iranian border. After the husband broke both of his wife's hands she attempted to escape her village. "The woman was told by her neighbors; 'you are a young wife and you have to get through it and endure.'"
Although no reliable official statistics on domestic violence exist, several surveys conducted by international organizations between 2001 and 2004 found that 30 to 43 percent of women in Azerbaijan reported suffering from domestic abuse.
The government has tried to stop violence against women with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Baku has invested substantial resources in combating international human trafficking. In 2005, parliament passed a law creating a national anti-trafficking coordinator in the Ministry of the Interior. Hundreds of traffickers (mainly low-level) have since been brought before Azerbaijani courts, according to ministry statistics.
But unlike trafficking, the country has failed to address domestic violence against women and children. A draft law criminalizing domestic violence was introduced into parliament in 2007. It has languished in committee ever since.
Although some members of parliament support the measure, others criticize the law as unnecessary, describing it as an attack on Azerbaijani values. "Families are not supposed to be run by laws, but by traditions," parliamentarian Musa Quliyev, a member of the member of the governing Yeni Azerbaijan Party and deputy director of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, told the Zerkalo-Ayna daily shortly after the law was introduced.
A 2006 survey by the US Agency for International Development and Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee and Ministry of Health underlined the scope of support for that notion. Nearly 57 percent of 2,558 male respondents believed that a husband was justified in beating his wife; 49 percent of 8,444 female respondents said the same. Forty-two percent of respondents believed that a beating was acceptable, if a wife leaves the house without telling her husband. Thirty-one percent concurred, if a wife argues with her husband.
It is not only members of parliament, however, who find fault with the draft law. Sabina Gahramanova, president of the WBA, explains that much of the domestic violence law was "cut and paste" from international sources. This has created a sense that the law is not a home-grown piece of legislation.
It also provides an easy target for detractors. MP Quliyev charged that "European organizations" and "the Christian world" promote such laws "to destroy the Muslim-Turkish family notion."
These days, Quliyev remains a fierce opponent of the bill. Asked in February by 525 Gazeta, an online news site, about the inclusion of the domestic violence law on parliament's spring agenda, he reiterated his earlier stance: "I think there is no need for this law in Azerbaijan. It will not bring any benefit to . . . society, but harm," he stated.
International appearances appear to be a significant factor in Azerbaijan's decision to fight trafficking while ignoring domestic violence against women. "I think [Azerbaijan] has been focusing on trafficking because it is more of an international issue," commented Arzu Geybullayeva, an Azerbaijani analyst specializing in women's rights with the European Stability Initiative (ESI), a Berlin-based research institute. Azerbaijan "cares a lot about its image abroad," so it is more willing to take steps to address the problem, Geybullayeva added.
The presidential administration declined to comment to EurasiaNet on the perception of a discrepancy in addressing women's rights issues.
"There is considerable international pressure to act on [human trafficking] right now," said New York University anthropologist Sally E. Merry. "It offers governments a chance to regulate immigration and focuses on external threats to a country in the form of traffickers who may be outsiders."
Taking on domestic violence, on the other hand, is less palatable to governments like Azerbaijan because it involves "rethinking gender roles in the family," Merry said. Local experts agree that the rigid gender-role mentality will not be easy to change.
A nascent women's movement, however, is attempting to do just that. More non-governmental organizations are focusing on women's issues and organizing trainings to discuss issues such as trafficking, early marriages, and domestic violence. Several youth groups have taken up the issue as well.
Activists are quick to point out the challenges they face in overcoming prejudices and stigmas in Azerbaijani society: in a male-dominated society, many women are often isolated and feel no sense of solidarity with other women. In addition, women are well aware of the lack of political will to promote change. "Violence against women is a taboo subject in Azerbaijan," noted ESI's Geybullayeva.
Rashad Shirinov, a self-proclaimed feminist and founder of the AN Network youth movement, laments the absence of a broader intellectual gender movement in Azerbaijan. "There are organizations that organize seminars, but they don't turn into a movement," he explained.
Most Azerbaijanis involved in women's rights campaigns see little prospect for a full-fledged women's rights movement. "Our lives are hard," said Khalisa Shahverdiyeva, project director for the WBA's Legal Aid Project. Given economic and societal pressures, "most women don't have the time [to get involved]."
While young Azerbaijanis often "want to change things," she added, "they need support." Few, however, expect the government support activists seek will come anytime soon.
Gahramanova, the WBA president, believes that expanding public awareness is the first step. "Our work can be compared to drops of water," she said. "Drop by drop, we can make changes."
Editor's Note: Jessica Powley Hayden is a freelance reporter based in Baku.
Eurasia Insight
While Azerbaijan is getting tough on human trafficking, officials in Baku are lagging on efforts to address the more pervasive problem of domestic violence. Experts say the dichotomy reveals a willingness to combat foreign ills while turning a blind eye to those closer to home.
In recent meetings held across Azerbaijan, facilitated by the Azerbaijan Women's Bar Association (WBA), women have recounted tales of excessive verbal, emotional, and physical abuse -- and the inability to escape from the hands of their abusers.
"When I was a teenager, I witnessed how a young wife was repeatedly and brutally beaten by her husband," recalled a participant from the town of Lankaron, not far from Azerbaijan's Iranian border. After the husband broke both of his wife's hands she attempted to escape her village. "The woman was told by her neighbors; 'you are a young wife and you have to get through it and endure.'"
Although no reliable official statistics on domestic violence exist, several surveys conducted by international organizations between 2001 and 2004 found that 30 to 43 percent of women in Azerbaijan reported suffering from domestic abuse.
The government has tried to stop violence against women with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Baku has invested substantial resources in combating international human trafficking. In 2005, parliament passed a law creating a national anti-trafficking coordinator in the Ministry of the Interior. Hundreds of traffickers (mainly low-level) have since been brought before Azerbaijani courts, according to ministry statistics.
But unlike trafficking, the country has failed to address domestic violence against women and children. A draft law criminalizing domestic violence was introduced into parliament in 2007. It has languished in committee ever since.
Although some members of parliament support the measure, others criticize the law as unnecessary, describing it as an attack on Azerbaijani values. "Families are not supposed to be run by laws, but by traditions," parliamentarian Musa Quliyev, a member of the member of the governing Yeni Azerbaijan Party and deputy director of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, told the Zerkalo-Ayna daily shortly after the law was introduced.
A 2006 survey by the US Agency for International Development and Azerbaijan's State Statistical Committee and Ministry of Health underlined the scope of support for that notion. Nearly 57 percent of 2,558 male respondents believed that a husband was justified in beating his wife; 49 percent of 8,444 female respondents said the same. Forty-two percent of respondents believed that a beating was acceptable, if a wife leaves the house without telling her husband. Thirty-one percent concurred, if a wife argues with her husband.
It is not only members of parliament, however, who find fault with the draft law. Sabina Gahramanova, president of the WBA, explains that much of the domestic violence law was "cut and paste" from international sources. This has created a sense that the law is not a home-grown piece of legislation.
It also provides an easy target for detractors. MP Quliyev charged that "European organizations" and "the Christian world" promote such laws "to destroy the Muslim-Turkish family notion."
These days, Quliyev remains a fierce opponent of the bill. Asked in February by 525 Gazeta, an online news site, about the inclusion of the domestic violence law on parliament's spring agenda, he reiterated his earlier stance: "I think there is no need for this law in Azerbaijan. It will not bring any benefit to . . . society, but harm," he stated.
International appearances appear to be a significant factor in Azerbaijan's decision to fight trafficking while ignoring domestic violence against women. "I think [Azerbaijan] has been focusing on trafficking because it is more of an international issue," commented Arzu Geybullayeva, an Azerbaijani analyst specializing in women's rights with the European Stability Initiative (ESI), a Berlin-based research institute. Azerbaijan "cares a lot about its image abroad," so it is more willing to take steps to address the problem, Geybullayeva added.
The presidential administration declined to comment to EurasiaNet on the perception of a discrepancy in addressing women's rights issues.
"There is considerable international pressure to act on [human trafficking] right now," said New York University anthropologist Sally E. Merry. "It offers governments a chance to regulate immigration and focuses on external threats to a country in the form of traffickers who may be outsiders."
Taking on domestic violence, on the other hand, is less palatable to governments like Azerbaijan because it involves "rethinking gender roles in the family," Merry said. Local experts agree that the rigid gender-role mentality will not be easy to change.
A nascent women's movement, however, is attempting to do just that. More non-governmental organizations are focusing on women's issues and organizing trainings to discuss issues such as trafficking, early marriages, and domestic violence. Several youth groups have taken up the issue as well.
Activists are quick to point out the challenges they face in overcoming prejudices and stigmas in Azerbaijani society: in a male-dominated society, many women are often isolated and feel no sense of solidarity with other women. In addition, women are well aware of the lack of political will to promote change. "Violence against women is a taboo subject in Azerbaijan," noted ESI's Geybullayeva.
Rashad Shirinov, a self-proclaimed feminist and founder of the AN Network youth movement, laments the absence of a broader intellectual gender movement in Azerbaijan. "There are organizations that organize seminars, but they don't turn into a movement," he explained.
Most Azerbaijanis involved in women's rights campaigns see little prospect for a full-fledged women's rights movement. "Our lives are hard," said Khalisa Shahverdiyeva, project director for the WBA's Legal Aid Project. Given economic and societal pressures, "most women don't have the time [to get involved]."
While young Azerbaijanis often "want to change things," she added, "they need support." Few, however, expect the government support activists seek will come anytime soon.
Gahramanova, the WBA president, believes that expanding public awareness is the first step. "Our work can be compared to drops of water," she said. "Drop by drop, we can make changes."
Editor's Note: Jessica Powley Hayden is a freelance reporter based in Baku.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Peer Support Network (PSN)
The PSN is a Volunteer-organized, developed and coordinated program to maintain a diverse group of PCVs selected and trained to provide confidential, non-judgmental emotional support to their peers.
Peer Supporters have been trained in how to listen and help you successfully work through whatever it is you are going through. They are open and willing to listen to you, any time, any day of the week.
How it works:
Volunteers and Trainees are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Each of the Peer Supporters has a phone dedicated to use for support purposes only, paid for by Peace Corps. If you would like to talk to a Peer Supporter, merely text message or buzz (visov) them and they will call you back. As this service is not meant to be used in cases of emergency, the Peer Supporter may not be able to call you back if they are in the middle of a meeting or class. If this is the case, he or she will let you know immediately about when he or she will be able to call you back and give you his/her full attention – and that will always be within 24 hours of your first call.
Note on Confidentiality:
All phone calls are completely confidential. Peer Supporters do not discuss specific cases among themselves or with anyone else.
Please note: in situations where it’s apparent that the PCV/PCT may physically hurt himself/herself or others, or in cases of significant safety and security incidents that place the PCV/PCT in immediately danger, confidentiality will be extended to the PCMO. The Peer Supporter will encourage the PCV/PCT to talk to the PCMO first, and will inform the PCV/PCT involved of the Peer Supporter’s responsibility to extend confidentiality to the PCMO in such cases.
A little bit about us...
Charlie
English Education, Oguz
Hey dudes, my name is Charlie and I’m 25. I live in Oguz, which is a small town, and have no site mates (but an awesome rayon-mate). I am fond of long walks, philosophy, the rap music, the movie-films, and a nice glass of wine. Telephone me sometime and we shall have a lovely discourse.
Jon
English Education, Bilasuvar
Hey, my name is Jon Elkin and I am an English Education Volunteer in Bilasuvar. I am 23 years old. I’m originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and I am a huge Red Sox fan. The Peace Corps experience is unique for everyone so please don’t hesitate to call whenever you would like some support.
Emma
Youth Development, Shamaxi
Hi! My name is Emma Jackson. I'm a 25-year-old married volunteer. I work in Youth Development at the Russian School in Shamaxi. I love hobbies, from afghan crocheting to Ziploc-bag-washing. If you ever need to talk or vent, or even just to celebrate, give me a call!
Hiba
Youth Development, Lankaran
Hi! My name is Hiba Hakam. I'm a 23-year-old Youth Development Volunteer living in Lankaran and working for a Human Rights Organization. I'm from Dallas, Texas, and graduated with a degree in Social Work. "Feel free to call me and emotionally barf in my ear!"TM.
Peer Supporters have been trained in how to listen and help you successfully work through whatever it is you are going through. They are open and willing to listen to you, any time, any day of the week.
How it works:
Volunteers and Trainees are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Each of the Peer Supporters has a phone dedicated to use for support purposes only, paid for by Peace Corps. If you would like to talk to a Peer Supporter, merely text message or buzz (visov) them and they will call you back. As this service is not meant to be used in cases of emergency, the Peer Supporter may not be able to call you back if they are in the middle of a meeting or class. If this is the case, he or she will let you know immediately about when he or she will be able to call you back and give you his/her full attention – and that will always be within 24 hours of your first call.
Note on Confidentiality:
All phone calls are completely confidential. Peer Supporters do not discuss specific cases among themselves or with anyone else.
Please note: in situations where it’s apparent that the PCV/PCT may physically hurt himself/herself or others, or in cases of significant safety and security incidents that place the PCV/PCT in immediately danger, confidentiality will be extended to the PCMO. The Peer Supporter will encourage the PCV/PCT to talk to the PCMO first, and will inform the PCV/PCT involved of the Peer Supporter’s responsibility to extend confidentiality to the PCMO in such cases.
A little bit about us...
Charlie
English Education, Oguz
Hey dudes, my name is Charlie and I’m 25. I live in Oguz, which is a small town, and have no site mates (but an awesome rayon-mate). I am fond of long walks, philosophy, the rap music, the movie-films, and a nice glass of wine. Telephone me sometime and we shall have a lovely discourse.
Jon
English Education, Bilasuvar
Hey, my name is Jon Elkin and I am an English Education Volunteer in Bilasuvar. I am 23 years old. I’m originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and I am a huge Red Sox fan. The Peace Corps experience is unique for everyone so please don’t hesitate to call whenever you would like some support.
Emma
Youth Development, Shamaxi
Hi! My name is Emma Jackson. I'm a 25-year-old married volunteer. I work in Youth Development at the Russian School in Shamaxi. I love hobbies, from afghan crocheting to Ziploc-bag-washing. If you ever need to talk or vent, or even just to celebrate, give me a call!
Hiba
Youth Development, Lankaran
Hi! My name is Hiba Hakam. I'm a 23-year-old Youth Development Volunteer living in Lankaran and working for a Human Rights Organization. I'm from Dallas, Texas, and graduated with a degree in Social Work. "Feel free to call me and emotionally barf in my ear!"TM.
Stuffed Eggplants, Peppers and Tomatoes / Badimjan, Biber ve Pomidor Dolmasi
Straight from "Farida's Azerbaijani Cookbook"
This is probably the most popular dish prepared in Azerbaijan in summer. When vegetables and fruits are in abundance, Azerbaijani women like to stuff them :) They stuff eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, quince and even apples! The general name for all the stuffed yummies is Dolma, which means stuffed in Azeri. Dolma of eggplants, peppers and tomatoes is everybody’s favorite and I don’t know anyone in Azerbaijan who doesn’t like it!
Usually the three vegetables are cooked at the same time in the same pan. The stuffing is delicious on its own and I’ll admit I usually make extra and secretly eat it with a chunk of fresh bread and let the rest stuff the vegetables:) In my family we sometimes add split peas to the filling and I like it a lot, but it is only a matter of taste and is therefore optional. Also, eggplant shells are prepared in various ways before they are stuffed. Some blanch them in boiling water, some fry, some make a slit alongside the vegetable, some simply cut off the hat, scoop out the flesh and fill up the cavity with the stuffing.
Here’s the recipe, step by step.
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS
1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
For the Shells
6 small black skinned eggplants (about 12 cm long and 4 cm in diameter)
6 medium green bell peppers
6 large firm tomatoes
salt
ground black pepper
For the Stuffing
4 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
1 1/2 pounds (700 g) ground beef or lamb
2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium green pepper (pointed or bell), finely chopped
chopped tomato pulp* (see the recipe)
1 cup chopped fresh basil
½ cup cooked yellow split peas (1/4 cup dried, boiled in slightly salted water and drained), optional
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Prepare the shells.
Eggplants: There are two ways to prepare the eggplant shells. Choose one you like better.
Method 1: This is the easier method and takes less time than the second. Cut off the stalk end of the eggplants. Make a lengthways slit in each taking care not to cut right through. Fill a pan with water and bring to a boil. Gently drop the eggplants into the boiling water, and simmer for about 2 minutes, using a slotted spoon to keep them submerged. Remove and set aside. When cool enough to handle, remove the seeds from the eggplants with a spoon or by rubbing the eggplants gently between the palms of your hands to let the seeds fall out. Set aside.
Method 2: My favorite method, although requires more time and effort to prepare. Here instead of blanching the eggplants fry them before stuffing. Using a vegetable peeler or knife, remove about 3-4 lengthwise strips of skin from the eggplant to create a striped effect. Make a lengthways slit in each eggplant taking care not to cut too deep through. Soak the eggplants in a large bowl full of cold water with 2 tablespoons salt for 20 minutes to remove any bitterness. Drain, and gently pat dry. Fry the eggplants in 4 tablespoons oil or butter (add more if necessary) on all sides for about 10 minutes, or until evenly brown. Remove, drain on a paper-towel lined plate.
Peppers: Start cutting tops off the green peppers about 1/2 inches (4 cm) from the stems and stop when you obtain lids attached to the peppers. Remove the seeds and ribs and set aside.
Tomatoes: Remove the stems. Start cutting tops off the tomatoes about 1/2 inches (4 cm) from the stems and stop when you obtain lids attached to the tomatoes. Scoop out the pulp, finely chop it and reserve for the stuffing*.
2. Make the stuffing. In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook for about 3 minutes or until it is no longer pink. Add the onions and cook for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is golden brown. Add the chopped pepper and tomato pulp and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat. Add the fresh herbs, and if using, cooked yellow split peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well.
3. Sprinkle inside of the shells with some salt and black pepper and fill them with the stuffing. Cover the top of the peppers and tomatoes with their lids. Place the vegetables side by site in a deep frying pan. Pour 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified over the top. Cover and simmer over low to medium heat for about 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender (but not mushy!) and the liquid has reduced to the syrupy consistency.
Nush Olsun!
Look at the pretty pictures on this website!
http://www.azcookbook.com/stuffed-eggplants-peppers-and-tomatoes-badimjan-biber-pomidor-dolmasi/
This is probably the most popular dish prepared in Azerbaijan in summer. When vegetables and fruits are in abundance, Azerbaijani women like to stuff them :) They stuff eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, quince and even apples! The general name for all the stuffed yummies is Dolma, which means stuffed in Azeri. Dolma of eggplants, peppers and tomatoes is everybody’s favorite and I don’t know anyone in Azerbaijan who doesn’t like it!
Usually the three vegetables are cooked at the same time in the same pan. The stuffing is delicious on its own and I’ll admit I usually make extra and secretly eat it with a chunk of fresh bread and let the rest stuff the vegetables:) In my family we sometimes add split peas to the filling and I like it a lot, but it is only a matter of taste and is therefore optional. Also, eggplant shells are prepared in various ways before they are stuffed. Some blanch them in boiling water, some fry, some make a slit alongside the vegetable, some simply cut off the hat, scoop out the flesh and fill up the cavity with the stuffing.
Here’s the recipe, step by step.
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS
1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
For the Shells
6 small black skinned eggplants (about 12 cm long and 4 cm in diameter)
6 medium green bell peppers
6 large firm tomatoes
salt
ground black pepper
For the Stuffing
4 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified butter
1 1/2 pounds (700 g) ground beef or lamb
2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium green pepper (pointed or bell), finely chopped
chopped tomato pulp* (see the recipe)
1 cup chopped fresh basil
½ cup cooked yellow split peas (1/4 cup dried, boiled in slightly salted water and drained), optional
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Prepare the shells.
Eggplants: There are two ways to prepare the eggplant shells. Choose one you like better.
Method 1: This is the easier method and takes less time than the second. Cut off the stalk end of the eggplants. Make a lengthways slit in each taking care not to cut right through. Fill a pan with water and bring to a boil. Gently drop the eggplants into the boiling water, and simmer for about 2 minutes, using a slotted spoon to keep them submerged. Remove and set aside. When cool enough to handle, remove the seeds from the eggplants with a spoon or by rubbing the eggplants gently between the palms of your hands to let the seeds fall out. Set aside.
Method 2: My favorite method, although requires more time and effort to prepare. Here instead of blanching the eggplants fry them before stuffing. Using a vegetable peeler or knife, remove about 3-4 lengthwise strips of skin from the eggplant to create a striped effect. Make a lengthways slit in each eggplant taking care not to cut too deep through. Soak the eggplants in a large bowl full of cold water with 2 tablespoons salt for 20 minutes to remove any bitterness. Drain, and gently pat dry. Fry the eggplants in 4 tablespoons oil or butter (add more if necessary) on all sides for about 10 minutes, or until evenly brown. Remove, drain on a paper-towel lined plate.
Peppers: Start cutting tops off the green peppers about 1/2 inches (4 cm) from the stems and stop when you obtain lids attached to the peppers. Remove the seeds and ribs and set aside.
Tomatoes: Remove the stems. Start cutting tops off the tomatoes about 1/2 inches (4 cm) from the stems and stop when you obtain lids attached to the tomatoes. Scoop out the pulp, finely chop it and reserve for the stuffing*.
2. Make the stuffing. In a frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook for about 3 minutes or until it is no longer pink. Add the onions and cook for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is golden brown. Add the chopped pepper and tomato pulp and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat. Add the fresh herbs, and if using, cooked yellow split peas. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well.
3. Sprinkle inside of the shells with some salt and black pepper and fill them with the stuffing. Cover the top of the peppers and tomatoes with their lids. Place the vegetables side by site in a deep frying pan. Pour 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or clarified over the top. Cover and simmer over low to medium heat for about 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender (but not mushy!) and the liquid has reduced to the syrupy consistency.
Nush Olsun!
Look at the pretty pictures on this website!
http://www.azcookbook.com/stuffed-eggplants-peppers-and-tomatoes-badimjan-biber-pomidor-dolmasi/
F.L.E.X. (Future Leaders Exchange) Program Camp in Lenkeran
*** A Few Facts***
1) A US government-sponsored program for secondary school students throughout Eurasia
2) Provides scholarship funding for students to travel to the US, attend a US high school for a full academic year, and live with a US host family
3) Established in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Eurasian Secondary School Initiative under the FREEDOM Support Act
4) Funding is provided by the US Department of State
A group of twenty outstanding students from around Lenkeran were exclusively invited to attend an extensive, week long, FLEX preparatory camp in July. Over the course of the week, students developed their knowledge of test taking skills; essay writing abilities; and interviewing proficiency.
Three Azerbaijani English teachers and two former FLEX alumni were present during the course of the week and facilitated the sessions with the help of two Peace Corps Volunteers. The week began with an interactive introduction activity to get everyone acquainted; from there we began addressing the curriculum areas mentioned above. Former FLEX students developed a PowerPoint presentation to familiarize students with the program’s history and goals, along with giving information about the different stages of the application process.
In the test-taking component, students learned how to correctly complete a personal information form, and they were informed about items that need to be brought on the day of the test. The facilitator discussed rules of testing and the consequences of breaking those rules. Throughout the week, students practiced sample tests, and timed pre-TOFEL tests. The participants were also given sample tests to
complete at home. Each student’s scores were documented and they were given a specific improvement plan based on their test taking strengths and challenges.
As for the essay-writing component, students learned the basic strategies of essay writing, including: organization, content, and the mechanics of a well-structured essay. Students were given the opportunity to brainstorm specific essay topics as a group, and individually. Each student was given essays to complete at home, which were graded by the facilitators. At the end of the week students wrote
timed essays as they would during the actual FLEX application process.
The interview a major component of the FLEX application procedure. Participants were taught how to positively present themselves during an interview. Students practiced good eye contact, appropriate facial expressions, posture, and speech volume, along with giving creative and informative answers to the interviewer’s questions. During the mock interviews students gave answers to questions similar to those they would during the third round of the FLEX application.
At some point during the FLEX application, students are asked to participate in a group activity with other FLEX applicants. This gives the administrators an opportunity to watch the students interact with their peers. We developed mock group activities for students to participate in and at the completion of each activity the facilitators gave feedback to the students.
Upon the completion of camp, four students were given awards based upon best testing, interviewing, essay writing, and over all improvement.
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