ENG 263 Studies in the US Culture, Spring 2010

UV Students Meet with US Ambassador John Withers

2010-06-09T18:56:00.013+02:00

On Thursday, April 8^th, 2010, 40 students from the University of Vlora were given the unique opportunity to meet with US Ambassador John L. Withers II, confirmed by the US Senate as United States Ambassador to Albania on June 28, 2007.

Students from ENG 263: Studies in the American Culture and ENG 276: Interpretation courses with professor Mrs Erida Prifti met for more than an hour of friendly conversation with Ambassador John Withers II, during which the Ambassador answered student questions about American culture and his everyday collaboration with interpreters.

The two courses that these English language students are taking this Spring semester, Studies in the American Culture and Interpretation, are being enriched with activities aided by members of the Peace Corps Organization living in Albania, especially Ms Amy Fladeboe, who is Vlora's Peace Corps volunteer for English education. Professor Amy Fladeboe taught at UV during the academic year 2008-2009 and is still contributing enormously to the University's academic community. Such activities include inviting guest speakers to share their experiences and points of view as American nationals during class and more notably, helping to coordinate this educational opportunity to meet with Ambassador John Withers II.

The students from the Department of Languages represented the Ismail Qemali University of Vlora with great dignity, admirable skill, and remarkable politeness and civility at the meeting with Ambassador Withers, rendering their dialogue with the Ambassador a pleasant and memorable experience. They asked questions about the key to the Ambassador’s success as a diplomat, about the three aspects of the US culture worthy to be put in a "time box" for the future, about the Ambassadors’ expectations of a good interpreter, and even a request for a word of advice to UV students. The answers received were thoughtful, deep and full of fatherly wisdom by Ambassador Withers.

The students and their professor showed warm appreciation for the Ambassador’s time and the significant imprints he left in the minds and hearts of the students in attendance. The Ambassador graciously accepted the students remarks of gratitude and the symbolic gift they had prepared for him, which contained Ismail Kadare's "Chronicle in Stone" translated into English by the respected writer and translator Arshi Pipa, as well as a piece of hand-made wood art representing our Albanian flag. The students had also put all their signatures on a beautifully framed pergamena with a thank you note written on it. At the end, the Ambassador took the time to take individual pictures with each of the 40 students, as well as the staff members.

The IR Officer Mr. Erald Pelari, who was also accompanying the group of students, on behalf of the Rectorate of the University of Vlora extended to the Ambassador an official invitation to be the honored guest at the UV Graduation Ceremony in July 2010.

E. Prifti

What we have done up to now in te american culture?

2010-06-08T22:52:00.004+02:00

1-first impression
2-dominant u.s american values
3-american cocultures
4-american family life
5-american social life
6-american religious life
7-food and food costumes
8-trasportation
9-american civic life
10-american business life
11-educating your children
12-twenty first century issues

We have had a lot of guests,and a lot of good moments with them.Here they are:
1-metting with the regional people
2-metting with religious people
3-metting with the ambassador JOHN WITHERS
4-metting Carrien that talked about food
5-metting with Amy's mum,Laure that talked about coffee
6-metting with Andree C. Fee that talked about civic life
7-the metting with Jeny that talked about education.
This was a course with a lot of events for us.A very big big thankyou to proff ERIDA, she is our pride.

Amy's mum:LAURE FLADEBOE

2010-06-08T22:20:00.003+02:00

When we had the lesson that we talked about drinking we had a special guest that was amy's mum.We talked a lot with her about drinking and food but much we talked about coffee.
She said to us that she her coffeehouse 4 years ago that is called Lulubeans caffee shop.this coffee shop offers a lot o rooms. Each day they had seven different fresh caffees and offer other things like:coffee.swedish coffee,lattes,mochas chai,hot chocolates,asorted teas ect.
We made some questions to her like:1-Which is mor popular tea or coffee?She said that tea is becoming popular but coffee is more popular.
2-Which is the most popular coffee?She said that the most popular coffee is filtered coffee.
3-In most of the cases when people drink coffee?She said that people drink coffee mostly in the morning.
4-Which is the typical meal in their home?She said that was hot dishes,she liked to cook.
She said that the diference between a caffeteria and a coffee is that a cafeteria is a small lunch restaurant in high school and a caffee is where you drink caffee.

Trip to the American Embassy: Agenda of the Day

2010-06-08T15:53:00.003+02:00

This is the agenda of the day:

06.00 am - Departure from Kinoteatri, Vlora

06.40 am - picking up some of the students near QTU, Fier

09.30 am - arrival at American Embassy, Tirana

09.40-10.20 - quick coffee and refreshment at the nearest cafe'

10.30 am - being ready to go through security at Embassy's entrance

10.30-11.25 - going through security (where we will be required to leave all cellphones, ipods, cameras, etc.)

11.30-12.30 - meeting with Ambassador Withers

13.00 - Trip to Dajti Mountain

2010-06-08T07:45:00.001+02:00

Anisa Ismailaj

2010-06-07T16:07:00.008+02:00

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
PACE
PEOPLE
SIZE
CLIMATE
DOMINANT AMERICAN VALUES
EGALITARIANISM
DIRECTNESS
SILENCE
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SELVES
SOCIAL DISTANCE AND TOUCHING
AMERICANS IN MOTION
CONTROLLING NATURE
PERSONAL PROGRESS AND CHANGING JOBS
MATERIALISM
PAROCHIALISM
AMERICAN COCULTURES

ETHNIC DIFFERENCES
AFRICAN AMERICANS
LATINO AMERICANS
NATIVE AMERICANS
ASIAN AMERICANS
AMERICAN SOCIAL LIFE
FRIENDSHIP
PARTIES
INVITATIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WHEN TO ARRIVE AND LEAVE
DRINKING ALCOHOL
DINNER IN A HOME
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN
AMERICAN CIVIC LIFE

THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
MAJORITY-MINORITY
POLITICS
THE AMERICAN WAY OF GIVING
VOLUNTEERISM
AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LIFE
AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE
WHATS IN A NAME
GAY AND LESBIAN FAMILIES
SINGLE PARENTS AND BLENDED FAMILIES
AMERICANS AND THEIR PETS
AMERICAN BUSINESS LIFE
LABOR UNIONS
WOMEN IN THE WORKING WORLD
JOB SHARING AND PART-TIME WORK
ATTITUDES TOWARD FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE U.S
RISK TAKERS AND EXPERIMENTERS
TIME
LETTING EMOTIONS SHOW
DIRECTNESS AND CONFRONTATIONS
COMPETITIONS AND DECISION MAKING
NEGOTIATING
TAX COMPLIANCE AND CORPORATE FRAUD
LIFE IN THE OFFICE
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
FOOD AND FOOD CUSTOMS
HOTELS
RESTAURANTS
QUICK AND CHEAP
BARS AND PUBS
HOURS OF MEALS
AMERICAN FOOD HABITS
THE LANGUAGE OF FOOD
SMOKING
OBESITY
HEALTHFOOD
TRANSPORTATION
ON FOOT
BY BUS
BY SUBWAY OR METRO
BY TAXI
TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY ISSUES
THE EFFECT OF SEPTEMBER 11,2001
THE IMPACT OF WAR IN IRAQ
THE RISE OF RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM
SEGREGATION
POLARIZATION
PERNICIOUS DUALISM
GLOBALIZATION AND CORPORATE POWER
HEALTH CARE AND RETIREMENT
WORLD LEADERSHIP
ENERGY, WATER, AND THE ENVIRONMENT
PRIVACY
THE WEALTH GAP
CONCLUSION
MEETING REGIONAL PEOPLE
MEETING RELIGIOUS PEOPLE
MEETING THE AMBASSADOR JOHN WITHERS
MEETING AMY' MOTHER AND TALKING ABOUT THE FOOD IN AMERICA.
IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY THE AMERICAN CULTURE . THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING US!

Anisa Ismailaj

2010-06-07T14:08:00.007+02:00

The meeting with the Ambassador John Withers was such a great opportunity for me, because it helped me so much as a student of English brunch. By the way, lets mention some of the questions we made him.
1-Which is the key of your admiral success?Its easy to be an Ambassador in Albania because of the relationships between U.S and Albania that has been very good and also because the relationship became quiet easy to handle. The people of Albania are very favourably and its very asy to be an Ambassador.
2-hich are some of the elements that you like most? One is democracy which is a system of beliefs and a state of mind.Egalitarianism. We believe that any person ought to have opportunity to succeed. Obama, the President of America, came from a very modest family and he came in that moment when people failed.
3- What do you expect from a good interpreter?Interpreters in Albania give the meaning or the real mind. every American in Americagets a speech in corruption.Nose speeches were generic.If you want to have an impact on audience, you will make a good impression by a speech.Its not what you say. but what you hear.
4-How do you think Albania is adapted in democracy?We can see all manners, institutions which contribute to democracy.Democracy is a very unusual form of government based on the diversity.The government is the power by the concept of the leadership.
5- Which is your advice for the students of English brunch here in Albania? Work as hard as you can. The demand for people skill is going to be huge.We are at the perfect stage and age to develop our skills.

Panel of Seven Regional Speakers

2010-06-06T10:51:00.000+02:00

We have organized a panel of guest speakers from different regions of the United States for Wednesday 31 March, 2010. The panelists are:

Brett from Arizona
Travis from Texas
Rebecca from Colorado
Allan from New York
Stephanie from Alabama
Meghan from Washington
Amy from Minnesota

You must be prepared to participate in the discussion about Chapter 4: American Social Life, which deals with: Friendships, Parties, Invitations, Announcements, When to Arrive and Leave, Drinking Alcohol, Dinner in a Home, Relationships between Men and Women.

Prepare 3 questions on the above topics for the guest speakers and try to get an answer for at least one (since the time will be limited).

Take notes of the guest speakers' answers to your questions and/or any reflections you may have during the discussion.

Your notes will consist of:

the names of the guest speakers,
the region they come from,
any first impressions you may have for each of them (differences in accent, etc)
your question/questions
the answer/answers you received
any thoughts you may have on what is being discussed.

I expect everyone to write their personal observations on the Course Blog within Saturday 3 April, 2010, 12.00 pm. After this deadline, I will start assigning points to each of you for class participation, based on the quality of your postings.

anisa ismailaj

2010-06-02T14:19:00.005+02:00

1- What is American food?
American food includes hamburger, hotdog, sandwich.
2-Are these foods really American?
Hamburger is Turkish, hotdog is German and sandwich was brought in America with colonist.
3-Breakfast.
70% of American over55 eat breakfast, 54% over 18-54 eat other food such as eggs, bacon etc.
4-Brunch is a combination meal used for weekends.
5-Lunch. People eat lunch away from home, workers eat out of pack, students eat at school.
6-What is for dinner?Meal of the day and many families cook dinner.
7-Dinner foods are steak, chicken, vegetables etc.
8-Snacks. Americans eat small things much on fruits,chips between meals.
9-What influences Americans eating food habits?
Time, money, family size, age, social activity, religion.

2010-04-22T12:57:00.000+02:00

Some of the question that we made to the Ambassador were:
1-Mr.Ambassador what is the key of your succes as the ambassador of the U.S.A in Albania?

Its easy to be an Ambassador in Albania. The chief reason is the good relationship between countries.
I don't have to be worry of who will won in the election or the contracts.
The public opinion is very posed to collaborate and grateful.

2-Mr.Ambassador it is difficult to fit in the Albania culture?And what value of our country do you appriciate more?

I have lived in some countrys Africa, asia, and europe and each country i have been they have treated me very well.
The hospitality and generosity is what I appriciate more.
You feel you are welcome. The ability to make people from abord to feel well.

3-Wich is the American value that you appriciate more?

-democracy: is not just a system but a system of mind.
Is not perfect but is the best that we have.
-egalitarianism: we believe we should be juged by our values and to be equal with everybody.
-individualism: people feel very proud of their origin.
people use to see you as an individ.

4-What is a good interpreter for you?
I have been fortunate here because i have two interpreters Fredy and Bruna. What i appreciate in them is that they have a real talent. They are not looking my English words but the meaning. When I gave a speech is not important what I said but what you hear" The interpreter should construct a bridge between languages. The interpreter should make the speech more interesting in the hearer and to impact on it.

5-What is your opinion about democracy in Albania?

I notice a good progress in institutions and all this made function to democracy.
The decisions are made according to the constittute.
Sometimes is not efficient because the leader sometimes don't accept some concept. Am surprised that you the young generation don't express your opinion throught the media.
All things will improve and people should do more about this issue.

2010-04-22T12:54:00.001+02:00

- Kt Gustafson she live in Rreshen and its Baptist (emergent)
-Dylan Bycr he live in Peshkopi its protestant non-denominational(Episcopalian)and he study theology
-Amanda Doll she live in Librazhd is catholic
-Trevis Sabran live in Vlore is Jewish/catholic (religious studies) secular
The question that we made to the guests were:
1-when two people get married and they have different religious view, what’s the relationship between them?
Amanda: if one of the spouses is catholic the other spouse must be converted in catholic to marry him or her, but for me it’s not very important, he can do what he want.

Dylan: it’s not problem if someone is catholic or jewish, I knew the parents of my friend, her father is jewish and her mother is catholic and they grew up their family as Jewish
.
K.T: I knew some people that were divorced and the reason was religious, but for me its not problem if he is catholic or not.

2-which is the religious position towards homosexuals?
Dylan: for me its not problem if someone is gay, lesbian or homosexual.

Amanda: is different for me and is different for the church, for me its no problem, but for the church is not allowed, you can be a gay but you cant practice the catholic religion.

trevis:hinduism is religion derived from india, its conservative and doesn’t let the homosexuals, Buddhism also derived from India.

K.T: Is the same as Amanda.

3 -how much the religion influence on you?

Trevis: on me zero.

Dylan: on me a little bit, Ican say 70%.

Amanda: on me a little because my father was prist before his marriage with my mum.

This meeting was so great and I feel very well when we have guests, is so nice and special for me that we can learn and we can understand much better the life in American. I hope to have another chance to have guests like Dylan, Amanda, Trevis and Kt.

2010-04-22T12:54:00.000+02:00

we meet some guests from America and we have a good conversation with them.

the guests were from:

- Kt Gustafson she live in Rreshen and its Baptist (emergent)

-Dylan Bycr he live in Peshkopi its protestant non-denominational(Episcopalian)and he study theology

-Amanda Doll she live in Librazhd is catholic

-Trevis Sabran live in Vlore is Jewish/catholic (religious studies) secular

The question that we made to the guests were:

1-when two people get married and they have different religious view, what’s the relationship between them?

Amanda: if one of the spouses is catholic the other spouse must be converted in catholic to marry him or her, but for me it’s not very important, he can do what he want.

Dylan: it’s not problem if someone is catholic or jewish, I knew the parents of my friend, her father is jewish and her mother is catholic and they grew up their family as Jewish

K.T: I knew some people that were divorced and the reason was religious, but for me its not problem if he is catholic or not.

2-which is the religious position towards homosexuals?

Dylan: for me its not problem if someone is gay, lesbian or homosexual.

Amanda: is different for me and is different for the church, for me its no problem, but for the church is not allowed, you can be a gay but you cant practice the catholic religion.

trevis:hinduism is religion derived from india, its conservative and doesn’t let the homosexuals, Buddhism also derived from India.

K.T: Is the same as Amanda.

3 -how much the religion influence on you?

Trevis: on me zero.

Dylan: on me a little bit, Ican say 70%.

Amanda: on me a little because my father was prist before his marriage with my mum.

This meeting was so great and I feel very well when we have guests, is so nice and special for me that we can learn and we can understand much better the life in American. I hope to have another chance to have guests like Dylan, Amanda, Trevis and Kt.

2010-04-22T12:52:00.001+02:00

breakfast
-According to a 2005 ABC News Poll over 70% of Americans over 55 eat breakfast
-the most popular breakfast foods in America is cold cereal
-other breakfast foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, toast, fruit, bagels

brunch
combination meat, usually reserved for weekend, special occasions, holidays
-social meal, we don`t usual eat brunch alone

lunch
-according to a 2006 USA Today Poll more than half American workers have less 30 minute to eat lunch
-lunch food, salads, sandwiches, soups, quick easy, portable foods
-quick, mid-day meal usually eaten away from home
-workers eat out or pack
-students eat at school or pack

dinner
the final and the biggest meal of the day: more often eaten as a group than lunch or breakfast
-a 2005 CBS survey found that 39% of American family's with children under 18 eat dinner together seven nights a week, while 90%eat together
-many families cook dinner, but it is also not uncommon to eat out especial for individuals young people
-for dinner foods can be many different thing. Steak, potatoes, chicken, and vegetables are common, but many people also cook Asian, Italian and Mexican dishes

snacks
-Americans often eat small thing, such as fruit, yogurt, cheese, chips, cookies nuts and pretzels between meals
-sometimes American skip meals altogether and eat small things all day long

eating out
-according to a 2005 CBS survey only 43% of Americans cook at home six to seven nights a week
-eating out is usually more expensive than cooking at home
-Americans can try ethnic restaurant including Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Lebanese, Italian, Mexicans and French

Food

2010-04-22T12:22:00.001+02:00

Breakfast
-According to a 2005 ABC News Poll over 70% of Americans over 55 eat breakfast
-the most popular breakfast foods in America is cold cereal
-other breakfast foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, toast, fruit, bagels

Brunch
combination meat, usually reserved for weekend, special occasions, holidays
-social meal, we don`t usual eat brunch alone

Lunch
-according to a 2006 USA Today Poll more than half American workers have less 30 minute to eat lunch
-lunch food, salads, sandwiches, soups, quick easy, portable foods
-quick, mid-day meal usually eaten away from home
-workers eat out or pack
-students eat at school or pack

Dinner
the final and the biggest meal of the day: more often eaten as a group than lunch or breakfast
-a 2005 CBS survey found that 39% of American family's with children under 18 eat dinner together seven nights a week, while 90%eat together
-many families cook dinner, but it is also not uncommon to eat out especial for individuals young people
-for dinner foods can be many different thing. Steak, potatoes, chicken, and vegetables are common, but many people also cook Asian, Italian and Mexican dishes

Snacks
-Americans often eat small thing, such as fruit, yogurt, cheese, chips, cookies nuts and pretzels between meals
-sometimes American skip meals altogether and eat small things all day long

Eating out
-according to a 2005 CBS survey only 43% of Americans cook at home six to seven nights a week
-eating out is usually more expensive than cooking at home
-Americans can try ethnic restaurant including Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Lebanese, Italian, Mexicans and French

2010-04-22T12:21:00.001+02:00

The meeting with Ambassador of U.S.A was a great chance that i have in all my life was so special.
we make some questions at the Mr.Ambassador and he talk to us very nice and very freely.I feel very well in this meeting that is so special for all the students. Some of the question that we made to the Ambassador were:

1-Mr.Ambassador what is the key of your succes as the ambassador of the U.S.A in Albania?

Its easy to be an Ambassador in Albania. The chief reason is the good relationship between countries.
I don't have to be worry of who will won in the election or the contracts.
The public opinion is very posed to collaborate and grateful.

2-Mr.Ambassador it is difficult to fit in the Albania culture?And what value of our country do you appriciate more?

I have lived in some countrys Africa, asia, and europe and each country i have been they have treated me very well.
The hospitality and generosity is what I appriciate more.
You feel you are welcome. The ability to make people from abord to feel well.

3-Wich is the American value that you appriciate more?

-democracy: is not just a system but a system of mind.
Is not perfect but is the best that we have.
-egalitarianism: we believe we should be juged by our values and to be equal with everybody.
-individualism: people feel very proud of their origin.
people use to see you as an individ.

4-What is a good interpreter for you?
I have been fortunate here because i have two interpreters Fredy and Bruna. What i appreciate in them is that they have a real talent. They are not looking my English words but the meaning. When I gave a speech is not important what I said but what you hear" The interpreter should construct a bridge between languages. The interpreter should make the speech more interesting in the hearer and to impact on it.

5-What is your opinion about democracy in Albania?

I notice a good progress in institutions and all this made function to democracy.
The decisions are made according to the constittute.
Sometimes is not efficient because the leader sometimes don't accept some concept. Am surprised that you the young generation don't express your opinion throught the media.
All things will improve and people should do more about this issue.

2010-04-22T12:11:00.000+02:00

On 7 April we have some guest from America and we made some questions about religious life in America. The guests were :
- Kt Gustafson she live in Rreshen and its Baptist (emergent)
-Dylan Bycr he live in Peshkopi its protestant non-denominational(Episcopalian)and he study theology
-Amanda Doll she live in Librazhd is catholic
-Trevis Sabran live in Vlore is Jewish/catholic (religious studies) secular
The question that we made to the guests were:
1-when two people get married and they have different religious view, what’s the relationship between them?
Amanda: if one of the spouses is catholic the other spouse must be converted in catholic to marry him or her, but for me it’s not very important, he can do what he want.

Dylan: it’s not problem if someone is catholic or jewish, I knew the parents of my friend, her father is jewish and her mother is catholic and they grew up their family as Jewish
.
K.T: I knew some people that were divorced and the reason was religious, but for me its not problem if he is catholic or not.

2-which is the religious position towards homosexuals?
Dylan: for me its not problem if someone is gay, lesbian or homosexual.

Amanda: is different for me and is different for the church, for me its no problem, but for the church is not allowed, you can be a gay but you cant practice the catholic religion.

trevis:hinduism is religion derived from india, its conservative and doesn’t let the homosexuals, Buddhism also derived from India.

K.T: Is the same as Amanda.

3 -how much the religion influence on you?

Trevis: on me zero.

Dylan: on me a little bit, Ican say 70%.

Amanda: on me a little because my father was prist before his marriage with my mum.

This meeting was so great and I feel very well when we have guests, is so nice and special for me that we can learn and we can understand much better the life in American. I hope to have another chance to have guests like Dylan, Amanda, Trevis and Kt.

2010-04-19T18:30:00.002+02:00

MARSELA MALAJ

We have e meeting with Carrien and we discussed with her about the food in America.

What is "American" food?

Hamburger ,hot dog,sandwich

- The same poll found that smert popular breakfast food in America is cold cereal.

-Other breakfast foods :-eggs,bacan,sauage,pancake,yougurt,toast,fruit,daughnuts.

BRUNCH

-Social meal-they don`t usually eat brunch alone.

-Brunch food includes typical branch food.

-Combination meal,usually reserved for weekends,special occasions holidays etc.

LUNCH

Quick,mid-day meal usually eaten away from home .

-Workers eat out- or pack

-Students eat at school or pack.

-According to a 2006 USA Today poll,more workers have less 30min to eat lunch.

-Lunch food :salads,sandwiches ,soups,-quick easy,portable foods.

Whats for dinner ?

The final and biggest meal of the day-more often eaten as a group than brunch or breakfast. Families with children under 18 eat dinner together seven night a week , while 90% eat together at least once a week .

Many families cook dinner but it also not uncommon to eat out,especially for individuals young people.

Dinner foods can be many different things.Steak potatoes, chicken and vegetables are common but many people also cook Asian,Italian and Mexican dishes.

SNACK

Sometimes Americans skip meals altogether and eat small thing all day long such as fruit,yogurt,cheese,chips.

EATING OUT VS COOKING AT HOME

According to a 2005 CBS survey only 43%of American cook at home six to seven night a week

Eating out is usually more expensive than cooking at home.

Americans can try ethnic restaurants.

What influences Americans eating habits.

.Time .Social activity

.Money .Family size

.Age . Ethnic diversity

2010-04-19T17:39:00.002+02:00

MARSELA MALAJ

We had a meeting with 4 American people.We discussed with them about the religions life.We made them questions and they answered to us.The invitees were :

KT Gustafson (christian)

Dylan Byrel(protestant)

Amanda Doll(catholic)

Travis Sabran (jewish)

1-First question.

When 2 people get married and have different religious views,what is the relationship between them?

KT:-I know some people which are divorced because of religion.I can`t married someone that isn`t christians

Amanda:In catholicism the religion is very important if you want to married with someone.If one of the spouses is catholic ,the other spouse must convert in catholic if they want to marry.They can`t force someone to go to church.But for me it doesn`t matter.

-Dylan:Same people don`t live with religious. The religious isn`t very important in their life .This things does not disturb them.

2-Are the homesexuals in your religion?

KT -Is aceptable for everyone to have boyfriend or girlfriend of the same sex.

Amanda -You can be homosexual but you can`t practise it.

Dylan-The homosexual married are aceptable.

Travis -Everyone have different opinion about homosexuality.They have individual culture.

3-How much do the religion influence on you?

Travis-zero

Dylan-quite of it.

2010-04-18T17:31:00.002+02:00

American food

Elda Poci

On April 14th we has a meeting about the American food.

- What is 'American' food?

Hamburger, hot dog, sandwiches.

- Breakfast

According to a 2005 ABC News Poll, over 70% of Americans over 55 eat breakfast, and about 54% of Americans 18-54 eat breakfast.

The most popular food in America is cold cereal

Other breakfast foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, yogurt, toast, fruit, etc.

- Brunch

Combination meal, usually reserved for weekends , special occasions, holidays etc.

Social meal- we don't usually eat brunch alone.

Brunch food includes typical brunch, food.

- Lunch

Quick mid-day meal usually eaten away from home.

Workers eat out or pack (hourly workers hr.break low). More than half of American workers have less 30 minutes to eat lunch.

Lunch food: salads, sandwiches, soups, quick easy portable food.

- Dinner

The final and biggest meal of the day: more often eaten as a group than lunch and breakfast.

39% of American families with children under 18 eat dinner together seven night a week, while 90% eat together at least once a week.

Many families cook dinner, but it is also not uncommon to eat out, especially for individuals/ young people.

Many foods can be many different things. Steak,potatoes, chicken and vegetables are common, but many people also cook Asian, Italian & Mexican dishes.

- Snacks

Americans often eat small things., such as fruit, yogurt, cheese, chips, cookies, nuts & pretzels between meals.

Sometimes Americans skip meals altogether & eat small thing all day long.

- Eating out vs cooking at home

According to a 2005 CBS survey, only 43% of Americans cook at home six or seven nights a week. Eating out is usually more expensive than cooking at home.

Americans can try ethnic restaurants including Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Italian, Mexican and French.

- What influences Americans' eating habits?

Time, Age, Money, Social activity, Family size, Ethnic diversity.

2010-04-18T15:24:00.001+02:00

the meeting with Ambassador was a great opportunity for us. I feel very lucky that i was part of the group to go and to meet him. The questions that we made to the Ambassador were:1- What is the key of your success as American Ambassador in Albania?" It is easy to be an Ambassador in Albania. The reason is because the relationship between Albania and America has been easy. My college has to be worried about elections in Venezuela because a candidate is pro America and another is anti in Albania. I`m not worried because whoever win would be pro America. During election night i sleep very quiet. The easiest is the public opinion. Albanians are favorable disposed. in other country's i don`t get necessarily gifts. Here in Albania i get the hospitably so soon and so fast."2- Was difficult for you to adopt with Albanian culture?" I have lived in different countries and it wasn`t so easy. Here children are very opened and even at a young age you can find friends. the hospitality here has come so early , in other country's it comes more formally."3-Can you give us the features of American culture?"There are a lot of elements i`m proud of:a-democracy, for Americans democracy is not just a system but a system of believe. Is almost the state of mindb-egalitarianism, Americans believe that we should be judged for ourselves quality not for others quality. A person with ability can be equalc-individualism, we have got some original tendencies. If you ask Amy from Minnesota she would probably say the best words for it. Although they have personal believes they are proud of the country they come from"4-What do you expect from a good interpreter?" I have been fortunate here because i have two interpreters Fredy and Bruna. What i appreciate in them is that they have a real talent. They are not looking my English words but the meaning. When I gave a speech is not important what I said but what you hear"5- How do you think Albania is adopting democracy?" In Albania i see a lot of progress toward democracy. It is based upon a couple of concepts on the diversity of opinion to get your ideas and get the best for all the place. Albania is moving forward, is progressing. Here I`m surprised that young people don`t exert their opinion to their superiors. Of course it can happen here but it takes a lot of movements and activity, it is entirely in your hands. You are the future, insist on it."6-Which is your advice for the students of English branch?" To work absolutely as hard as you can."

2010-04-18T14:50:00.001+02:00

Talking about “American” food with Carrien .

On Wednesday 14th April we had a meeting with Carrien talking about American food.
What is “American”food?hamburger,hotdog,sandwich.
Are this foods realy American?Hamburger:Mongolien and Turkish;Hotdog:German arrived in America in 1800s;Sandwich:Mediteranion area,was brought in America with colonists.
BREAKFAST
Acording to2005ABC News Poll over 70% of Americans over 55eat breakfast,and about54%over 18-54eat breakfast.The most popular breakfast is cereal.Other foods:eggs,bacon,sousage,pancakes,yougurt,toast,fruit ,bagles.
BRUNCH:breakfast+lunch.
Combination meal used usually for weekends.
LUNCH
Much at mid-day,away from home.warkers eat out of pack,students eat at school.According to 2006USA Today Poll more have 30 min to eat.
Lunch food:salad,sandwich,soup-quick,easy,portable foods.
DINNER
Te final and the biggist meal of the day.A 2005CBS survey found that 39%of American families with children under 18 eat dinner together every night,while 90%eat together at least once a week.Many families cook dinner at home.Dinner foods are:potatoes,steak,chicken,vegetables,but many cook Asian,Italian,Mexican dishes.
SNACKS
Americans eat small things such as yougurt,fruit,chips,nuts between meals.
Eating out vs cooking at home
According to a 2005CBSsurvey only 43%of Americans cook at home 6 to 7days
Eating out is more expensive
Americans can try ethnic restaurants including:Chinese,Indian,Japanese,Mexican,French,Italian.
What influences Americans eating habits?
1Time
2Money
3Family size
4Age
5Social activity
6Ethnic diversity
“RATHER GO TO BAD SUPPERLESS THAN RUN TO IN DEBT FOR A BREAKFAST”
Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790)

interpreting course-translation

2010-04-18T11:36:00.003+02:00

The European partnership establishes priorities which are both realistic and attainable goals for the country concerned.
The key priorities include:

1-strengthening administrative capacity
2-promoting constructive dialogue between the various stakeholders on the implementation of the reform
3-increasing the independence and transparency of the justice system
4-implementing the 2007-2015 anti-corruption strategy
5-implementing the recommendation on dections made by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for security and corporation in Europe (OSCE)
6-mending the electoral code, strengthening public- sector governance, pursuing the fight against organized crime, and stabilizing the position of the state electricity company KESH

Partneriteti Europian ofron prioritete te cilat jane ne te njejten kohe realiste dhe te arritshme per perfshirjen e vendit.
Prioritetet kryesore perfshijne:

1-fuqizimin e kapacitetit administrativ
2-promovimin e dialogut konstruktiv permes paleve te ndryshme ne implementimin e reformave
3-rritjen e pavaresise dhe transparencen e sistemit te drejtesise
4-strategjimin e implementimit kunder korrupsionit 2007-2015
5-implementimin e rekomandimeve ne zgjedhjet e bera nga Zyra per Institucionet Demokratike dhe te drejtat e njeriut dhe organizates per sigurim dhe bashkepunim ne Europe(OSCE)
6-rishikimin e kodit elektoral, fuqizimin e qeverisjes se sektorit publik, ndjekjen kunder luftes se krimit te organizuar dhe stabilizimin e pozicionit te kompanise elektrike shteterore KESH

food

2010-04-18T11:02:00.002+02:00

breakfast
-according to a 2005 ABC News Poll over 70% of American over 55 eat breakfast 54% of Americans 18-54 eat breakfast
-the most popular breakfast food in America is cold cereal
-other breakfast foods: eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, toast, fruit, bagels

brunch
-combination meal, usually reserved for weekend, special occasions, holidays
-social meal, we don`t usually eat brunch alone

lunch
-according to a 2006 USA Today poll more than half American worker have less 30 minute to eat lunch
-lunch food, salads, sandwiches, soups, quick easy portable food
-quick, mid day meal usually eaten away from home
-workers eat out or pack
-students eat at school or pack

dinner
the final and the biggest meal of the day: more often eaten as a group than lunch or breakfast
-a 2005 CBS survey found that 39% of American families with children under 18 eat dinner together seven nights a week, while 90% eat together
-many families cook dinner, but it is also not uncommon to eat out especially for individuals young people
-dinner foods can be different things. Steak, potatoes, chicken and vegetables are common but many people also cook Asian, Italian and Mexican dishes

snacks
-Americans often eat small things such as fruit, yogurt, cheese, chips, cookies nuts and pretzels between meals
-sometimes American skip meals altogether and eat small things all day long

eating out
-according to a 2005 CBS survey only 43% of Americans cook at home six to seven nights a week
-eating out is usually more expensive than cooking at home
-Americans can try ethnic restaurants including Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian, Mexiacan and French

what influences Americans eating habits?
-time
-money
-age
-social activity
-family size
-ethnic diversity

food

2010-04-18T10:45:00.001+02:00

Breakfast
-according to a 2005 ABC News Poll over 70%of Americans over 55 eat breakfast 54% of Americans 18-54 eat breakfast
-the most popular breakfast food in Americans

meeting with Ambassador

2010-04-18T10:02:00.004+02:00

the meeting with Ambassador was a great opportunity for us. I feel very lucky that i was part of the group to go and to meet him. The questions that we made to the Ambassador were:

1- What is the key of your success as American Ambassador in Albania?
" It is easy to be an Ambassador in Albania. The reason is because the relationship between Albania and America has been easy. My college has to be worried about elections in Venezuela because a candidate is pro America and another is anti in Albania. I`m not worried because whoever win would be pro America. During election night i sleep very quiet. The easiest is the public opinion. Albanians are favorable disposed. in other country's i don`t get necessarily gifts. Here in Albania i get the hospitably so soon and so fast."

2- Was difficult for you to adopt with Albanian culture?
" I have lived in different countries and it wasn`t so easy. Here children are very opened and even at a young age you can find friends. the hospitality here has come so early , in other country's it comes more formally."

3-Can you give us the features of American culture?
"There are a lot of elements i`m proud of:
a-democracy, for Americans democracy is not just a system but a system of believe. Is almost the state of mind
b-egalitarianism, Americans believe that we should be judged for ourselves quality not for others quality. A person with ability can be equal
c-individualism, we have got some original tendencies. If you ask Amy from Minnesota she would probably say the best words for it. Although they have personal believes they are proud of the country they come from"

4-What do you expect from a good interpreter?
" I have been fortunate here because i have two interpreters Fredy and Bruna. What i appreciate in them is that they have a real talent. They are not looking my English words but the meaning. When I gave a speech is not important what I said but what you hear"

5- How do you think Albania is adopting democracy?
" In Albania i see a lot of progress toward democracy. It is based upon a couple of concepts on the diversity of opinion to get your ideas and get the best for all the place. Albania is moving forward, is progressing. Here I`m surprised that young people don`t exert their opinion to their superiors. Of course it can happen here but it takes a lot of movements and activity, it is entirely in your hands. You are the future, insist on it."

6-Which is your advice for the students of English branch?
" To work absolutely as hard as you can."

meeting with Ambasador

2010-04-18T10:02:00.001+02:00

religions life

2010-04-18T09:44:00.002+02:00

We have meet American people and we have discuss about religion in America. This meeting was very important because it help us to understand more about religion in America. The questions that were made there are:

1-When two people get married and have different religions background how is their relationship?
if you marry a catholic you have to baptist. if you just stop to go to church you will always be catholic. I have two friends which have a different religion. One is Jewish and the other orthodox but they raise the family as Jewish. Dylan said that he had two married friends with two different religions and their marriage didn`t function and they get divorced after a year. It depends how strict you are on your religion

2-How is the relation between homosexual and religions in America?
Amanda Doll said that everybody is different, there are things in religion that they like or don`t like. In her religion which is catholic you can be homosexual but you can not practice it. Her uncle was homosexual and he left the catholic. He had to leave the church. Trevis who is Jewish said that Judaism has three main religions which are:
a-orthodox in which homosexual are not excepted
b- inform jud which are liberal acceptable
c-conservative which is in the middle of conservative and liberal

3- How much does the religion effect in your life?
and the answers were: someone said zero, someone else quite a bit and Amanda said that her father was a priest, and what she take and what she like she don`t use what she don`t like

about food

2010-04-18T09:20:00.002+02:00

interpreting - the translation of the sentences

2010-04-17T19:45:00.002+02:00

1-insecticide- resistant mutating crop destroying insect pest
insekti i demshem per shkaterrimin e prodhimeve eshte shnderruar ne insekt rezistent ndaj insekticideve

2- universally accessible web-based global information clearinghouse
Zyra qendrore universalisht e lejuar me informacionin global te bazuar ne web

3-The European partnership establishes priorities which are both realistic and attainable goals for the country concerned.
The key priorities include:
1-Strengthening, administrative capacity
2-promoting constructive dialogue between the various stakeholders on the implementation of reform
3- increasing the independence and transparency of the justice system
4-implementing the 2007-2015 anti-corruption strategy
5-implementing the recommendation on dections made by the Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights of the Organization for security and corporation in Europe(OSCE)
6-mending the electoral code, strengthening public-sector governance, pursuing the fight against organized crime, and stabilizing the position of the state electicity company KESH.

Partneriteti Europian ofron prioritete te cilat jane ne te njejten kohe realiste dhe te arritshme per perfshirjen e vendit.
Prioritetet kryesore jane:
1-fuqezimin e kapacitetit administrativ
2-promovimin e dialogut konstruktiv permes paleve te ndryshme ne implementimin e reformave
3-rritjen e pavaresise dhe transparencen e sistemit te drejtesise
4- implementimin e strategjise kunder korrupsionit 2007-2015
5-implementimin e rekomandimeve ne zgjedhjet e bera nga Zyra per Institucionet Demokratike dhe te drejtat e njeriut dhe organizates per sigurim dhe bashkepunim ne Europe(OSCE)
6-Rishikimin e kodit elektoral, fuqizimin e qeverisjes se sektorit publik, ndjekjen kunder luftes se krimit te organizuar dhe stabilizimin e pozicionit te kompanise elektrike shteterore KESH

religions life

2010-04-17T17:13:00.002+02:00

This meeting was really nice and important for the religion chapter. It gave us extra information expect of what the book contains.
1- When two people get married and have different religious background, how is their relationship?
(eranda`s question)
If you marry to a catholic you have to baptist. If you just stop to go to church you will always be catholic. I have two friends which have a different religion, one is Jewish and the other orthodox but they raise the family as Jewish, it depends if they discuss and argue about this point. Dulan said that he had two friends with two different religions and their marriage didn`t function and they get divorced after an year. It depends how strict you are on your religion.
2- Are the homosexual in your religions?
Amanda Doll said that everybody is different, there are things in religion that they like or don`t like. in her religion which is catholic you can be a homosexual but you can not practice it. Her uncle was homosexual and he left the catholic. He had to leave the church. Trevis which was Jewish said that Jud ism has three main regions which were:
a- Orthodox in which homosexuals are not acceptable
b-inform Jud - which are liberal, acceptable
c- conservative, which is in the middle of conservative and liberal
3- How much does the religion effect in your life?
Someone said 0, someone else quite a bit and Amanda said that her father was a priest what she take what she like she don`t use what she don`t like

the meeting with the Ambasador

2010-04-17T16:33:00.003+02:00

This meeting was really a great opportunity for the students of the English branch so i feel really lucky that i was part of it. The questions that we made there are:
1- What is the key of your success?
" Its easy to be an Ambassador in Albania. the reason is because the relationship between Albanian and U.S has been easy. My college has to be worried about election in Venezuela because a candidate is pro America and another anti in Albania. I`m not worried because whoever win would be pro America. During election night i sleep very quiet. The easiest is the public opinion. Albanians are favorably disposed. In other countries i don`t get necessarily gift."

2- Was it difficult for you to adopt with Albanian culture?
" I have lived in different countries and it wasn`t so easy. Here the children are very opened and even at a young age you can find friends. In any country the hospitality has been so easy in other countries it comes more formally."

3- What are the features of American culture?
" There are a lot of elements i`m proud off:
a- democracy- for Americans democracy is not just a system but a system of belief. Is almost the state of mind
b-egalitarianism- An believe that we should be judged for ourselves quality not our for our father ability. A person with ability can be equal. Is point of America."
c-individualism- We have got some original tendencies. If you ask Amy about Minnesota she would probably say the best words for it. Although they have personal believes they are proud of the country they come from."

4- What do you expect from a good interpreter?
" I have been fortunate here because i have two interpreters Fredy and Bruna. What i appreciate in them is that they have a real gift, a real talent. They`re looking my English words but the meaning. When you give a speech it is not important what i say but what you hear."

5-How do you think Albanian is adopting democracy?
" In Albania i see a lot of progress toward democracy. it is based upon a couple of concepts on the diversity of opinion to get your ideas and get the best for all the place. Albania is moving forward, is progressing. Here i`m surprised that young people don`t ex-tern their opinion to their superiors. of course it can happen here but it takes a lot of movement and activity. It is entirely in your hands, you are the future, insist on it."

6- Which is your advice for the students of the English branch?
" To work absolutely as hard as you can."

meeting with the Ambasador

2010-04-17T16:28:00.000+02:00

Letra e Rektorit mbi takimin e studenteve te ENG 276 dhe ENG 263 me Ambasadorin J. Withers

2010-04-17T10:07:00.000+02:00

Te nderuar studente,

javen e kaluar nje grup i studenteve te UV-se vizitoi ambasaden Amerikane dhe u takua me ambasadorin amerikan. Me kane ardhur me dhjetra emaile prej tyre ku shprehet gezimi dhe kenaqsia per kete mundesi. Falenderimet me te mira vijne per UV-ne, per punen qe po behet ketu, dhe per pedagogen Erida Prifti e cila e mundesoi kete takim.

Te gjitheve na behet qejfi. Ne emer tuaj i urojme ambasadorit pune te mbare. Falenderimet tona per konsideraten dhe per pritjen e studenteve tane!

Me ka bere pershtypje se sa te lumtur e ndjejne veten keta studente te cilet u takuan me ambasadorin, Shume prej tyre e konsiderojne kete dicka te vecante.

Me kujtohet para disa vjetesh kur nje kolegj i vogel ne Amerike fitoi kampionatin e basketbollit per gjithe Ameriken. Studentet vershuan ne fushe. Traineri perpiqej t'i mbante dhe u thoshte "silluni sikur ishte dicka qe pritej, silluni sikur eshte dicka normale".

Edhe ne duhet te sillemi jo te ngazellyer, jo te habitur sepse takuam ambasadorin, sepse keto jane gjera qe priten.

Ju jeni studente te Universitetit te Vlores! Je jeni te denje te shikoni kedo drejt ne sy, pa ju dridhur qerpiku. Ne po ju pregatisim te tille! Por, ju do te beheni te tille vetem kur te filloni ta besoni kete.

Ju pershendes te gjitheve dhe ju siguroj se do te vije nje dite qe studentet tane te takohen me nobeliste e te mos ju dridhet qerpiku. Ne po perpiqemi te pregatisim eliten e ardhme te Shqiperise, te afte, me besim ne vetvete, te sigurte, me karakter te forte, me respekt vetem per te verteten, pasionante dhe me ndjenja per te dobetin, me dinjitet, me kredibilitet.

Ju do te merrni ne dore te ardhmen e ketij vendi, dhe per kete ju duhet te filloni te silleni sikur kjo "ishte dicka qe pritej".

Pershendetje,
Rektori

ANISA ISMAILAJ.

2010-04-16T14:30:00.008+02:00

K.T is Christian
Trevis is Jewish
Amanda is Catholic
Dylan in Protestant Catholic
1-When two people get married and have a different religious view, what is the relationship between them?According to Amanda, if one of the spouses is Catholic, the other spouse must be coverted in Catholic to marry each other, and then he or she can do what she or she wants.
According to Dylan, there is no problem is somebody is Catholic or Jewish.
According to K.T, some people that she knew were divorced and the reason was religion, but for her there is no problem if he or she is Catholic or not.
2-Which is the religious position towards homosexuals?
According to dylan, there is no problem if somebody is gay, lesbianor homosexual.
According to Amanda, it is different for her and for the church.For her there is no problem and for the church is not allowed."you can be a gay, but you cannot practice it".
§-How much does the religion influence in your life?
According to Trevis, the influence of religion is zero.
According to Amanda, the influence of religion is a little bit.
MY IMPRESSION: ITS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AMERICAN RELIGIOUS PEOPLE BACAUSE IT HELP US LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LIFE.

2010-04-14T19:40:00.002+02:00

Elda Poci

The religion life ( meeting with four American people)

We had a meeting with four American people and we discussed with them about the religion life in America. The invitees was: KT GUSTAFSON ( Christian), DYLAN BYRCL (Protestant), AMANDA DOLL (Catholic) and TRAVIS SABRAN (Jewish).

We made them some questions and two of them were:

1- How much religion influence to you?

Travis: Zero

Dylan: Quite a lot

2- When two people get married and have a different religion views, what is the relationship between them?

Amanda: In catholicism the religion life is too important if you want to married with someone. If one of the spouses is catholic, the other spouse must convert in catholic if they want to marry with each other. But for me it doesn't matter.

KT: The religion for me it is not a problem. But i know some people which are divorced because of the religion.

Trip to Dajt After Meeting with US Ambassador

2010-04-14T10:13:00.000+02:00

2010-04-14T10:07:00.001+02:00

Te nderuar studente,

javen e kaluar nje grup i studenteve te UV-se vizitoi ambasaden Amerikane dhe u takua me ambasadorin amerikan. Me kane ardhur me dhjetra emaile prej tyre ku shprehet gezimi dhe kenaqsia per kete mundesi. Falenderimet me te mira vijne per UV-ne, per punen qe po behet ketu, dhe per pedagogen Erida Prifti e cila e mundesoi kete takim.

Te gjitheve na behet qejfi. Ne emer tuaj i urojme ambasadorit pune te mbare. Falenderimet tona per konsideraten dhe per pritjen e studenteve tane!

Me ka bere pershtypje se sa te lumtur e ndjejne veten keta studente te cilet u takuan me ambasadorin, Shume prej tyre e konsiderojne kete dicka te vecante.

Me kujtohet para disa vjetesh kur nje kolegj i vogel ne Amerike fitoi kampionatin e basketbollit per gjithe Ameriken. Studentet vershuan ne fushe. Traineri perpiqej t'i mbante dhe u thoshte "silluni sikur ishte dicka qe pritej, silluni sikur eshte dicka normale".

Edhe ne duhet te sillemi jo te ngazellyer, jo te habitur sepse takuam ambasadorin, sepse keto jane gjera qe priten,

Ju jeni studente te Universitetit te Vlores! Je jeni te denje te shikoni kedo drejt ne sy, pa ju dridhur qerpiku. Ne po ju pregatisim te tille! Por, ju do te beheni te tille vetem kur te filloni ta besoni kete.

Ju pershendes te gjitheve dhe ju siguroj se do te vije nje dite qe studentet tane te takohen me nobeliste e te mos ju drighet qerpiku. Ne po perpiqemi te pregatisim eliten e ardhme te Shqiperise, te afte, me besim ne vetvete, te sigurte, me karakter te forte, me respekt vetem per te verteten, pasionante dhe me ndjenja per te dobetin, me dinjitet, me kredibilitet.

Ju do te merrni ne dore te ardhmen e ketij vendi, dhe per kete ju duhet te filloni te silleni sikur kjo "ishte dicka qe pritej".

Pershendetje,
Rektori

metting with 4 american people about the religious life

2010-04-11T01:40:00.016+02:00

This was a meeting with Amanda,Trevis,Dylan,Kt gustafon.We made same questions to them and here are some of them:

1when 2 peple get married and they have differnt religiou view,whats the relationship beetween them?

amanda:if one of the sposes is catholic the other spouse must be converted in catholic to marry him or her,but for me its not very important,he can do what he want.

dylan:its not problem if someone is catholic or jewish,I knew the parente of my friend,her father is jewish and her mother is catholic and they grew up ther family as jewish.

k.t:i knew some people that were divorsed and the reason was religious,but for me its not problem if he is catolich or not.

2which is the religious pozition towards homosexuals?

dylan:for me its not problem if someone is gay,lezbian or homosexual.

amanda:is different for me and is different for the church,for me its no problem,but for the church is not allowed,you can be a gay but you cant practice the catholic religion.

trevis:hinduism is religion derived from india,its conservativ and and doesnt let the homosexuals,buddism also derived from india.

k.t:is the same as amanda.

3 how much the religion influence on you?

trevis:on me zero.

dylan: on me a little bit,Ican say 70%.

amanda:on me a little because my father was prist before his marriage with my mum.

k.t{christian}

trevis{my mum is christian my dad is jewish,so Iam jewish}

amanda{catholic}

dylan{protestant catholic}

it was a very nice metting.

meeting with american people about religious life

2010-04-09T15:56:00.003+02:00

the american people were k.t gustafson(christian) dylan byrcl (i grow up in protestant christian familyand i grow up in church)amanda(catholic) and travis (my mother is catholic ,my father is jewish.so i am jewish)

the questions were:

1whene to people get married and have different religious view ,how is their relationship towards religious.
amanda if one of the spouses
is catholic the other must convert in catholic to marry him or her,but for me personaly it is not important ,if my husband wants to convert in catholic is ok but if he doesn't is not problem

dylan :it is not problem if some one is jewish or catholic,i knew the parents of my friend on peshkopi her mother was catholic and her father jewish and they rise up the family as jewish .

k.t i knew some families that were divorced and the reason was religious,but for me it isn't problem if he is christian is ok but if he isn;t it is not problem,

2which is the religious position for homosexuals?
amanda ;is different for me and different for the church,you can be homosexual but you can not practise ,so to marry ,or have boy friend.

dylan;for me is ok,if someone is gay lesbian ,or homsexual

k,t the same as amanda

travis;hinduism is religion , derived from india,it is conservativ and doesn't let the homosexuals,buddhism derived also from india.

3how much religion influenc on you ?
travis;for me zero
dylan;quite of it,

Emanuela Dregjoni

2010-04-05T21:27:00.002+02:00

On Wednesday we had a conference with seven American people. The first thing that makes me more impression was the map that Becca draw on blackboard.It let us know more the distance from the regions the come from,and to understand how small is our country compared with America.In this class was very clear that students were free to ask them for everything that has to do with the American culture and his features. Our guests were:

Steph (Alabama), Amy (Minnesota), Becca (Colorado), Alan (New York), Travis (Texas), Megan (Washington).

I made two questions, and I was the first who opened the interview.

The first question I made to Becca and Steph,and it was about the friendship in America. Stephany says that the friendship is different for every person. She has a lot of friends male and female.Sometimes they invite them to dinner.

Becca says that at university she has more friends and a lot of them were gays. Tge other question was about the relationship between man and women. Trevis says that they are variety and in big cities they are more opportunities for relation ships.When I made the question to Trevis he says me three times I can't hear you, speak more loud. It's very useful for us to make this meetings not only to learn more about American culture but also to improve our speaking and to speak with the right stress of the word.

We hope to have other meatigs like this and we also say thank you for coming each of six American people and we are looking forward to see them again.Tank you proffessor for this opportunity.

Besjana Murataj

2010-04-05T21:21:00.001+02:00

Conference with 7 americans
ALLAN new york
BRETT arizona
MEGHAN washington
STEPH alabama
BECCA colorado
TRAVIS texas
AMY minnesota

The questions were:
1.relations between boys&girls,how do they friends
2.relations in a marriage
3.do they feel save here after midnight,do they go out
4.why are more single women in usa
5.what do they think for albanian culture
6.a feature by their cities
7.do they think we speak well english
8.compression university of vlora,albanian universities,with them in usa,methody of teaching&how do they costs
9.are americans more reserved than british

they all speak english with their speech,steph spoke fluently,said some words different than other.about the answers they tell to us enoght thigs&we most been more attended to us.
they live in different cities of albania.

Eranda Hodaj

2010-04-05T21:12:00.002+02:00

On the 31 March we have conference with some guest from America:
1-Rebeca from Colorado
2-Stefany from Alabama
3-Brett from Arizona
4-Alen from New york
5-Trevis from Texas
6-Meghan from Washington

These are some questions that I made to the guest:
1-Wich is the Americans attitude towards newcommers from other countries?
2-According to the text America have a great number of single people,why this large expanded preference? they dont appreciate marriage and the creation of a family or other reasons?

1-Alen:In general doesnt exist a specific attitude mostly this depends from the country that them came from. There are sympathy and disaggrement according to theirs origin.
-Trevis:In my country most of the people have born there or are emigrants from Latin countrys so we dont have so much emigrant from other countries.
-Brett:We have a lot of emigrants most of them from Asia and they have a big influence in our society and we are opened to those people and accept them liberaly.
-Stefany:Our attitude depend from the country they come. In general we are more open to people who come from Asia or Mexico.
-Rebecca:Are a lot of tension in my country about emigration. Is difficult to have good relationship in a country with so much population from different countries. They are almost not accepted.

2-Brett: This is a preference that have to do with mentally ideals. Most of the people are always busy working or other activities so they dont have enought time.
-Stefany:We also have a great number of persons that get married. About the rest is their choice for doing so.
-Rebecca:Womens priority is their education and finding a good job and maybe after that they get married depending from the personal preference.
-Alen:Thats because when you are single you can have a easier life. Also is very expensive to get married and create a family.
-Trevis:Most of them are affraid from divorce and its conseguence. According from what I have known 50% of marriages get divorce.

The interview with them makes me undrestand more the features of the different country about the issues that we disccused. Theirs answers were totally useful and enjoyable to mett persons different from us.

Anjeza Sadikllari

2010-04-05T21:11:00.000+02:00

On the 31 March we meet:
1-Stefany from Alabama (Peskopi)
2-Rebeca from Colorado (Rubik)
3-Brett from Arizona (Rubik)
4-Alen from New york (Gjirokastra)
5-Trevis from Texas (Vlore)
6-Meghan from Washington (Jal)
7-Amy from Minnesota (Vlore)

Some of the questions that I asked to the panel are:
1-Features of their city?
2-How do you trated new commers in America?
3-How find albanian culture?

Some of their answers were:
1-Stefany:Alabama is a very religion country, and she goes in church 3 times a week.
2-Rebeca:My country is in west and Colorado have national parks,forets,a beatiful nature. Rebeca love spending more time outside.
3-Trevis:Texas have a lot of cultures different from each other,is diverse have more majority than minority.

2-How do you trated new commers in America?
-Trevis:We have people that are just coming in the USA and are from different countries. So are a lot of attitudes,but we tried to support them.
-Meghan:In Washington emigrations are from Egypt,Asia and are very open people.
-Amanda:Emigrant in my country are most of them from Asia,China etc but are very friendly people ans are welcome to our state.

The first impression was that they all very frely,to express the best of what they know. It was very useful to hear they answers and their opinion becuase help me to undrestand better the social life in America. I hope that I can have another chance to meet them again,it was a great experience.

Rozvelta Kamberaj

2010-04-05T21:09:00.000+02:00

On 31 march we have a conference with 7 American guests:
1)Allan from NEW YORK
2)Trauis from TEXAS
3)Meghan from WASHINGTON NORTH
4)Brett from ARIZONA
5)Steph from ALABAMA
6)Becca from COLORADO
7)Amy from MINNESOTA
The questions were:
1.How do americans having friends,relations with boys&girls
2.How do they invitations for differents parties
3.The relations in a marriage
4.Are americans more reserved than british
5.A feature by their cities
6.Do they have good relations with commers by other cities
7.First impressions for albanian&what do they think for our culture
8.Do they go out in midnight here in albania,do they feel save,is the same in their cities
9.What do they think when see albanian men meeting kissing each other face to face
10.compressions universities of albania,in this cause univer.of vlora,with they in usa,methody of teaching,how do they costs
11.relations of americans native with ethnics groups in usa
12.why are more single women in usa
13.do they think we speak well english,same with them,with the right speech

I want to say that each of them speak english their own speech,everyone different from other one.steph spoke more fluently&said not you all but yo`ll,different words.I liked more Meghan in her way of speaking.well that`s all.thank you

Marsela Malaj

2010-04-05T11:04:00.002+02:00

On 31 March we met 7 American people. They were from New York, Colorado, Alabama, Arizona, Texas and Amy from Minnesota. I enjoyed very much this class. I learned new things about their culture. I felt very well with them. I feel like I was drinking cafe with them and we just make a discussion. I like very much the way how they talk. They talk like friends with us. They talk since problems. We make them questions and they answer this questions. The first question was:
- How are the relationship between men and women?

Most of them said that they know their friends in high school and university. They like to pass the time with their friends. Stephanie said that it isn't say that they have to married with the first boy or girl that they meet. They have lot of boyfriends and girlfriends. She said that she has friends that are in her age and were married and also have children. She said that she is 27 and she isn't married and this doesn't make any problem for her. Travis talk about the divorces. He say that his parents were in the third marriage. Stephani said that most of them have the parents divorced. She said that her parents were in the second marriage.
Another question was about the university here in Albania. Travis said that students here in Albania don't have respect for their teachers. Ans he said when we talk somebody in the class smoke or talk with each other.
-Do you feel more safe here in Albania than in the States, after the midnight?
They all said ''Yes we feel safe here in Albania but we are not confortable''
- We asked them an advice how to learn English better and they say that we have to write, read and to speak a lot English. And we ca go out for a cafe with them. than we asked them that who have to pay for the cafe and they say: everybody for their own.

Anisa Ismailaj

2010-04-05T10:16:00.004+02:00

STUDIES IN THE AMERICAN CULTURE
On Wednesday in the studies of American Culture we invited 7 American teachers from different cities.
They are:
Alan is from NEW YORK.
Stephani is from ALABAMA.
Trevis is from TEXAS
Rebeca is from COLORADO.
Amy is from MINNESOTA
Bred is from ARIZONA.
The questions that we made to them are:
1- What is the process of inviting someone in America?
2-What are some of the features of America ?
3-What is the attitude of new comers in America?
4- What is the relationship between man and women?
5-How is the accent of Albanian people in studying English?
6- What is your advice for the students here in Albania?
The answers are:
1-The process of inviting someone is usually by email.
2-America has a diverse population and is known for controlling nature.
3- Texas is the second biggest place with different attitudes about mew comers.In Washington there are a lot of immigrants and they think that Albanian people are more generous ,
hospitable and very open to Americans.
4- Men and women relationships start earlier. They get married, make children and have a normal life.
5-The Albanian accent is good. They learn quickly how to speak using accent.
6- For the student of English branch , their advice is: Read , write and learn English.
Have a coffee with American teachers vec e vec and ask questions to them.
My impression is: The Americans are so direct and they help everybody in studying English. Working with American teachers is a great opportunity because they help us have a wide knowledge about American culture in English language.

Zamira Iljazi

2010-04-04T13:59:00.002+02:00

On Wednesday, 31 March 2010, we had a metting with Steph from Alabama, Brett from Arizona, Rebecca from Colorado, Meghan from Washington, Travis from Texas, Amy from Minnesota, and Alan from New York.

We asked them a lot of questions and some of them were:

1)Which is the process of inviting someone in America?
2)What are some of the features in USA?
3)What is the attitude of new comers in America?
4)What is your advice for the students here in Vlora?
5)How is our accent in the English language?
6)The relationship between men and women?
7)Is USA a reserved population?

1)The process of inviting in America is by Facebook.
2)Alabama: is a religious city,Steph said tha she went 3times a week on church.There is also a very good food here.Arizona:is known for her high temperatures.Colorado:for her nature,there are a lot of high mountines,they do a lot skying.Washington:for the Pacific ocean and for her rock bands.Texas:for couboys.New York:is a big city and its full of high buildings.
3)They are very opened.
4)The advice for the students here is to hear,to listen and to speak more English.
5)They said that we had a good accent,there are a lot of othercountries that study english that are very understandable.Steph that was teaching English in Japan said that it was very hard for her because they speak vrey bad the English language.
6)In general the relation between men and women are work relations and personal relations.They said that there are a lot of single women in America,because they prefer to grow up their children by them selves,they also said that its very expensive to get married so they preffer to work and make carrier.They also said that50%of Amecans are divorced and they are on their2nd or3rd marriage.
7)America is a very big city and has a very big population,so there are a lot of ethnic groups that
live there.

It was a very nice metting.We learned a lot about America.Something very interesting was when Rebecca drew the map of America and the map of Albania inside her,to make the comperison how big is America and how small is Albania.

Trip to the American Embassy: Suggested questions

2010-04-03T22:49:00.005+02:00

Dear students,

I have compiled a list of questions, just to give you a few ideas. Please feel free to copy and paste them in your slot in the Field trip spreadsheet, if you like to use them with the Ambassador.

Also, please think of a symbolic gift we could give the Ambassador.

*****

* Ambasador Withers, does the Obama Administration consider Albania an Islamic, Christian, or an atheist state?

*****

* What are the main foreign policy concerns of the Obama administration?

*****

* What do you think of the Albanian-US relationship today?

*****

* In your role as Ambassador to Albania, did you find any difficulties having to do with the Albanian culture?

*****

* What city did you enjoy the most in Albania, and are there any areas you liked in particular?

*****

* Many Americans do not speak a foreign language. How do you think this could be changed, and is the US Embassy in Albania involved in any language programs?

*****

* How do you think the Albanians view President Obama, and vice versa for Americans’ opinion of President Topi?

*****

* Does the US Embassy keep up regular contact with all of the major Albanian political parties?

*****

* What do you like most about Albania?

*****

* If students are interested in diplomatic careers, what advice would you give them?

*****

* You hold a PhD in Modern Chinese History. Do you see any similarities between China and Albania, considering the common communist background of the two countries?

*****

* For two years you were a Political Officer in Moscow, Russia. What was similar and what was different in your experience in living in these two countries?

*****

* Ambasador Withers, for the last 25 years you have been living in the Netherlands, in Nigeria, in Russia, in Albania, but not in the US. What do you consider to be your personal culture?

*****

* How often do you make use of an interpreter in your everyday interactions?

*****

* Do you require that interpreters be formally trained in interpreting skills before hiring them?

*****

* What do you value most in an interpreter?

*****

E. Prifti

2010-04-03T17:39:00.001+02:00

Welcome to the ENG 263 Studies in the American Culture, Spring 2010 course blog.

Please feel free to express your impressions, views and opinions based on what has been happening during class.

Your postings will go toward points for class participation (15% of the overall grade).

You can post from your email address directly to this blog by using the following email address: erida.prifti.eng263@blogger.com

I hope you enjoy this new education experience.

*****

Eranda Hodaj

2010-04-03T15:45:00.002+02:00

On the 31 March we have conference with some guest from America:
1-Rebeca from Colorado
2-Stefany from Alabama
3-Brett from Arizona
4-Alen from New york
5-Trevis from Texas
6-Meghan from Washington
7-Amy from Minnesota

These are some questions that I made to the guest:
1-Wich is the Americans attitude towards newcommers from other countries?
2-According to the text America have a great number of single people,why this large expanded preference? they dont appreciate marriage and the creation of a family or other reasons?

1-Alen:In general doesnt exist a specific attitude mostly this depends from the country that them came from. There are sympathy and disaggrement according to theirs origin.
-Trevis:In my country most of the people have born there or are emigrants from Latin countrys so we dont have so much emigrant from other countries.
-Brett:We have a lot of emigrants most of them from Asia and they have a big influence in our society and we are opened to those people and accept them liberaly.
-Stefany:Our attitude depend from the country they come. In general we are more open to people who come from Asia or Mexico.
-Rebecca:Are a lot of tension in my country about emigration. Is difficult to have good relationship in a country with so much population from different countries. They are almost not accepted.

2-Brett: This is a preference that have to do with mentally ideals. Most of the people are always busy working or other activities so they dont have enought time.
-Stefany:We also have a great number of persons that get married. About the rest is their choice for doing so.
-Rebecca:Womens priority is their education and finding a good job and maybe after that they get married depending from the personal preference.
-Alen:Thats because when you are single you can have a easier life. Also is very expensive to get married and create a family.
-Trevis:Most of them are affraid from divorce and its conseguence. According from what I have known 50% of marriages get divorce.

The interview with them makes me undrestand more the features of the different country about the issues that we disccused. Theirs answers were totally useful and enjoyable to mett persons different from us.

Anjeza Sadikllari

2010-04-03T15:27:00.001+02:00

On the 31 March we met:

1-Stefany from Alabama (Peskopi)
2-Rebeca from Colorado (Rubik)
3-Brett from Arizona (Rubik)
4-Alen from New york (Gjirokastra)
5-Trevis from Texas (vlore)
6-Meghan from Washington (Jal)
7-Amy from Minnesota

Some of the questions that I asked to the panel are:
1-Features of their city?
2-How do you trated new commers in America?
3-How find albanian culture?
Some of their answers were:
1-Stefany:Alabama is a very religion country, and she goes in church 3
times a week.
2-Rebeca:My country is in west and Colorado have national
parks,forets,a beatiful nature. Rebeca love spending more time
outside.
3-Trevis:Texas have a lot of cultures different from each other,is
diverse have more majority than minority.
2-How do you trated new commers in America?
-Trevis:We have people that are just coming in the USA and are from
different countries. So are a lot of attitudes,but we tried to support
them.
-Meghan:In Washington emigrations are from Egypt,Asia and are very open people.
-Amanda:Emigrant in my country are most of them from Asia,China etc
but are very friendly people ans are welcome to our state.
The first impression was that they all very frely,to express the best
of what they know. It was very useful to hear they answers and their
opinion becuase help me to undrestand better the social life in
America. I hope that I can have another chance to meet them again,it
was a great experience.
Anjeza Sadikllari

2010-04-03T10:06:00.000+02:00

On wednesdey

Elda Poci

2010-04-02T16:42:00.001+02:00

On 31 march we have a coference with 7 American people which were from Washington, Colorado, Arizona, New York, Texas, Alabama and Amy from Minesotta, As we see they are from different countries...We made them many questions. Some of them are:

1-What do we need to learn english better? They said tha if we want to learn english we have to write, read, and speak a lot english language.

2- What do you think about Albanian university?

We talked about the divorce and all of them had the parents divorced, two or three times. Also we asked them if they feel more safe here in Albania than in US, after midnight: and they said ''yes we fill more safe here but not confortable''.

METTING WITH 6 AMERICAN PEOPLE.

2010-04-02T14:09:00.000+02:00

On wetnesday31 March 2010 we had a metting with:Steph from Alabama,Brett from Arizona,Rebeca from Colorado,Meghan from Washington,Trevis from Texas and Alan from New York.We made o lot of questions to them.Here are some of them:

Saimir Hyskaj

2010-04-02T11:01:00.003+02:00

On the 31 March we had a pannel from a team made up by 7 members from the USA.

1) Rebeca from the state of Colorado(rubik)
2) Steaffany from Alabama(peskopi)
3) Allan from New York(gjirokastra)
4) Travis from Texas(vlore)
5) Brad from Arizona(rubik)
6) Melany from Washington State(jal)
7) Amy from Minnesota

The first impression i got from the panel, was that each of them was coming from a different state of the USA, but each of them was so different in many aspects.
The first was their accent, we could see how different was their way of talking, we could distinct the south from the north accent.
Each off them had a specific personality, and the impresion that they had lived different lives.
Some of the questions we asked to the panel:

Do you think the americans are more reserved than the british culture?
Do you guys feel more safe here in Albania than in the States, after the midnight?
What is one of the features of your city you guys can identifies your self with?
What is your impression you guys have when albanians hug, touch or kiss you 4 times on your cheeks?
What is your attitude towards the emigants from other states that emigrate in the USA?
When is the first time you guys have heard about Albania?
What you think about albania culture

They didnt have any clear idea on this topic-but Amy thought the british are more reserved or is a bit difficult to give the full answer.
They ansewer was "YES", but they were not confortable at 100%
Allan from N.York said the N.City is the center of the world. They had diversity of cultures, languages.

Trevis said in Texas is a city of majority and minority. many streets have spanish writings on the streets, and there are many hyspanic people and is the second biggest state in the USA.
Rose explained that her city was famous for the ocean, and was the city where the NIRVANA group come from
Beca came from Colorado, the place of the highest mountains, so it best goes for the beauty of nature
Brad, talked about his city, had many spanish, was quite a place for bull racing.
Stefany said her town was a religious one, more conservative town

4) it was ackward to them, but now they are getting used to it and they like our hospitality.
5) They said if the emigrants were legal in the States everything was fine to them. we try to support them, welcome them
6) Only Allan had 2 albanians neighboors in his building, but he had no idea where Albania was in the world.
7)They all thought albanians are very hospitable, kind, they were impressed how the albanians like to buy the coffess for everyone in the table.

I really appreciated the panel, the way how the talked went, it would be much better if we as students would listen and respect more the visitors. I liked their way of free thinking, being opened, directed people, indipendent, willing to share their own experiences and being very helpfull to the youngs here. I want to thank them for briliante and helpfull opinions.

I would love to have other opportunities where i will get other chances to talk and practise my english, otherwise i can loose it.

Brikelda Nanaj

2010-03-31T15:57:00.002+02:00

Today we have meeting with six Americans people,they were 1Megan from(WASHINGTON)2 Becca from (COLORADO)3Allen from(NEW YORK)4Breti from(arizona)5Travis from (TEXAS) and Steph from (alabama), Amy from Minnesota.

the question that we made :
1 relationship betwen men and women?
2do you like albania culture?
3have you ever meet a albanian person in america?
4the diference of universities of albania with them of america?
5the differencies in their countries
6is our accent good or do you like our accent?
7why in america are many single women?
8do you like albanian people?
9the features of your countries?
ANSWERS:
9texas is known for cowboys,there are many stereotypes,diverse population,more are mexicans.washington it is known for oceans,and for many famous rock groups.
arizona known for high temperature .
alabama is religous area and the food is really good.
colorado ,there are some of ice-sports.
1the relation betwen men and women depends on their relationship ,if it is personal relation ore work relation.
8yes,, albanian people are very hospitable
3all of them said that,they didn't knew any albanian before they come in albania,except of one who has had an albanian neigbhor but hi didn't knew him personaly
6,yes,they sad that our accent is good
2 yes
7 because they afraid of divorce,and they feel good single.
one of them designed albanian map in centre of america map,to say how big is america and it is made by different culture.

Welcome to the ENG 263 Course Blog

2010-03-27T21:49:00.000+01:00

Dear students,

Welcome to the ENG 263 Studies in the American Culture Course Blog.

Please feel free to express your impressions, views and opinions based on what has been happening during class, especially after we have invited guest speakers, or when we get back from the field trip to the American Embassy.

Your postings will go toward points for class participation (15% of the overall grade).

I hope you enjoy this new education experience.