Beat Profile on Mandi Work

With a collegiate history that includes Australia, England, Iceland, Italy, and Taiwan, it is easy to see why Amanda Work chose to come to the University of Georgia as an International Education advisor. “I fell in love with the idea of learning from cultural interaction and experiences,” says the Ohio native. Now Mandi, as most call her, is helping students receive the same inter-cultural experience she found so valuable by aiding study abroad hopefuls in finding the program that is right for them.

At first glance it seems hard to imagine that working a string of jobs at the YMCA and Flagstar Bank in Ann Arbor, MI. would lead Work to an advising position in the Office of International Education at UGA. But Work, who graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College with a B.A. in Business and a minor in English, decided she would pursue a career in international education shortly after receiving her undergraduate degree. Work’s extensive undergraduate résumé includes the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, Edge Hill College in Ormskirk, England and a geology field course in Iceland.

“I fell in love with the idea of learning from cultural interaction and experiences. I volunteered with my study abroad office whenever I could be of help,” Work says of her post-study abroad days. Her involvement with the study abroad office opened up opportunities such as speaking to classes, individuals, and parents about the study abroad experience. Work also got to be involved in the integration of international students to American culture. She says of that experience, “It is very fulfilling to help international students in their cultural adjustments, because as an American overseas I had gone through the same thing.”

Work quickly found herself applying to graduate school. She says of her school of choice, Kent State University, “I found a program that allowed me to focus all of my elective and internship credits towards the Internationalization of Higher Education.” She was accepted to the university and attended Kent from 2006 to 2008. Her educational career there included participating in the university’s Italian Higher Education and U.S. Study Abroad programs, located in Florence, Italy. While in Italy, Work interned in the International Admissions and Recruitment Office as well as the Study Abroad Office. And like a true study abroad devotee, Work went on to study in the Language and Culture program at the National Taichung University in Taiwan.When all was said and done Work graduated with a Master of Education and an Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel with an Internationalization of Higher Education Certificate.

Now Work calls the University of Georgia her home. Her job here entails a dizzying list of responsibilities from coordinating visits to UGA from outside programs to assisting in events such as the Study Abroad Fair, the International Photo Contest, Orientation, and International Orientation. But if you asked her what her favorite part of it all is Work would say it is helping with outreach and advising students. Talking about her experience as an advisor she says, “I enjoy speaking with students…I get excited when students start planning their program and it is fun to answer their questions.” Work continues, “My favorite part of my job is knowing that what I do helps people achieve a goal that will hopefully become a highlight in their lifetime experiences. Study Abroad is often cited as a student’s favorite experience while in college and I love that I can help make that happen.”

Severing Ties with Arizona

Huffington Post-Calls for Arizona Boycott Continue: After Arizona recently passed its new stringent immigration law protests have transformed from a local level to a state level. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco city councils have decided to boycott Arizona's decision by severing business ties in the state. The Washington D.C. council is also looking to enact a resolution sometime next week that, "calls on the city government and the employee pension fund to "divest" from "any companies that originate out of Arizona or that do business with Arizona," as reported by the Washington Post.

Somalia Flanked on All Sides

Going to the market, if you can afford it, is a danger in and of itself. There is the risk of becoming one more person added to the death count at the hands of Islamic fundamentalist rebels. There is also the risk of being killed by the very people who are meant to protect you. But the African Union (AU), an organization aimed at sustaining unity and peace in Africa, has denied allegations of illegal fighting in Somalia, as outlined by Reuters article "African Union denies illegal fighting in Somalia."

The three year insurgency fueled by lawless Islamic rebels has caused the deaths of an estimated 21,000 people, but for some the blame should also be placed on the AU. Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, a Somali representative in the African Union, retorted, "We are not at the same level as the terrorists...we are very careful not to shell them when they are among the population." Diarra points out that the AU's fight to remove the insurgents from Somalia is a peaceful operation. Still, human rights groups argue that the AU's peacekeeping force AMISOM should be held accountable for their denied shellings of crowded markets and residential areas.

Human rights groups also voice their concerns about the discrepancies in the United State's and the United Nation's condemnation of killings by the rebel groups, specifically the fact that the U.S. and U.N. have failed speak up about the abuses of AU and Somali government forces.

The fight against Islamic insurgents is undoubtedly a bloody battle, but it should not become a blood bath at the hands the AU or Somalia's government. In a country where the lines of democracy, rebellion, and violence have been so brutally blurred it is imperative that the actions of AU and Somali government be monitored to ensure the safety of its people. Such a task seems futile, especially in a country where all those vying for power, and in power, seem to rank the rights and equality of the Somali people last on their list. It is for this reason that organizations like the UN and powers like the U.S. need to stop turning a blind eye to the actions of the Somali government and the AU, whether they be just or unjust.

Ukrainian Parliament: Egging Haven

Those opposing the decision of the Ukrainian parliament to allow the Russian Navy to continue to stay in Ukrainian ports until 2042 lashed out by hurling eggs, setting off smoke bombs, and swinging fists. The brawl, as described by Reuters article "Protests as Ukraine backs Russian base extension", reflects the widening political chasm so prevalent in the former Soviet republic.

College Student Clashes with David Cameron

Britain's Conservative Party Prime Minister candidate David Cameron recently found himself answering to 19-year-old college student Chloe Green. The dialogue about Cameron's education policies can be seen in a nytimes.com blog post "Voters Spar with David Cameron."

New Program Gives Free Health Care to Pregnant Women in Sierra Leone

BBC news- Sierra Leone gives new hope to mothers and children: In a country deemed by the United Nations as the worst place in the world for a baby to be born, the free health care that pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, and children under five will be receiving is expected to improve the UN statistic by saving an estimated 1.25 million mothers and children. Contributions from the UN and UK have helped make this program possible.

Sudan Election Results

After Sudan's first multi-party election in 24 years, President Omar-al Bashir will maintain his presidential position as he was announced winner of the election. News.bbc.co.uk/ article "President Omar-al Bashir Declared Winner of Sudan Poll" reveals that many people, especially of southern Sudan, find the re-election of a man charged with war crimes in Darfur to be fraudulent and unfair.

Afghan Schoolgirls Hospitalized from Possible Taliban Poisoning

Afghan Schoolgirls Fall Ill, Poison Feared: Approximately 80 Afghan schoolgirls became ill after what is feared to have been a Taliban attack on three separate schools in the Kunduz province. Several of the girls recall smelling an odd odor before being hit with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and loss of balance. After a few days of hospitalization, all of the girls were cleared to return home. Those who look to the Taliban as the source of the assault view it as a blatant display of the organization's opposition to female education.

One-Child Policy in China May Change

With the growing disparity between children/adolescents and adults, the Chinese government may be re-evaluating their one-child per family policy in the coming years. The generational gap has become increasingly apparent as the number of young workers is being dwarfed by China's aging population. Huffingtonpost.com article "One-Child Rule May be Eased in China" looks at the possible future for Chinese families after years of countless abortions and infanticide directly associated with the family planning policy.

Polish President's Twin Brother to Run in Upcoming Election

After the April plane crash that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other leading Polish officials, new elections are being held on June 20. Kaczynski's brother Jaroslaw will be running in the elections to continue Lech's legacy. Time.com article Late Polish President's Twin Runs for Job discusses Jaroslaw Kaczynski's decision.

Some Iraqi election winners disqualified by electoral court

nytimes.com-Iraq Political Crisis Worsens as Court Bars Candidates: One candidate who won a seat in Iraq's Parliament elections last month was stripped of his position by the electoral court. This decision came on the heels of allegations that the candidate was involved in Saddam Hussein's Baath Party. The court's efforts to purge the Iraqi government of Hussein affiliates comes at a sensitive time as the United States begins to withdraw its combat troops.

Avatar director James Cameron called 'misguided'

ForeignPolicy.com article Pandora's Box brandished the efforts of Avatar director James Cameron and featured actress Sigourney Weaver in Brazil as 'misguided.' The two joined environmental advocacy group Amazon Watch in the endeavor to block the construction of the Belo Monte dam, a dam in Para, Brazil which will flood 248.4 miles of forest and farming land. The article's author Conor Foley calls Cameron "a serious irritant for Brazilians on all sides of the issue." To learn more about Foley's position read the full article, Pandora's Box.

The article's author makes an interesting point in his closing argument when he says, "Brazilians do care about the environment, but many find the idea that they should be "pressurized into taking a stand" by international campaigners deeply offensive and patronizing...But this is not a battle between the Na'vi and the Unobtanium-greedy earthlings, and Cameron should beware of confusing real life with cartoon fiction." To some degree I can see underpinnings of an anthropological mantra, one that directly opposes the idea that we, as outsiders, can tell a native people what is best for them.

This argument I can agree with and wish that more of the world's do-gooders would be cognizant of the fact that riding in on white stallions with money and high-handed advice isn't always the best way to help those in need. But when he wholly disregards the efforts of figures like James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver, I find such discreditation unfounded. You will find in the article that when the dam project began some two decades ago, native Brazilians were vocalizing opposition on their own. Granted it is important for crusading samaritans to constantly be sensitive to the needs of the people their helping, but I hardly find anything misguided about the director and actress helping give a voice to a people who were already shouting.

Eyjafjallajokull all over Europe

The eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull has certainly caused much grief and inconvenience for travelers across the globe, especially for those seeking transport to and from Europe. In New York Times article "Europe Under the Ash" writer Michael Kimmelman gives an apt and somewhat humorous review of how Europe has been handling the crisis, from strikes in France to Italians drinking one extra espresso.

Muslim Woman Fined in France

Woman Fined for Wearing Islamic Veil While Driving in France: In the midst of talks about a possible French ban on Islamic face veils, one Muslim woman's decision to wear the niqab veil while driving drew much attention. A policeman's decision to fine the unnamed woman for wearing the garment which, according to the officer, obstructed her field of vision, has stirred much controversy and debate. Associated Press blogger Pierre-Baptiste Vanzini provides more details in his post, "Woman Fined for Wearing Islamic Veil While Driving in France."

Goldman Sachs on the Chopping Block

The Case Against Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs has come under some serious fire with the rising allegations against the global investment banking firm, magnified under the scope of an economy grappling with recovery. Time article "The Case Against Goldman Sachs" outlines the key points in Sachs' downfall, specifically a deal called Abacus 2007-ac1, which augmented the income of people like hedge funder John Paulson with the financial misfortune of Americans.