BY MEGUMI RATLIFF ON NOVEMBER 22, 2011

What do you think of when you hear the terms TESOL or ESL or TOEFL? The world of English Language
Learning is filled with acronyms and whether you know what they stand for or not, hearing these words
probably doesn’t make you feel too excited. What about this: travel the world, be paid well, have the
adventure of a lifetime. To most people, this sounds exciting. Obtaining a TESOL Certificate allows you
to teach and help people, while also giving you the ability to travel and live essentially anywhere in the
world.

So what is TESOL? It stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I originally became
interested in TESOL after I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain. I became involved in the English
Language Institute at my university and decided that I wanted to teach English after I graduated.

Three months after graduation, I bought a one way ticket to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had a hostel
booked for one week, three interviews lined up, and was filled with so much determination and
excitement that there was no time to be nervous. The thing about most teaching jobs in South America
is that you can interview without being in the country, but to get a job offer they want to meet you in
person first. Things could have gone really bad, really fast, but they didn’t!

I arrived on a Wednesday, went to three interviews on Thursday, and had a job and was teaching by
Friday. The next week I had found a room in an apartment and was settled in Buenos Aires. My job
consisted of going to different companies and teaching Business English to corporate clients. It’s true
that the city can seem a bit chaotic and crazy at times, but I loved living in Buenos Aires. It is a vibrant
city known for its empanadas, wine, and tango; it’s also a wonderful opportunity to learn Rioplatense
Spanish. Of course, I was paid in Argentine pesos, and although I made enough to support myself, I

couldn’t save any money. Even if I did, the Peso is 4-1 with the dollar, so it really wouldn’t be worth it.

Fast forward six months, and I had relocated to Osaka, Japan. This time, I was teaching at an English
Conversation School to students ranging from ages 3 to 70. Teaching in Japan was probably a complete
180 from my experience in Argentina. Japan is a blend of new and old, the highest levels of technology
placed next to ancient temples; a beautiful country that is a mix of modern and traditional. Also, if
saving is important to you, then Japan is the place to teach. The same can also be said about Korea.
While teaching in Osaka, I was provided my own studio apartment and was able to live comfortably,
travel around Japan, and still save about 100,000yen a month (a little more than 1000USD).

I had two very different experiences teaching first in Argentina and then in Japan. Both were great
adventures. If you are more independent and risk-taking, in South America there are MANY teaching
jobs available, but you should go into it knowing that you probably won’t be adding much if at all to your
savings account. If you are interested in Asia, you will be given much more help and support, and you
will also be able to live comfortably while being able to save up. I wouldn’t say that one is better than
the other; it all just depends on what you are looking for.

By: Raissa Setiawan

Following the visit of Dr. Fabio Becerra Ruiz, a cultural assessor of the Government of Boyacá, Colombia, to CIBU’s art exhibit “Arts Within Us” earlier this year, it is time for CIBU to return the invitation. Dr. Jorge Reinoza, as an artist and CIBU’s Associated Dean, was picked amongst the Latin American painters to represent his works on the 39 International Festival of Culture in Boyacá, Colombia. Right after the end of summer quarter, the Maestro flew to South America.

Central Plaza of Tunja during the Festival

The 10-day yearly festival ran from 26 August to 4 September 2011 and took place in a city called Tunja; a tourist destination city, 145 km from Bogotá, and home for more than 450 years old universities and archaeological treasures. Several internationally known festivals, such as: Villa de Leyva, Paipa, and Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, are normally hosted in Tunja.

The cultural festival gathered more than four thousands national and international artists from 25 countries. Spectacular parade of hundreds of flags, bands, orchestras, artists and foreign delegations filled in the air and space of Central Plaza of Tunja during the grand opening. And throughout the festival, traditional shows from 80 municipalities of the 12 provinces of Boyaca were also featured.

According to the festival’s press conference on the opening day, among the many personalities of the world’s culture, Jorge Reinoza, the Venezuelan artist, is lined up along with the famous Australian photographer Robert Matthews, the American guitarist James Patton, Mexican percussionist Enrique Platas and several more.

Maestro Jorge Reinoza and Maestro Eduardo Malagón Bravo exchanges Dr. McManus’ book, “The Four Great Flashes of Life”.

Above all, it was with with Maestro Eduardo Malagón Bravo from Colombia that Maestro Reinoza exhibited his paintings. During the festival, they named their exhibition, “Jornada de la Hermandad Colombo-Venezolana” (Day of the Brotherhood, Colombian-Venezuelan).

It is in the hope of brotherhood that one would be able to transcend cultural differences and ethnocentricity. And art is one of the universal languages that could bring us together and unite us. Way to go, Dr. Reinoza!

Some other websites to check out for information about the event are:

http://www.telesurtv.net/secciones/noticias/96974-NN/39-festival-internacional-de-cultura-de-boyaca-se-inicia-con-mas-de-cuatro-mil-artistas/

http://www.boyaca.gov.co/index.php?idcategoria=23868

CIBU adjunct professor Amy Forsythe recently landed a part-time reporter position at NBC 7 San Diego.  Forsythe has more than 20 years of journalism experience and brings her knowledge of global media and public relations tactics as a military correspondent to the classroom.  Her reporting duties at NBC 7 San Diego as a general assignments reporter might take her to North County to cover military news, Julian for breaking news of a wildfire or other parts of the county covering charity events.  Forsythe has lived and worked in San Diego county since 1995 and has strong connections to business and military leaders in the community.

You can follow her on twitter@Amy_Forsythe.

Often confused with Mexican Independence Day (celebrated on September 16), Cinco de Mayo is a voluntarily observed, regional holiday in Mexico, and a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride in the United States and other countries with communities of Mexican descent. It commemorates the David and Goliath victory of the Mexican army over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5^th, 1862 when a weak Mexican militia of some 4,000 troops faced a formidable French army twice its size.

Although this celebration has only limited significance at the national level in Mexico, it has taken on a new identity in the United States by people of Mexican descent as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride and by commercially minded interests who seek to exploit the vast market of some 30 million Americans who claim Mexican heritage.

Like Irish-Americans on St. Patrick’s Day, German-Americans during Oktoberfest, and Chinese-Americans at Chinese New Year, national, religious, and patriotic holidays in the “mother” countries take on a new meaning in the United States and allow Americans to draw deeply from their cultural roots to display the bright array of colors and festivity that make the American experience a celebration of its national motto – “E Pluribus Unum” – From the Many, One. In this way, it makes no difference from which country we trace our ancestral roots, when one hypenated American group celebrates it ethnic pride, we all do.

So, to all at CIBU and our friends around the world, let’s celebrate! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

You might ask, what the four P’s (Pizza, Pasta, Paint & Pencils) have to do with art & commerce?  When you are fascinated by unique and non-traditional commercial collaboratives as I am, the above seemingly unrelated items become the stuff of arts commerce… where the worlds of art and commercial connect.

In an effort to further both their businesses, enrich and differentiate their product, and create a story, artists, manufacturers and merchants are increasingly working together.  One such example is here in the heart of San Diego’s “Historic Gaslamp District.”  Since opening their New York inspired pizzeria in 2003, Ciro’s have made an art of the pizza pie, now with an expanded restaurant and expansive brick walls; they are adding art to their customer experience.

Ciro’s might at first seem an unlikely place for art in general including the art of Jorge Reinoza. Jorge Reinoza is an expressive genius whose paintings and sketches now grace the walls of Ciro’s as part of an effort to bring attention to, showcase and sell the work of San Diego artists.  While enjoying pizza with colleagues we noticed that pizza is the perfect accompaniment to art in fact, it was clear that diners’ eyes were drawn to the art on display as they enjoyed their food.  Neither detracted, nor distracted, they go together as perfectly as, well, pizza and pineapple.

This style of collaborative is one that we will see more of as the arts and commerce realize the value of co-marketing and co-branding.  The result is a delicious delight for any palate, a feast for the eyes, and a sensible diet in cooperation.  If you live in or plan to visit San Diego, I highly recommend a visit to see and taste for yourself.  Jorge Reinoza is a painter and professor, educating students and the California International Business University, where another such collaborative in the form of a fall campus art exhibit, will take place, so mark your calendars for September 30th!  More information may be requested by clicking on the CIBU website and looking under “upcoming events.”