What I learned at the activities I attended

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Dear organizer,


In ULACIT there were many activities that expanded my knowledge. It was a very enriching experience, for example, with the activity about “Depression” I had a clearer focus on this disorder and as a future psychologist it will be very helpful because this activity explained variables, symptoms, treatments and other curiosities that cover this very important issue. Moreover, the activity “Using reading strategies” spurred me on to reading books and to appreciate the contact time with the reading. Finally, the activity in which the English’s students danced and sang was funny. Also it offered a space for people who could demonstrate their talents.

Dayanna Marín Mora

Use of slang in the United States and Britain

Like the Spanish in Costa Rica and the Castilian in Spain, United States and Britain have these differences.

In the English there are differences in pronunciation (in addition, it varies within each country, as there are regional differences and different slang.) In the United States tend to be variations of the Californian and the Texan accent. In England there are many differences between the Scottish accent, Irish and within the same area as Yorkshire and Cornwall.

Often, these differences in pronunciation and vocabulary are not as perceived by someone whose first language is not English.

There are also grammatical differences, such as using the present perfect and the past in certain situations, ways of expressing possession in the past participle of the verb 'get', the use of some prepositions.

There are even some differences in writing and the use of certain words.

Health practices

I think that people don’t care their health because they only think in “to live the life”. They don’t care what they eat or drink. For this reason, there are obesity and they have other health problems. Also, many people have a sedentary life; they don’t like to walk or to do exercise.

Other problem is the comfort because they don’t pay attention to the physical pains. People prefer to stay with the headache every day that to go to the hospital and to check that all is right. Prevention is essential for our health care and it’s unfortunate to see people without the cure of the disease because this one it’s already advanced.

For other part, not only in the physical health there are these misfortunes. In mental health there is the same problem. People don’t care if they are choleric, depressive, hyperactive… persons. They just fit to the context.

However, it’s very important to take seriously the care and prevention of our health. It is not a game, it’s our life.

My travel destination

My travel destination is France. I’d like to visit it. First, to see Eiffel tower would be my delight because it’s the Paris symbol. Second, Versalles Palace is other desire for me because I love its architecture; it has 700 rooms, 2153 windows, 5210 pieces of furniture and art objects, etc. This place is the symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancient Régime French.

Other place that I wish to visit in France is The Louvre Museum because I can found wherever class of art: sculptures, pictures, antiques and collections created for important artist through centuries and decades. I love art and this museum is the perfect option for me. Also, I would to go to visit French castles.

I like too much French music and I’d like to go to a concert of Vanessa Paradis. I like her music, it has a French style.

Finally, I want to know France's weather, people say that is cool and varied. I hope someday to go to France.

Versalles Palace

Louvre Museum

My favorite Restaurant

I have two favorite restaurants:

The first is Mc Donald’s. I love its hamburgers, frit potatoes, and ice creams. I think that it’s the best rapid restaurant because I can found it in whatever center place and it’s very cheap. Also you can eat breakfast, have lunch and dinner.

For other part, I love to go to the “Zurquí Restaurant”. It’s located near to Braulio Carrillo Park. Environment is calm. The weather is rainy and fresh. Sometimes you can see the mist over the Guápiles road. The food is very good. You can order whatever Costa Rican dish you want, like “casados”, “gallo pinto”, soups, snacks, rice with chicken and all the traditional dishes of our culture. Also, you can find delicious desserts and natural drinks. Prices are accessible too. The service is satisfactory and people are very friendly. You feel like home and you can spend time and to relax with your friends and family in this nice place where you taste a good food. For these reasons, I love these places.

Impacts of videogames on Costa Rican society

The Costa Rican society is leaving traditional games behind. Now, people prefer to buy videogames than to buy a wood car or a doll. People become to be more capitalist and materialist. Video games are only fashion: if other country has a “X” videogame, Costa Rican society must to have it. Then, why people prefer things that other people prefer too?

Violent videogames are dirtying our society because people acts like the videogame’s persons. Also, many games are used like a child minder because parents go to work and children are leave alone. Children can get addicted to videogames and they become lazy and irresponsible persons. For this reason, videogames are bad for our society. Obviously, it depends on people’s responsibility.

For other part, adventure and fantasy videogames can help children to think and to learn because they can to trip to other places and to explore more on this way. However, parents have to pay attention because not all videogames are made for same ages. Our society need good things and we have to be responsible with our children see and learn. They might to have health problems like obesity because videogames promote a sedentary life. Now, we have the “Nintendo Wii” which it can’t make a sedentary life in persons. But, what happened with traditional games? Costa Rican people are losing their own culture. What happened with jump rope? This game is funny and it can’t make us a sedentary people. It’s sad how Costa Rican persons change their culture to other.

Etiquette

There are some actions considered polite:

Say thanks. Today is very difficult to see people say that. Too much people are complaining and they don’t live a good life with themselves and with other people. It’s important to have respect and to be courteous with others.

It's important to arrive on time. We have to be responsible because there is people waiting for us and we can’t let them. When we have dinner, we have to be careful with the eat manner.

Good modals in dinner are important. It’s not recommendable to eat with mouthful because it’s awful. And never talk on cell phone while we are in a restaurant with people.

“Treat others as you want them to treat you”