International Education Week 2021
This November, Work Wide Cultural Exchange joined educational organizations across the globe to celebrate international exchanges. We continued our yearly tradition of inviting WWCE participants and alumni to submit photos showcasing their culture with the purpose of sharing what makes their culture unique, teaching about an aspect one may not have heard of, and sparking interest for other’s to experience the culture. We hope you are filled with wonder as you learn about our participants’ cultures.
Congratulations to our photo contest winners - Judy Cevallos and Chanvit Charwong.
Ecuador is a multicultural country, where we can find different dialects, customs and beliefs that make it unique in the world. This photograph was when I visited the "Shuar" cultural center belonging to the ethnic group of the same name. This Shuar community is located in the Amazon region, to enter the community it is a custom to paint the faces of visitors with natural dyes made from native plants such as achiote. The designs of the drawings can be very diverse depending on the occasion, as some are specific for men, women or children and in certain cases represent samples of offering to mother nature, samples of power or hierarchy within the community or representations with the animals that they consider their ancestors. It is not common to paint the face of people who do not belong to their community but when they do it it is a show of kindness and rejecting it is considered a very serious offense as they consider it a lack of respect for their customs and worldview.
Judy / Ecuador / Summer Work and Travel 2021
My favorite food is Moo Krata.
"Moo kra ta will heal everything”.
The food evokes a sense of gathering, companionship, good moments, and cheerful activities, all of which mirror the Thai way of life. Through its various eateries and home-delivery menus, Moo Krata has established a popular eating culture that has expanded across Thailand. Because Moo means pork and Krata means pan, Moo kra ta, which translates to "pan pork" in Thai, is a cross between a Korean barbecue and a Chinese hot pot. While it is said to have started on a Korean-style barbecue grill, the Thai version employs charcoal to impart a smokey flavor to the meats and veggies, as well as a distinctive Thai-style sauce. Start with putting pork fat on top of the dome to distribute the oil throughout the pan, then add the soup, wait until it boils, then add some vegetables, noodles, and a cracked egg. It is preferable to fry all marinated meat by laying it on the dome. Because everyone will be seated around the pan, chopsticks will be used to pick up the food and a short spoon will be used to scoop the soup. Suki sauce and seafood sauce are two of the exotic sauces available. Some establishments have their own unique sauce. It's usually a happy occasion to share it with family and friends, with everyone acting as a chef, preparing their own meal and occasionally cooking for others. If you visit Thailand, I recommend that you try it at least once. You will not be disappointed.
Chanvit / Thailand / Summer Work and Travel 2022
Thank you to all our participants who shared their culture with us!
Popular celebrations in Zámbiza
Zambiza is a parish in the city of Quito, in Ecuador. In the months of May and November, the festivities that are part of the cultural identity of the area are celebrated and are part of an ancestral tradition that continues to this day involving the entire community, children, youth and adults. In these festivals there is a great diversity of characters with ancestral and local costumes, each one of them gives a meaning and sense to the celebration since they are endowed with aspects that characterize the community. The representation of a character is considered as a sign of respect and recognition.
This festival is planned and organized a year in advance and is celebrated with the purpose of worshiping Saint Michael the Archangel and promoting tradition through cultural expression. The dedication of the people who participate is very evidence of the identification, valuation and appropriation of the culture of the people
An important act of the celebration is the “Pamba mesa” (Pamba table, it's a collective meal), in this the sense of reciprocity, gratitude and sharing is promoted. Several beads are placed throughout to share with all the participants. Afterwards, the characters and dancers are taken to walk the streets of the parish and finally they will dance towards the church with enthusiasm various songs and the procession with the image of Saint Michael the Archangel will take place. At night it is celebrated together with the entire population with fireworks, music and dances.
Maria / Ecuador
I am Dominican and I love being from here because there is no corner in the world more beautiful than the Dominican Republic to live in, my photos represent different beautiful places in my country and each one of them represent our culture: Christmas dinner photo, Samana Bridge , Basilica of Higuey, Punta Cana, our flower blossom, the merengue, The dunes of Bani, Barahora with one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, The monument in Santiago, our Azua de Compostela field. I invite you to take a walk through this beautiful land full of good and happy people.
Dominican Republic is a country with very rich foods, with its hanichuela with sweet in Easter, the fish of sanama, plate of arros meat and hanichela. we have our carnival celebrated every year and our typical music our merengue.
Madelyn / Dominican Republic
Thailand is rich in culture and traditions. but can be blended together perfectly
Thailand is deeply rooted in traditions. every aspect of Thai culture Thailand is a Buddhist city. The ritual is performed daily. As elsewhere in the country, monks receive daily alms and people of all ages pray and make merit at countless temples. Thailand has Thai temples, Chinese temples, and many provinces of Thailand retain their traditional culture. such as old wooden houses, old toys. It is also a city of fun entertainment and street food. - Bangkok is ranked in the top 10 in the world. Thai food is papaya salad, tom yum goong, pad Thai chicken, fried rice with basil. Thailand, although not a very developed country. But traveling to travel is still comfortable. like in the capital Bangkok will have electric trains around the city making it comfortable. But in the provinces, there will be another train that can see clearly. Immerse yourself in nature
Thailand is a tourist destination because it has delicious food and cheap prices. People in a place like to share it.I don't know my culture, but if you want to experience real Thai culture.Whether it's the food and tourist attractions in Thailand, I want to say that there are many scenic spots in Thailand.Everyone has their own uniqueness, such as sand table, clear water and friendly people. If you have the opportunity, don't forget.We welcome many photos from my own camera.I like taking pictures with a camera. ❤️☺️🙏🏻
Natnicha / Thailand
The photos are meant to show a glimpse of Cuzco, an unmissable destination in the southeast of Peru rich in archeological ruins, magnificent churches and first class restaurants. Especially, Machu Picchu, ancient Inca city and wonder of Peru and the world, filled with traces of its history and the sophisticated Inca engineering that dominated the stone. However, these traces and engineering can be found in any Cuzco street. Sacsayhuaman is also captured in some of the pictures. It is an Inca ceremonial fortress with megalithic walls, considered the greatest architectural work carried out by the Incas during their heyday. These two places show a little fragment of Peruvian history and culture, which is much bigger and richer. Not only is Cuzco as a place rich in these two aspects, but also its people. People that can make handmade fabrics with materials found in nature. For this reason, I included some pictures that show how the artisans create their dye for their fabrics using insects, plants, etc. Finally, I also wanted to show a bit of the Peruvian coast, where there are beautiful beaches, like La Mina in Ica. Peru is a country filled with beautiful places, an amazing gastronomy and wonderful people, and we are always happy to welcome visitors and to share our great culture with you.
Sandra / Peru
My country is full of wonders, beautiful landscapes, beautiful people and delicious food. This photo represents something very special for me since it is a place full of good energy that brings you peace, it is called Huamantay lagoon, it is more than 5000 meters above sea level, you can get there on foot or on horseback, the road is super long but once you get to the destination it's worth it. This trip is very special since I escaped from my routine and met new people, I feel that I was born again when I saw the crystal clear water, the snowy mountains and the cold air colliding with my face, I invite everyone to visit it because they should do this tour at least once in his life.
Lorela / Peru
It is said that traveling brings you new experiences, whether good or bad and that is something I discovered when I traveled for the first time with my friends to the beautiful city of Huaraz.
This region has a very special meaning because it is where my grandfather was born and which he loved until his last day. The name Huaraz comes from the Quechua word “waraq” which means "dawn", and I understood it when I woke up very early and the sun was already rising, the pure air flowed and made me feel at peace with myself. It is also a very economical region that MUST be on your list of places to visit. In the photos above, I went to the Llanganuco and Parón Lakes, both with an amazing history, as well as the Pastoruri Glacier whose summit reaches 5,240 meters above sea level. Yes, I arrived very exhausted, but all to contemplate this natural beauty and take a picture before it keeps melting due to climate change and the recklessness of tourists.
Thanks to all this, I discovered the experience of visiting places that before I only saw in photos or on the Internet, admiring the natural beauties that we do not see daily and the different customs and lifestyles different from ours.
Finally, this gave me a new perspective of life and taught me some independence in order to find out that traveling and learning is one of the best things in life.
Cayo / Peru
I´m Natalia, I want to share these pictures, because it represents a part of my life. I have lived in a small town since I was born, called Chañar Ladeado, in Santa Fe, Argentina. Chañar, as we call it, is in a rural area, so these photos represent some of our culture and traditions, like drinking mate (every day, we can't live without it!), cooking a barbecue for the family, or spending time with farm animals.In my town, most of the population is dedicated to agronomy and also animals. So we are used to seeing all the elements of the farm in our street town, and in my house too; because my dad works there.
In October we celebrate "the pig party", and we do a big party for 3 days, because we are the national capital of the pig.The population of Chañar Ladeado is about 6000 people,so we know each other. Is a quiet town, but sometimes a little boring. But I will never change the farm life.
I have lived in Rosario city, and it's crazy. Lots of people all the time, long distances, be careful, and lots of things that in town we don't have on mind.
In my work and travel in Usa I want to share my culture with my friends and partners, and also learn about American culture, the people, the food, know new landscapes and all your folklore, and I know it will forever be in my heart.
Natalia / Argentina
These photos represents all the places I really love about my country #Peru. One of my favorites places is the jungle, because I can interactuate with the animals, for example boa, the views are really cool and people very kind. I used to travel to Tarapoto and Chancahamayo on July because the weather is tropical in those months. Also, there are many native communities of Amazonas that sahre with the tourists their traditions, culture, like the music, clothes, food, drinks, etc.
On the other side, there is the highlands of Peru, one the best places is Cusco is Vinicunca, that is more popular for the name "Mountain of Seven colors", some people visit there because the landscape is so cool and wonderwall. The path is difficult, but believe me, it's worth it.
Besides, there is a community of religious that practice mindfullness, yoga and belongs to indian culture. I usually go there, I feel that the place trasmits me peace and joy.
There is a photo in a castle that is in Huancayo, a famous city in Peru, where people usually goes to relax and enjoy the weather. There is a castle there, where many people could stay, it is like a hotel, but has a Roman architectural model.
Finally, people who come to Peru should eat ceviche, i know you hear about it, its a famous food in Peru, its my favorite, as you can see on my photo, it have fish, seafood, potato, sweet potato, corn, onion and too much lemon, its so good, ceviche is kind of spicy and that makes it delicious.
Esmeralda / Peru
"SOPA PARAGUAYA" is a typical food of Paraguayan gastronomy. The name translated into English would be Paraguayan soup but instead of being a liquid soup, this particular one is solid. Weird, no?
Its origin according to oral data transmitted from generation to generation relates that Don Carlos Antonio López; Paraguay's first constitutional president, was very fond of white soup, which was made from milk, cheese, cornflour, and eggs. However, one day the cook added too much cornflour, resulting in a very thick culinary preparation and, not having enough time to prepare the dish again, she decided to finish cooking in an iron skillet in a tatakuá (fire pit) resulting in a solid soup.
When Don Carlos tasted it, he found it so delicious that he decided to name it “Paraguayan soup”.
Tradition reminds you of where you come from and where you are going.
Johana / Paraguay
I took these pictures in 2019 when I was in Bariloche, in the south of my home country Argentina. I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The mountains, the snow, the turquoise lakes, everything is marvelous. I do not like cold places, but still, I would go back there a million times. There are many different activities you can make there, from snowboard to skiing, and you can end your day with a hot cup of chocolate at a wood cabin. Even if you do not like those kind of sports, you can enjoy the view of the mountains and even sunbathe by the lakes if you go in summer. To me, Bariloche represents one of the most beautiful cities in the country. If you go downtown you will see a lot of wood and stones in the buildings, just like if it was the 1970’s, and I think that is one of the things that makes Bariloche so different from all the other cities in the country and so visited by foreigners. I recommend everyone to visit Bariloche if they have the chance. You can come in each and every season and you will still have a wonderful time and many activities to do. You can come with your partner, your family, your friends, or even alone, and you will have a great time still. You can also travel to other towns near Bariloche as Villa la Angostura or Ushuaia, which are just as beautiful and worth-visiting.
Luciana / Argentina