I'm a CAUWW Ambassador!

As anyone following this blog knows, last summer, I took part in a program called Community Arts University Without Walls (CAUWW) with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) at the Interamerican University in Puerto Rico. 

Well, CCCADI is gearing up for this year's 2016 summer program - and I am honored that they have chosen me as one of their Ambassadors! I will be at the first CAUWW 2016 Open House information session talking about my experience.

Anyone who's interested in studying aboard in Puerto Rico for two weeks and earning a certificate centered in arts and cultural advocacy should come to the open house: Wednesday, January 20th in New York City. 

For more information visit CCCADI's website - and to RSVP for the Open House, goto the Eventbrite page for free registration. 

Study Abroad with CCCADI's Certificate Program of Cultural Arts and Social Justice!

COMMUNITY ARTS UNIVERSITY WITHOUT WALLS (CAUWW)

Certificate Program of Cultural Arts and Social Justice

Summer 2016 Session Dates: June 12th to June 25th

Join us for the FIRST FREE OPEN HOUSE of CAUWW 2016!

Take this opportunity to learn about CAUWW and meet some of our graduates who will be sharing more information about how this program has impacted their careers and lives as cultural advocates.

RSVP is suggested.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 20th, 2016

TIME: 6PM to 8PM

WHERE: Inter American University's Centro De Reclutamiento De Estudiantes y Exalumnos 2196 3rd Ave New York, NY 10035 (Btw E.120th & E.119th Street)

Photo by Imani Nunez

(To see photos from my CAUWW experience in Puerto Rico, check out my Instagram @whippedhoney #CAUWW2015.)

My morning coffee.

Photo: From inside the porch at the Casa Carmona, Interamerican University

"I see you trying to stick to your morning routine, Lorie" is what one of my housemates laughingly told me the other day. I am by no means a morning person, but each day since I've been in Puerto Rico, I have been setting my alarm for 7am, making myself a little breakfast and sitting out on the porch to eat before anyone else wakes up. There are seven of us staying together at the Casa Carmona, a guest house on the campus of Interamerican University. As you can see by the accompanying photo, the house is totally enclosed by metal bars, and situated by a highway; so there's not much of a view from the porch. In my regular life back home, I'm used to quite a bit of solitude. I've definitely never lived in a house with six other people. (Yes, that's seven women in a house with two bathrooms.) But I will admit that I'm enjoying it. The people that I'm here with are all extraordinary, intelligent, considerate and fun to be around. I feel lucky to be here in Puerto Rico having such a tremendous experience and learning so much. A few minutes in the morning to collect my thoughts with a cup of coffee is enough solitude to suffice for the day's upcoming adventure. The café con leche out on the road is much more delicious, by the way. 

A conglomeration of trees, outside of the guest house

Walking alongside a mural on the footbridge on campus

Class trip to the University of Puerto Rico

Today we took a class trip to the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, which is a public university. Our first class was presented by poet, writer and cultural activist, Yolanda Arroyo Pizzaro, on engaging the gender narrative within a traditional and colonial framework. Then, artist and student organizer Pedro Lugo presented on student activism, student strikes and took us on a tour of the campus to see student activist murals.

For more pics go to my Instagram @whippedhoney

So much information....

Today was a long day with three classes, amazing presenters. There's been so much information to process each day that honestly, I don't have the time to sit and write about it thoughtfully.  I may have to come back to this blog later and revisit the topics. Suffice to say, our morning class was presented by sociologist and community organizer, Professor Victor Ortiz. The next class was a workshop in Storytelling and Resilient Strategies by Maria De Mater O'Neill from Rubberband PR Design. And the third was a political and cultural movement presentation by Panama Alba, a member of the Young Lords Party. 

First day of class... And some art.

Today was our first day of class at the Interamerican University campus. Dr. Marta Moreno Vega and Dr. Maria Elba Torres welcomed us with an introduction to the CAUWW course and its purpose. Then we got an overview on the political history of Puerto Rico by Palmira Rios. 

In the morning we had breakfast  at the student cafeteria and had some free time before class. We found out that there was both an art gallery and a museum on campus, so we went to see them. Here are a few photos of both - Art gallery at Interamerican University, exhibition: Paradigmas Estéticos and El Museo Puertoriqueño de Antropológica Religiosa. 

(See more photos of the exhibits on my Instagram @whippedhoney.)