My EDGE Story

For my EDGE project I went to Germany, Switzerland, and France, to study Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein for the 200^th anniversary of the novel The reason I chose to do this for my EDGE project is that I really like studying abroad. I participated in my first study abroad in 2015 and it inspired me to travel more and continue my education.

Because this was not my first study abroad, I was lucky enough to already know what I needed to do to prepare for the trip. After I applied and was approved as part of the program, I had to pay for the tuition and my flights. I really didn’t have the money for it, but I knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I applied for scholarships and took out a loan. After that portion of the planning was done, I was able to start on my coursework (including reading the novel Frankenstein).

My goals for my course work were to better understand the history, art, culture, and science behind Shelley’s classic novel. I signed up for a biology class and a literature class, so that I could have the full experience of studying abroad. I had other goals as well that were more personal and professional, rather than academic. I would study Frankenstein for 2 weeks in Europe. I would improve my skills as a writer. I would also gain a better understanding of other cultures, in order to take steps toward being a member of a global community. A big reason that I wanted to do this project to extend my ability to empathize with other cultures. Traveling is the best way to learn about other cultures first hand. Art, Science and literature from other cultures can help us understand them better, and I think that understanding is the first step towards a closer global community.

With the help of my professors and the new friends that I made on the trip, I was able to achieve all of my goals. My writing has improved because of my new experiences. My ability to understand other cultures has greatly improved. I also have a much greater understanding and appreciation of the things that went into Frankenstein, than I did before the trip.

One of the things that I was most excited about learning was something that I didn’t even expect to learn. I really love gothic literature so I was already aware of the concept of the Sublime, but on this trip I was able to actually experience it for myself. The Sublime is a mixture of negative and positive emotional reactions, like fear and love. When I was standing in Chamonix and visiting the alps, I was able to really experience this first hand.  From the village looking up at the alps, I was surprised by how in awe and fearful I felt. But it was even more amazing from the top of Mont Blanc, looking down at Chamonix. The view from the top of Mont Blanc was so beautiful, and also caused me to be full of fear at the possibility of dying at any moment, because the air at over 15,000 ft. above the Earth is very thin and I could easily have fallen.

Because I had so many unforgettable experiences, I have a new appreciation for the EDGE program. I think that SUU put the EDGE program in place to help their students learn in a new and exciting way, while also applying the things they are learning to real world experiences. A lot of students leave college without the skills they need to succeed, because all the have is the book knowledge, rather than practical knowledge. The metaphor of the EDGE program is that it gives SUU students an edge in the future, for grad school or career opportunities. Not only will I have a degree on my resume, but also a study abroad that required practical learning skills, so it gives me an edge with the competition. 

Resume

EDGE Video

Press Release

Newsletter

Project Proposal

Project Abstract: In a paragraph of approximately 200 words, provide an overview (or abstract) of your proposed Global EDGE Project. Please include in your abstract the following items associated with your project: who, what, where, when, why, and how.

For my Global EDGE Project, I will be doing a study abroad program in Germany, Switzerland, and France. It will be a SUU Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program in June of 2016. I want to do this project to extend my ability to empathize with other cultures, by learning about them first hand. We will be studying Frankenstein for the 200th anniversary of the book's publication. While I am there I will study biology, because Frankenstein was the first Science Fiction Novel ever published. I will also study the novel from a literary standpoint.

Project Details: 

Personal: In a paragraph of approximately 100 words, explain how your EDGE project is related to your personal motivations or how it will promote your career aspirations or both. What are your goals (personal and/or professional) in completing this project? What learning outcomes (new skills and/or knowledge) do you expect to achieve?

While I am in Germany, Switzerland, and France, I will be studying Frankenstein. I want to be a writer and Frankenstein is a classic novel that has withheld the text of time. This makes it a good inspiration. It is also a Science Fiction and Gothic novel, which is the same combination of genres as the series of books that I am currently writing. My books also take place in a society that is heavily influenced by European culture, so I think it will also be a really great way to do some research in person.

Research Assignment #2

Alexis Hollingsworth

UNIV 3925

January 25, 2016
Research Assignment 2

1. Education: In a paragraph of 50-100 words, describe the primary (or elementary school), secondary (or middle and high school), and post-secondary (university and college) education systems in the country associated with your EDGE project. How is the foreign country's education system different from the U.S. system?

·       In Germany and Switzerland, they have similar primary schools to our elementary schools until the age of ten. Then they have five Secondary school options, including a grammar school, whose exit exams qualify students for University. In France, It is almost exactly like the traditional American system (Elementary k-5 or 6, Middle school or Junior high (for 3 years), High school (for 4 years), University). The only difference it that the first half of secondary education lasts for 4 years and the second half lasts for 3.

Indicate here the sources of your information by copying and pasting the URLs of the webpages where you found your information: 

http://www.iscresearch.com/information/isc-news.aspx

2. Language: Briefly answer the following questions.

A. What is the local language most commonly spoken in the country associated with your EDGE project?

German, French, Italian, and Romansh

B. What is your communication skill level in this language (from 0-10, with 10 being native fluency)?

2-German, 3-French, 1-Italian, 0-Romansh

C. Can most of the people in the country associated with your EDGE project communicate in English?

Yes

Indicate here the sources of your information by copying and pasting the URLs of the webpages where you found your information: 

I used to live in Germany.

4. Religion: In a paragraph of approximately 50 words, please describe the beliefs and religious customs of the people in the country associated with your EDGE project. What is (are) the country's main religion(s)? Describe a few of the religious customs, festivals, or practices that the people engage in.

·       The majority of the population is either Catholic or Protestant in all three countries.

Indicate here the sources of your information by copying and pasting the URLs of the webpages where you found your information: 

I used to live in Germany.

5. Lifestyle: In approximately 100 words, explain what you find to be the most striking differences between Cedar City, Utah, and the country associated with your EDGE project.

·       The culture in Germany and France, and probably Switzerland as well, is very different from the culture in Cedar City. People in Europe are very progressive. They care more about the environment. People in Utah tend to be a bit more conservative. I think they will be similar in their traditionalism, but the history in Europe is a lot richer and older than that of Cedar.

Research Assignment #1

Alexis Hollingsworth

UNIV 3925

January 18, 2016
Research Assignment 1

             1. Geography: Before you travel to another country and/or interact with people from another country, you should know something about the country's geography, such as where the major cities are, what other countries it borders, if it is flat or mountainous, if it is surrounded by water, etc.

Visit the U.S. Department of State’s “Country Information” webpage on the country or countries associated with your project.

• Copy and paste the map of the country here. If you are planning to visit more than one country, or if you're working with people from more than one country, find a detailed map that includes all of those countries (Europe, Asia, South America, etc.), and copy and paste that map here.

·       What is the name of the country's capital city (or the countries' capital cities)? 

·       Berlin, Germany; Bern, Switzerland; and Paris, France

·       What other countries and/or oceans border the country?

·       Austria, Belgium, and Italy are just a few of the many countries that border Germany, Switzerland, and France

·       Briefly describe notable physical features of the country: what are the major mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, forests, etc.?

·       The Alps alone range across eight different countries including the three I will be visiting. The Black Forest in Germany is also right on the border of Switzerland and France. The Rhine is a river that begins near the Swiss Alps and goes through both Germany and France.

2. Safety: Levels of safety vary from country to country and city to city. Before you travel abroad, you should be aware of how your safety and security might be affected so that you can take appropriate precautions. If you are not traveling abroad, you should be aware of the safety and security issues affecting the people you're interacting with, and their family and friends in their native land.

A. Visit the U.S. Department of State webpages “Travel Warnings: More” and “Travel Alerts: More” to see if the country (or countries) associated with your EDGE project is on the Travel Warning list or the Travel Alert list.

·       Is the country/countries on the Travel Warning list?

·       No

·       Is the country/countries on the Travel Alert list?

·       No

·       If you answered "yes" to either question, and you wish to travel to the country to complete your EDGE project, you must contact Dr. Kurt Harris at harrisk@suu.edu for further instructions. Otherwise, your EDGE project will not be approved.

B. Read the entire U.S. Department of State “Country Information” webpage on the country (or countries) associated with your project.

·       Describe in approximately 50 words the most dangerous aspects of visiting or living in that country (or countries) according to the Department of State.

·       The most dangerous part of being in any of the areas I will be, is the threat of terrorist attacks on the European nations that have opened their borders to Syrian refugees, which Germany, France and Switzerland have all done.

3. Travel Documents: Americans traveling outside the U.S. will definitely need a passport, and sometimes they also need a visa. Similarly, visitors to the U.S. have to go through a documentation and customs process so that they are permitted to enter the U.S.

Indicate here the sources of your information by copying and pasting the URLs of the webpages where you found your information: 

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html https://hutchinson-page.wikispaces.com/Maps+of+Western+Europe+and+Great+Britain

A. Respond to the following questions about U.S. passports:

·       Where does an American go to get a U.S. passport?

·       You can apply online or go to a passport agency.

·       How much does it cost to get a U.S. passport?

·       $110

·       How long does it take to get a U.S. passport?

·       Up to 6 weeks

B. Respond to the following questions about visas:

·       If you are traveling abroad, will you need to apply for a visa to enter the country/countries you plan to visit? Explain briefly why or why not.

·       None of the countries I am going to require you to apply for a visa unless you stay for longer than 90 days.

·       If you are not traveling abroad, did the people you will be interacting with need to get a visa to come to the U.S.? Explain briefly why or why not.

·

4. Political: Nearly all Americans know who their political leaders are, and most people around the world know who America's political leaders are, but what do you know about the leaders of other countries?

Indicate here the sources of your information by copying and pasting the URLs of the webpages where you found your information: 

http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html

A. Respond in one or two sentences: Who is currently the political leader of the country or countries? (If the country has more than one leader, such as a president and a king or a president and a prime minister—or some other combination of leaders—please list the top two or three leaders here and explain who has the most political power.)

Angela Merkel us the current Chancellor of Germany and also possibly the most powerful woman in the world at the moment. Francois Hollande is the current president of France. He responded on TV after the Paris bombings at the end of last year. Switzerland was the only one I wasn’t sure about. They are run by the Swiss Confederation, a seven member Federal Council. The current president of the Swiss Confederation is Johann Schneider-Ammann.

B. Respond in one or two sentences: When did that person become the political leader, and what was the process by which the leader came to power? (For example, your response might be that she was elected in November 2011 because she received the most popular votes, or he was the leader of the army that took over the government in a political coup in June 2010, etc.)

Angela Merkel assumed office in 2005 following a federal election. Francois Hollande was elected in 2012. Johann Schneuder-Ammann was is only the president for 2016 because the president of the Swiss council is only in office for one year.

C. In approximately 50 words, describe the political institutions of the country. (For example, does the country’s government have executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as the U.S. does? Does the country have political parties? Are governmental leaders elected or are they appointed by someone? Who makes the laws? Are women allowed to be political leaders? Are women allowed to vote? How long has the current political structure been in place? Does the country have a constitution? When did the country earn its independence?)

Germany is a republic with a parliamentary democracy. The Swiss government is a 3 branch democracy, but their executive branch is run by a council of seven members rather than one individual president. France’s government is a bit complicated because there are a lot of layers to the system. The first layer is the national government which is a bicameral parliament. All three countries allow women to be political leaders and to vote. All three countries have political parties and elected leaders.

5. Economics: Money affects the daily lives of everyone. But how people earn and exchange it can vary greatly from country to country, region to region, and social class to social class.

Indicate here the sources of your information by copying and pasting the URLs of the webpages where you found your information: 

https://www.frenchentree.com/living-in-france/culture/how-the-french-government-works/  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17982245 http://www.hdg.de/lemo/biografie/angela-merkel http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/22/francois-hollande-socialist-french-elections

A. What is the unit of currency used in the country associated with your EDGE project, and what is the exchange rate with the U.S. dollar today?

France and Germany are both part of the EU and use the Euro, which is currently worth $1.09. Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc, which is currently worth $0.99.

B. Provide a comparative cost of at least three of the following items:

Item	Cost in the U.S. (in U.S. dollars)	Cost in [Germany] (in U.S. dollars)
Loaf of bread	$2.31	$1.38
New schoolbook	$100.00	$91.73
New pair of jeans	$41.78	$65.35
iPad	$599	$633.97
McDonald's Big Mac	$7.00	$4.47
Starbucks tall latte	$3.75	$4.33
Apartment rent/month	$1,156.87	$872.11
Bottle of water	$1.76	$4.36