SIR Café: the pulse of the IAS community

Hecho en Mexico If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by the...

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:22:15 -0600

Hecho en Mexico

If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by the ever-present holiday music, give your ears a break with this soundtrack from Hecho en Mexico, a soon-to-be released musical film, featuring a range of musicians from “the Supreme Dive of Mexican Pop” Gloria Trevi to lesser known indigenous folk bands.

Best Wishes,

Alana Hauser

condenasttraveler: Eight Eco-Friendly Destinations in China |...

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:10:24 -0600

condenasttraveler:

Eight Eco-Friendly Destinations in China | Guizhou Province

Flyers from our fantastic events this year!

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:18:19 -0600

Flyers from our fantastic events this year!

Who knew Kazakhstan is so...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:05:38 -0600

Who knew Kazakhstan is so beautiful?

worldthroughphotos:

Astana, Kazakhstan

statedept: President Obama Promises Support for the People of...

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:01:56 -0600

statedept:

President Obama Promises Support for the People of Burma

When President Obama arrived in Rangoon on Monday, he became the first sitting president ever to visit Burma — the Asian nation bordering Thailand, China, and Bangladesh.

For nearly 50 years, from the 1962 to 2011, the country was ruled by a military junta. But over the past year and a half, reform has begun to take root.

“A civilian now leads the government, and a parliament is asserting itself,” President Obama said in a speech at the University of Yangon. “The once-outlawed National League for Democracy stood in an election, and Aung San Suu Kyi is a Member of Parliament. Hundreds of prisoners of conscience have been released, and forced labor has been banned. Preliminary cease-fires have been reached with ethnic armies, and new laws allow for a more open economy.”

Earlier today, President Obama met with President Thein Sein — one of those… more »

Feeling, Forging Connections Through Film

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:53:53 -0600

Sondra Anton covers the SIR-sponsored Human Rights Sidebar of the St. Louis International Film Festival

With international studies becoming increasingly relevant in today’s society, people are starting to pay more attention to global affairs that before would have missed their radar. At Washington University in St. Louis, there are plenty of internationally-minded students; their interests are manifested through commitment in numerous clubs, debates, and activism campaigns conducted throughout the year. The Human Rights Sidebar of the St. Louis International Film Festival, hosted at Wash U, is yet another way that students can get involved in these interests, but the wide-ranging film subjects add a deeper element of human rights awareness. From the struggles of gay Palestinian men in “The Invisible Men,” to domestic issues surrounding battered women in the correctional system covered in “The Perfect Victim,” many of the issues discussed in these special showings aren’t widely recognized.

These films add a deeper, personal touch to international and domestic problems.They go beyond news headlines and short summaries on the morning news, and take the audience into the lives of specific people impacted by these varying human rights issues.Students get a chance to feel connected to the subjects of the film and the issues that they cover. One leaves the auditorium feeling a sense of compassion and knowledge not always experienced after reading a short article in the newspaper.We empathize with Louie, the young Palestinian who must leave his home in order to avoid persecution by not only the government, but also his own family.We clap as loudly as we can when we see residents of some of the homeless camps in St. Louis get back on their feet.We ask the director of “The Perfect Victim” why those women aren’t allowed to go home after serving decades for a crime that they committed in order to protect themselves after years of abuse at the hands of their husbands.

Whereas students often begin to feel immune after seeing headline after headline about death, tragedy, and struggle on a daily basis, the films shown at the Human Rights Sidebar have the ability to break this emotional barrier we have put up and really drive home the point of each film. Not only does this allow the films to educate, but they also inspire and motivate students and the overall audience to do something proactive. They ask, “why is this fair?” while simultaneously asking, “what can I do to change this, and how can I help?”

Off-the-Radar Ethnic Eats!

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:09:34 -0600

Senior Sadie Smeck suggests some hidden gems of St. Louis Latin American cuisine!

For many Wash. U. students, ethnic food in St. Louis may seem woefully
limited to the string mediocre Thai-fusion restaurants on the Delmar
Loop. While the street’s Mediterranean fare is admittedly a bright
spot of its dining scene, its Latin American offerings are almost
nonexistent, unless you (incorrectly) count Chipotle or Qdoba. Mi
Ranchito, just blocks behind the Loop, is tasty and cheap, but can
hardly be called authentic Mexican food.

Venturing beyond the Wash. U. bubble proves extremely worthwhile when
in search of some real Latin American cuisine. Here are a few
suggestions to help you broaden your horizons:

La Monarca (Mexican)
8531 Olive Blvd, St. Louis 63132
(314) 991-9949
This no-frills, family-owned establishment serves up large, hot plates
of authentic Mexican food and oversized glasses of sweet Horchata.
Streamers hung from the ceiling and TVs playing Spanish soap operas
form the restaurant’s colorful ambience. The food is cheap, the
service is good, and a small store behind the cash register carries
Mexican candy, spices and other imports for sale.

Mango (Peruvian)
1101 Lucas Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 621-9993
For a more upscale dining experience (expect a significant price
increase), check out the Peruvian flavors that won “Best of St. Louis”
for South American Cuisine. Typical dishes like empanadas and ceviche
de pescado partner well with wine and are plated and presented with an
obvious attention to detail. Delicious vegetarian options also abound.

La Vallesana (Mexican)
2801 Cherokee Street St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 776-4223
This small store on Cherokee Street offers arguably the city’s best
Mexican fare. Its few unadorned tables and countertop seating are
often busy on a weekend night, though in nice weather, the small porch
outside provides a few additional tables. The authentic, gigantic
burritos will blow your mind, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you
can order it with “lengua” – tongue meat!

Boogaloo (Cuban)
7344 Manchester, Maplewood, MO 63143
(314) 645-4803
Bagaloo combines Cuban, Creole and Caribbean food in delicious,
tapas-style appetizers, hearty salads and sandwiches, and unique
fusion entrees. Jerk-chicken from the smoker, fresh fish dishes, and
fried plantains are among the items that always catch my eye. Want a
side of home-style cornbread with your Cuban paella? Why not!

Fritanga (Nicaraguan)
2208 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 664-7777
Its unassuming storefront on Jefferson Avenue is easy to miss, but its
flavorful food commands attention, especially from many
Spanish-speaking St. Louisans. Rice and beans, fried plantains, and
juicy meat can be found in almost every dish on the menu. A personal
favorite is the “canoa” with beef, stacked upon fried plantains and
topped with melted cheese.

Buen provecho, Wash. U.!

gotraveling: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:47:33 -0600

gotraveling:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The Human Rights Sidebar is part of the St Louis International...

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:45:25 -0600

The Human Rights Sidebar is part of the St Louis International Film Festival. Come see FREE films followed by discussion with the filmmakers from around the world! November 16th to 18th in Brown Hall 100! There are films covering local human rights issues as well as international ones. The film’s director or someone involved in the subject matter will be at each screening and lead a discussion. Most excitingly, the Israeli director of The Invisible Men will fly here to hear your opinions on his film There will be delicious food and drinks too! Bring your friends and come enjoy a weekend of FREE MOVIE WATCHING! An event presented by Washington University IAS Honorary Sigma Iota Rho.

Friday, Nov. 16
6:30 p.m.: Dignity Harbor (approx. 60 min.)
8:30 p.m.: The Invisible Men (68 min.)

Saturday, Nov. 17
Noon: The Second Execution of Romell Brown (89 min.)
2:15 p.m.: Refugees (approx. 70 min.)
4:30 p.m.: Street Journeys (58 min.)
6:15 p.m.: Voyage to Amasia (74 min.)
8:30 p.m.: Valmara (50 min.)

Sunday, Nov. 18
Noon: We Women Warriors (79 min.)
2:30 p.m.: The Perfect Victim (82 min.)
5 p.m.: Unfit (74 min.)
7:30 p.m.: Uprising (85 min.)

All followed by filmmaker/subject Q&A.

Follow @WashUSIR!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:37:41 -0600

Follow @WashUSIR!

"Out Of Eden" the beginning of 7-year journey

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:36:29 -0600

Senior Sadie Smeck interviews American journalist, Paul Salopeck who will report on foot for seven years

This year, international crisis reporter, Paul Salopeck, received funding from National Geographic to spend the next seven years of his life walking.

His route (the specifics of which are yet undetermined) will trace the theorized path of the first migration of humans out of Africa over 50,000 years ago. Along the way, he will be reporting on conflict, ecological, social and other issues in communities, stopping for indeterminate amounts of time as he goes, depending on the story.

I interviewed Paul, who will be speaking at Washington University on Thursday, Nov. 1 in McDonnell 162. He emphasized the project’s focus on education, and is touring the country to educate people about the undertaking and it’s aim of direct, international reporting. He hopes to give his readers back in the United States and around the world the chance to “slow down” from the conventional approach to news and its incessant and, he aruged, sometimes incoherent, flow of information.

“The idea,” he said, “is to inhabit the news.”

Paul will be staying with families in communities along the way, determining his route and schedule as he goes. He spoke of his hope to find the stories that one wouldn’t find while flying in an airplane over a region from place to place, for example. He hopes to find and illuminate stories “between point A and point B.” Those untold stories, he said, may be just as, if not more, important.

For more information about Paul’s project, visit the Pulitzer Center’s website at the following link: http://pulitzercenter.org/out-eden-paul-salopek-speaks-washington-university-st-louis.

Get hands-on at Meskerem!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:12:18 -0600

Senior Nate Marino reviews the Ethiopian culinary experience.

As a Latin American Studies major, I have never been to Ethiopia, nor am I familiar with its history or present situation. However, after eating at the Ethiopian restaurant Meskerem on Grand, I went home and almost bought a one way ticket to Addis Ababa with the sole purpose of eating their food for the rest of my life. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the main reason I didn’t consider it was because we have Meskerem right here in St. Louis anyways. If you don’t already know, eating Ethiopian is not only a delicious culinary undertaking, but an adventurous one as well. You eat not with a fork and knife, but with your hands, using a tasty spongey sourdough bread called injera to scoop up your food. Of course, you’ll be happy to live out a version of your five-year-old self’s dream of indiscriminately stuffing handfuls of mac and cheese in your mouth (or for that matter, your present-day self, because who doesn’t entertain visions of recklessly engorging themselves every time they gaze upon an exquisitely baked tray of cheesy noodles coming out of the oven?). But, the food itself more than stands up to the novelty of the eating experience. For those who have not had Ethiopian food, it reminds me most of Indian food as far as comparisons go—lots of meat stews, spicy sauces, and tasty vegetarian offerings. My compatriot in culinary adventure and I shared the Meskerem Combo, which consisted of five sizable portions of different signature dishes of Ethiopian cuisine; it’s an excellent sampler that I would recommend for first time goers, although sampler shouldn’t imply that you won’t be stuffed after eating it, because you will be. And if you needed any extra incentive, Meskerem is located within walking distance of Tower Grove Creamery, home to what is probably the best ice cream in St. Louis. In short, if you consider yourself to someone who enjoys ethnic food, don’t miss out on Meskerem—it’s one of the best restaurants of any kind in St. Louis.

Senior Elizabeth Graham's Study Abroad Blog!

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:00:42 -0500

Senior Elizabeth Graham's Study Abroad Blog! :

Check out Elizabeth’s blog for great pictures, adventures and descriptions of Chile! Especially great for those thinking about studying abroad in South America!

Vietnamese with a History

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:48:55 -0500

Junior Becky Mak reviews Mai Lee in Brentwood.

Growing up in an Asian-American household, I lacked a good bowl of soup noodles or fried rice. Unlike most WashU students, what I missed most upon going to college were the savory Asian dishes my mom made without fail. Thankfully, I have found an answer to my needs in Mai Lee’s restaurant in Brentwood.

The history of the restaurant is quite interesting: the owner escaped the war in Vietnam to St. Louis in 1980, and noticed the popularity of Chinese restaurants in the city. She opened her own Chinese restaurant, but decided to include some Vietnamese dishes to stay true to her roots. She was pleasantly surprised when she realized the Vietnamese dishes were extremely well-received, and Mai Lee’s became the first Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis.

Although it is just one of the many restaurants serving international cuisine in the St Louis area, I have found that their Vietnamese and Chinese dishes are consistently delicious and well-priced. There are a wide variety of dishes that will definitely appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. There are traditional Vietnamese pho noodles, Vietnamese spring rolls, Vietnamese banh mi (sandwiches with French bread), Chinese fried rice, Chinese fried noodles and more authentic Asian dishes that are always delicious. My personal favorites are their shrimp spring rolls and pho noodles with beef. For those on a budget, their delicious foot-long banh mi sandwiches come at an affordable $3.99! This is a great restaurant in a great location – swing by Mai Lee’s after shopping at the Galleria or any of the Brentwood shopping centers for an experience that is unique in St. Louis.

Wash U Remembers Gabby Reuveni

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:01:00 -0500

The morning of June 14th, tragedy struck the Wash U community when student Gabby Reuveni was tragically killed by a car while on her morning run. Gabby was a member of Alpha Phi sorority and the 2011 National Champion Women’s Cross Country team in addition to being an IAS major. All of these communities mourn her loss, as does the entirety of the Wash U community.

Fellow students, team mates, and coaches speak of Gabby’s great optimism and spirit. She will be greatly missed.

An official obituary to follow. If you’d like to share memories of Gabby, you can e-mail editor@studlife.com or join the memorial group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/InMemoryofGabbyReuveni

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in St. Louie!

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:48:01 -0500

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in St. Louie!:

A few fun facts about the Cinco de Mayo celebration:

-contrary to prior belief, it is not the celebration of Mexican Independence (celebrated on September 16)

-actually a commemoration of the defeat of Mexican troops over French troops in 1862

-celebrated mainly in the Mexican State Puebla, where the defeat of the French took place

-the fort where the battle took place can be visited today

An IAS-related Disney gif...

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:12:21 -0500

An IAS-related Disney gif...:

hopefully we got more out of Crossing Boarders than this

U.S. Department of State: Virtual Youth Exchanges: Three Days of ‘Teen Power’

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:22:51 -0500

U.S. Department of State: Virtual Youth Exchanges: Three Days of ‘Teen Power’:

statedept:

About the Author: Suzanne Philion serves as Senior Advisor for Innovation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

It’s not every day that the State Department gets to go back to school.

Last week, we partnered with Chicago Public Schools to link Lincoln Park High School…

One of our runners-up from the photo contest, this photo comes...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:21:56 -0500

One of our runners-up from the photo contest, this photo comes to us from SIR senior Gabriel Magraner. Taken during his time abroad last year, this photo depicts boats in a harbor in Puerto Natales, Chile.

U.S. Department of State: Dr. Jim Yong Kim Elected World Bank President

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:41:30 -0500

U.S. Department of State: Dr. Jim Yong Kim Elected World Bank President:

statedept:

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

April 16, 2012

I am delighted that the World Bank Board of Directors has selected Dr. Jim Yong Kim to serve as president through a transparent and competitive process. Dr. Kim is an excellent…