It's hard to say exactly where this journey began; it's been growing for quite some time now. My first interest in the Dominican Republic and other Hispaniola literature was in an English class at IUPUI. We read Drown by Junot Diaz and Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat. My professor, who's name I cannot remember, was particularly drawn to Hatian literature and even told us about trips she had made there to study and explore.
Jump forward, fall 2008.
My fellow English teacher, IU grad and long time friend, Paul Quinby, was trying his hand at a Lilly Foundation teacher creativity grant. Through gmail chat and email attachments I watched his grant grow into an amazing plan to travel around in Europe and challenge his own wall-flowerness. In February of 2009 Paul was award the grant and began preparations for his journey.
Inspired by his blog, pictures and updates from over-seas I knew that I should spring-board myself into my own idea for a grant. I knew that Europe didn't have the same calling as it had for Paul. I was interested in Argentina and Chili but none of these locations had the connection I knew that I needed. It was the spring of 2009 when I started teaching In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez. Once again my intrigue for Dominican literature, culture and life was rekindled. I knew that this book was going to be the driving inspiration in my grant writing.
Over the 2009 summer I gathered information, researched travel in the Dominican Republic and scoured the internet for places to stay, sights to see, and tips on DR travel. Although the DR is known for fancy all inclusive resorts I was determined not to just make a luxury vacation itinerary for myself. Eventually I found the webpage for International Student Volunteers. ISV provides participants with opportunities for Spanish lessons, living with a host family, service work and adventure travel.
As the November deadline for my grant approached I researched, wrote and revised, and revised, and revised, and revised until my grant was ready to mail off. I also have to give credit to Paul who was immensely helpful and gave many hours of his time helping me edit my work. Finally all the details were in place: copies of my teacher's license, three letters of recommendation, and the final draft of my grant.
And the the waiting began.
Along with anticipating word from Lilly many of my summer plans were on hold. Family vacations, weddings, wedding showers and other important plans had to be put on hold until I got word.
On the last Saturday in February I came home from spending the night in Indy to find a large envelope from Lilly sitting in my mail. Excitedly, I opened it, thinking "big means yes, right?" but not wanting to get ahead of myself. As soon as I read those first words, "Congratulations, Alison" there was an onslaught of shouts and tears of joy followed by phone calls and updates to everyone who had been around for this whole process.
In the weeks since the news I've been buying backpacks, special shoes, arranging flights and itineraries with ISV, counting down the days both with the dread of homesickness and the anticipation of the journey to come.
So there you have it. That's the beginning.
Jump forward, fall 2008.
My fellow English teacher, IU grad and long time friend, Paul Quinby, was trying his hand at a Lilly Foundation teacher creativity grant. Through gmail chat and email attachments I watched his grant grow into an amazing plan to travel around in Europe and challenge his own wall-flowerness. In February of 2009 Paul was award the grant and began preparations for his journey.
Inspired by his blog, pictures and updates from over-seas I knew that I should spring-board myself into my own idea for a grant. I knew that Europe didn't have the same calling as it had for Paul. I was interested in Argentina and Chili but none of these locations had the connection I knew that I needed. It was the spring of 2009 when I started teaching In the Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez. Once again my intrigue for Dominican literature, culture and life was rekindled. I knew that this book was going to be the driving inspiration in my grant writing.
Over the 2009 summer I gathered information, researched travel in the Dominican Republic and scoured the internet for places to stay, sights to see, and tips on DR travel. Although the DR is known for fancy all inclusive resorts I was determined not to just make a luxury vacation itinerary for myself. Eventually I found the webpage for International Student Volunteers. ISV provides participants with opportunities for Spanish lessons, living with a host family, service work and adventure travel.
As the November deadline for my grant approached I researched, wrote and revised, and revised, and revised, and revised until my grant was ready to mail off. I also have to give credit to Paul who was immensely helpful and gave many hours of his time helping me edit my work. Finally all the details were in place: copies of my teacher's license, three letters of recommendation, and the final draft of my grant.
And the the waiting began.
Along with anticipating word from Lilly many of my summer plans were on hold. Family vacations, weddings, wedding showers and other important plans had to be put on hold until I got word.
On the last Saturday in February I came home from spending the night in Indy to find a large envelope from Lilly sitting in my mail. Excitedly, I opened it, thinking "big means yes, right?" but not wanting to get ahead of myself. As soon as I read those first words, "Congratulations, Alison" there was an onslaught of shouts and tears of joy followed by phone calls and updates to everyone who had been around for this whole process.
In the weeks since the news I've been buying backpacks, special shoes, arranging flights and itineraries with ISV, counting down the days both with the dread of homesickness and the anticipation of the journey to come.
So there you have it. That's the beginning.
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