Transforming educational and cultural exchanges
-
Betty Tonsing
- Female
- Mishawaka Indiana
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts (12)
- Discussions
- Events
- Groups (4)
- Photos (56)
- Photo Albums (2)
- Videos (32)
Betty Tonsing's Groups
-
Kyrgyzstan Study Group
9 members
-
BEL120DH1B1/2
2 members
-
Afghanistan Study Group
13 members
-
LebJournal
4 members
Betty Tonsing's Page
Latest Activity
Hello Russel,
I would like to comment on your remark that bridekidnapping was uncommon prior to the Soviet period. It sounds like it was encouraged under the Soviet period. I believe that the reason for the new "fashion" is that the self-awareness...
A group for anyone to join to discover more about this ancient part of the world -- rich in culture and history -- yet every bit modern today....and its links with the US. Lets talk education, culture, foreign policy.......
Karim.....you must be busy. You are responding to a very old email. was it about the Afghanistan Study Group? Are you studying nw in UK? Or what kind of business trip to Dubai are/were you on? Are you returning to Afghanistan?
Hi Betty. I would like to participate, but you know I am so busy and I rarely open GV. I am in Dubai for a business meeting and I am leaving Dubai for UK next week. Sure, I will participate.
Kelsey, is it correct that you are a secondary teacher? Elementary or high school? Global Visits is a bit quiet right now because we focus on university level projects. Have you heard of Global Education Initiative? They have projects and connecti...
Hello Mathew and welcome to Global Visits! WE are a bit quiet at the moment as the projects we primarily work with are university level projects. We do not engage in any elementary projects right now, but I can refer to another site. Have you hear...
Profile Information
- Facebook Url
- http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=818095173
Profile: Founder and President, Global Visits. Dr. Betty Tonsing has over thirty years experience in executive management, creative project and program development, research, international aid, education, fund development and entrepreneurial ventures. Currently a Senior Fulbright Specialist, Dr. Tonsing has served as a Fulbright Scholar in Lebanon and worked with the United Nations, the US Agency for International Development, Catholic Relief Services and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. She has also served as chief executive and development officer for several non-profit organizations. Dr. Tonsing has written extensively for a wide range of national and international journals and publications, with books published by Macmillan of London on the history of an African monarchy, and by Mellen Press of New York on the history of Quakers in South Africa, and their social witness against apartheid. In addition to her academic and international activities, Dr. Tonsing owns her own business in the insurance and financial service industry.
Betty Tonsing's Videos
-
whispering at US AP History
Added by Betty Tonsing
-
-
traditional dance
Added by Betty Tonsing
Betty Tonsing's Photos
Betty Tonsing's Blog
Number Eleven: Long Twilight Struggle for Freedom
USAID (the US Agency for International Development that since 1952 has been providing assistance to developing countries -- which is most of the world -- with humanitarian aid and assistance with economic development related to health, education, housing........) has a newsletter with a name that I cannot remember at this moment. I am writing this while in an Internet cafe......but I used to write for this newsletter when we lived in Lesotho. The name does not matter...the banner does. It was a… Continue
Posted on April 23, 2009 at 3:24am — 2 Comments
Number Ten: Al Jazeera
My satelitte TV in the flat that I am renting in Osh brings in many stations I wish I had access to in the US, including Al Jazeera. I think most Americans perceive this station as being of wild eyed broadcasters screaming Death to America every other sentence. Their broadcasts are very slick with a CNN format including some announcers who have American accents. Maybe even they are Americans! They obviously have a different slant on international news, and since we are the center of most action.… Continue
Posted on April 22, 2009 at 8:30am —
number Nine: There is resilience.....but is there hope?
It is not quite 9 AM Saturday morning. I am getting ready to go to the university to work on symposium papers and the program with Svetlanya, Head of the American Studies Department. I started my laundry, confident I had enough time to get two loads done before I left. With no dryer, I need enough ‘air’ time to dry. Just made hot water for my coffee and popped some bread in the toaster for my breakfast. My quiet time became even quieter when all of a sudden, again we have lost electricity. This… Continue
Posted on April 20, 2009 at 8:08am — 4 Comments
Number Eight: Black Outs
Among all its crises, Kyrgzstan is rationing electricity to save money. The government has promised this would be short lived, but no one believes the government. The electricity is off literally half the day. In the section of town where my flat is located ('apartment' to you Yankees!) electricity is shut off from 2 to 6 PM and then again from midnight to 6 AM daily. And, as in the case last night, when there is an emergency breakdown of some sort. I am still sleeping in fits and starts, in Bis… Continue
Posted on April 17, 2009 at 8:00am —
Follow up to Number Seven.....a bright economic outlook ahead!
At breakfast this morning, I was talking with a gentleman who is with the Ministry of Education. He informed me that the government released official reports that Kyrgyzstan experienced a 7.9% economic growth over the last year. That is truly amazing considering that few other countries can boast even a modest growth save China which grew about 9%, but down from the previous year's 14% growth. You could see the tongue bulging out of his cheek!
Posted on April 15, 2009 at 12:04am —
Comment Wall (115 comments)
- At 2:06pm on June 1, 2009, Karim said…
- Hi Betty. I would like to participate, but you know I am so busy and I rarely open GV. I am in Dubai for a business meeting and I am leaving Dubai for UK next week. Sure, I will participate.
- At 7:57pm on May 26, 2009,
Kelsey said…
- Thank-you for your response, Betty. Oregon sure is beautiful, though it is hard to separate from the ties to what feels like "home," I understand that. So this upcoming academic year I will be doing student teaching, starting in January, with 4th grade students. I would love to prepare lessons or a project somehow integrating global awareness and if possible, direct communication with other students from around the world. As I am new to this site, any advice you have to send me in the right direction would be so greatly appreciated! Thanks again !
- At 4:16pm on May 20, 2009,
- Hi Betty, I discovered this site while doing internet research for my Master's project. I'm a student at Willamette earning my degree in Elementary Education, and I am interested in exploring ideas of diversity in the classroom. I would love to facilitate discussions between students in my class with others around the world. I am really excited about this site!
- At 8:58am on May 20, 2009,
Alberto Suarez said…
- Hi Betty,
Thank you for your note. Firstly, I would like to compliment you on your background. Very impressive indeed. I am new to Ning and started my own social network group named 'Seismic Shifts' that has a strong global focus. I've been searching Ning to join similar groups with a global focus. Please take a look at 'Seismic Shifts' when you have a moment and if it's of interest please join.
'Seismic Shifts' is a term that is widely used in the media today that attempts to encapsulate the changes that are happening in our world today across all spectrums of our global society.
In scientific terms 'Seismic Shifts' refers to the tracking of the earth's changes, vibrations and effects that occur in an attempt to predict earthquakes.
This website 'Seismic Shifts' metaphorically attempts to apply this science using mediums such as the internet, books and films in order to understand our past, the present and potentially the future.
In our rapidly changing transnational world where old rules, laws, boundaries are becoming less relevant there is an urgent need for our global leadership to work in concert on many different fronts such as in international finance, energy and global health.
Examples of transnationalism today are globalization, terrorism, international criminal organizations, alternative energy and potential pandemic infectious diseases.
The hope for this website is to provide a social networking forum where like-minded individuals and organizations can come to discuss these important topics.
Sincerely,
Alberto Suarez
- At 11:33pm on April 20, 2009, Betty Tonsing said…
- Staci....it is incredible fun to visit rotarys in other countries. they would of course like to do something with our rotary. it is a very professional rotary sticking to the rules that people need tobe 30 to join or must be able to prove their success if younger. yet young people here are engaged in rotaract (have you heard of that? it is a rotary for young adults....I think the us offers so much already in community service opportunies and young people are already too busy rotaract is not necessary) but then there is this gap between that and beiong able to join if a rotary( andthis is the only one in Kyrgyzstan) is being firm about membershi rules.
- At 8:48am on April 17, 2009,
Staci Lugar Brettin said… - Hi Betty---Here you go. I'm glad to hear from you. You're such a loyal Rotarian!
- At 7:43am on April 17, 2009, Betty Tonsing said…
- If you kayak is something I could handle, I would love to go kayaking with you! And yes, I am looking for a sherdak for you! that is a local felt tapestry.
- At 8:37am on April 16, 2009,
Jacki Klein said… - I am enjoying living your trip vicariously! When you get home to IN you will be glad to know that winter has seemed to loosened his grip on the place! We've got the kayacks in the river, so it's time to warm up now. Be careful, have fun and above all, enjoy!
- At 5:11am on April 12, 2009,
Rami said… - Happy Easter Dr. Betty.
- At 12:58am on April 12, 2009,
Zahid said… - Dear all, Happy Easter!!!
1.0 Discussions
A 'Wired' Mission
Go anywhere in the world, and we are 'wired' together by advancing technology. But we have yet to figure out how to 'wire' peace. Our mission is to use this technology to leap over vast cultural and geographical divides, linking students and teachers together, to talk with each other, laugh together, collaborate in a project, share pictures of our families, our favorite songs.....to be friends.
For several years, Global Visits was a pioneer using modern communications technology to linking people together from diverse cultures. We called our efforts 'non traditional' student exchanges.
Now, we join the world of 'social networking' with a serious purpose: peace and understanding.
For several years, Global Visits was a pioneer using modern communications technology to linking people together from diverse cultures. We called our efforts 'non traditional' student exchanges.
Now, we join the world of 'social networking' with a serious purpose: peace and understanding.
© 2009 Created by Bob Ullery
