My experience at SLU

Hello! I would like to share with you my experience at SLU.

Since I came to St Louis, my view of the United States has changed a lot because I have the opportunity lo live with Americans sisters. However, as you know, it was not easybecause we have in deep desire to maintain our own culture.

My first week of school at SLU reminded me other experiences living with sisters who speak Portuguese in my country. At that time, I could continue speaking the two official languages of my country( guarani and Spanish), and I only spoke Portuguese to socialize with them. Now I can understand how hard it is when you cannot understand your classmate native language. That was what happened with me when I heard people speaking in Chinese, and I knew how important is it to try to speak the language of the country where you live. Otherwise, you may harm other or simply it is difficult to work in group.

I'm learning much in our Exploring culture class. It helps me to understand better American Culture. When I heard people say I'm American it sounded very strange to me, and I thought it as an expression of superiority, but I learned in class that the English language has no adjetive for United States and therefore uses the term American to refer to its people. Also, I learned what means American Dream, Traditional American Values and Beliefs, and The Frontier Heritage.

I love history, and I admire American's optimism.

Thank you.

Folk Hero

In this opportunity, I would like introduce you two Folk Heroes: Daniel Boone( United States) and Augusto Roa Bastos( Paraguay), information from Wikipedia.

Daniel Boone was an American pioner and hunter whose frontier exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He is famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now United States of Kentucky. In Kentucky he founded one of the first English-speaking settlements. Before the end of the 18th century, more than 200.000 people entered Kentucky by following the route marked by Boone. In United States, he is remembered as one of the foremost early frontiers men.

Augusto Roa Bastos was a noted Paraguayan novelist and short story writer. He was one of the most important Latin American writers of the 20th century. He fought in the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia. He is best known for his complex novel, I, The Supreme. This book was writen as a sign of protest against Paraguayan dictator Alfredo Strossner who governed Paraguay for 35 years. He got the most prestigious prize of Spanish literature. Roa Bastos life and writring were marked by military dictators. He was forced into exile in others countries for long time.

Daniel Boone and Roa Bastos were two Folk Heroes who lived in two different cultures and realities. Both struggled for a great ideal in the history of their countries. I admire these two folk heroes for their bravery and courage. They were examples of perseverance. I believe that anyone who has a great ideal for the common good, can become hero in today's world.

Rule of Religion in American Life

I interviewed an American woman who shared about the role of religion in her life. She said that Religion is one of the most important aspect of her life because it gives clear direction to behave in daily life. She is Catholic since she was a baby. She says mass at least once a week. She believes that the church should express its views on political matters. She considers herself not as conservative. However, she won't never allow something different from the Bible. She believes that same sex couples and abortions are against God's will.

She said: United States is a Christian nation, but I believe that too much time is wasted by Christians arguing about religion and denominations.

Finally, she said: Christians should give examples of unity to the Nation for the common good.