Hemispheres

What is ‘Hemispheres’ for you?

First, ‘Hemispheres’ is a way to work together. With this program we understand that the social and economical problems aren’t so different in each country. That’s why we have to gather our power, our aim is to build something for everyone. Secondly, ‘Hemispheres’ is a formation. So we have to learn ways to raise awareness. How to make people think about something. We have to accept the different opinions in order to find a balance in our society. I can’t lead the people because I don’t like this way of working, we are here in order to share with other people. ‘Hemispheres’ is a way to be a student and a teacher at the same time, to consider everyone as an important option to grow the society up.

What ‘Hemispheres’ gave to us?

A way of acting, a way of thinking, a way of considering everyone. We are here to share, because all of us are powerful. ‘Hemispheres’ teach me that solutions are built by everyone. ‘Hemispheres’ is another way to live the democracy. Romeo

What is "Hemispherer" for you?

An opportunity to share experiences with people from all over the world and to open our mind. It can be the beginning to change something in our life.

With which things that were said you don’t agree?

That for the most of the people it’s impossible to change their way of consumption. I think it depends on your knowledge and your decisions.

What is „Hemispheres“ for you?

“Hemispheres” for me is a relation with the world. It’s a brand new thing for me, because I didn't know anything about it before. “Hemispheres” is a possibility to understand, analyze and implement. This program is the first step in trying to change the world and yourself. It's a good opportunity to meet new friends.

What would you spread about this training when you go back/ keep from this experience?

I will tell people that I had a really good time with absolutely different people from all over the world. I will advise everybody to go to Paris and to have the time of their life. Also, don’t forget to think about your eating habits! I’m looking forward to meeting all group in another project that could be held in Lithuania’s countryside near the lake during summertime (you know, barbecue and other stuff… ).

Who were you in the past life?

I think I was a Jew in the past, because during my nightmares Nazis are always chasing me. I escaped once (just because of the handsome soldier, who let me run), so now I don’t have any dreams about them. I have dreams about FIAP

For you, Hemispheres is....

More knowledge about North-South relations but also an opportunity to meet people I couldn’t meet in my daily life and a destabilizing – so constructive – experience.

If you had to define Hemispheres by means of a song....

Juntamos māo con māo…

If you had to start hemispheres again, would you feel ready this time?

Coming to the training in hemispheres for the first time I didn’t feel ready or prepared for what I was about to become involved in. I had very little knowledge of the topic of “Lets feed development” or the issues we would be discussing such as peasants, landless movements as it’s not very common were I come from. I also have never participated in a local event or used a word carrier approach in getting messages across before so this was something very new to me. I think if I was to start the training all over again I would prepare myself more in researching these sorts of issues that I wouldn’t be familiar with. Having taken part in the hemispheres training it has given me a clear understanding and image of what the training is about because I have learnt a lot from the two weeks of my involvement and also learnt from the knowledge and experiences that the other participants shared.

For you what is hemispheres...?

For me hemispheres is a developing process engaging with people from northern hemispheres. It’s training in raising awareness and informing participants of issues that are happening across southern hemispheres such as Brazil as it was the chosen country we specifically looked at throughout the two weeks of my involvement. The training has made me question myself a lot and also challenge and change a lot of things I would take for granted back home for example. I have learned that these things don’t just come that easy to everybody and in some cases it’s a fight for survival in trying to access these things I would call “simple”.

I have never experienced this case in my life and through my involvement in the training I have opened my eyes and mind to how I taught and acted about things before. It has created a feeling of greater awareness and emotion of the suffering of other people from not having these “simple things” in lfe, it has me wanting to act and change my ways. But most important I got to meet an incredible bunch of people who were MAD FUNNY that I can call my friends and great memories + friendships that i get to take back home. BECAUSE IM IRISH

1) For you, Hemispheres is… It’s a great opportunity

to participate in a seminar abroad and share cultures and experiences.It's also a chance to increase your skills and use what you have learned to your future carreer or studies and  meet interesting people and maybe new friends

2) What was your best moment here ? There were several moments but maybe the night in Montmartre all together discovering Paris. It was really nice.

Hi Everyone

Clara and I interviewed each other for the communication class of the fifth session of the training. Here is the part about me in the short interview we had. Don't worry if you don't understand everything ;-P

Clara: For you, Hemispheres is…

Felix: Hemispheres is... a very interesting session! It enables you to meet people from all around Europe, and to learn to know them. During 18 days, I think the solidarity between people is what brings something magic to the schedule. About the topics, Hemispheres made me more aware than anything else before. We studied one of the problems that the southern hemisphere countries are confronted to (the struggle for land property in Brazil). The contact with people who live that problem for real, the focus on one special issue among all of them; it was an amazing experience. I never thought I could feel as concerned by the issue as I am today. Then, about the local event, the experimentation we made in the streets of Paris was good fun and I wish I could turned what I learned here into a lot of good things when I'm back in Grenoble. I’m looking forward to it.

C: And how does it feel to be on your own with a red flower in your hand?

F: At first you don’t really feel anything. Indeed, the flower is not heavy, and it doesn’t make you suffer, and, you don't think about it. But then, when you turn your head to the right of the audience, and you see four people laughing their lungs off, just because of this drawing, you begin to feel powerless... Then you have to keep on talking, but they don’t pay any attention, and at this point you really ARE powerless. So the only thing you can do is throw a mental malediction to your punisher!! And wish she will feel your wrath!!

That's it! I hope you liked it. See you guys soon!

(Thanks a lot to Raul, who helped me with this entry)

For me Hemispheres is . . . .

The gathering of many different people from many different backgrounds and cultures. It’s the gaining of knowledge from both Northern and Southern countries. Learning and understanding the huge differences between the two. Hemispheres is not only learning about France and Southern countries, because there are so many different people from different countries sharing their own experiences you are learning about the places they are from. For me also it has been experiencing new things and new situations. In the last few weeks I have been involved in conversations and debates that I have never been involved in and on issues I never really fully understand or gained much information about. We heard so many different answers from questions we were asked and heard people’s different views on this issue. It was also very interesting to me to see where the conversations would lead to and the many different subjects that can be brought up around the issue of food. Hemispheres is also for me the people I have met and the friends I have made as they all contribute to my experience.

What one thing have you learned in Hemisphere’s that you will use for life?

One thing that I have learned that I will use in life is the art of communication! Before coming to hemispheres I was not really aware of the fact that although English is my native language I don’t speak it very well!!! I became aware of the fact that my accent is very strong and I speak very fast. In the last few weeks I have learned to communicate better with non native English speakers (I hope!). This was the longest period I had to change how I speak and the words I would usually use at home which I found this very hard. I also found it very hard to slow down when I am speaking.

interviewed by Annely

For you Hemispheres is…

Hemispheres is so many things ! First, it’s the possibility to exchange with people from other part of the world and share our habits, our differencies but also our similarities. It’s also an occasion to make new friends and develop strong links with other people. From the technical aspect, Hemispheres permits us also to be more aware of situations in the world that are not always common for us or to go deeper in some others. But one of the things I would remember the most is the difficult mornings (pictures can prove it !), when you came to bed really late, slept few hours and had to speak English after...

How Hemispheres will be useful in the future for you ?

This training permitted me to learn different tools about how to create debates and events in the street and raise awareness among people. So it would be really useful for my future professional activities. Moreover it’s a real good occasion to be an element of a network of people who are concerned about the same questions and issues than me. Professionnaly but especially humanly, this training was an unique occasion to learn more about people and life.