About the discussion
Thursday, April 15 • 7 to 9 p.m.
Guests: Patsy Van Roost, Brel Van Galvez
Moderator: Sophie Ambrosie
Venue: Marché du Vieux
From organized tours to couch surfing, people have their own unique ways of heading off to discover other countries and cultures. It could be visiting a place for the first time, or going back to relive a past voyage. For some it is about meeting new people, and for others it is about getting to know themselves. From the planning of a trip to the return home, loaded with souvenirs and photos, traveling is stimulating learning experience. We are not the only ones impacted by our travels however, as the local populations and environments are also transformed in the exchange.
What drives us to travel and what do we pull from the experience? How are we traveling today, in an era of globalisation and the industrialisation of tourism? What impact do new technologies (internet, cell phones…) have on our experiences abroad? Can we still expect to experience culture shock while traveling? How can we immerse ourselves in the local culture? Is it even possible? These are just a few of the questions that will allow to set sail together for this conversation.
Guests: Patsy is an artist and single mom. Brel is her son, 12 going on 13. In life, they make a fantastic pair. In 2007, they made their biggest dream come true. Hopping from one bus to another, hand in hand and never diverting from the Andes, they crossed South America from Ecuador to Chile. For 5 months, through bus-schooling, unforgettable adventures and incredible encounters, they became closer to each other... forever.
Moderator: Sophie Ambrosi is a development officer in adult education for a community documentation center (CDÉACF). She is particularly interested in initiatives that promote the exchange of knowledge between universities and community settings. She is also interested in artistic and citizen actions that foster dialogue between people with different backgrounds and points of view.