Rope Course Activity

I will tell you about the rope course activity that I experienced with my colleagues the other day in US Culture class. We went to the rope course on campus on a lovely day to play and experience one of the American's activities that is not only a sport or an activity but it is more than that.

The guy who was teaching us about the rope course activities explained to us how these activities reflect on us on how to communicate, lead, trust and work together as a one group. It also develops these concepts in everyone of us.





We started our activities by a simple one, but it's not simple as I expected. It is called "ships and commanders" where we split into groups of 2 persons, a commander and a ship, where the commander lead and guide the ship, blinded, where are the balls, which is used as bombs, to destroy other ships. It was fun and exciting but it's developing communication skills and trust between people.





After that we went to another activity which we did it as a whole group. It is how to move from one deck to another by using only two wood boards. We barely were standing all together on the first deck and while we were standing, we decided how to go to the other deck without trying or knowing how to go there. This exercise develops critical thinking and solving problems urgently. We worked as we were in a life-death situation and we did it.





The final activity was called the spider's web where we all stand in the inside of the web and try to go outside of it without touching any of the strings of the web. Some of us got out through low and big holes, and the others got through high and small holes where the insiders and the outsiders carry some of us to go to the other side. For me, I was carried and went through one of the higher holes. I experienced and built up trust to my colleagues and this was the main goal of the exercise.

I really liked the rope course activities and I really appreciate Americans how developed that kind of activity to improve and develop those kind of human qualities such as leadership, trust and decision making. It was a fun day and a great experience that I want to do again in the future.

UWEC Homecoming 2010

It was Friday October 1st, everyone was exicted for Homecoming weekend. All Americans were asking me "what's you plan for Homecoming?" I wasn't sure of what I will be experiencing through that weekend. I just went to sleep that Friday as it was a normal night.

Next morning, I was hearing music in my sleep. No it's not music; it's a marching band! I woke up and still the same music is played. I got it, the Prade was near to my house and i couldn't get back to sleep again. I woke up and got outside and it was another life I knew. People are everywhere outside of their houses; people were passing by their friends' home and having fun playing games and drinking beer. I enjoyed seeing people having fun, and I decided to go to the football field to watch UWEC Bluegolds play the game. It was cold and i had been sick all week, but it's worth it to go and watch the passionate sport of Americans. I met my collegues in class and started to get more exicted as the Bluegold marching band started to play; that was the same melodies i woke up with!

The game was started and Bluegolds led the score. I enjoyed that experience and atmosphere until half-time; because i was just recovered from flu, I started to feel tired. Then, I decided to go back to get lunch and then get back home to rest. My friends and I decided to go to have lunch outside. People are wearing different shirts that represent Homecoming. Some says "Don't forget Homecoming 2010", "drink and enjoy", and "Blackout Homecoming 2010" etc.

At the end, it was an exicting and awesome time during Homecoming weekend. I am already hoping that next Homecoming comes soon!!