Yuko Yoshikawa's Portfolio Page
Kon ni chi wa. I teach Japanese and magnet electives at Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh. I have never been to the eastern parts of Europe. I am always seeking new ways to interest students while having fun. I am looking forward to learning anything in this trip!
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PROJECTS:
Cultural Connections Project 1: Two Travel Writing Pieces
Experience-Based Travel Writing Piece:
The very second day in Prague, we went on an ebike tour. We split into two groups, and I was with Gary, a tour guide who came from San Francisco. First of all, this was my first time to be on ebike, plus, I had not ridden on a bicycle for a year. My saddle was too high, so I had to ask to lower it so that I do not fall. My bike did not have power levels, so I had to adjust myself to peddle very slowly so that I do not hit anyone. For the trial run, the cobblestone was narrow and bumpy, so I had to be very careful so that my bottom does not hurt too much. It was a very new experience. I tried my best not to be left behind, but I was able to get used to it quickly. Once I got the hang of it, I could afford to enjoy the scenery and wanted to go faster. Heat waves had arrived in Europe a few days back, and a three hour walking tour on the previous day was hot, exhausting, and too much information to digest. It was another very warm day, yet the morning air was crisp and cool. Having had kept pushing forward, I felt my hair swinging in the refreshing breeze. I did not have to listen to a guide while on a run but just a nice view and enjoyed the cool air surrounding me. Gary stopped and told stories and histories about places. We took pictures and the view of Prague from lookouts were spectacular. Break at the Letna Park beergarden was especially nice. We had fantastic scenery of the city, shaded large garden, and good beer. Then, I learned that in Czech Republic, dark beers are sweeter and lighter than the light colored Pilsner beers. I had a large dark beer, it was 40CZK, about $2 or slightly less than that. This experience gave me a headstart and ideas for drinking beers in Prague for upcoming 12 days of opportunities to taste the world's most famous beers in the beer kingdom! Pebblestone roads gave me a headache at first, but it was managial when I lifted my hips a bit while on those roads. From one lookout to the other and once in awhile, Gary gave us information such as about communist era apartments on a horizon where still more than 50% of Prag’s population live. Government painted them in pastel colors so that they do not look too clumsy anymore. He said Czechs annual wage average is about $24,000, but they are not poor; they can afford and like to take vacations and go places. Holding more than one job is normal, and stay at home mother or father is rare unless they are on maternity leaves. He also said that the Czechs are very proud people and somewhat conservative. We biked to pretty much everywhere in the outskirts of Prague crossing bridges. The only place we did not go was the city center. Prague has many hills which I did not know, but ebike is the way to go around the places especially for great views. I enjoyed the tour very much! |
Site-Based Travel Writing Piece:
Czech Republic is known for beer heaven, and its consumption is the highest in the world per capita. Beer Museum in Prague explains well about beer history such as the birthplace of beer and production process. Upon completion of the visit, visitors can taste four different local brewed beers. When you type in Google search engine, “beer museum,” Google gives you three places: Prague Beer Museum, a pub, another Prague Beer Museum which is a restaurant, and Beer Museum, the actual museum. The pub and the museum are very close to each other, so do not get confused and go to the one it says “art museum” in the description. It is located at Husova 241/7, 110 00 Staré Město in Prague 1. It opens daily from 11 am to 8 pm, and the entrance fees are 285CZK for self-guided tour and tasting or 480CZK if you want a guided tour and to bottle your own beer. The museum is not large; it has mainly two parts: history and cellar. When you enter the gate of the museum, there is a small courtyard with a few tall tables and chairs. Visitors can taste their beers (have to be 18 years old and up) there or stay in the cellar. The courtyard has tall trees and shady, so it would be really nice on a sunny warm days to sit there and enjoy your beers. When I visited, it was a chilly day, so I stayed in the cellar with an armless mannequin to accompany me. According to the history information given, the first beer was born in Egypt and Mesopotamia in the 5th millennium BC. The first mention of beer in the Czech Republic was in 993 when a Czech Bishop started to brew beer in a Benedictine monastery. Since then, Czech beers have evolved into the present products. Now the Czechs are the world number one beer drinkers, drinking 142.4 liters per person (approximately a little less than 38 gallons) a year (in 2015 statistics). In 2011, the average monthly wage in Czech Republic was 23,144CZK and the beer 10.10CZK for a bottle beer. In 1960, the average wage was 1,303CZK and a bottled beer was 1.40CZK. In 50 years, the average wage increased by 17.8 times, but beer price actually decreased. As soon as you enter the museum’s history part, you can smell something fermenting if you know what fermenting smells are; otherwise, it would be a very funny odor. In one of the rooms, you will see samples of malt (grain) and hops, the key ingredients of beer. This particular room smells like sweaty feet with a hint of cinnamon spice to them. You could watch a short video of how to crop hops and exporting beer ingredients to all over the world. They also mention a long litigation between Amheuser-Bush and original Badwiser in Czech Republic. They taste nothing alike, but the brand names were the same. Czech’s Budweiser Budvar sued Amheuser-Bush in 1907 and went through a series of lawsuits in different parts of all over the world. Export of beers produced in Ceske Budejovice to the United States started in 1872-73 time range. Anheuser-Busch began producing beer in 1876 and trademarked Budweiser. Legal disputes held in many different countries. Now Amheuser-Bush is not allowed to sell its beer as Budweiser in Europe; they are Bud or Bush, and Budvar beers in the United States is called Czechvar. The second part of the museum, the cellar is in a shallow cave, and you are greeted by a few manikins that are spooky...if you go there by yourself, be mind that you will be somewhat feeling scared when you encounter them in the chilly dark cellar. Yet, the overall experience I had there was great. I learned so much about beer and its history. Top and bottom fermented beer productions are interesting since I did not know anything about it. I would recommend to visit the museum and enjoy a tasting. |
Cultural Connections Project 2: Scripted Duologue (Plotagon Animation)
Cultural Collections Project 1: Mapping Cultural Themes (Clio)
https://www.theclio.com/tour/905/10
Prague Metronome in Letna Park known as former Stalin Monument Introduction: Located in the north side of Vitava River where gigantic Stalin statue used to stand. Construction completed on May 1, 1955 by Otakar Svec who committed suicide on the day before it debuted. It was built to watch the Czech people's every move and exert control over the Soviet satellite. It was blown up and destroyed in 1962 by Moscow's order during a process of de-Stalinization. In 1991, Vratislav Novák made a massive metronome on its base for a reminder of communism oppression. Backstory and Context: The 50 meter high 17000 ton granite Stalin leading his workers in line stood on the Letna Hill for seven years from 1955 to 1962. It took 5 years and 6 months and 600 men and women to construct to honor the Soviet Communist party chief Josef Stalin. The sculptor was Otakar Scec (23 November 1892 – 3 March 1955), who killed himself a day before its debut. However, Nikita Khrushchev took over Stalin in 1953, and the statue was destroyed just seven years later in 1962. Since it was too heavy to displaced, it was blown up in pieces by 800 Kg of dynamite. The pedestal stayed and now a giant metronome stands in its place. The metronome was designed by Vratislav Novak. Novak was born in Prague in 1942 and died in 2014. He was a metal artist and designed and constructed the Prague Metronome in 1991 for a reminder of people’s struggle of communism. He became famous for mainly his mobile metal sculpture at the end of the 1960s. In the 1980s, he started making larger objects like steal cars. Since the 1990s, he developed kinetic sculptures. The Prague Metronome maybe the most famous Novak product. He also made jewelries. The Prague Metronome is 23 meters (75 feet) tall and supposed to be functioning; however, the e-bike tour guide, Gary told us that the metronome stopped moving in the last week of June. It was still malfunctioned as of July 8. The site is a meeting place and skate board park for young people, and Letna Park is most famous for the scenic view overlooking Prague and beer garden. |
Cultural Collections Project 2: Curating Cultural Themes (Padlet)
Cultural Collections Project 3: Neighborhood Analysis (Weebly Slide Show)
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I started out in District 1 crossing most Legil (Legion Bridge) when we were parted to our own destinations after the group tour. I had a different place in District 2 on my list; however, thunderstorm was expected, and this place seemed like closer to get to.
At the end of the road after crossing Legion Bridge, it is the entrance to Petrin Park that is located in District 1. I saw a mix of people, locals and tourists. Following the street sign, the Broken Men appeared unexpectedly. These 7 men are the representative of the victims of Communism, 1948-1989. I passed the statues towards the cable car station. I could see stores and restaurants along Ujezd Street but did not see too many customers sitting outside maybe because it was an extremely warm day, 95 degrees. In the cable car, there seemed like mainly tourists, a few small groups and two families with teenagers and two small children. Those children were very excited to get onto the cable car, but they were too short to see outside from where they were sitting. Up on the hill, I saw many different kinds of people: young and old, tourists and locals, and a group of school children attended by teachers strolling around the rose gardens and/or walking towards the Petrin Tower which is a miniature Eiffel Tower that costs you 150 Krone plus 50 if you do not want to use stairs with 299 steps. Warning: they only take Krone and cash! I was hoping to find a place for a look out without paying, but there were too many tall trees blocking my sight. I heard thunder rolling in the sky, and it was getting windier and darker. I decided to get up there and go quickly as possible. I had to use an ATM machine to get cash along with other customers from all over the world. How could I tell? They were speaking many different languages! The view from the tower was spectacular, but I wish it was sunnier...the color of roofs were dull and dark. Orange brown roofs would have been much prettier. I walked the other side of the hill and saw many many tall rectangle buildings. At first, I thought they were some kind of company buildings or factories because they were so simple built, but they were residential apartments at least 12 of them. There was a grocery store and a buffet restaurant that I was so tempted to go in and eat at the other side of the complexes. The only reason I did not go in was that I had to go back to the NC State European Center in one hour. I saw men and women, young and old sitting at the entrance of each building socializing, laughing, and smoking. Then I realized I am in District 6 when I looked at the map to head back. I took a bus from the Great Strahov Stadium and changed to a tram before Legion Bridge. |
Cultural Collections Project 4: Museum Artifact Analysis (Voicethread)
National Museum of Prague
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National Technical Museum
National Pedagogical Museum
Cultural Reflections Project 1: Czech Education System, "The Last Word" Discussion
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The most interesting ‘word’ for me was “Roma children.” I had never heard of it before, so I looked it up. As many of us in the session mentioned, the definition was those who migrated from India and settled in Europe many years ago a.k.a.gypsies. After I gripped the image of Roma people, I still wonder if those are the same kind of gypsies from northern Africa settled into Spain. I would like to find out their culture and how they are more while I am in Praha.
I was born and raised in Japan, so I was comparing and contrasting three different education systems: Japan, USA, and Czech Republic while reading. The similarities among three countries are 1) high literacy rate, 2) free compulsory education, and 3) socio economic background influences education. Similarities between Japan and The Czech Republic: 1) Nine years of mandatory schooling, 2) Secondary schoolings are students’ choice, and they must take entrance exams to get into high schools, 3) Students has choices among vocational, technical, or general studies schools. Similarities between USA and Czech: 1) Kindergarten is part of the systematic education, 2) Education is free except for colleges in USA and private schools in Czech. The greatest thing I thought about Czech education system was that preschooling is guaranteed. It is one of serious social/economic problems in urban areas that there are too many children who are on waiting lists.
The biggest difference our group found was that students could choose which schools they attend. We discussed this is somewhat connected to parents taking children out of schools with large Roma children population. I wonder if this causes some schools overcrowded and some under enrollment. I am curious to find what the school system is like, and how they manage fair and equal opportunities to all students.
We also talked about dropout rate of 50% of students entered universities and thought free schooling may be parts of reasons since students do not need to get their money’s worth. Or they may lose their interest in higher education since economic levels tend not to exceed significantly their families’.
I was born and raised in Japan, so I was comparing and contrasting three different education systems: Japan, USA, and Czech Republic while reading. The similarities among three countries are 1) high literacy rate, 2) free compulsory education, and 3) socio economic background influences education. Similarities between Japan and The Czech Republic: 1) Nine years of mandatory schooling, 2) Secondary schoolings are students’ choice, and they must take entrance exams to get into high schools, 3) Students has choices among vocational, technical, or general studies schools. Similarities between USA and Czech: 1) Kindergarten is part of the systematic education, 2) Education is free except for colleges in USA and private schools in Czech. The greatest thing I thought about Czech education system was that preschooling is guaranteed. It is one of serious social/economic problems in urban areas that there are too many children who are on waiting lists.
The biggest difference our group found was that students could choose which schools they attend. We discussed this is somewhat connected to parents taking children out of schools with large Roma children population. I wonder if this causes some schools overcrowded and some under enrollment. I am curious to find what the school system is like, and how they manage fair and equal opportunities to all students.
We also talked about dropout rate of 50% of students entered universities and thought free schooling may be parts of reasons since students do not need to get their money’s worth. Or they may lose their interest in higher education since economic levels tend not to exceed significantly their families’.
Cultural Reflections Project 2: Cultural Writing
Cultural Reflections Project 3: Czech Film Review
The title Kolya is the name of a 5 year old Russian boy who is brought to Czechoslovakia by his mother who leaves Prague for her lover to West Germany. Louka is a former Czech Philharmonic cellist who lost his well paid job due to being blacklisted because of his brother fleeing to West Germany. Louka who barely makes his day by day living is paid to get married to Kolya’s mother, who permits herself crossing border to West Germany as soon as she gets Czech citizenship to be with her lover in West Germany leaving Kolya behind. Being unable to speak each other’s languages, Louka and Kolya start a life together after Kolya’s aunt dies.
The boy is very cute but stubborn that makes this movie very attractive. Kolya resists Louka that is very natural for 5 year old boy, but Kolya as well as Louka grow hearts for each other as time passes by. Louka who had been told by his mother that a musician should not have a family and being a messy bachelor gradually takes responsibility to rear Kolya. Kolya at the same time realizes that Louka takes good care of him and starts trusting him. That being said, the movie sounds like a family love story, but it is not. The historical background of the movie is during a Soviet oppression period over Czechoslovakia where people had strong resistance inside while wearing faces of acceptance. Landlord lady tells Louka to fly Soviet flag, movie theaters play Soviet cartoon, and Soviet soldiers are all over the place. Louka was taken to an interrogation for doubts of faking the marriage. Yet, Louka does not fly a flag, his mother never accepts Kolya because he is Russian, radio news and newspaper remind Czech people their status everyday, and people talk how obnoxious Soviet soldiers are. This movie is portraying the time and how Czech people felt and spent their daily life during the Soviet oppression. Our group talked about doves taking important parts representing freedom and peace. Most members in the group agreed how selfish Kolya’s mother was. She maybe wanted to be with her lover in West Germany because of Kolya. She maybe wanted to take Kolya to the western side of the world for escaping communism; however, as a mother, I cannot imagine in any way possible to leave your own child/ren with someone else even though she thought her aunt was going to take good care of him. We also discussed about the last scenes when people were excited and celebrating Velvet Revolution. The police who took Louka in interrogation waved at his with smile and a married woman who had said she could not get pregnant was pregnant. I thought it symbolized the new era, new time, and hopes for the Czech people. Louka seemed like he got back in the Philharmonic. I just guessed that Kolya and Louka had never met each other after they were separated since Kolya being so young. Though, they would never forget the time spent together I imagine. |
Cultural Reflections Project 4: Czech Book Review
Someone Named Eva was written by Joan M Wolf in 2007. Although the characters, places, and events in the book are fictional, the story is based on interviews with Holocaust survivors and the author’s research on what Czechoslovakians experienced during World War II. The story is told by Milada whose life and fate were in the turmoil with her blue eyes and blond hair.
Milada was just an ordinary 11 year old girl who lived in a small village, Lidice. One night, she was taken away from her home along with her grandmother, mother, and a baby sister separated from the father and an older brother by Nazi soldiers. She was sent to German educational institution with other girls, who also had Aryan traits, blond hair and blue eyes, from Poland to be “proper German girls” who will be “good German wives and mothers” someday. She was named Eva in the camp and forced to learn German, loyalty to Hitler and its glorious history. Eva was adopted by a high ranking Nazi family after spending two years in the camp. Although Eva felt safe for the first time in two years with the family, she was in great confusion at the same time because she had realized that she was forgetting who she really was. I am a language teacher, so I was astonished that she forgot her native tongue, Czech and especially her own name only in two years. It showed how her defense mechanism desperately worked to survive unconsciously, and how brainwashing by Nazi influenced on her and other girls mentally. It appeared clearly when Milada was in such a shock to acknowledge she had a “perfect Nazi face” when she had an incident with an old Polish woman in a market, one of her mates comforted her by saying, “We are all safe.” As the war ended, Milada was rescued by Red Cross workers and was able to reunite with her mother in Prague. The part of Nazi examining captive children away from their home for Aryan traits reminded me of all the tools and gadgets in Holocaust Museum in the Smithsonian. This book is very powerful and persuasive. I felt like I was in the story as if I was standing at the same place as Milada was and watching everything she was seeing and experiencing while I was reading. It was very easy to read yet descriptive, lyrical in a way. I highly recommend the book. |