2 GOOF BALLS ROAMING

My discovery today while Jafe and I were waiting for our chiro appointments with Jeff Melby was on the back of Time magazine… mobile uploads for travel. Obvious I suppose, but it never occurred to me that all the Lonely Planet books I want may just fit on my phone. Check it out: Lonely Planet.

So! My 2nd tier boss didn’t give me an official approval, but doesn’t think it’s a ridiculous idea. At worst, she figures, I could negotiate leave without pay for a couple of the months I’m gone if I get a certain amount of work done before I leave. At best, if I come up with a compelling research paper idea, Krannert would make sure I can still get paid while I’m gone. Excellent! She also suggested talking to as many people as possible for research. Today I’m working on Registered Student Organizations [RSOs] that would be interested in my research idea [Impact of Performing Arts in Developing Countries]. I’m aware that the topic needs to be narrowed down quite a bit, and I bet a lot of these groups would have some ideas or lead me to the right people in Champaign or, better yet, in some of the countries we plan to travel to.

So far:
Bhangra Club: To promote Bhangra, a dance style popular in Punjab, India.
Fizaa: To compete nationally with our Indian based fusion dance style.
Ghungroo Dance Company: Showcase Indian culture through various dance styles
(anyone noticing a theme here? maybe I focus on India?!)
llini Raas Team: The Illini Raas Team is an organization dedicated to the promotion of south Asian culture, specifically through the competitive performance of the Indian dance known as raas.
Independent Media Center, UIUC Chapter: To produce and disseminate media, and train new producers of media and art.
Mithya: Mithya is a dramatics group dedicated to production of plays and short films with Indian themes, backdrops and subjects. Its purpose is promotion and cultivation of Indian style drama that encompasses varied number of styles, genres and traditions. Participation is open to all theatre enthusiasts!

Those were performing arts/media related, these fall under the category of cultural/ethnic:
African Cultural Association: Our mission is to dispel the myths and stereotypes that exist regarding Africa and its people. To promote awareness and educate the community about different issues affecting Africa today.
Anubhooti: To enjoy and spread the Indian traditional as well as modern music and culture across the diverse campus community and beyond. Not restricted to just Indian music, we explore music from the rest of the world, but add an Indian flavor to it!
Bengali Student Association: To foster an understanding of Bengali cutlure and awarness and to create community spirit.
Burmese Student Association: To help incoming Burmese students transition easier into Champaign-Urbana environment, and to help cooperate and exchange information among Burmese students at UIUC and Burmese people at Champaign-Urbana area in a variety of environments.
Chinese Arts Culture Club: Introducing China by its different art forms(calligraphy, musical instrument, opera, architecture, etc.). From both a traditional and a modern perspective, the members will be able to know China from a brand new and deeper horizon, in a view that is most close to the real China.
Ethiopian Students Association-UIUC: The ESA hopes to initiate a movement towards the advancement of students in Ethiopia through aid.
Indian Student Association: To promote cultural awareness and diverse opportunities for students on campus with special emphasis on Indian heritage.
Nepali Student Association: To uplift the cultural, social, and educational lives of the students of Nepal, and to bring about better understanding of Nepal and promote peace and harmony among the myriad of cultures within the University and beyond.
Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth: Promoting Indian Classical Music and Culture

This one comes with the heading of international:
Bollywood Appreciation Club: Bollywood Appreciation Club wants to spread awareness of Bollywood which is the name used by Indian hindi films amongst people in America, as well as people from back home. We wish to show bollywood movies to people from all backgrounds so that they can not only learn about Indian culture but also enjoy the movies.

Well, I’d say the student organizations reflect something that Krannert is definitely lacking… any connection with India. What a great way to narrow down my research. Looks like I have some emails to send. Stay tuned!