December 2007 - Interloqui

"Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos. This name is said to stem from the colonial saying 'We are all hermaniticos (little brothers).' It also reflects their custom of referring to many things in the diminutive, ending in -ito., as in the other Spanish-speaking countries, and more characteristically in -ico. They even combine the two into a super-diminutive. Thus something small may not simply be chico or chiquito, but chiquitico."
Biezanz, Richard, Biezanz, Karen Zubris, & Mavis Hiltunen Biezanz (1982). The Costa Ricans. p. 1.

While in Costa Rica, I will be teaching at the University of Costa Rica in San José, which is right outside of the city in an area called San Pedro Montes de Oca. My Fulbright award is as a "Lecturer-Researcher." Therefore, 70% of my time will be research (investigaciones)and 30% in teaching (la docencia). Believe it or not, 30,000 students attend the University of Costa Rica, none of whom live in dormitories. (There are none)....Regarding research, my Fulbright proposal commits me to investigate the challenges that companies are facing in the region specific to implementation of DR-CAFTA guidelines. Related areas of interest involve issues regarding technology integration, port security, and human resource capacitation. This will be a qualitative research endeavor. I have identified the following companies as potential interviewees: P/O Nedlloyd, Seaboard Marine, Remarsa, Junta de Administración Portuaria y de Desarrollo Económico de la Vertiente (JAPDEVA), Instituto Costarricense de Puertos del Pacífico (INCOP), Fed Ex Corp. (Gerente Director Regional), empresas locales: Hewlett Packard, IBM, Teradyne, Sykes, Baxter, Procter & Gamble I hope to involve my students in this effort, to include discussion of qualitative methodology--often under-emphasized or an "afterthought" in higher education business courses. The subject of DR-CAFTA is a political "hot potato" here, as Costa Rica is the only country that has not ratified it. There will be a referendum in November to decide the question.

Going Home… Dec. 17

Posted on December 13, 2007 (March 4, 2022) by Elaine S. Potoker, Ph.D.

This will be my last entry before returning to Maine. Five months went by in a flash, it seems. It was a terrific experience. I accomplished over 50 interviews in State, NGO, and private enterprise sectors. I have begun analyzing and discussing the findings, and trust they will be useful. I learned a lot, both […]

Food!

Posted on December 2, 2007 (March 4, 2022) by Elaine S. Potoker, Ph.D.

Food is often the subject of conversation at a Tico gathering. That makes me happy as I love to cook (and eat!). I’ve eaten pinto gallo, a typical Costa Rican dish which can be served at any time of the day, but known more for a breakfast dish. Translated, it means “spotted rooster.” It is […]

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Month: December 2007

Going Home… Dec. 17

Food!