A view of the US election from Sri Lanka

[karynnj]

As some of you know, I have a college age daughter who is currently part of a study abroad program in Sri Lanka. There are 8 kids in the program from a consortium of Colleges which sponsor the program. For the first part of the program, they have lived with families in Kandy and have both taken courses at the University there and had a cultural studies course that took them to the ancient cities and to other areas. The last month is an independent Study that they propose and the program facilitates. She gave me permission to repeat her comments.

The first course they took was an intensive course in Sinhalese. All of the kids in the program are for Obama, though one had started as for Edwards. What is more interesting is that they are asked EVERYWHERE they go about Obama. My daughter has said that people there are incredibly interested in the election and really hope Obama will win - saying he is a good man. Of Clinton, they say we already had a Clinton - who said good things, but they trust neither one them. They think that HRC lies too much. No one has mentioned McCain she says - apparently the focus is on the Democratic race. (The obligatory Kerry reference to keep this on topic is that the excitement that Obama could really change how America is viewed is consistent 100% with what they are hearing - from all types of people.)

In Kandy, my daughter was with a Buddhist family. Her independent study is in a town with a Muslim population, who have been in Sri Lanka since the 12 century when they came as Moorish traders, where she is with a Muslim family. These people lived until 17 years ago in towns that are now in areas controlled by the Tamil Tigers. They were neutral in the Civil War, but were exiled because the Tigers wanted only people intensely loyal to them in the areas they control. In the area where my daughter is many people have rebuilt their lives while others are in refugee camps. Her project is based on a psychology independent study she took that dealt with forming identity. Here, I think what she said was that she wants to see how people form their identity when they lose the permanence of their community.

She has been asked through the translator about Obama even in the refugee camps. Here, where the quality of water is a problem - people are still following this race with great interest. She has yet to meet anyone who has not been been for Obama.

[blm]

1. Decades of diplomacy and billions of dollars couldn't do for US' image what day one of Obama

presidency can.

[MBS]

11. oh, right you are. n/t

[TayTay]

2. Wow Karyn, that is incredible!

Hope obviously has a home in Sri Lanka. I agree with blm, an Obama Presidency would be a sea change and a huge opportunity to convince the world that we want to change.

[WildEyedLiberal]

3. He NEEDS to be our next president

I didn't know your daughter was in Sri Lanka! That's amazing. It will be a terrific experience for her. I am actually leaving for a six month work abroad program in London next Tuesday, and I'm both excited and terrified. I have always wanted to experience life outside the United States, though, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm sure I'll get a similar reaction about Obama - I'll definitely be bringing my Kerry tshirts so people know I wasn't one of the ugly Americans who voted for Bush.

[Luftmensch067]

4. Have a wonderful time, WEL!

Hope you love living in London and get to travel around lots, too!

[JI7]

5. have fun, i have a lot of relatives in the UK

and i hear the same things about Obama that Karynn's daughter hears. i don't think most Americans realize how much the rest of world is fascinated by Obama and excited at the thought of him being President.

if you get a chance you can maybe visit mainland Europe as it might not cost too much. also northern Ireland and Scotland.

i went to England a few years ago for a wedding but only stayed for about 2-3 days for the wedding. i regret not staying there longer to look around.

[Inuca]

6. Enjoy your time over there WEL! n/t

[beachmom]

9. Have a wonderful time, WEL!

This will be a great experience. I am so excited for you!

[blm]

13. Wishing you safe journeys, WEL.

and just the right dash of excitement, too. ;)

[karynnj]

14. This has been an incredible experience for her

She loves the people, has found everything fascinating, loves the tea. A six month program sounds great - you will really get to learn so much about the country. Have a great trip.

[politicasista]

15. Best wishes WEL

I agree with your sentiments also! :patriot: :hi:

[WildEyedLiberal]

16. Thanks all

Leaving a week from today so it's coming down to the wire!

[Inuca]

7. And just another tiny drop of international perspective

My husband was chatting online this past week-end with the daughter of some good friends back in Romania, she is just finishing her first year of college if I am not mistaken. When she asked about me and was told that I am not home because I went to IN to help with the Obama campaign, she started on a long tirade about how enthusiastic she is about him, how closely she tries to follow the campaign, and how she keeps her fingers crossed (the equivalent Romanian expression is to keep your fist tightly closed :-)) hoping that he will win and then everything will change.

I 100% agree with what blm said, SOMETHING will change the moment he is elected. The difficult fight will come afterwards.

OTOH I am utterly scared today :-(.

Edied to add: what an incredible experience for your daughter karyn!

[beachmom]

8. Wow, great story, Karynnj, and Inuca, too!

If America blows this chance, then we only have ourselves to blame.

[Inuca]

10. As we did 4 years ago :-(

not very cheerful today, I am afraid....

[MBS]

12. yes, indeed : (

but look at NYT article by Alessandra Stanley I posted in Obama group. . gave me some hope (I think I posted it in beachmom's thread there, the one that started "What happened" . .