Honduras trip survey
We will use this survey to help determine who will be invited to participate in the January trip to Honduras. There are a limited number of spaces and given the continued growth in the AguaClara team it is very unlikely that we will be able to accommodate everyone who would like to go on the trip. Completion of this survey does not guarantee you a spot on the trip.
The trip to Honduras costs approximately $1300 per person for lodging and transport round trip starting from Ithaca (or JFK NYC). Food and miscellaneous is an additional $200. In previous years we have been fortunate to have the lodging and tranport paid from other sources. We do not yet have any sources of funding for the trip in January. Monroe will continue to look for funding sources and he welcomes suggestions (and donations!) toward this trip. As you fill out this survey you are encouraged to answer based on your interest in the trip. We will keep you informed as to the cost of the trip and we understand that your decision may depend on the cost of the trip.
Time line
- January 4, 2013 Depart from Ithaca for Honduras
- January 19, 2013 Arrive in Ithaca
Visa requirements
U.S. citizens do not need visas to travel to Honduras. Citizens of other countries should check visa requirements. You are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.
Please read the Team Contract and the Spanish Proficiency Definitions. Then complete the survey below by September 30.
AguaClara Team Contract
Cornell University Expectations
Even though the University expects certain standards of conduct, I understand that as an adult, I am responsible for my own conduct. I further understand that there may be times during this activity where there will be no supervision, and during these times I alone am responsible for my personal safety. I understand that whatever activity I choose to engage in, I shall not bring shame, embarrassment or ridicule upon the University or this program on account of my behavior.
AguaClara Team Expectations
The behavior that is required of you on this trip is not the same as if you were traveling on your own. You are traveling with a group and it is essential that you keep the group needs in mind at all times. You can not make decisions as if you are the only person on the trip. You must be mindful of how your decisions affect the team and make sure that your decisions are respectful of the other team members and helpful for the safety and performance of the team.
Alcohol
Alcohol is an expensive drink that is also the source of an incredible amount of suffering among the poor. There is a significant population of Hondurans who view alcohol as a drug (alcohol has a much more negative connotation among many Hondurans than smoking has here). My strong preference is that we all stick to non alcoholic drinks while we are on this trip. Bottled water is available and is safer to drink than beer. I realize this standard won't be accepted by everyone. If you are certain that you won't be offending our hosts it is permissible to drink one beer in an evening. More than one beer is completely unacceptable. Remember that poor judgment not only affects you but also has implications for the entire team.
Reporting in
Before you leave the team for any purpose, tell at least 2 people from the team (and preferably one of the team leaders where you are going and where and when you plan to meet up with the team again.
If you walk off without telling others in the team where you are going and when you are returning the team may be forced to try to locate you.
Punctuality
Take responsibility for knowing the team schedule and ensuring that you are ready to participate fully. Use an alarm clock. Organize your time so you are ready a few minutes before the planned times for scheduled events. You will be more relaxed and you will be showing your respect for the entire team.
Spanish Proficiency Definitions
Scale |
ACTFL Scale |
Definition |
|---|---|---|
11 |
Native |
Able to speak like an educated native speaker |
10 |
Distinguished |
Able to speak with a great deal of fluency, grammatical accuracy, precision of vocabulary and idiomaticity |
9 |
Superior |
Able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most formal and informal conversations |
8 |
Advanced Plus |
Able to satisfy most work requirements and show some ability to communicate on concrete topics |
7 |
Advanced |
Able to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements |
6 |
Intermediate - High |
Able to satisfy most survival needs and limited social demands |
5 |
Intermediate - Mid |
Able to satisfy some survival needs and some limited social demands |
4 |
Intermediate - Low |
Able to satisfy basic survival needs and minimum courtesy requirements |
3 |
Novice - High |
Able to satisfy immediate needs with learned utterances |
2 |
Novice - Mid |
Able to operate in only a very limited capacity |
1 |
Novice - Low |
Unable to function in the spoken language |
0 |
0 |
No ability whatsoever in the language |