Testimonios
En ésta página, encontrará una selección de los testimonios que hemos recibido de estudiantes universitarios y otros que han participado en programas con el equipo de Journeys Beyond the Surface. Al principio, la mayoría de testimonios serán de estudiantes universitarios, en inglés, y referirán a programas educativas con Mojdeh Hojjati, porque de ese trabajo nació nuestro sitio.
Le invitamos a visitar el sitio (en inglés) del School for Internationa Training para ver una presentación sobre la participación de Mojdeh en esa organización.
NOTA: La versión en español de éste sitio está bajo construcción. Como una medida temporal, los textos que no hemos traducido aún, están incluidos aquí en inglés.
|
|
| Ken C - independent trav | | Santa Monica CA Sep-26-2006 | | Not only perfectly accurate, but able to catch the underlying meaning when the words being spoken only hinted at what was taking place beneath the surface. A truly excellent translation.
What can I say? Mojdeh is more than a guide and translator. She offers an experience of authentic Mexico, which is missed by most tourists. She shows you the social, artistic, human Mexico, full of life. The experience is unforgettable because it is so honest and poignant.
I felt like I understood Mexico, rather than just seeing it. | | | | William S. - SIT Academic Dir | | Oaxaca, Mexico Sep-26-2006 | | For the past three years, I have had the pleasure of
working closely with Mojdeh. As the Mexico
City Coordinator for the School for International
Training (SIT) Grass Roots Development and Social
Change Program in Mexico, she has done a superlative
job.
Mojdeh is a bright, enthusiastic and creative person.
She has helped SIT gain access to active
and committed non-governmental and grass roots
organizations of interest to the students.
Mojdeh also has a way with college-age students.
She connects and interacts with them effectively.
They respect her for her knowledge and organizational
skills and respond equally well to her warmth and
sense of humor.
It is because of Mojdeh's involvement in the program
that the SIT students have come away with one of the
most meaningful and memorable experiences of their
15-week program in Mexico: the Santo Domingo
homestay. Each semester, the SIT students live with
families in this working class community. By so doing, they learn first-hand how grass roots organizing works at the local level. They also are consistently impressed with the hospitality they receive from these families.
| | | | Nico W. - Casa de los Amig | | Mexico City Sep-26-2006 | | My Spanish is fluent and I have lived on and off in Mexico City for five years. I went on a tour with Mojdeh and four other people to a neighborhood that I go to nearly everyday, and I STILL had a wonderfully illuminating time...The tour included a historical and present-day perspective of Colonia Tepito that I could never have learned without spending years there, and things about the area that are not in any guide book and probably not in any book anywhere at all. Mojdeh not only explained to us who was who on the urban art scene, she introduced us around. She carefully explained the roots and development of the places and events we went to, and I was very thankful to have gained that social, cultural and historical perspective. Also, I had great fun, and Mojdeh is really, really easy to be around. I went with another friend and an Irish family of three, and they all told me what a good time they had and were so grateful to have found such a cool connection. Mojdeh is highly recommended.
| | | | Erin B. - International Ho | | Clarksburg, Mass Sep-26-2006 | | Having studied and travelled in nine countries over two years, I have witnessed a full range of translating ability and quality -- with Mojdeh, nothing is lost and the full range of emotion, humor, slang, personal voice, and depth are right there. She is able to translate while someone is speaking, while being respectful and compassionate to those who are talking. She phrases questions and prompts clearly, and clarifies what may not be obvious due cultural nuances. Mojdeh's warm personality and encouraging tone instantly create a space for open communication and trust. As much as I valued her presence in conversations, her translations were so solid that she sometimes melded with the person with whom I was talking.
Mojdeh's ability to make things run smoothly, coordinate a fantastic program and introduce us to amazing individuals and communitites were so appreciated. She is very sensitive to personal needs and energy levels. She is also incredibly well-connected and trusted by those with whom she collaborates; an excellent resource for local knowledge and culture.
| | | | Asha S. - IHP 2005 | | Panama City, Pan Sep-26-2006 | | As a native Spanish speaker, I am very sensitive to individuals who translate my language into another. Mojdeh's translations were incredibly accurate, articulate, and perceptive.
Mojdeh has the ability to make any individual feel at ease. Her presence makes any outing relaxing, enjoyable, and fun. She takes care of logistical details with ease and grace, and has a genuine interest in people and in taking care of them.
One of the most impressive qualities that Mojdeh posesses is her inability to become exhausted. After 12-hour days, she was still available for requests and considerations and conversations. This was most important for creating cultural exchanges that went beyond standard tourist activity. | | | | Nico W. - Casa de los Amig | | Mexico City Sep-26-2006 | | My Spanish is fluent and I have lived on and off in Mexico City for five years. I went on a tour with Mojdeh and four other people to a neighborhood that I go to nearly everyday, and I STILL had a wonderfully illuminating time...The tour included a historical and present-day perspective of Colonia Tepito that I could never have learned without spending years there, and things about the area that are not in any guide book and probably not in any book anywhere at all. Mojdeh not only explained to us who was who on the urban art scene, she introduced us around. She carefully explained the roots and development of the places and events we went to, and I was very thankful to have gained that social, cultural and historical perspective. Also, I had great fun, and Mojdeh is really, really easy to be around. I went with another friend and an Irish family of three, and they all told me what a good time they had and were so grateful to have found such a cool connection. Mojdeh is highly recommended.
| | | | William S. - SIT Academic Dir | | Oaxaca, Mexico Sep-26-2006 | | For the past three years, I have had the pleasure of
working closely with Mojdeh. As the Mexico
City Coordinator for the School for International
Training (SIT) Grass Roots Development and Social
Change Program in Mexico, she has done a superlative
job.
Mojdeh is a bright, enthusiastic and creative person.
She has helped SIT gain access to active
and committed non-governmental and grass roots
organizations of interest to the students.
Mojdeh also has a way with college-age students.
She connects and interacts with them effectively.
They respect her for her knowledge and organizational
skills and respond equally well to her warmth and
sense of humor.
It is because of Mojdeh's involvement in the program
that the SIT students have come away with one of the
most meaningful and memorable experiences of their
15-week program in Mexico: the Santo Domingo
homestay. Each semester, the SIT students live with
families in this working class community. By so doing, they learn first-hand how grass roots organizing works at the local level. They also are consistently impressed with the hospitality they receive from these families.
| | | | Ken C - independent trav | | Santa Monica CA Sep-26-2006 | | Not only perfectly accurate, but able to catch the underlying meaning when the words being spoken only hinted at what was taking place beneath the surface. A truly excellent translation.
What can I say? Mojdeh is more than a guide and translator. She offers an experience of authentic Mexico, which is missed by most tourists. She shows you the social, artistic, human Mexico, full of life. The experience is unforgettable because it is so honest and poignant.
I felt like I understood Mexico, rather than just seeing it. | | | | Dianne L. - independent trav | | Toronto, Canada Sep-03-2006 | |
Arranged two-part trip for me and my daughter who was registering as an international student in Jalapa; wonderful attention to detail; warm and friendly; well connected to other contacts in Mexico to ensure whole trip went smoothly; went beyond customer service to develop a budding friendship; knowledgeable and yet casual and warm.
| | | | Evelyn A. - IHP 05-06 | | Los Angeles, CA Aug-18-2006 | | I agree with everyone above about Mojdeh's translations. With Mojdeh it is not merely about translating words but rather the meaning behind the words. I have had experiences in the past where guides and coordinators ran their business as...well, a business. The experience is very impersonal. Not so with Mojdeh, as I experienced while studying in Santo Domingo, Mexico City. She has a long-standing relationship with host families and so they did not view her as 'the coordinator person' but rather more as their friend who should not stand at the door but come in and have some cafe. Her enthusiasm clearly shows that this is not merely her 'job' but rather her passion.
| | | | Bridget Moix - Tepito, Martes d | | Casa de los Amig Aug-18-2006 | | NA
Mojdeh did a wonderful job of introducing our small international group to Tepito's Martes de Arte community space in Mexico City. We met local leaders, learned some of the history of social organizing in the community, and enjoyed an afternoon of crafts, music, and simply being part of this special space. She prepped our group with a very helpful history of the community and offered just the right balance of accompanying us and letting us roam free during our visit. I definitely recommend her tours for anyone interested in a community experience in Mexico.
| | | | Katharina K. - IHP 06 | | New York Aug-18-2006 | | I was immediately put at ease by the open, comfortable way Mojdeh facilitated conversation between myself and the Spanish-speakers I encountered. Partly this is because she is able to translate from English to Spanish or Spanish to English almost instantly, which does not hinder the flow of conversation at all.
I was very comfortable exploring Mexico with Mojdeh because, from the beginning, it was clear she knows what she's doing. She has excellent ideas as far as tourist places to visit, "off-the-beaten-track" places to go, as well as restaurant and bar/club hot spots. The number of contacts and friendly relationships she has with the people she works with is also an amazing asset to travelling with Mojdeh. For example, the incredible experience of living with a host family in Santo Domingo, a barrio of Mexico City that became a community because the people living there pulled it all together, would not have been possible without her friendly relationship with my host mother.
Mojdeh is extremely knowledgeable about Mexico, about its history and about current events, both cultural and political. Through her contacts, she can give a visitor the local experience that is inaccesible to the average tourist. | | | | Lizzy Koltai - IHP 2005-2006 | | California Jun-11-2006 | | Mojdeh's simultaneous translation is very helpful, making the conversation much smoother and fuller than normal translations allow. She is also wonderful at explaining the expressions, cultural contexts, and language subtexts that others leave out.
Mojdeh is super-dependable and goes above and beyond an "escort," smoothly leading group of 30 students through the Mexico City Metro and always getting us where we wanted to go, even if that was 30 different places. I always felt totally confident with her and her knowledge of the city and community relations allow safe travel into more than just the "tourist" areas. More importantly, she's an interesting and lively person, so the trip is never dull.
Mojdeh's seamless coordinating pulls the entire time into an invaluable experience. Her contacts allow a depth of learning while her breadth of knowledge illuminates the interconnections between all the different aspects. | | | | Hillary L. - IHP RG 05-06 | | Bethesda, MD Jun-01-2006 | | Not many people in Mexico speak fluent English and it is very important to have a translator with you if you are not proficient in Spanish. Mojdeh was able to translate from Spanish to English and back with guest speakers and keep up with the overwhelming question and comment period afterwards.
Mojdeh is a fantastic coordinator of outings to small villages outside the cities, cultural centers within cities and nightlife. She is very familiar with public transportation systems and can navigate her way around and keep a large group together even in a chaotic situation.
Mojdeh was invaluable to my experience travelling around Mexico for 6 weeks. Her breadth of knowledge on the Mexican society and different cultures was extensive and educational. Because Mojdeh has lived in Mexico for so many years she knows many different people in different communities in both Oaxaca and Mexico City and can therefore give the insiders account of real goings-on. Not only is Mojdeh a great coordinator of outings, she is a fun person with a wonderful personality. I would recommend her to anyone!
| | | | Sarah K. - IHP 2004-5 | | Portsmouth, New Mar-10-2006 | | We travelled to five countries over the year and had many translators. Mojdeh was the most transparent about the translation process. She let both sides know when there were phrases or words she needed to change because they did not have an equivalent in the other language. She did both simultaneous translation and translated after people spoke.
Mojdeh was very flexible to the needs of our group. She listened to our feedback about what was not working well in our trips and immediately worked to accomodate our wishes. Everything was planned out meticulously.
Mojdeh's knowledge of Mexico City in particular was impressive. She cares deeply about the projects and people she has worked with, and that shows. She was caring and open about any questions or concerns I had. I was incredibly grateful for the world Mojdeh opened up to us and am still deeply moved by the experience. I would recommend for anyone who has the opportunity to jump at the chance to have Mojdeh as a guide, leader and/or teacher.
| | | | David H - International Ho | | Blacklick, Ohio Mar-09-2006 | | Mojdeh?s translation was unparalleled! She made a point to capture the essence of language and to preserve peoples? thoughts, beliefs and expressions. She accurately and effectively opened a space of dialogue between native and non-native speakers and helped us gain the most from these precious cross-cultural experiences.
Arriving to Mexico City following an exhausting journey from New Zealand, and learning that I needed a root canal was not the way I wanted to begin my travels in Mexico. However, because of Mojdeh's tireless efforts and thorough knowledge of Mexico City, I was able to have the problem remedied the following morning.
From the instant I met Mojdeh, I was struck by her passion to facilitate the most positive experiences for us. Her dedication and responsiveness was unwavering, and this commitment made our unique and unforgettable experiences possible.
Mojdeh juggled a number of responsibilities for our group of 22 students: translator, event planner, logistical coordinator, advisor and friend. She continually amazed me with her abilities to balance a variety of tasks at one time and devote attention to the intricate details required of a traveling facilitator in creating the most amazing experiences for us. Her flexibility, knowledge, and sense of humor helped bring aspects of Mexico to life that visitors rarely have the opportunity to experience, and for this I am ever grateful. | | | | Lulu M. - SIT Mexico Sprin | | Santa Cruz, Cali Mar-08-2006 | | Mojdeh translates literal meanings accurately, while conveying complex cultural nuances that underscore her profound knowledge of both languages. Her translations are immediate, with hardly a delay between the speaker's words and her translation. She conveys the speaker's words, ideas, and feelings through her translations while blendling so seamlessly into the exchange that her presence, though essential, becomes a natural component of the conversation.
Mojdeh arranged educational and cultural activities that made us feel like we were experiencing all that Mexico City has to offer. Mojdeh's warm yet calm demeanor are qualities that put one at ease in the big city, and her confidence and knowledgeability make her an innovative and trustworthy urban guide. She has an obvious love for the city and its attractions, as well as a commitment to providing stimulating and informative travel experiences.
I was impressed by her close attention to the most minute details of our trip. She was attentive to the group's comfort as well as our learning experience, resulting in a safe, fun and informative trip. Mojdeh has a variety of contacts throughout Mexico City. In fact, when I returned to Mexico City later to conduct research for my senior thesis, her contacts and knowledgeability of Mexico City proved essential to the completion of my research. | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
