What I did for summer vacation
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 3, 1996 9:00 p.m.
By Linda Yoon
Daily Bruin Contributor
As a guest lecturer in Holland, Robert B. Edgerton, a professor
in Residence Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences/Anthropology,
was taken aback when university students challenged and questioned
his teachings.
"To my surprise, they were a lot more aggressive (than students
in the United States) …" Edgerton said.
Despite the freedom of summer for most UCLA students and
professors, several Bruins decided to spend the three months of sun
immersed in activities off-campus.
Edgerton was one of several lecturers from around the world to
participate in a series of discussions on the fall of empires.
With years of research and a published work on the fall of the
Asante Empire, which was part of the African society, Edgerton
lectured for one week on an all-expense paid invite to the
University of Amsterdam and the University of Leiden.
To his delight, the students in Holland were used to voicing
their opinions on lecture topics as well as the teaching method of
their professors.
"One person said ‘This seems self-evident to me, I can’t imagine
why you wrote this book. What is the point of it? It didn’t go over
anything that we didn’t already know …’" Edgerton explained.
On the other hand, students at UCLA tend to stay quiet
throughout lecture and whisper to themselves afterwards about how
horrible the professor was, Edgerton said.
He was also surprised to find diversity among the students in
the universities.
"I was impressed.that on the campus, unlike our campus …
students tended to hang out with other students (without
reservation) … There’s no sign of segregation," Edgerton
said.
After the week in Holland, Edgerton returned to UCLA to continue
his study on the psychological challenges of mentally retarded
children. This project is currently in its third year and is
concentrated within seven minority groups.
In addition to the lecturing stint in Holland and the
anthropological research, Edgerton was awarded the high honor of
being named the University Professor on July 19.
The honor is appointed to scholars of international notability
who are acknowledged and respected as teachers of superb
capabilities.
And while some students were at the beach, Amita Sheth, a
second-year world arts and culture student, experienced another
world in her field of specialty: dancing.
Accepted to a summer dance program at Jose LÃmone
Institute, held in the State University of New York (SUNY) of
Purchase, Sheth spent three weeks adding to her knowledge of modern
dance.
Sheth’s days were filled with Alexander technique classes, which
consisted of body alignment and correction for a dancer’s
durability, and LÃmone technique classes that taught dancers
the modern dance technique of the LÃmone dance company.
Repertoire classes were also given to instruct students on the
dances the company performed; teaching Sheth how the LÃmone
technique was used by the company in its dance pieces.
The LÃmone technique was developed by Jose LÃmone in
the early 20th century. This style of modern dance is rhythmic,
consisting of upper torso contractions.
"It’s very free flowing … you use a lot of your breath to help
you move, the way you breathe helps you move," Sheth said.
The intensive program is available as training, mostly for dance
majors, and college credit can also be earned.
"Most people just go to go, to do training and get an idea of
what LÃmone is … You can also make connections there because
you get to meet the company members," Sheth said.
Although only a summer intensive program, Sheth said the
training is difficult and must be taken seriously.
"I don’t recommend going unless you’re willing to work hard the
three weeks you’re going to be there and if you’re going to make
full use of all there is to offer," Sheth said.
Closer to the home front, Shirley Lin, a second-year biology
student, tinkered with music by nurturing her independent record
label company, Disillusioned Records, in her hometown, Irvine,
Calif., and the local Los Angeles area.
As the founder for Disillusioned Records, Lin is responsible for
promoting bands through magazine advertisements, distributing
flyers, home mailing and contacting interested radio stations.
She also distributes the music by either contacting a
distribution company or selling the records herself.
"I’m interested in helping small bands because the major label
companies won’t give them a chance right now …" Lin said.
Already sponsoring and promoting two punk bands, Kankersores and
Second To Last, Lin attended shows throughout the summer in clubs
such as The Whiskey on Sunset Boulevard and The Showcase on
Mainstreet in Corona.
Lin is currently planning to make a compilation of punk bands,
including the Kankersores.
Although the summer has passed, opportunities to work locally,
nationally and internationally are still available through
on-campus resources, such as the EXPO Center.
The EXPO Center provides UCLA students with internships,
volunteer positions and jobs in almost all fields, such as the
Securities & Exchange Commission for students interested in
persecuting banks that conduct illegal activities, or CBS for
students interested in the media field. CBS usually offers a $1,000
scholarship at the end of the summer internship to help students
pay fall registration fees.
Students can rely on the EXPO Center for assistance in
applications, resumés, cover letters, interview processes,
housing and financial aid.
"I think what they (students) really need to know is that there
are a lot of opportunities out there," said Dario Bravo, the
assistant director of the EXPO Center.
"Don’t wait ’til you’re a junior or a senior," he said. "Because
there are so many opportunities that you could miss out on just
because you don’t take the time to see what’s out there."
