If you haven’t heard the name “Nelson Mandela”, you might have been living under a rock.  Born in the early 1900’s, he was the first in his family to ever receive a formal education.  Mandela joined the African National Congress – South Africa’s governing social democratic political party in 1943 as an activist bec0ming a general secretary by 1947 – right before the apartheid took place (History in an Hour, 2012).

Mandela spent 27 years in prison because he refused to compromise with his country’s “white supremacist government” (Boston Globe, 2013) During his imprisonment, he refused to give up on humanity and yet emerged graceful, compassionate and a forgiving individual.  One of his famous quotes is “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination, but when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”  To Nelson Mandela, education was everything and he used his education experience extremely well.

On the other hand, South Africa’s current president, Jacob Zuma, has never had formal education.  Throughout his political career, he has been charged with corruption numerous times – each time charges were dropped, and charged with rape – although that was eventually ruled consensual.  Despite the corruption that runs rampant with the current South African president, the South African population can relate to him because a lot are uneducated (Bio, 2016).

Despite the fact that South Africa spends more gross domestic product on education than any other country, it is still significantly less then more developed countries.  Regardless of the increased expenses, performance is poorer than in other countries in the same area.  UNICEF reveals that the quality of teaching is poor and occasionally non-existent, teen pregnancy, and school violence are reasons this area lacks in education (UNICEF, 2016).  It’s possible with better education systems there could be more Mandela’s and less Zuma’s.

References:

Biography.com (2016). Jacob Zuma – Biography. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/jacob-zuma-262727#synopsis

Boston Globe (06 December 2013). Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013: A rare vision of magnanimity. Retrieved from https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2013/12/06/nelson-mandela-vision-leadership-all-too-rare/cK2QhNxjZSX9tVYEHq7mSJ/story.html

History in an Hour. (18 July 2012). Nelson Mandela – a brief summary. Retrieved from http://www.historyinanhour.com/2012/07/18/nelson-mandela-summary/

UNICEF. (2016). Overview: Education and adolescent development. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/education_344.html

 

 

Shortly after the Russian revolution, and the dismantling of the Russian Czar – Nicholas II, father to Anastasia (if you’re familiar with the Disney movie which told the legend of her escaping the execution of her entire family), the USSR was established.  It originally consisted of four republics, but grew into one of the “world’s most powerful and influential states” and eventually consisted of 15 republics (Np, 2016).

The entire region was ruled by a Communist Party, one that required the loyalty of all its’ citizens.  It eventually was controlled by a totalitarian, Joseph Stalin, who demanded complete control over every aspect of the region’s political and social life.  Those who denied his policies were arrested.  After his death, the Soviet Union still maintained the Communist Party’s power, but eliminated the brutal policies and focused their energy on the Cold War (Np, 2016).

During the midst of the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union began developing missiles, which sparked the Cuban missile crisis, a confrontation that brought these two regions very close to war.  After a treaty was signed that banned the aboveground testing of nuclear weapons, the Soviet’s were determined to “never again be humiliated by their military inferiority” and began to build a “conventional and strategic force that the United States was forced to match for the next 25 years” (Np. 2015)

How did this affect the Soviet Union’s economy?  Well, for starters – it was estimated that in the mid 1980’s, 70% of the Soviet Union’s industrial output and over 50% of their total output was going towards their military.  A long story short, the Reagan Administration increased the military budget, but the Soviet Union was unable to increase its output going to the military (it needed those outputs for the rest of the economy).  This eventually ended the “arms race” and ended the Cold War.  Without the threat of the United States’ military, there was no reason for the USSR to continue on with their current totalitarian regime and their political system fell apart.  The majority of the republics that made up the USSR are now ran by a federal republic – with a president a prime minster – one that is nominated by the president (Watkins, Nd).

Since the collapse, Russia’s GDP fell to 40% in a 5 year span – while the rest of the world’s increased.  They were even forced to import over 1/3 of their food products by the late 1990’s.  The country still experiences problems economically, and in the early 2000’s their economy plummeted after the arrest of Russian’s wealthiest man – the owner of Yukos Oil Co, one of the world’s top oil suppliers.  While the arrest could have been strictly due to the fraudulent charges, it has also been said that Putin arrested the man to take him out of the political race. Because of these accusations – people question whether Russia has made any progress in the past three decades (Poland, Nd.)

References:

Np. (2015, July 20). Encyclopedia Britannica: Cold War. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War

Np. (2016). History: Fall of the Soviet Union. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fall-of-soviet-union

Np. (2016). History: This Day in History – Dec 30. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1802572/modules/items/21179144

Poland, M. (Nd.). Russian Economy in the Aftermath of the Collapse of the Soviet Union. Retrieved from http://www2.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs/cur/Baker_00/03-04/baker%20poland%20p1/ussr.htm

Watkins, T. (Nd.). The Economic Collapse of the Soviet Union. Retrieved from http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/sovietcollapse.htm

 

What is Brexit, exactly?  Britain + exit = Brexit.  The historical decision of Great Britain to leave the European Union, fueled by immigration – 13% of the United Kingdom’s population is made up of immigrants which affects their health care, education and wages, in which the UK wants control over its borders and whether they allow refugees from Syria or immigrants from Romania into their country.  They suffer from non-conformity – the United Kingdom is only one of two countries who refuse to adopt the Euro (the European Union’s common currency), and they dislike the massive amount of funds it takes to become a member of this union – $16.3 billion in 2014 (Criss, 2016).

What does this mean for the holidays?  Well, according to BBC, the holidays are too soon after Brexit to really make a significant impact.  Britain first needs to file an Article 50 which will start the two-year exit process, but until then, legal matters stay the same.  During the Christmas season there are numerous holiday markets (much like Christkindl), where vendors from all over Europe come to sell goods.  These vendors can be affected if Britain decides to impose visas or permits, resulting in the vendors not setting up at the largest markets in England.  While this affects those particular vendors, who will most likely set up at other European holiday markets, it may increase the amount of local vendors.  However, current immigrant stallholders don’t fear their welcome at these markets and feel that the market is a “sign of human friendship” (BBC News, 2016).

Immigrant workers are not the only ones to suffer, though.  The British pound hasn’t quite recovered since Brexit earlier this year.  This caused fears that prices would increase on imported goods – however, according to an article in MailOnline, that’s not entirely the case.  Putting Christmas dinner on the table will actually be slightly cheaper than it was last year due to supermarket price wars.  However, these savings are only on a few key ingredients and were announced after Britain received news that there was a shortage of dairy products due to a collapse in supply from British farms (London, 2016).

Brexit isn’t all visions of sugar plums with it’s two year waiting period and cheaper turkeys, though.  There were, and still are, serious matters to be addressed – such as Scotland seeking its independence from the UK, for the second time this decade.

 

References:

Criss, D. (2016, June 2o). The non-Brits guide to Brexit. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/20/world/non-brits-guide-to-brexit-explainer-trnd/index.html

London, B. (2016, November 13). Quitting Brussels gives us cheaper sprouts!  The cost of Christmas dinner has gone DOWN despite fears that Brexit would bump up prices. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-37751820

N.p. (2016, November 13). Christmas markets: Will Brexit have any affect? BBC, News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-37751820

 

I still remember it like it was yesterday.  The quick decent of the assault landing and then the C130’s loading ramp opening to reveal a stifling heat.  The only way I’ve ever been able to explain what the Kuwaiti air in the middle of July felt like was to throw sand up in the air while you pointed a blow dryer on it’s highest heat setting towards you.  As I stepped out of the plane, it was apparent – I wasn’t in the United States anymore.  Kuwait was the first of many Middle Eastern countries I would visit during my military enlistment – albeit, I was never able to leave the confines of the military base I was deployed to.

I, like many others, joined the military with an ill will towards Middle Easterners.  A group of people we’ve come to stereotype since the events of 9/11.  However, I was surprised by the people I met – how kind hearted these individuals were.  These people who have a love of faith that was proven each time you heard the melodic sound that blasted over the loud speaker seven times a day announcing their prayer had once more began.  It was evident that these people were very much different than I was.  Despite all of these differences, globalization has made it possible for us to connect – whether it’s a Twitter post unknowingly announcing the Osama bin Laden attack or being the top exporters of oil, our world is connected more now than ever before.

However, because of the many differences between groups of people, it is wise to become knowledgeable about their culture – to ensure there are not any mishaps.  Middle Easterners prefer to do business with people they know, so forming a personal relationship as well as a business relationship is to be expected.  Small talk is more than a courtesy and can help determine if you’re a suitable business partner (Irfan, 2010).  Learning a few word and phrases in the potential business partner’s language wouldn’t hurt either, and it could possibly even show the individual that you are personally invested and this isn’t just another business deal.

Another great recommendation from Irfan is to be tough when striking a deal, but be respectful – Arabs know how to bargain with the rest of them.  While I don’t have first hand experience of making business deals in the Middle East, I can recall haggling a stone chess set and a few pashminas with a salesman at the bazaar they set up on base.  While I don’t remember exactly what I paid for the items, I do remember the gentleman gave me hand-carved wooden coasters in return for my purchase.

 

 

References:

Irfan, Mohammad, 2010, 12 Tips for Doing Business in the Middle East retrieved from: http://www.businessknowhow.com/manage/middleeast.htm

Hello, everyone!

My name is Samantha Aleman and I’ve been attending Penn State University World Campus since Fall of 2014.  I started out following the degree program for Organizational Leadership, but switched after Spring 2016 semester.  Unfortunately, I realized that was not my true calling and switched back to the OLEAD program.

I live in Farmville, VA with my husband, 8-month old daughter (she was born Christmas Day 2015) and my 4-year old puppy.  We purchased our first home on the 25th of this month and are in the process of moving to a suburb of Richmond.  I’ve only lived in Virginia for a little over a year and a half, after moving here from Pennsylvania (where I grew up – 40 minutes East of State College in a small town of Mifflinburg).

Unfortunately, I’m not anywhere where I want to be professionally.  I was working in the financial industry prior to moving to Virginia, but then took a job at an all-male state prison as a production technician due to the lack of jobs in this small area.  I had the opportunity to further my career with finances, but chose not to so I am able to stay at home with my daughter.   I own an in-home bakery called “The Sweet Life” and sell cupcakes, cookies and candies (flavored marshmallows, caramel apples, etc) and attend school on-line full-time.  I hope to one day own my own bakery/candy store with an actual store front and not just inside my home.

I have limited leadership experience and it all stems from being in the Marine Corps and some classes that have group assignments.  Other than that, my leadership skills are non-existent.  I also don’t have a favorite leadership quote.

I don’t have any unusual hobbies, but I thoroughly enjoy crafts and DIY yourself projects.  I crochet outfits for my 8 month old to wear for her monthly photos and I cross-stitch numerous things.  I also enjoy cooking and baking, reading, running, and eating.  I also enjoy traveling (although my traveling has been limited to that in the military and the occasional day trip).