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ashley03 |
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| Ashley Chen |
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| Title and Organization: |
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Citizen Journalist, Free the Children; Toronto Star |
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Gender and Age: |
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Female, 20
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| Country of Residence: |
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 Canada |
| Country of Birth: |
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Canada |
| Nationalities: |
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Chinese
Indian
Irish
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| Citizenships: |
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Canada
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| Languages: |
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Hakka
, English
, Swahili
, Hindi
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| Instant Messaging: |
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 About Me |
A geographer, writer, philosopher, development worker, debater, teacher, learner; worker of the mind, Ashley Chen is an avid traveler who believes in diversity. She witnessed the beauty of "countries" such as India, Kenya, China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Germany, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom and United States; and has traveled to 9 out of 10 Canadian provinces (excluding New Foundland). Having a passion for development and in helping others she has dedicated her life to serving in oversea volunteering opportunities.
As a child (till early teens) who moved back and forth between Canada and India, Ashley feels that she is strongly defined by her experience living in two countries of opposite spectrums. Although born in Canada she is considered Indian at heart and often expresses her love for the country by keeping in touch with Indian culture and traditions and often considers the socio-political issue back home in her work with humanitarian efforts.
"When the time of year came to travel to India it was always exciting. I never minded leaving friends behind or being home schooled during my absense. India was always where family was and I often felt closer to an identity there. The country was never improvished in my mind, it was actually rich-- very rich to me in the human spirit. Eventually I had to stay put in Canada and it has since been hard to find the time or chance to go back. It has been oh, 5-6 years since I've been in India and I'm almost afraid to go back because I feel as though the change and the attempt to refamiliarize myself with the country will be hard as my memory of India is of the mind of a child. I also know that our HUGE family home back in Calcutta is emptier today. Regardless, I still love the country and in exchange I try to keep India close to me in everything I do. I can tell you about all the happenings in Bollywood more than I can about Hollywood!" (On her devotion and love to country India).
June 2006, Ashley graduated from high school as an Ontario Scholar and is in her third year at York University located in North York. She is pursuing a specialist honours major in Human and Political Geography. Ashley is working towards a Speclist Honours B.A. and a B.Ed., Intermediate/Junior. Her passion lies in becoming a teacher because she wishes to offer the gift of education to generations to come, has a passion for lifelong learning, wants to introduce students to a world of leadership and adventure and to work in a diverse setting.
Ashley worked closely with Free the Children and has encouraged youths to acknowledge that they are the change. She has been a mentor for various workshops and shared her knowledge and love for writing through a joint Global Voices partnership between Free the Children, The Toronto Star and Nipissing University.
Ashley's most recognized work took place in Kenya with Adventure Learning Experiences and Leaders Today. There she worked as a Literacy teacher at Emorijoi Primary School located in the Maasai Mara village. Together with 32 individuals, she helped build a nursery school for the community. Kenya is a vibrant country full of love, friendliness and appreciation for life's smallest gifts. The Maasai and Kipsigis children have helped Ashley build a character of faith and service. Having been blessed by this trip, Ashley provides youths as passionate as herself with stories and opportunities to serve and lead. She hopes to return to a country she now calls home very soon.
Currently residing in Toronto, Ashley is now a tutor for Working Women Community Centre's On the Mark Tutoring Program. She works closely with students in the Portugese community to help them develop and enhance their ability to better perform in school and with personal esteem. Through this program she also builds a mentoring relationship with the students. Ashley recognizes while working with students that the students are her teachers who encourage her to learn and to continue to develop as a person and teacher.
On her downtime Ashley enjoys young cool evenings with only the stars. She loves reading and enjoys camping and life with the great outdoor!
Ashley follows the belief of philosopher C.S. Lewis "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
| Countries Visited |
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 Issues of Interest |
 UNESCO Sites Visited |
 Friends |
semr , edugeorge
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User is Offline.
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| User Joined: February 3, 2006 |
| Last Login: July 5, 2008
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 Active Rank: #1200 |
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