I come from Peru. I work for the Illinois Natural History Survey-Center for Economic Entomology as a Lab Assistant for Dr. David Voegtlin, Specialist in Biology and Systematics of Aphids. Before I came here, I was a graduate student of Entomology at the University Agrarian La Molina in Lima. Moreover, I decided to come to USA to improve my English and my career.
Through my Peruvian friend, Julio Urbina, then the house manager of the Cosmopolitan Club, I came to live in and share the Cosmos house with international students for nine months. I met Andrea Shields and Kirti Patel (USA), Anca Dragu (Rumania), Ana Maria Popa (Rumania), Robert (Korea), Jun (USA), Sachie Kamida (Japan), Daniel (Germany), Cydni Mack (USA), Klaus (Germany), and Pratik (India), very nice and interesting students. Living with them I had the opportunity to learn about their countries, costumes, and food. I always shared the kitchen with Anca and Robert, who love to cook too. I realized that it is important for me be myself and to maintain my Peruvian identity. Every day was an interesting day around these wonderful people and in the environment of the University of Illinois. These little cities, Urbana and Champaign, are a very magic small world, because you can meet many people from different countries—an experience that I never had before.
Although, I moved from the Cosmo house a long time ago, I keep my spirit of sharing and showing Peru when I have the opportunity. For example, Andrea invited me to participate in some dinners or Coffee Hours typical at the Cosmopolitan Club. I organized the last two Peruvian Coffee Hours. The first one was on February 27th, 2003. I was really worried because, in the beginning, only Virna Saenz was able to help me. She was very committed to making this event a very good time and to show a little bit of our culture. However, thank God, we were able to contact more Peruvians and to encourage them to recognize how important we are as Peruvians in Urbana-Champaign. Many responded with their help and enthusiasm, such as Paola Leon, Erwin Chang, Maria Fe Palacios, Claudia Kuniyoshi, Tula Arrisueno, Zonia and Sixto Soto, Chris Tomassie, Gladys and Monika Munante, Erika Ynga, Jackeline Valdivia, Magaly Browning, Ana y Rosario Cabrera, Arturo Leon, Jose Antonio Pereda, and Jorge Abad. Now we do not miss Peru like we used to, and we enjoy special moments when we get together.
Therefore, I feel very good because in three years I have improved my English very much. Aphids are very interesting insects, and I still learning about them. Also enjoy my happiness with my precious son David Alejandro and my friends.
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Doris and son David Alejandro |
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Maria Fe Palacios and Erwin Chang prepare to demonstrate a Peruvian folk dance |