TED Community » Athina Krimitzi

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Biotechnology in concentration of Microbiology; Bioethics; Immigration Law; D.R.E.A.M. Act

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Research and Biotechnology

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.30 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: As a trilingual or bilingual, what role does language play in the creation of your identity? Which language do you think in?

  Jan 9 2012: I always think about this! I speak Greek, English, some Romanian and some Spanish. The language that I think it depends on my environment and which language is dominantly used at the time. When I was younger I would think in Greek, this was my first language but I also knew a lot of Romanian and I spoke it fluently, but because at the time I was in Greece, I thought in that. When I came here the transition was hard but eventually by the age of 10-12 I was thinking in English. Also, I took Spanish, around the time of exams or during class I would think in Spanish (not on purpose). And now that my cousin and Grandmother are here from Greece, I think in Greek. It honestly depends on the environment.
  
  I think language is definitely connected to culture, but I don't really know how to describe it. I have different expectations when thinking in another language, strange as it sounds. Each culture has a different character.

• A reply on Conversation: Do you believe the DREAM Act would be a proper way of solving some of our immigration law issues?

  Dec 27 2011: I completely agree with you that without a structured law preventing people to live where they want, it would be chaos. I think that the current structured law is flawed and they should make it easier for people to be able to live here. I know the process very well because I am currently going through it. Let me tell you, it's pricey. This is a problem because the people trying to escape the hardships in their country oftentimes are not wealthy.
  
  As for the English, the students do learn English but I can admit the adults do not bother because they know theyll be doing a minimum wage job where they aren't in contact with the public. As you can see, I have come here and i can say my English is adequate and probably exceeds the level of most Americans. I graduated from the number one high school for english in nj. And top 25 in the nation for science. The undocumented students work very hard here to prove that they can help make America a better place.
  
  Thank you for your insight! I will be looking foward to your further response about the DREAM Act. If you have questions about the Bill itself please ask me. I studied it for a research paper.

• A reply on Conversation: Do you believe the DREAM Act would be a proper way of solving some of our immigration law issues?

  Dec 23 2011: No hatred for your opinion! I think these are very valuable points. Especially for the job perspective. No one should fear losing their job if they are confident that they are intelligent enough and deserve that job.
  
  "I believe that it is a joke that people need permission to live in any country."
  
  much much much agreement with you there.
• +2

  A comment on Conversation: Is religion the only motivation for a person to do right? Should our morals be only based on religious belief?

  Dec 22 2011: I think a huge part of doing good with the motivation being religion is for the "prize" at the end. Let's face it, a lot of us do something with the purpose of receiving something back. At least most of us. I do not think everyone that is doing the right thing has religion as their motivation though. A lot of my friends do not believe in a structured religion but still go out of their way to help someone or be part of their community. It's a hard topic, because a lot of people are ignorant.