I want to talk this week about my volunteering because I haven’t been very good about keeping you up to date. (Just as a recap I am volunteering at a local Supper Club on Thursday nights at Trinity United Church)
I really enjoy me weekly get togethers where we make a yummy meal for a wonderful group of people and have a great time. I feel almost guilty – it’s not work at all. We have so much fun in the kitchen joking around and teasing each other or coming up with new recipes or doing impossible puzzles one of the men always brings and the night passes by so fast. I have trouble linking it to the big issues that we have addressed in our courses, because it’s just a part of my Thursday now. I read Cat’s blog a few weeks ago about people at her placement looking down on the people they were there to help and I have to say that I have experienced the exact opposite. After we have finished plating all the food and making up the to go dinners and if there is leftovers- and there is always leftovers- we each make a plate of the exact same food everyone goes out and sits at the tables. There is a great companionship between the long time volunteers and the long time attendees and its fun to watch everyone joke around. Last week my mom and I got talking about the food that we serve there and really what a special place the Supper Club is.
Prior to this term my impression of a soup kitchen was line ups to get donated castoff food like slightly stale bread and lots of beans and rice and canned food. Yet week after week this is not what I have seen. When patrons enter there are tables of snacks, fresh fruit, veggie trays, cheese and crackers, chips and dip and always a new and interesting food to learn about its never the same twice. Each week features a unique fresh made menu offering lots of variety for our picky eaters. Every week there is dessert and goodie bags for all. Last week we served roast beef, with horse radish, gravy, sweet potatoes and carrot, the week before we made pork roasts and all kinds of sides. All the food is bought at the grocery store. And all the meals are the same as you or I would for make with our own families at dinner. And we realized that it’s not about giving whatever can be spared or won’t be missed just so these people can have a warm meal, it’s about making something special for a community. People come who don’t need the food but come for the company, to share a meal with friends. It gives everyone a place they can go once a week and forget about whatever else is going on and go have fun together. Today we had cotton cane ice cream sundaes for dessert, hardly a necessity or staple food but it was a huge hit. Everyone needs spoiling sometimes. I don’t come away on Thursdays smiling just because people got to eat; it’s simply contagious how much fun everyone is having.
Despite the fun it’s still tough to see that these are mostly people that are struggling to get by, but what is even worse for me is the fact that this is a fairly new program. It has only been a couple of years at the church, and though I know there have been other smaller projects over the years there isn’t really much offered in a small town. It’s sad that there was probably a time that there wasn’t anywhere local to go to get a hot meal. There are consistently around 50- 60 in house diners each week plus to-go meals and sometimes there are more. Poverty is not all that visible in Gravenhurst I can count the number of homeless people I saw growing up on one hand. But it’s there none the less and it was really never addressed this directly until now. The Supper Club is not organized by a recognizable charity or sponsored by a company; it is run by one young woman who does this on her own time. I don’t know a lot about the organizer but she seems to be involved in a lot of charity work and I really want to talk to her more about what made her start the program and when she became aware of this unmet need. Hopefully in a few weeks time I can update you on the roots of the Supper Club.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Undeducated Verdict on Education
It was so great to be back with everyone on Monday and so neat to learn more about where everyone is going!! I certainly didn't used to know anything about funny superstitions in Ukraine or that one Buganda, is a Muganda who lives in Uganda. I'm going to have so much fun following your adventures this summer.
Also, thanks so much for all the great book suggestions last week! :) The sneaking suspicion that I have had all week that my mom bought me Three Cups of Tea for Valentine’s Day is now confirmed and I can't wait to get started!
So for this week I had an entirely different post planned and even drafted but I found this online today, linked to one of the webpage of a lawyer, and I was so annoyed that I had to share it with the rest of you.
National Post editorial board: Women's Studies is still with us - Full Comment
This editorial was posted on the National Post’s Full Comment Website on January 26, 2010. It goes perfectly with my discussion of Women’s Studies from last week, and stands in stark contrast to Lady Doak’s take on Women’s Studies.
The author has proposed that society in general, but more specifically the legal system, takes some sort of affirmative action in favour of women over men. And he blames this apparent disparity on Women’s Studies courses. The author (identified only as “NP Editor”) outlines all the ways he feels Women’s Studies has ruined society and the family court system.
There are too many things wrong with this article to address in one sitting, but as a legal studies student I want to make sure I cover the legal inaccuracies and the misleading comments that this author makes.
Working in a family law office I see numerous clients a day who are going through separations and divorces. First hand I know that there are tedious and painstaking calculations that take place when determining what each party brings to a marriage and a predetermined table of support that outlines, based on income who is entitled to what. Women don’t just pick numbers out of thin air and get a judge to sign off, it is a computerized calculation and it doesn’t get much fairer than that. If the man makes less money and has custody of the children then he is just as entitled to support as a woman would be. I admit that I see a higher proportion of women with custody than men but we have worked successfully for multiple fathers and won custody. It’s all circumstantial! I also need to mention that in today’s legal system children can have access to their own lawyer called an OCL that will listen to the children and present their position in custody battles.
I won’t say that women’s rights issues didn’t affect the legal system, because if I did I would be as blind to the truth as the author of this article. But the scale is hardly tipped in anyone’s favour. “NP Editor” claims that women as a whole are considered a “disadvantaged” group. This is twisting the wording. The court is not directed to “give preferential treatment” to traditionally disadvantaged groups, but to give special consideration how their circumstances affect the case. Take for example a woman who forgoes education to start a family and raise the couple’s children while her husband works. If there is a breakdown in the marriage then the woman – and here comes that controversial word – is at a disadvantage because she has no formal education and can’t get a high paying job to support her family. According to the legislation a judge has to consider this in his decisions, consider but not necessarily account for or agree with.
So yes, what the author is saying is based somewhere in the truth but it has been so diluted with anti-feminist ranting, and the terminology so twisted to support it that it is being used to mislead people. I would chalk this article up to a disgruntled ex who is unhappy paying support. He or she obviously doesn’t have any background in law or in women’s studies and yet feels justified in commenting on it.
I encourage you all to read the comments of others that are posted below the article. There are comments that blame the feminist movement for the number of children in the ghetto, and that a feminist can’t be a scholar, and so on. This proves exactly the point that I was trying to make last week – here are people who have obviously never been educated in women’s studies – or legal studies for that matter – and look what it has lead to; to a stereotype of all women as radical feminists, to name calling, to misquoting, to blaming feminists for everything thing from poverty to corrupting children. Maybe if these people had taken some women’s studies courses they would see things a little more objectively, or at the very least have firsthand experience to justify the claims they are making. In the same breathe that these people complain about feminists generalizing all men as victimizers, they are generalizing about all Women’s Studies courses and profs. Yes there are radical feminists but that does not extend to every woman who chooses to call herself a feminist, chooses to take a Women’s Studies course, or chooses to work in a male dominated field. If anything this article, though it is intended to disparage Women’s Studies, is exactly why we need Women’s Studies and need to educate people.
Also, thanks so much for all the great book suggestions last week! :) The sneaking suspicion that I have had all week that my mom bought me Three Cups of Tea for Valentine’s Day is now confirmed and I can't wait to get started!
So for this week I had an entirely different post planned and even drafted but I found this online today, linked to one of the webpage of a lawyer, and I was so annoyed that I had to share it with the rest of you.
National Post editorial board: Women's Studies is still with us - Full Comment
This editorial was posted on the National Post’s Full Comment Website on January 26, 2010. It goes perfectly with my discussion of Women’s Studies from last week, and stands in stark contrast to Lady Doak’s take on Women’s Studies.
The author has proposed that society in general, but more specifically the legal system, takes some sort of affirmative action in favour of women over men. And he blames this apparent disparity on Women’s Studies courses. The author (identified only as “NP Editor”) outlines all the ways he feels Women’s Studies has ruined society and the family court system.
There are too many things wrong with this article to address in one sitting, but as a legal studies student I want to make sure I cover the legal inaccuracies and the misleading comments that this author makes.
Working in a family law office I see numerous clients a day who are going through separations and divorces. First hand I know that there are tedious and painstaking calculations that take place when determining what each party brings to a marriage and a predetermined table of support that outlines, based on income who is entitled to what. Women don’t just pick numbers out of thin air and get a judge to sign off, it is a computerized calculation and it doesn’t get much fairer than that. If the man makes less money and has custody of the children then he is just as entitled to support as a woman would be. I admit that I see a higher proportion of women with custody than men but we have worked successfully for multiple fathers and won custody. It’s all circumstantial! I also need to mention that in today’s legal system children can have access to their own lawyer called an OCL that will listen to the children and present their position in custody battles.
I won’t say that women’s rights issues didn’t affect the legal system, because if I did I would be as blind to the truth as the author of this article. But the scale is hardly tipped in anyone’s favour. “NP Editor” claims that women as a whole are considered a “disadvantaged” group. This is twisting the wording. The court is not directed to “give preferential treatment” to traditionally disadvantaged groups, but to give special consideration how their circumstances affect the case. Take for example a woman who forgoes education to start a family and raise the couple’s children while her husband works. If there is a breakdown in the marriage then the woman – and here comes that controversial word – is at a disadvantage because she has no formal education and can’t get a high paying job to support her family. According to the legislation a judge has to consider this in his decisions, consider but not necessarily account for or agree with.
So yes, what the author is saying is based somewhere in the truth but it has been so diluted with anti-feminist ranting, and the terminology so twisted to support it that it is being used to mislead people. I would chalk this article up to a disgruntled ex who is unhappy paying support. He or she obviously doesn’t have any background in law or in women’s studies and yet feels justified in commenting on it.
I encourage you all to read the comments of others that are posted below the article. There are comments that blame the feminist movement for the number of children in the ghetto, and that a feminist can’t be a scholar, and so on. This proves exactly the point that I was trying to make last week – here are people who have obviously never been educated in women’s studies – or legal studies for that matter – and look what it has lead to; to a stereotype of all women as radical feminists, to name calling, to misquoting, to blaming feminists for everything thing from poverty to corrupting children. Maybe if these people had taken some women’s studies courses they would see things a little more objectively, or at the very least have firsthand experience to justify the claims they are making. In the same breathe that these people complain about feminists generalizing all men as victimizers, they are generalizing about all Women’s Studies courses and profs. Yes there are radical feminists but that does not extend to every woman who chooses to call herself a feminist, chooses to take a Women’s Studies course, or chooses to work in a male dominated field. If anything this article, though it is intended to disparage Women’s Studies, is exactly why we need Women’s Studies and need to educate people.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Better Together
Even though I will be telling my BB family all about Lady Doak on Monday, I am so excited about the program and the campus that I want to share with the blogging world as well! So for all the BBers I hope this doesn't spoil anything for Monday!
Lady Doak College is the Christian women's university in Madurai where I will be spending my volunteer term. From what Elyse talked about in class I knew a little bit about the school. I knew it was a school for women only, I knew that I would be staying on campus with the students and I knew that all of the young women are required to take part in service learning projects throughout their community. This sounded great to me and I, until recently, didn't dig too much deeper. In preparation for my presentation I had started to gather more information, but it wasn’t until earlier this week when I was actually putting together what i had found that I realized what a powerful and inspirational place that Lady Doak is. The school itself and all its activities are centered on the empowerment of women through holistic education and promoting women as leaders in society. Not only are every single one of these girls educated in women’s studies (no matter what faculty they are in), but these same students also run service projects with women in the community, offering skills classes and other support programs that promote independence and self sufficiency. They also run outreach programs that promote further education for girls in primary schools. Every project that the school takes on is aimed at bettering the lives and position of women in their society.
And now I want to pose to you a question about what it is to be disadvantaged. A lot of people would say that others are disadvantaged when they don’t have all of the things that western culture would tell us we need. Someone is disadvantaged when they don’t have to right clothes or the latest technology. The village that I will be going to is filled with people that would be called “disadvantaged”. And held to the above standards, even Lady Doak would seem disadvantaged, with its 2 AV capable rooms and its 4 computer rooms. But look what they are teaching in their school; it’s in their curriculum to teach about equality, and to push each one of their students to get out there do something good for the sole purpose of helping someone else grow or be empowered. So their facilities may not be as new or high tech as ours, but look at the values that they are instilling in their students. Then think about the competitive nature of Western schools; programs like this aside, the drive is often to be the best, to make the most money, to get the best job, all the while leaving others in your dust. Is that the kind of morals that we really want our leaders to have? So aren’t we the disadvantaged ones, aren’t we the ones missing the point? Now I’m not saying our way is all bad, we need a push to do well, but does doing well have to only be about that one person? Each university will have isolated groups that push for empowerment or equality, and work to better the community outside of the university, but think how powerful that would be if it was school mandated; if every single student worked to help others in their community –it would completely change the value system of our society. Rather than being the best on our own, we could be better together, as a whole.
Lady Doak College is the Christian women's university in Madurai where I will be spending my volunteer term. From what Elyse talked about in class I knew a little bit about the school. I knew it was a school for women only, I knew that I would be staying on campus with the students and I knew that all of the young women are required to take part in service learning projects throughout their community. This sounded great to me and I, until recently, didn't dig too much deeper. In preparation for my presentation I had started to gather more information, but it wasn’t until earlier this week when I was actually putting together what i had found that I realized what a powerful and inspirational place that Lady Doak is. The school itself and all its activities are centered on the empowerment of women through holistic education and promoting women as leaders in society. Not only are every single one of these girls educated in women’s studies (no matter what faculty they are in), but these same students also run service projects with women in the community, offering skills classes and other support programs that promote independence and self sufficiency. They also run outreach programs that promote further education for girls in primary schools. Every project that the school takes on is aimed at bettering the lives and position of women in their society.
And now I want to pose to you a question about what it is to be disadvantaged. A lot of people would say that others are disadvantaged when they don’t have all of the things that western culture would tell us we need. Someone is disadvantaged when they don’t have to right clothes or the latest technology. The village that I will be going to is filled with people that would be called “disadvantaged”. And held to the above standards, even Lady Doak would seem disadvantaged, with its 2 AV capable rooms and its 4 computer rooms. But look what they are teaching in their school; it’s in their curriculum to teach about equality, and to push each one of their students to get out there do something good for the sole purpose of helping someone else grow or be empowered. So their facilities may not be as new or high tech as ours, but look at the values that they are instilling in their students. Then think about the competitive nature of Western schools; programs like this aside, the drive is often to be the best, to make the most money, to get the best job, all the while leaving others in your dust. Is that the kind of morals that we really want our leaders to have? So aren’t we the disadvantaged ones, aren’t we the ones missing the point? Now I’m not saying our way is all bad, we need a push to do well, but does doing well have to only be about that one person? Each university will have isolated groups that push for empowerment or equality, and work to better the community outside of the university, but think how powerful that would be if it was school mandated; if every single student worked to help others in their community –it would completely change the value system of our society. Rather than being the best on our own, we could be better together, as a whole.
Friday, January 29, 2010
In Need of Some Inspiration
I’ve been so busy lately, I feel a little out of touch with what is going on in the world around me. I love being back home with my friends and family and I love that I have found a new place hat I can feel like I’m giving back even just a little to my supportive community, however I miss the global learning and exposure that the diversity that university life allows me. At school there are always new issues brought to light, always students working toward a new cause, there is always someone to learn something new from especially when working with people as dedicated and compassionate as my fellow Beyond Borders students. Today I found some time to catch up on some of your blogs. You all share such inspirational and insightful stories and it really made me realize how much I miss getting to talk everyone! As I was pondering what to write my blog about this week I couldn’t help but think that my blogs would be a whole lot more interesting if I still had the same depth of discussion with other students as I did last semester. As stressed as I would get, trying to get through reading whatever book was due for class each week and trying to come up with some deeper, more insightful message that I felt would be up to par for class on Tuesday, those discussions were extraordinarily beneficial. It was weekly reassurance that the stress was well outweighed by the work that we will all being getting the chance to participate in. Even in classes where I would feel less comfortable sharing my thoughts, and I would opt to do more listening than speaking, I grew so much from hearing all of you share your thoughts and opinions and letting my view of the world grow. I loved running back from class and sharing what I learned from all the readings and discussions with anyone who had never read the book or article. My boyfriend Mike got a phone call every Tuesday like clockwork, during which I would just gush to him about all the amazing things I had learned or about how he just HAD to read such and such a book because it would just totally change his outlook on the world!! But now I feel like getting slightly off topic and I want to make my point. I really miss getting to read books and articles by authors like Jean Vanier or Paulo Freire or Ursela Le Guin because they truly made me think about the world I live in, the impact that I have on others and what is truly important to me. I realize I am missing that constant motivation, reassurance and growth that reading these authors’ stories gave me. And so, I have decided that what I need right now is to get back to reading those kinds of works. I have some books in mind that Joanne mentioned over the course of the term but I would also like to reach out to my blogging community for some suggestions. If there is anything that any of you have seen or read lately that made you think twice or inspired you I would love to hear about it! Hopefully next week I will write to you with a renewed outlook!!
Thanks for reading!
Jenn
Thanks for reading!
Jenn
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Cards That Care
With less than a month until Valentine’s Day, I’m buried under a mountain of cards and card orders, and my finger tips have become permanently dyed pink! The response to Cards That Care has been overwhelming. You would think that with time I would get faster and faster at putting together these cards, but time has proved just the opposite. The more cards that I make, friends that I talk to, and craft stores that I visit the more intricate techniques I learn, and the more new tools I find that I need. What used to take 30 minutes now takes hours! I must say the cards have greatly improved but my stress level hasn’t! Check out some of the new stock:
It sounds strange but I get attached to my cards! Some of them I don’t even want to sell I like them so much. When you invest this much time working on something it’s hard to just let it go. People ask to see them and I’m almost hesitant to show my favorites in case they like the cards as much as I do and want to buy them before I’m ready to part with them. But this is a fundraiser and I sadly that is something I’m going to have to get over. I will have to part with them all if I hope to raise the rest of my money. Only around $700 to go thanks to all who have bought cards or donated money!
It has been an interesting experience doing all this fundraising. As if classes weren’t stressful enough, we also had to worry about meeting our fundraising deadlines. And I remember as the first deadline got closer I was scrambling, calling all my family to see if they could help me get together the funds. At that point I wondered how I was ever going to survive 8 months of that kind of stress. But from that point it’s been pretty much uphill. The cards are a tone of fun to make and I’ve had an overwhelming response from my community as well as people I’ve never even met. I love that often when people call about cards or donations they share their stories with me. They tell me about places they have travelled in India or missions trips they or people they know have been on and I really love hearing how excited they sound. Hearing from them makes this journey seem that much more real for me. Right now next September seems really far away! Although, if I keep living from one card holiday to the next, the time is just going to fly by!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Supper Club
I’m a few hours out of my first night of volunteering with the Supper Club at Trinity United Church in Gravenhurst. It consists of a vibrant group of volunteers who come together each week to cook and serve a warm meal for anyone who needs it. I am going to be volunteering there every Thursday night and I'm happy to say my mom is going to come and volunteer with me. On the menu tonight – chicken burgers, perogies, sausages, bean salad, coleslaw, and trifle for dessert! I had a lot of fun getting to know the regulars. I was very touched by the sense of community that was shared between the volunteers and those coming to eat. The guests pop by the kitchen regularly to joke around and even lend a hand in preparing the dinners. On my way in I met a young man. He was the first to welcome me and talk to me as the rest of the volunteers were busy in the kitchen. I assumed he was a volunteer but he was there with a group of his friends to have dinner. Instead of sitting with his friends right away, he stayed in the kitchen and helped us plate food until everyone else had been served. After the meal was over this same young man and a couple of his friends stayed behind to help put away tables and mop the floor with the rest of the volunteers. The program and volunteers are all there to help them and yet these young men are going out of their way to help the volunteers wherever they can – and it wasn’t just these young men. Most of the diners were jumping to help where they could. For me it was a brilliant example of how the spirit of helping others spreads. Even in helping in what may seem like a small way can inspire others to do the same.
On the same train of thought: Earlier today my family and I got talking about making donations to charity organizations as Christmas presents and different people who I know that have done that. A conversation which concluded in my parents deciding that sponsoring a child in a developing nation is something that they would like to look into. I was so proud of them :) Hopefully soon I will have a sponsor sibling to tell you about!
On the same train of thought: Earlier today my family and I got talking about making donations to charity organizations as Christmas presents and different people who I know that have done that. A conversation which concluded in my parents deciding that sponsoring a child in a developing nation is something that they would like to look into. I was so proud of them :) Hopefully soon I will have a sponsor sibling to tell you about!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Welcome to Month 5
Heres a chance to catch up on the last 5 months and learn a little bit about me!
A Little About Me.
I’m a second year Arts and Business student at the University of Waterloo and I am majoring in legal studies. I’m not so sure where that will take me yet but I am hoping to work in international or family law. I grew up in a small town but my community is about to get a whole lot bigger. As a University of Waterloo student I have gotten the chance to be involved with a program called Beyond Borders. BB is a program through St. Jerome’s University that allows undergraduate students a chance to use their studies for the benefit of others while promoting involvement in the global community. Not only do we get to spend a term volunteering abroad in a variety of placements, but we also spend 8 months preparing for the trip. Welcome to month 5!! We have each set up a blog to share our journeys with people like you. Thank you for your support!
September 2010.
Next September I with be travelling to Madurai, India to volunteer with a service learning program at Lady Doak College. http://www.ladydoak.org/ Lady Doak is a Christian women’s college where service work is requirement for graduation. I don’t know what I will specifically be doing there yet but it is my understanding that they are involved in multiple service programs including work with orphanages, inmate rehabilitative services, and children with disabilities to name a few. I am really interested in working in India but beyond that I’m pretty open to any kind of work. I would be happy in any of these placements. I am really excited to be living and working with university students from another country and getting to learn from them. In the coming months I will have more information on the placement and I will keep everyone posted!
Learning from Last Term.
Monday meant the start of a new term and I can admit with relief that I felt a whole lot more prepared walking into the classroom than I did 4 months ago. Last term in RS 283 we looked at examples of oppression, learned from those who fought against it, explored ways to become a more fulfilled human being and got inspired by people who have dedicated their lives to helping others – and that barely touches the surface! It is hard to describe just what last term meant, but for me it certainly meant a lot of growing up and learning about myself. Going into Beyond Borders I had no experience in looking at these types of issues or exploring humanity. Day 1 sitting around a table with 11 other students who seemed so much older and so much more experienced was terrifying. What had I gotten myself into?? But the term went on and you know what? I made it! It was a challenge- my “Organizational Gold” tendencies were completely thrown by the free structure of the assignments and class discussions. But as frustrated as I got at times I don’t think I would change it. It pushed me outside what I was comfortable with and forced me to adapt – I really don’t think there’s any better prep for life abroad. I don’t really know how or exactly when it happened but all of a sudden I feel like I’m ready for this. Some of my friends have commented on how much I’ve changed this term. It’s not a specific in way or in a type of behavior, I just feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and I’m where I am supposed to be, and apparently it’s noticeable. :)
A Little About Me.
I’m a second year Arts and Business student at the University of Waterloo and I am majoring in legal studies. I’m not so sure where that will take me yet but I am hoping to work in international or family law. I grew up in a small town but my community is about to get a whole lot bigger. As a University of Waterloo student I have gotten the chance to be involved with a program called Beyond Borders. BB is a program through St. Jerome’s University that allows undergraduate students a chance to use their studies for the benefit of others while promoting involvement in the global community. Not only do we get to spend a term volunteering abroad in a variety of placements, but we also spend 8 months preparing for the trip. Welcome to month 5!! We have each set up a blog to share our journeys with people like you. Thank you for your support!
September 2010.
Next September I with be travelling to Madurai, India to volunteer with a service learning program at Lady Doak College. http://www.ladydoak.org/ Lady Doak is a Christian women’s college where service work is requirement for graduation. I don’t know what I will specifically be doing there yet but it is my understanding that they are involved in multiple service programs including work with orphanages, inmate rehabilitative services, and children with disabilities to name a few. I am really interested in working in India but beyond that I’m pretty open to any kind of work. I would be happy in any of these placements. I am really excited to be living and working with university students from another country and getting to learn from them. In the coming months I will have more information on the placement and I will keep everyone posted!
Learning from Last Term.
Monday meant the start of a new term and I can admit with relief that I felt a whole lot more prepared walking into the classroom than I did 4 months ago. Last term in RS 283 we looked at examples of oppression, learned from those who fought against it, explored ways to become a more fulfilled human being and got inspired by people who have dedicated their lives to helping others – and that barely touches the surface! It is hard to describe just what last term meant, but for me it certainly meant a lot of growing up and learning about myself. Going into Beyond Borders I had no experience in looking at these types of issues or exploring humanity. Day 1 sitting around a table with 11 other students who seemed so much older and so much more experienced was terrifying. What had I gotten myself into?? But the term went on and you know what? I made it! It was a challenge- my “Organizational Gold” tendencies were completely thrown by the free structure of the assignments and class discussions. But as frustrated as I got at times I don’t think I would change it. It pushed me outside what I was comfortable with and forced me to adapt – I really don’t think there’s any better prep for life abroad. I don’t really know how or exactly when it happened but all of a sudden I feel like I’m ready for this. Some of my friends have commented on how much I’ve changed this term. It’s not a specific in way or in a type of behavior, I just feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to do and I’m where I am supposed to be, and apparently it’s noticeable. :)
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