Well, friends. Here is my home for the next 100 days! I arrived in San Diego on Wednesday Aug. 23rd and begun my introduction to several days of intense training to become a Resident Director. First, I just have to say I have tons of respect for folks who work in Res Life. It is a tough job (I am used to actually leaving the office when my work day is done, but these people really never leave!) I will have to adjust to living 24/7 with students, staff, co-workers, etc... Ok, maybe it won't be 24/7.... There will be those glorious days in port, exploring the world!! A few other treats as well. I was surprised to find that my cabin is really nice, and I've got quite a bit of storage space, in case I manage to do a little shopping in some of the ports. :) Also, there's a spa on board, so I won't have to go for four months without a pedicure. :) Seriously, though, I think this is going to be both the most challenging and the most rewarding experience so far in my life, and I am really embracing it all. I've already met some pretty amazing people that I'll be working with, and can't wait to meet the students (we pick them up in Ensenada on Sunday). The past few days have been very much like a conference type training with meetings back to back to back all day long. Jennifer (one of my sister RD's) and I finally escaped for a break to a coffee shop in SD to try and take advantage of free internet (its going to be fairly expensive on the ship). And I found out that my hours are pretty much early morning til very late at night...... so, it looks like I may have to bring coffee back to my life. Bring on the prilosec. ;)
Anyway, we all keep talking about the places where we are most excited to visit. I can't even choose a country yet, they are all so intriguing. Of course, I am thrilled to have Spain at the end of the voyage, but I am also looking forward to all of Asia, Egypt, and well, everywhere! Jennifer and I have a pretty cool job on the ship, too. We are in charge of the Ambassador's Program which is a group of students who will serve as Goodwill Ambassadors in each of the ports, and will also welcome all of our interport lecturers and students who will meet up in each of the countries. Having the opportunity to meet and engage with these guests is really going to enhance the learning experience, especially for students who've never traveled or had friends from other cultures. We also help to coordinate partnerships between staff, faculty, students, and our senior passengers on board, and we oversee the planning of a huge fundraiser at the end of the voyage, called the Ambassador's Ball. Think prom but with a purpose. :) We are going to be visiting a lot of developing countries and meeting with people who really do make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. While Semester at Sea is in some ways a great and exciting adventure, it is also an opportunity for students to see what life is like around the globe and to be able to contribute and have hopefully a positive impact on those we encounter, while also being deeply affected by the people we meet, and learning from them as well.
Lastly, I want to end my first entry with something that really inspired me in our training. I was debating whether or not to take this position, and/or whether or not I could afford to leave my job for more than four months, completely unpaid. I know that it will be a bit of a struggle to get back on my feet once I return, but I am so fortunate that I have a job to return to and wonderful friends and family with whom I can stay (that certainly helped make my decision easier). Our Executive Dean reminded me just how important this decision was when he referenced Mark Twain as saying, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the things you did". Thus begins my journey....
I hope everyone is well, and thank you for checking in.
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