Today was the first day of orientation for OCA at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. I got to meet all of my fellow group members, and we did some "ice-breaker" exercises to get to know one another better. Of course, my first ice breaker was that I had to greet everyone by rubbing noses with them. Not even Wesleyan can prepare you for that one.
We also learned a lot about keeping an open mind and an open heart while abroad, in order to more fully capture the experience. One thing that I remember Lorraine (the orientation leader) saying was that without a willingness to take another viewpoint and to walk in someone else's shoes, you will not change and grow as a person throughout this experience.
And although I wish to change and grow as a person, I do not wish to return home being a snob about it, thinking that everyone should be more grateful and complain less often. I realize that hardship is everywhere. Going to Africa can certainly change one's perspective on what he/she takes for granted, but most of all it should provide a gateway to connect with other cultures and races on the human level.
Sadly, that was probably the deepest thought I've had all day. On a separate note, I am really excited about my fellow group members and optimistic about our summer together. Yes, there will be times ahead where we are full of frustration and angry at each other, but everyone seems rational enough to move on and avoid obduracy in conflict. Two of my group members especially pique my interest and excitement:
Austin is the only other male in our group, and besides that natural bond we share by being the only XY chromosomes, we also share an affinity and need for working out and eating right while abroad. His motivation lies in his commitment to the US army, as he is entering his final year as a cadet at West Point. My motivation lies in my commitment to the Cardinal football team, and our collective goal to win the Little Three and NESCAC titles this year. It pleased me tremendously to learn that Austin packed a plethora of workout gear: ab rollers, ropes, weight sacks you fill with rocks, protein powder, peanut butter, and a list of lifts that rivals Coach Black's summer workout regimen. I can't wait to not lose weight in Gambia.
The other group member I want to discuss is Liz. Liz is the oldest member of our group, I'd say about 45-50 years of age. She is a nurse in the emergency department at a rural Texas hospital, and the only one among us with any real and practical medical knowledge. After learning that the medical center we will be working in boasts 4000 patients a week and one nurse, I realized that Liz's skills will be in high demand and I will be able to learn a ton by working alongside her. I plan to stick close to her throughout the excursion.
That's all for now. I plan to write more when I get the chance. I pray that I'll wake up for our 4:45am departure for JFK Wednesday morning! I leave you with a picture of my dorm room here at Pratt institute--not as nice as 231 PineA will be next year, but good enough for me. God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment