Around the World - now in Bahrain!

It has been a loooong time since I've been abroad - and on this blog...

 Looking back, I stopped in 2011 - and my last trip abroad was in 2009, a week in London, yikes! I honestly had thought it was more recent... I've been debating going back abroad since returning home to finish my graduate degree in 2012, but I've hesitated because being an expat English teacher has not really been my goal. Reminder: pretty open/flexible, but I want to be working with American college students in intercultural activities.

So instead: tutoring part time in all subjects. On the way, I learned to tutor SAT & ACT, while spending summers working with international students through EF International Language Center, Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth (for the last two summer and again this summer teaching the course Model UN and Advanced Geography, so fun!) and Kingdom Education.

So last year, I came across an opportunity doing SAT/ACT in Dubai and applied. After being interviewed, the project got pushed back and then pushed back again - and I made it to an on-campus interview with Purdue University-Calumet as an 'International Exchange Specialist', i.e. working with international students on a college campus, so I put Dubai on the back burner.

Then three weeks ago - literally, Feb. 27th, I was notified by the same company associated with Dubai about a short-term opportunity in Bahrain. I was waiting to hear from Purdue, but I was like, 'sure, I'd love to hear about it.' Three months as a private tutor to a well-off family in Bahrain for several thousand a month, but I needed to go by mid-March - it blew my mind. I told Purdue I needed an answer - never got one and so I signed the contract and boarded the plane. (Of course, not before dislocating my shoulder, yet again - but hey it's been just over six years since the last time!... Still need to wear a sling for a month.)

So here I am finally abroad again, this time in Bahrain. If you don't know where/what that is, don't worry - neither did I before three weeks ago:

I'm working with one family who has me in staff quarters = nice hotel suite with my own driver and meal service. It's incredible. They have an indoor and outdoor pool, poolhouse, sports court, security gate, multiple kitchens, and so on. Like I said, it's incredible - and I'm basically being treated like a guest.

They have five kids, two girls who I'll be working on ACT with, then a younger daughter and son who I will be providing homework help. (Though, apparently, at least the older girls have a homeworks tutor.) The last son is only six, but I'm looking forward to meeting him - he's halfway between my two nephew's ages. They also have two large Cavalier King Charles spaniels: Bruno and Rex, who I've already met. (Sweet!)

As it is, it looks like an opportunity to enjoy the house foremost, but I'm still going to see a few of the sites and visit a church (I have two options I know of) - I am not missing Easter.

Well, bye for now.

At Last

As soon as I typed the title, the tune "at last... (googling) my love has come along" by Etta James (oh the heck is Etta James? ah oldies, gotta love them).

Anyway, as of today, I officially have a paying internship, in the exact field I want. It's strange how life works - I've been searching since January, sent out 150+ resumes, gone on 10-15 interviews, got sucked into a bad, all-remote internship for almost no money, and then get offered this.

The whole process was weird. I only went and looked at the organization's openings because I worked on a group project for them last year, through a class I took outside of my field (I'm in International Communication, I took a Program Evaluation course in International Development). Applying to so many places, I didn't save the description of the job I applied to - and I was promptly called by a rep. (She was very prompt in following up with e-mails, a very pleasant change.) I went to find the job description - and couldn't find it! Yup, when I sat down and interviewed (over Skype as I was in Minnesota at the time with my newborn nephew [if you want pics, check my Facebook]), I had no idea what exact job I was interviewing for!

However, the interview went well and the job's better than I hoped - helping out with one of their International Exchange programs. (If you're interested in the exact program: http://www.irex.org/project/edmund-s-muskie-graduate-fellowship-program) I called to follow up the next week and got a weird response that they hadn't checked my references yet (did you give us some? Yes, I'm pretty sure I did...) I was nervous about the references, (I'm really starting to hate seasonal jobs), and sure enough, I got contacted that three out of four didn't respond to her inquiries. I gave her two more, suddenly sure I wasn't going to get the job.

Imagine my surprise when I got the call Tuesday morning! Meanwhile however, just this past week, I found six jobs, all permanent (at least for a year) - any of which I'd love to have.
Department of State, Staff Assistant for the Teacher Fulbright program (I was an English Teaching Assistant in Thailand under the Fulbright)
Valbin Corp., Staff Assistant (Valbin does cross cultural and linguistic training)
World Learning, Communications Associate (one of the most prominent international education organizations out there)
NAFSA, Communications Coordinator (another of the most prominent)
American University: International Admissions Counselor (which would get me tuition remission) and Dialogue Discussion Group Coordinator (I love this program - done four different dialogues, so qualified, and just interviewed with them, even though it's part-time)

I know! I've been waiting months for just any position and now I'm overwhelmed. After receiving reassurance from friends, I've gone ahead and accepted the internship, even though I've applied to all the jobs above. The last position (part-time) is the only one I've been contacted about, I interviewed, and if I should get it, I have assurance I can work out the hours with minimal fuss. I.e. I'll be working a lot this summer!

Now I just have to stop my habit of continually looking for a job - I've gotten so used to it and it's going to be weird not looking...

God bless you all!

Another Year

Wow, it's almost been a year since I last posted. -wince-
So here I am in my apartment, thanking God for my great roomie. I am now going through my book collection to see what books I should get rid of - and figured out since I haven't read more than half of them, I need to read them before I do.
Pinocchio nation: embracing truth in a culture of lies is the one I'm on now. Despite the title, it's actually really interesting about truth being practical and why it's important. (I may keep it - Anna will be thrilled...)
So what's the truth about my life right now?

I'm half-way through my second year at American University; I dropped down to two classes a semester in order to work at an ESL center. The classes were great, a Research Seminar and Cross-Cultural Communication, but I still had trouble focusing on them. Balancing school and work is tough, especially since I struggle with fatigue. But I now have a full draft of a research proposal and two places I will send it too - my goal is to do research in SE Asia next year for my thesis.

At the same time, I remember God telling me to go for the PhD program. And now I'm dragging my feet. I haven't contacted my references, though I have two excellent ones lined up. Last year, my AU references didn't get them in for weeks (unlike Dr. Winquist who was awesome about it!), which did not help my application - and I was eventually denied.

It's daunting right now. I was talking with my sister and she has a general plan for the next 2-5 years. And I realized that this one choice: PhD or research ensures my next few years. The PhD grounds me in DC for the next 5 and I'll probably settle here (an ack-I-really-am-an-adult moment). The research on the other hand, means I'm at loose ends afterward, though the Boren Fellowship entails a commitment to the State Department afterward. It's a little scary.

I told my sister that I want to do research, teach and write. And it's true. And to do research, well, as much as I loved Taylor, it did not prepare me well. Honestly, I need more preparation, which AU can give me. I guess I'm just worried about not getting in - and so am currently sabotaging myself. Won't mom be pleased.

I do love DC, but I've been hesitating to really engage myself. A friend recently sent an e-mail, confiding: "because I don't want to be here I find myself not actually living here, not engaging in life and people to the fullest and in obedience to Christ." I'm doing that, but I think more because I don't want to give myself and then lose those relationships. I keep thinking DC is just temporary and so if I can just get by...

I hate 'just getting by' though. My sister and I have always disagreed about this one point - and I feel like it's cultural. Our culture is all about getting to know yourself, accepting who you are and capitalizing on it. I disagree.

"When we embrace who we are-warts, scars, blisters, and all-something amazing begins to happen. An honest assessment of our flaws and challenges can lead us to viable action to deal with them. Then those things within us that we fear, those things that we don't want anyone else to see, lose their power." (p.48)

A long time ago, I decided I will never be perfectly content with 'just getting by'. But it's easier when I don't have to talk to people who ask how I'm doing. But I don't want easier. God never promised an easy life, but He did promise a more abundant one and I'm holding onto that.

So my New Year's Resolution? Talking to at least one family member, friend, church person (not counting my mom), who will ask me that every week.

Realization of Potential

I'm going to be busy this semester, as in I've-never-been-so-busy-but-for-last-semester-Taylor busy.

AND IT'S AWESOME!!! I'm so happy to be busy - I've always felt like I waste so much time and could be doing more. Not this semster.

So my schedule: I'm doing work-study under one of the new International Comm. teachers who's majorly into virtual collaboration. So that's 10 hours as well as the fact I'm TAing his class, Cross Cultural Collaboration in Global Virtual Teams, which means I get it for free.

I've been trying to get more paid work, even applied to be Admin. Assistant to Southeast Asia for International Justice Mission!!! (which would be so sweet), but no bites so far. So I agreed to intern for the Intercultural Management Institute again. I.e. I love working there and can go to free Skills Institutes again. (Yay!) So that's another 15 hours.

I have full courses, T&W night, Program Eval (in ID, pretty heavy) and Implementing Cross-Cultural Training Programs (at George Washington - finally got fully registered) and then every other Saturday: Managing International/Intercultural Programs.

Very happy with my selection, though if I don't get into the PhD program, next year's going to be a bit rough.

Then, I have: Chi Alpha small group, Interfaith Board meeting (though I'm more of attend-the-events, not plan person), The Gathering worship service, InterVarsity Graduate meet, Gospel Choir, TALK program (International students-American, very cool) and then Chi Alpha worship.

So, yup, I'm busy! Of course, I haven't actually done one of these full weeks yet, so we'll see what happens. (Though I did manage to get all this scheduled so I don't have to ever wake up before 9 am. :))

A New Year

It's funny.
Every year, the countdown to New Years has always been a bit stressful for me - a time of accounting. I'd flip open my journal on New Years' Eve, just hours before countdown, trying to make sense of my year, write hopeful promises for the future. I always craved that sense of a fresh start.

This year I didn't - the pure mundaneness of that day and night was soothing. I have more hope? contentment? peace? with my current life.

Then again, I just figured out my vitamins have a rather sizable chunk of caffeine in it. Could be why I'm so peppy.

Anyway, for my update: I'm still having some shoulder issues, but currently okay; my big news is I'm applying for a PhD through American's International Relations program!!!! I won't find out I'm in until mid/late Febuary but I'm hopeful.

Meanwhile, I spent a great Christmas with my whole family (baby Eli including, he is so wonderful!!!!) and spent a decent amount of time working on understanding each of my family members, always an undertaking. (It's like intellectual and emotional relational exercises everytime I go home.)

Now, this week: International Student orientation (I'm helping out) and a Teaching Conference on Friday. Also my roommate, Ana, has her little brother and sister here for Orthodox Christmas, Jan. 8th, so we have a tree set up and everything. I'm so glad, though it looks like they're just as much night owls as Ana!

It's about time

Okay, it's been a long time.
Brief sum-up: spent the summer grievously underemployed at Sylvan Learning Center (once again). For a brief time was a swim instructor, but the job didn't work out.
Meanwhile, I found a fabulous place in DC - walking distance to American (which I finally did choose) and splitting a studio with a Russian grad student. Ana is awesome!

Anyway, so finally started school the end of August, secured an internship with Intercultural Management Institute (one of the reasons I choose American, as this Institute basically embodies my future career) and wrangled a job working with Japanese businessmen on their English listening.
So now I'm a busy bee - internship MWF, job (trying) T&Th, night classes Monday and Tuesday along with an online class, darting between religious groups and organizations (I have attended one meeting of just about every Christian group, not to mention Muslim and Jewish events) before settling with InterVarsity Grad Fellowship and Chi Alpha (just returned from a weekend retreat with them that was amazing, gave me a good amount to chew on), Gospel Choir Wednesday nights, a Dialogue Discussion Group on Religion and Sexuality on Monday nights, and a volunteership that I'm still testing out. All in all, I'm psyched.

Random news:
I broke bread during Ramadan at MSA (Muslim Student Association) Iftaar dinners.
I attended an Orthodox service on-campus, looking forward to the next one (they only meet once a month).
I've actually made rice with the rice cooker my folks bought me! (Go me!)
My loans were deferred because I'm in grad school! (wasn't sure...)
My parents went to Italy for three weeks and had a wonderful time. I can't wait to sit down and see pictures!
I visited my brother spontaneously and got to visit both my nephew and old roommate from Thailand! (Also, I turned 23, then my brother 30 [bwhaha], my nephew 2 and my sister 28)
I went to London in May to visit my BF Marie for a week and miss her so much...
I dislocated my shoulder this weekend - once again, but it was minor and I popped it back in within a few minutes. Still, not thrilled with my loose joints...
Still recovering from a head cold/strep throat combo that knocked me out for almost three weeks... grr...
'Still' tutoring Chinese students in English online, I think. They haven't really notified me recently.

And that's my update!

The Graduate Dilemma

So here I am at home, not doing much of anything. Just constantly searching through job ads, sending out resumes, and hoping I have something (almost anything by this point) at the end of the 6 week test assessment study I did manage to snag.

But so, on the graduate front:
I got into Lesley University a few weeks before I left Thailand - one of my top programs and one I was sure I'd get into.
I got into American University - found out just before I left Thailand and a surprise. Their program is International Communication: Intercultural Relations.
I got into UofColorado, hah like I'm going there.
Got rejected from New Mexico, oh well.
So choosing between Lesley and American, I visited Lesley. Tiny school, in the middle of Boston, full-on grad school and under world. Their classrooms were in old brick houses! Kinda strange. Also, used to be an all-girls school, only changed in the last 5 years. Very liberal atmosphere. Best part of that weekend was meeting my sister's boyfriend Owen for the first time.
Then I visited American - and loved it! The school was so welcoming! I got to sit-in on a class about micro-loans and cultural management, then attended a symposium where 2nd year students of my program were presenting their thesises. Two had to do with the intercultural training I'd really like to work on. And, suburbs of D.C., which is a fantastic city and great metro system.
So easy choice, American.

Then I got another letter - University of Pennsylvania, with a $10,000 scholarship. After freaking out, I at last figured out the scholarship made UPenn just about the same cost as American.
But then I went to visit - and did some more research. UPenn is an Ivy. An Ivy! I didn't know that when I applied, I probably wouldn't have... It's like a hot-shot school. And now I'm really freaking out.

So analysis:
Cities - Philadelphia vs. D.C. D.C. definitely. Like the city and campus much better, safer, and neighbors to just about every international organization without a base in NYC.
Cost - roughly the same. I could probably get that scholarship a second year, Penn's got major pockets. Housing is definitely cheaper in Philly though, especially as I found an International House, specially catering to grad students, etc. for a decent price.
Program logistics: though on different scales, it turns out UPenn is 12 classes and American is 13. Both require an internship, but on paper, UPenn only requires a reflection paper on the internship instead of a thesis. And I'd like to have a thesis.
Program costs: both American and UPenn will charge by class/credit; UPenn's is roughly $1,500 by class. However, it caps at 4 classes - you can take a 5th class for no charge (and we all know how I feel about that...) American doesn't - but if I took that many classes, there is no way I could work part-time as well.

Program description: UPenn is Intercultural Communication, not Relations. But it's a Masters of Edu. instead of a Masters of Arts. ICC is not exactly what I'm looking for, and after examining UPenn's classes and associated institutes and such, I couldn't find anything that said Intercultural Training was a focus, emphasis, etc. Perhaps I should look at social policy as well? I don't know - I went through all their offered classes... I talked to people as well, and they all said it "is what you make of it." Though someone working with a cross-cultural awareness class who even got the ICC M.Ed., did acknowledge that the program was heavily influenced by the prevalence of East Asian international students and close association with the TESOL program. It's very linguistically focused, with emphasises on school management, set-up, and younger children. In their alumni catalog, every single person was either a teacher or writer. If I had to get a job in America as a ESL teacher or even in some other countries, having a linguistic background would be invaluable.

Future benefits: Considering cost, I've considered taking another year off. But I'm not ready to leave the country again yet and I can't make that much money if I stay here in-country, especially if I try to stay in the field of intercultural work.
So the Ms.Ed. would benefit me greatly, creating school connections and so many other connections thanks to UPenn's name and wide reach. The M.A. and D.C. could get me into the international community - but looking at all sorts of intercultural programs and organizations, I just can't decide which would make me more marketable.
AHHHHH!!!!!

If anyone has any ideas... PLEASE E-MAIL ME!!!!!