"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power."
-Alan Cohen, Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
I now have less than three days before I embark on my California adventure. As exciting as it is, I am still nervous about moving 3000 miles away from home. Will I like my students...will they like me? Will I have a good relationship with my RA's? Will I enjoy living on the west coast?
Judging from other people's comments, it seems that the California culture is very different from that of North Carolina. I've completed an internship with this program (the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International) before in Virginia, but the cultural aspects were not as different from North Carolina as I had thought. The beginning of that internship started off very rocky, as my host site made little contact with me before my move, and once I arrived things seemed rather disorganized. When I first walked into the office to pick up my room key, it seemed that most of the staff didn't know that there was an intern. Ha! This theme continued throughout my time there, but despite this, I ended up having an amazing experience and got to meet a group of wonderful people.
(Co-workers during my first internship, minus T-Bone, Rachel, Britt, and James)
My current host-site seems the polar opposite. My supervisor seems amazing, as she has kept in regular contact with me and the other intern since we were offered our positions, and she even sent us a welcome package and a gift! She really seems excited to have us, which in turn has made me very excited about my internship and my move. At this point, I think I am mostly stressed out packing all of the stuff I want to take with me without spending a ridiculous amount of money. In particular, I want to make sure I have my TV because I can't miss Glee on Tuesday nights!!! I'm flying with Southwest Airlines, which allows for two free checked bags and two carry-on's. Using two giant suitcases, as well as several space saver bags, I feel fairly confident about the packing process. Wish me luck y'all!
Cheers!!!
I cannot wait to read this everyday!!! so keep this thing update. I have NO cell phone service in Montana so this will be my savior :) Good Luck with moving (and im stressing as well trying to figure out what i want to pack for the WHOLE summer without payin an arm and a leg for extra bags)
ReplyDeleteBut have a safe flight!! cant wait to come out there and see you. Miss you already!!
jkh.