The Experiment, Days 1-3
It started much as any Dodger adventure would, I suppose. Frantic scrambling, barely moving out of my house in time, praying that i packed my bags correctly, driving to Danville at 3 in the morning w/ my bro Jer, having my Dad wake up at 4 to drive me to Oakland Airport at 4:30am, and BARELY making my flight (who woulda thought the security line could be so long at 5am on a Wednesday morning?).
Now, here I am in the fun room of the Ellsworth dorm at the World Learning campus in Brattleboro, Connecticut at 3am this fine Friday night. It's a dingy fun room (I used the computer yesterday with a giant beetle chilling by the F6 button) but I'm just happy there's Internet access.
I'm here to participate in LTW - the Leadership Training Worship, a ramp-up course for those participating in the Experiment in International Living program. 102 group leaders have congregated at this giant colonial estate amidst the greenest, rolling-est hills around. It's an amazing place. Nestled -that's the word that comes to mind (I'll be sure to take some pics of the campus for you guys).
What's more incredible than the scenery is the group leader population. We're all here to take high-school age students abroad for a two-week homestay along with an ecological, language, art, or community service adventure (mine's an ecological expedition of Down Unda). I'd say 80% of the group leaders are currently high school teachers -- and 95% of the group leaders have studied abroad. The atmosphere is electric - it's like living in this weird dreamland where people speak in ideals, expound on developing community, and drive home the emphasis on making a difference in the lives of young adults. It certainly harkens back to my RA days (go Priestley!) but there's an added element of global awareness. These guys know their Zimbwabwe from their Zibbydedooda, if you know what I mean. We were at lunch and we were discussing how English has become the universal language. One of my buddies quips "I feel bad for those who learned Romanowski! What a waste of time that would have been! 0Heh heh." (note: he didn't say Romanowski, he said some other R-word that I take to mean some language that was slated for global use). I smiled politely and gave a courtesy heh heh. I mean, hey, everyone but me must know what Romanowski was! (or is?). Perhaps I slept through that lecture somewhere along the road. Anyway - they be educational highfalutin'. Cool stuff. Smart stuff! And humbling stuff.
As I walk between training classes, I can't help but survey my environment and stand agog at the amazing surroundings I have. The buildings are large, colonial, and bleach white. The grass is the darkest of greens and the sky is always watercolor perfect. As the 102 of us congregate for our daily dose of community building in an international setting, I stand amazed at the different people I have met here, different perspectives I have gained, and diverse personalities I have gotten to know. 3 days ago I was Joe Schmoe packing bags. Today, I'm Joe Schmoe establishing the basics for my 11-teenager team to Australia. It's kinda like the X-men school here. That's definitely what it looks like.
Anhow, let's hope I bring back the same number of kids! The administration doesnt' seem to want that either. Wish me luck!
Good times, good times.
Rog
Now, here I am in the fun room of the Ellsworth dorm at the World Learning campus in Brattleboro, Connecticut at 3am this fine Friday night. It's a dingy fun room (I used the computer yesterday with a giant beetle chilling by the F6 button) but I'm just happy there's Internet access.
I'm here to participate in LTW - the Leadership Training Worship, a ramp-up course for those participating in the Experiment in International Living program. 102 group leaders have congregated at this giant colonial estate amidst the greenest, rolling-est hills around. It's an amazing place. Nestled -that's the word that comes to mind (I'll be sure to take some pics of the campus for you guys).
What's more incredible than the scenery is the group leader population. We're all here to take high-school age students abroad for a two-week homestay along with an ecological, language, art, or community service adventure (mine's an ecological expedition of Down Unda). I'd say 80% of the group leaders are currently high school teachers -- and 95% of the group leaders have studied abroad. The atmosphere is electric - it's like living in this weird dreamland where people speak in ideals, expound on developing community, and drive home the emphasis on making a difference in the lives of young adults. It certainly harkens back to my RA days (go Priestley!) but there's an added element of global awareness. These guys know their Zimbwabwe from their Zibbydedooda, if you know what I mean. We were at lunch and we were discussing how English has become the universal language. One of my buddies quips "I feel bad for those who learned Romanowski! What a waste of time that would have been! 0Heh heh." (note: he didn't say Romanowski, he said some other R-word that I take to mean some language that was slated for global use). I smiled politely and gave a courtesy heh heh. I mean, hey, everyone but me must know what Romanowski was! (or is?). Perhaps I slept through that lecture somewhere along the road. Anyway - they be educational highfalutin'. Cool stuff. Smart stuff! And humbling stuff.
As I walk between training classes, I can't help but survey my environment and stand agog at the amazing surroundings I have. The buildings are large, colonial, and bleach white. The grass is the darkest of greens and the sky is always watercolor perfect. As the 102 of us congregate for our daily dose of community building in an international setting, I stand amazed at the different people I have met here, different perspectives I have gained, and diverse personalities I have gotten to know. 3 days ago I was Joe Schmoe packing bags. Today, I'm Joe Schmoe establishing the basics for my 11-teenager team to Australia. It's kinda like the X-men school here. That's definitely what it looks like.
Anhow, let's hope I bring back the same number of kids! The administration doesnt' seem to want that either. Wish me luck!
Good times, good times.
Rog
posted by dodger | 11:56 PM
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