Today was a really interesting day. For the first time, I was able to reflect and compare my student experience to my internship experience.
We got to sleep in this morning (BLESS) and I woke up to Joanna saying, “Anna, Jake will be here in 10 minutes.” Instantly I jumped out of bed and got so excited. Sure enough, 10 minutes later, Jake walked through our door and I screamed! I haven’t seen him since we went to Atlanta for the weekend in September. It was so good to spend some quality time with just him because throughout the rest of the program, we won’t be students together, and the dynamic will be different.
Next we had Georgia and Hannah get here. They are the sweetest girls and I really enjoyed getting to know them early!
After doing some more preparation and having a really low-key day, Ish, Zach and I went to the airport to pick up the group flight of students. This is when I was able to have some serious flashbacks…
I remember being a student, stepping into the airport, and seeing Kelsey and Ish. Kelsey was so energetic, all of the other students were exhausted like I was, and everybody kind of had this awkward balance of excited and nervous feelings/behaviors. I even remember certain things Kelsey said; it’s THAT vivid in my memory. Being able to watch this from the other side and BE the Kelsey was wild!
Everyone is so sweet and really happy to be here. I have been really “friend-sick” for my best friends from my student experience, but the arrival of these students has really helped me. I jump into leader-mode so naturally, so being in this position really puts me at ease and makes me excited for what is to come.
I’ve journaled a lot about how I’m feeling in the student-to-intern transition. I’m trying to find the time to balance journaling and blogging. Journaling is kind of new for me, so I don’t really know if what I’m writing has any substance at all. My goal for the blog is to update as many people as I can in what I’m actually doing each day with one message. I hope I’m achieving that. My goal for the journal is to be more personal.
Another thing I’ve been meaning to journal about is just getting back into the swing of watching other cultures intertwine. Being on 3 continents this week, I heard so many languages and I’ve seen so many sweet gestures and notable behaviors. I sat next to a French couple on the plane from London to Cape Town; they were sweet as can be and the man even got my bag up and down for me, but they never spoke back to me because they didn’t know any English. They just smiled, and that was enough. In London, I sat next to a woman waiting for the tube who was one of the most posh and put together women I’ve ever seen. I looked over and noticed that she was reading Ana Karenina – for fun. (WHO does that?! Good for her. What a classy woman). Tonight at the airport in Cape Town, a boy greeted his mother as she got off the plane with a box of nice gourmet chocolates and a kiss. It has been beautiful and eye-opening to watch people around me embracing these different cultures. This is something I’m looking forward to experiencing throughout these 2 months of travel in South Africa, Italy, and France. Everyone in London was extremely nice to me, everyone in South Africa has always been extremely nice to me, and even though there are stereotypes about the French – the pleasant French couple from the plane gave me some hope and reminded me that there are always exceptions!
This ^ entire blurb is such a sidenote and so off track …
…TOMORROW:
We have our orientation for the students. I get to do a presentation I created about the media involved with the program, so I’m excited about that! I’m so passionate about the media and I am so passionate about this program, so documenting these trips and working with others in documenting these trips is a lot of fun for me. We also get to do the city tour tomorrow. I’m excited for this because as a student I was so jet lagged that I actually fell asleep during the tour. I’ll probably learn something tomorrow, and I’ll definitely appreciate it more than I did last time!
Last but certainly not least…actually MOST important…today is Mother’s Day, and I want to wish the happiest day to my incredible mother. Thank you for always believing in me and supporting me, thank you for setting the best example of how to be a strong and hardworking woman, and thank you for bending over backwards every single day to help me and everyone around you be safe, happy, and healthy. You are just the perfect woman and the perfect role model for me and for everyone. Your love of travel is part of the reason why I love travel, and I love that now that I am getting more opportunities, we are able to share our experiences with each other and relate! It has been a lot of fun. Everything about you is always a lot of fun. You are the best, Mommy. I need to stop traveling and come home for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day next year because I hate that I’m always away. You are the best for all that you do and for just being you!
That’s all for now. Maybe I will be able to post again tomorrow after the city tour and before the welcome dinner. We have officially kicked off! Go Global is in season.
The Summer Intern,
Anna