A New Adventure
In the digital age, there’s no more “bad ID photos”
For those of you who followed me during my teaching adventures in Indonesia, I now hope to share with you a new kind of adventure—the kind where I’m the student and the jungle is made of concrete and furrowed brows rather than palm trees and large water monitors, like Kevin. You can find these posts over at LEARN.HARD.
So last Tuesday marked the official opening day of my graduate journey in earning an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It was then that I met my cohorts (that word, barf!) for the first time and the faculty and staff who will be my support system over the course of the next two years.
A large portion of the faculty I’m learning with this semester are new to Teachers College this year. It’s as though all of our backpacks are still clean, but prepared to get scuffed and ripped as we navigate our way through the mists together. It’s clear that we all have a certain level of excitement about being together and exploring together and getting lost in the catacombs of Teachers College together. Mostly, it just feels right.
Yesterday there was a BBQ for everyone in the Applied Linguistics & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages department. I was impressed by the number of folks who turned out, in addition to the homemade brew and delicious food. After a few days of feeling scattered and frustrated and overwhelmed, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to attend, but I’m so glad that I did. As I walked to the train after having chatted with my fellow students and professors I reflected that in spite of the money concerns, the nervousness, the honest realization that I had forgotten just how much confidence it takes to be brave enough to be a student, I am certain that I am exactly where I belong.
Now, if I could just find a nice, rich person willing to pay for my schooling, Great Expecations-style, I’d be all set!
After living in the jungle with Kevin, I think you’ll be just fine in the NYC jungle with your roomie Arizona
so be brave little buckaroo!!!
Thanks Aunt Suz!
Well good for you I very happy that you have chosen to go this way its the star of a long good road something I wish i had known about 15 years ago. after a few years of the concrete jungle you will be free to go where you want be it another big city for the money or a kampung for the way of life.
Wish you the best .
Will
Thanks so much Will. I’ve really appreciated the conversations throughout my adventures in Indonesia.
Yay! I am so glad your going to be writting again! I LOVE reading your stuff! Also- are you crazy…. your a great student. Don’t be worried! I love you!
Thanks Dom! I’m always happy to have you along for the ride. Love you too!
I am sure you will be a “star” at school like you were in Indonesia, teaching your little students. You have made a great decision, Amanda, and I am proud of you. Love following your exploits, so keep on writing your blog.
That’s great to see you’re pursuing you career to the next level. Are you planning to come back to Indonesia to teach again after you’ve finished? Or new frontiers again?
-Hugh
Change Lives Together
I’d love to someday Hugh. I have no idea what my post-graduate-school life will be like, I’m up for whatever new adventure might be waiting for me. If that new adventure can involve teaching in another part of the archipelago though, I’d be quite happy with that!
Can’t wait to read about your adventures in the concrete jungle!
Thanks Ruth! While they certainly will lack some of the Indiana-Jones-esque-ness of Indonesia, I feel like there’s still plenty of wild around here!