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Friends, friends, friends. Yours truly had her first interview this past Friday. Overwhelmingly it went well...a bit stressful, but I think that's to be expected when you're being interviewed by four supervisors simultaneously. Yeah, it was a bit like a firing squad. I wasn't sure where to look, who to face....but at the same time I know it was good practice, and like I said, I feel pretty good about it. Hopefully they came out with an understanding of who I am, what my skills are, and what I'm capable of. I did make the group laugh a few times, which is always a good sign in my book--both that they appreciate and understand my sense of humor and that if hired (and if I accepted the position), I would be working with pleasant, easy-going people. The job is for a case manager, and I'm in the process of trying to figure out if that's a position that would challenge me and hold my interest over any extended amount of time. Sometime I feel like I should be more stressed about this whole job thing, but what good would that do? I have a nice newly-updated resume, I feel confident about what I bring to the table, and underneath it all I have the comfort of knowing that things often work out, just the way they need to. Life is good. My field placement ended last Thursday and I left on what felt like a really good note. Ahhhh, closure. It's nice to wrap up a piece of your life (whether it be professional or personal--or in this case, both) and feel proud of the work that you did, the relationships you developed, and the progress you made. Second year field placement: Check.
In other news, this weekend I ran a 5 k race with a friend to support the Victims Fund here in Baltimore City. Who knew that Patterson Park was so hilly?!!! It was my first race, it felt hotter than it should have, but boy was it wonderful to cross that finish line! So much symbolism.....
How quickly the 12 to 2 break goes. Off to class. I'll be sure to check in with you all again soon before this girl officially graduates....
Hi Jenny--Thanks for leaving the comment. Excellent question & valid concern. Being in graduate school is expensive, and though I've worked during summers and random nights here and there with catering, I think it'd be difficult to hold a steady job during the week. So how have I afforded it all? Loans, loans, and more loans. It's not ideal, and I kick myself for not having saved more money in years prior....but it's a fact of life. And as I'm sure you've heard, education is priceless, right? But let me be a bit more specific....
For my second year I got in-state tuition and was awarded the Maternal and Child Health Scholarship--both of which helped a great deal and considerably lessened the amount of loans I had to take out. I also live pretty cheaply, find free things to do on the weekends, and cut corners wherever I can. Being in Baltimore helps--the cost of living here is pretty low. The bottom line is that you can work while going to graduate school. I have a friend who works every other weekend, and had friends who waitressed, bartended, etc. It would take a great deal of self-discipline and excellent time-management skills, but the flip side is that the bills would be easier to pay....I guess it's all a matter of give and take.
I hope you get some good news soon from UMB, and think you'd be really happy here. Do let me know if you have any other questions that I can help with. Take care!
Truth be told I'm not even really there yet. I haven't quite gotten myself into job-seeking mode, but I think I'm moving in that direction, albeit slowly. It's always funny to me how and when things (or shall I say reality??!) hit you?! Just this morning, leaving my apartment and walking to my car...WHAM...there it was. In a few short months I'll be done with school and back out in the real world. Now that is not to say that my life in graduate school hasn't been a part of the "real world". I have stress and looming deadlines and bills and night class and all of the things that piled together make up REALNESS, but there's still something different about it. I worked in DC for about three years before returning to graduate school, and by the time I moved to Baltimore, I was so ready to be done with work and get back into school. Fortunately the tide has turned and now I find myself done with school and anxious to join the ranks of the gainfully employed. I only wish that I had found my niche....that I knew exactly the population I want to work with, the area in which I want to live, etc. But again, I'll get there....and until I do, I'll have to remind myself to have fun along the way, to be open and adventurous and to have a little faith that pieces will fall where they need to. They always do.
Okay, but back to some of the differences between graduate school and the working world...some differences more subtle than others. Two words: SPRING BREAK. Last year I didn't do anything fun for spring break, but fortunately this year will be different. I'm heading to Mexico with some school friends for a week of relaxation and fun in the sun. I'm excited!!! but also a bit overwhelmed with all that needs to be done beforehand (including taxes, grrr), and all that will bombard me upon my arrival back home. But that's life. It doesn't stop even when you're off enjoying yourself elsewhere. Speaking of enjoying yourself elsewhere, I should get going back to my internship. Paperwork waits for no (wo)man.
For those of you with questions or comments, please pass them along. Want to commiserate on the pressure of graduation? I'm all ears. Take care, everybody.
Hi Anna- What a treat to see that there are still people reading my blog. Thanks! I was beginning to wonder if all of my thoughts were just floating out there unnoticed in cyberspace. Enough about that...on to your question. I would HIGHLY recommend applying for the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Development Program. Not only is it nice to have the generous financial support it provides, but it also is an incredible learning experience. From creating the minimester event to writing a mock grant proposal with the other scholars to the professional presentation you have to give...it's all really practical, useful experience to have. I'm actually working on the powerpoint presentation this weekend, and will be giving it on Monday afternoon. So to answer your question "is it worth doing?"--most definitely, yes. Incredibly worth doing. Your question about the time commitment it requires---pretty considerable actually. There's a weekly meeting, and a lot of work that needs to be done in preparation for the minimester event and related community service projects. But I enjoy the challenges that it's brought to my second year...I enjoy the collaborative efforts it entails with the other scholars, and I really am so grateful to have been selected. Back to your question....it does involve both semesters, and no, the work is not done after the minimester because we're still in charge of getting the community service projects off the ground. I anticipate that once those things are out of the way, we'll slow down a bit. But again, I'd say that the hard work is well worth it. I don't know about you, but I can have a really difficult time with group projects- the frustrating and inevitable imbalance of effort/work/concern etc among group members, but this experience has been the antithesis of that. The other scholars are remarkably capable, smart, driven, focused, creative, the list could go on. I trust their work completely and I enjoy the time I spend with them. To put it simply, being a Maternal and Child Health scholar has been the pinnacle of my graduate school career. I support you wholeheartedly in applying. You should check out the website (if you haven't already) http://cmchswe.umaryland.edu/mch_leadership_development_program/, and may even want to schedule a time to speak with Dr. Pecukonis, the program's Director. I'd be happy to meet with you at some point too to discuss it further if you like. Good luck! Keep me posted!
We're already in February. Exactly how and when did this happen? Despite the fact that this spring semester (and my FINAL semester, I might add) is still in its beginning weeks, things picked up, took off, and already I'm feeling a bit behind. I guess that's the price you pay when you choose to save a couple dollars and order from Amazon. The books can sometimes take their time in getting to you. But anyway, I've got that early semester optimism....I'll catch up.
I almost feel like there was no winter break. The holidays came, they went, but unfortunately they didn't bring much down time. I was still having to make up missed time from when I was in Galveston and so only had a few days off from field. So there was that...but even more than that was the minimester. Let me back up. Ok, so the five other Maternal and Child Health Leadership Development scholars and I developed a two-day minimester on the issue of HIV/AIDS--specifically how it relates to women. The work that this minimester required was considerable--essentially the entire fall semester was spent preparing for it. Fortunately it proved to be a complete success. About 80 students from the various professional schools on the UMB campus attended....we had phenomenal speakers, some of whom shared their expertise, some of whom shared their personal struggles and stories of HIV/AIDS. It was a powerful experience, and I felt proud to have been involved with it. Proud but exhausted. More reasons as to why I didn't feel much of the break: the little family that I have is local, so I didn't leave Baltimore for any extended period of time. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining. Not at all. Baltimore is feeling more and more like home. I'm putting roots down, and feel settled. It was nice to be here.
Alright, I now need to take a little time and vent...get some of my stressors out and hopefully leave some of them out...out of my head and onto my little compute screen. To put it simply, I feel stressed with the fact that I'll be graduating soon. It's very exciting--don't get me wrong. I certainly don't want to be on any graduate school plan that exceeds two years. I've worked hard, I've learned a lot, and I feel ready for the next step. The problem is simple....I have no idea what that next step will be. I'm not sure what kind of job I want to look into getting. I'm not even sure where I want to live...Baltimore? DC? Overseas? I keep waiting for an ephiphany...a moment of YES!! This is it!!! This is what I want to do and this is where I want to do it!!! But I don't think I've ever had a moment like that. I think with everything I've ever done there's always been at least a few question marks in the back of my mind....is this a good idea? Will this work? Will this satisfy me? As this door has opened, what others have closed? I spoke about it with a good friend of mine tonight who's been planning to move to Hawaii for a few months now. She's beginning to have second thoughts, cold feet, some real hesitation. She and I did Peace Corps together, and she's now beginning to wonder if being close to her family might trump the beauty and adventure that Hawaii holds. She and I are both at a crossroads...having to make some serious choices, rule things out, open new doors. But at the same time we're not. Not yet. This crossroads can wait a little bit. At least until tomorrow...at best until graduation. Signing off, friends. Hope you're all fantastic.
I've had blogging on my mind recently, and couldn't remember when I last checked in with you all. November 22nd. Yikes. That's quite a gap, even if it doesn't feel like it. First semester of second year: check. It's hard to believe--almost impossible--that I only have one more semester before I graduate. Over Thanksgiving my relatives were asking me what I plan to do when I finish...what kind of job I want...where I want to live. Uh....um...yeah, fortunately I don't have to know just yet, though it'd be comforting to have even a rough idea of where I see myself in 6 months. The flip side is that the uncertainty of it all is terribly exciting. I could, quite literally, be anywhere. I think I'll leave you all on that note, since I have a meeting I need to go to for the Maternal and Child Health scholars. The minimester that we have spent all semester preparing for is nearly upon us. This weekend. Saturday and Sunday. Women: The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS. It's all happening. 2009 is off to a fantastic start. I promise to be back soon. Happy New Year everyone!!
Hi Everyone--I don't normally use my blog as a medium for advertising upcoming events, but then I thought...why not? It's school-related and for a very good cause---raising awareness on HIV/AIDS both here in Baltimore as well as from a more global perspective. The events described below are in honor of World AIDS Day and will be hosted by the International Social Work Organization. Guaranteed good times. For my fellow students, please come---show your support---learn---teach---the whole nine. For those of you who are not yet students here (note my optimism), the takeaway message for you is that there are interesting, educational events here at UMB on a regular basis. Just this past Monday, on my 12-2 break, I went to a fascinating forum hosted by another student organization on the male homeless population in Baltimore---very powerful. "Free" time is quite hard to find in graduate school, but I love how we're able to spend it in such moving, productive ways. So on that note friends, back to our events. I'll see you there. :)
On Monday, December 1st from 12:15-1:45 in Room 2E02 we will show a 30 minute
documentary “HIV Positive Voices,� about people living with HIV in Baltimore
and follow it with a discussion with a social worker from the Evelyn Jordan
HIV/AIDS clinic. We will serve lunch!
On Wednesday, December 3rd at 5:30 we’ll show the documentary “A Closer Walk.�
This documentary is 85 minutes in length and provides a global perspective on
HIV. We can have a brief discussion after the film. We will serve movie snacks.
Hi Everyone--- So for those of you who don't know, I very recently traveled to Galveston, Texas with Dr. Pecukonis and four other advanced standing MSW students. We went there as American Red Cross volunteers and spent a week in one of their shelters working with people very severely affected by Hurricane Ike. While we were there we blogged, and below is my final blog from this experience. I feel almost guilty...like I'm submitting the same paper for two different classes, but honestly---haven't we all dreamed of doing that?!! Plus, I imagine that my audience here (if I still have one???!!) differs from those who were reading the "HurricaneHelpers" blog---so hopefully this is still new to you. May you find some interesting relevance to it....
There hasn’t been much stillness since we returned on Tuesday evening, but I shouldn’t be surprised and I most certainly am not complaining. Down time is hard to find when you’ve missed an entire week of classes and field. I’m a bit overwhelmed with it all–the deadlines and unfinished work that lie before me, but at the same time I expected that’s what I’d come home to, and I have no regrets. I wouldn’t trade our week in Galveston for any amount of quiet or peace of mind on the school front. Key word in that sentence, for me at least, is week. It’s hard to believe that this powerful, difficult, and deeply rewarding experience was a mere 7 days. I saw all of that in one week? Learned all of that in one week? Seems nearly impossible. I think it speaks to a number of things, namely our team’s almost immediate ability to get in there, get settled, and get started. We were often quite busy, but slower, quiet moments occasionally rolled in, and I’d begin to wonder if our presence was really needed there. Then I’d see one of the girls or Dr. Pecukonis himself playing a vital role in someone’s day, in someone’s future, and I’d realize that we were an integral part of the process. In turn, the experience of Galveston has become an integral part of who I am– as a social worker and as a human being. It’s always difficult after experiences such as this to make sense out of it all, to process it into something that is digestible for others and that still sits well in your own stomach. The people of Galveston taught me the importance of self-determination, and I learned, much moreso than I had previously, how frustrating that can be for a budding social worker. Though I may have seen what I thought was an alternative to homelessness–an “out� for someone, ultimately the choice was not mine. It’s difficult to watch people make decisions that for one reason or another you feel unable to personally or professionally support. I guess our role is larger than that though—we support the individual, we educate and empower them in the hopes that their future decisions lead to positive changes and success. But the latter is a relative term, I suppose. Ah, social work…so beautiful in all its shades of grey.
This blog could be endless….I have a leaning toward verbosity and the lessons learned are plentiful. I think I’ll close with an uplifting message that I’m sure many of you already know. It’s one that I was reminded of in Galveston: People have spirits that are unbreakable. People are able to endure indescribable hardships. People reboot and rebuild and reorganize their lives into the shape that fits their situation. It’s an amazing thing to see, and though I left Galveston with an unavoidable sense of sadness for the tragedies that life can bring, I also left with a renewed appreciation for the strength that we as human beings have, and the strength that we share. I am proud to be a student at UMB, proud to be a social worker, and even more proud to have been witness to so much of the goodness that exists in the world.
I invite any and all of you with questions or comments about our experience to raise them. I’d be happy to share more. Take care.
Well not "bye" exactly. More like a see you later kind of thing. (Where is the "good" in "goodbye" anyway?!!) Actually, there would be some good, some very good, in this goodbye--which brings me to my exciting news, everyone. I'm leaving tomorrow morning, bright and all too early, for Houston. I'm heading there with Dr. Pecukonis, a professor here at UMB, and four other advanced-year students. We'll be assisting the American Red Cross with their Hurricane Ike relief efforts, and plan to stay about 10 days. Things become a bit unclear beyond that. I'm not sure exactly what we'll be doing, where we'll be sleeping, and how we'll be helping, but what I do know is that it's a wonderful opportunity to put my social work career and experience in action. Admittedly I'm a bit anxious, but I'm also really looking forward to getting down there and feeling a part of a process and a movement so much bigger than myself. I struggled making the decision to go---10 days...that's a lot of time away from field, that's multiple missed classes....but thanks to supportive faculty and field instructors, off I am. Putting things, even very important things, on temporary hold every once in a while is forgivable. I'd argue that it's even necessary.....
The moral of this story: Wonderful opportunities exist here at UMB. Opportunities that I never even knew to think about or get excited for. But there they are. Life is good. Hope you are as well. :) I'll be in touch soon.
Friends, let me begin as many of my blogs from last year began--with a brief but necessary apology for my absence. The days have flown by and the weeks have all but disappeared. Four weeks in already....almost unbelievable.
So while I have your attention, how about I spend some time talking about my classes, describing my field placement, etc. The title of this blog is in reference to the former. Now this isn't to say that I wasn't impressed with classmates from last year, but this year....man, I have literally been wow'd by the depth of their thoughts. I have truly enjoyed and appreciated their contributions to class discussions, and moreso than ever it is ringing true that you can, at times, learn just as much from your peers as you can from your professors. It's a really nice realization to have, and I can only hope that my classmates are thinking similarly of me and my class-time mumbo jumbo. :) Oh, here's something that I'm also very happy with---my reading. Friends, believe it or not, I have been staying on top of my reading assignments. For those of you who may have read my blog from last year, you'll know this is a new trend for me. Those readings...they just used to get away from me, and I know it's still fairly early in the semester, but I'm really going to try to not let that happen again this year. It's all about self-discipline and making something habitual. And not only am I learning more than I would have otherwise, I'm also enjoying NOT having that heavy, guilty feeling sitting on my shoulders saying...."I should be reading". I just realized that I'm beginning to bore myself with all this babble, and am fearful that I may have lost some of you about three sentences ago. Stick with me friends, we're almost through this.
Maybe it's best to switch gears for a second....my field placement. As I described in my last blog, my field placement is at Florence Crittenton Services, working with young women who are either pregnant, have a child under 2, or are generally displaced. Well, it's been a trip!! Thus far I've been involved in group work (and boy is that tough!!), as well as individual therapy. I can already tell that my time there will be extremely challenging, but I also know that I'll learn a lot from it. On Tuesday I decorated my office, brought in all kinds of trinkets from my time in Peace Corps: masks, wall hangings...all the stuff that can't fit in my teeny tiny apartment. And it feels so good now to be there, to walk into my office and feel at home. Considering I'll be there three days out of every week, it's best that I enjoy the physical space and make my mark.
I think one of the most important things I'm learning with these young girls is the importance of being genuine, of being myself. That may sound ridiculously simple, but it's making a lot of sense to me right now. I have to let the process play out. I have to let them get to know me--gradually--and vice versa---gradually. There's no rush. We've got the whole year....
Alright friends, consider yourselves off the hook, that's if you're still on it. I've got a MCH (Maternal and Child Health) meeting to go to, then my Advanced MCH Research Class. Dig it. Have a great weekend, everyone. Stay dry. I'll be back soon.
Who believed that this time would actually come? Anyone? I myself was doubtful. I remember when the summer seemed almost endless, when the month of September felt SO far away, when talk of the 4th of July even seemed premature. But here we are, each of us with a squeaky clean slate at the beginning of this fresh, fall semester. There's something so special about beginnings, about the overwhelming amount of possibility that lies within them. This semester could be the best yet, and that's a beautiful thought.
There's so much to share...stories from my summer employment at Pazo, the restaurant in Harbor East where I quickly learned how difficult it is to be a server, stories from the 2-day retreat I was on last week with the other 5 Maternal and Child Health scholars, stories from Florence Crittenton, where just today I began my field placement. It's all good, friends...that's the bottom line. The line after that sadly reads "to be continued". Time is short now, but I'll find some soon and get to sharing. For you first-year students, welcome to UMB. You'll be very happy here. For my fellow classmates, a warm welcome back. Look forward to seeing you all again.
Hi Sara---thanks so much for the comment. I'm definitely still riding the "scholarship and end of semester" high. If only this feeling could last forever...but enough about that, you asked a question about getting experience before school. I fully support that, and recommend that you volunteer. Ideally you could find a paid position somewhere that gets you in the field and also lines the ol' pockets a little bit, but if it's looking like that won't happen, there are countless agencies (not sure where you live, so I'm going with my gut here...) that would greatly value your time and efforts. I suggest you find the agency that does the kind of work you want to do/are interested in, set up an informational interview, and commit yourself and your time to an unpaid position there. I know it's hard to volunteer when you're trying to make and save money, but it's a really great opportunity to rack up some experience, make some contacts, and learn first-hand what it's like to be in the field of social work. And aside from those more selfishly motivating factors, you'll be helping someone and doing important, much-needed work. It's a feel-good way to spend your time, and also spruces up the resume quite a bit. Sooooo, hopefully that answers your question, Sara. Please let me know if you have any others, and that goes for the rest of you as well. Enjoy the summer, everyone!!
Friends, this will be the last blog you see me from me for a little while. The summer is upon us and with that the blogging comes to a temporary close. The good news is that I'll be back as one of your bloggers next year, so sit tight until then....but for now, let me share with you all some VERY good news.
Just today I was informed that I received the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership Development Scholarship. My hands were literally trembling as I opened the letter, and actually kept trembling as I read the first few words...."We are delighted to offer you......". This is a very generous scholarship that I recommend anyone interested in maternal/family/child health to explore:
http://cmchswe.umaryland.edu/leadership_development_scholarships/
It's open only to second year students with a health concentration and a Children, Adolescence & Family Health subspecialization. This year they chose 6 MCH leadership scholars. Aside from the obvious financial benefits, it really provides a phenomenal set of professional experiences--- from developing and coordinating a mini-mester course over winter break to writing a mock grant proposal. From what I understand it'll be quite a bit of work, but I think that's what in part attracted me to the scholarship. The challenge of it all, and the fact that I truly believe I'll benefit considerably from it. So yes, today is a good day. A perfect beginning to the weekend, the summer, and an equally perfect way to close out this past semester.
Speaking of the summer, it hasn't been nearly as quiet as I would have expected. I've kept busy working with my professor, doing the part-time catering thing, and yes, of course, spending time with friends. It's such a wonderful thing to feel so free with my time, to have it be so guilt-less. I'm expecting next year to be even busier than this one was---but I'm already looking forward to it. Such an adventure. I feel good.
In closing, friends, I wish you all a fantastic summer..... may it be fun, and relaxing, and full of sunshine! Please do feel free to drop a line if you have any questions/comments. Take care!!
If there is, that's what I've been for the last two weeks or so. I'm in the thick of the end of semester crunch, and while it's been hectic and crazy and stressful, it's also been quite exciting. I almost can't believe how quickly this semester--BOTH semesters, actually-- have gone. I'm about halfway to my MSW, folks, and that seems unreal. UN-REAL. Because I've been so preoccupied and distracted, I haven't yet really had time to properly process what this all means, what I feel I've learned this past year, what I hope to get out of next year. I'll come around to that, most definitely, and when I do I'll pop back in and share with you my thoughts.
Until then, a few updates on what I have been doing. I turned in a 16 page paper yesterday in my Health Policy class. I did a group presentation today in my Human Behavior course. Outside of school, I've been spending a good bit of time getting prepared for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this upcoming Friday. I formed a fantastic team, recruited friends from DC, friends from school, and family members, and we've actually raised more money than any other team here in Baltimore city!! It's a great cause, it'll be a great night, and I'm really looking forward to it. The only downside? I'm exhausted, and it's an all-night event. Goes from 6 pm till 6 am....but I'm sure the energy will be palpable and I'll be able to absorb some of it and keep moving.
Most students finished with their field placements last week, but because I'm co-facilitating a girls' empowerment group at a local middle school, I decided to stay on a few extra weeks and finish it. I think I've told you all about it??? It's been really challenging but also really cool. Totally new experience for me, and I'm enjoying it a great deal. It's funny to me...time with sixth-grade girls simultaneously brings me back to my youth and also makes me feel like I'm SO OLD.
I had my interview about a week and a half ago for next year's field placement...and got it! I'll be at the Florence Crittendon Center here in Baltimore, a residential facility that assists teenaged girls with residency, displacement, pregnancy, abuse and other circumstances. Their mission statement is below. How could anyone NOT want to work there? I anticipate that it'll be a tough year...but fascinating, too. It really is so cool how much exposure I'm getting to these various sides of social work. Consider myself quite fortunate, actually. On that note, friends, I'm gonna close. It's been a long day, I actually feel a cold coming on, and I need some time away from the computer. Hope you're all doing great!! Like I said, I'll be back in touch soon. Feel free to give a hollar in the meantime if you have any thoughts/comments/questions you'd like to share. Take care!!
"The mission of the agency is to provide clinical and educational services to adolescents in crisis. Services are offered to members of the client’s personal support system in the interest of developing attitudes and life skills that promote movement toward independence. All programs, activities and services are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to and shows respect for the cultural and ethnic diversity of our constituents".
and the apartment's *almost" clean, I feel I can sit down and make good on the promise I made to you all a few days ago. It's Sunday night, a little before 10- a good a time as any to bust out a proper blog and catch you all up on some of the things I've been doing, thinking, etc. Right now I'm thinking "Holy moly, where'd the weekend go?" I :) I'm thinking that it can't possibly almost be Monday again. I'm thinking that the weekends never seem to be enough time to rest up, to recover from the previous week and to prepare for the following one. Something tells me I'm not only in this....
So school stuff. I know that some of my recent blogs have been heavy in other areas, so let me stick to the basics here. I'm long overdue in discussing my field placement, aren't I? I'm actually forgetting if I told you all about my shift within Sinai Hospital...I don't think I did, so let me start there. I spent the first half of the school year in Sinai's oncology and gynecological surgery unit, and as I know I've mentioned before my mom died about 7 years ago from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Well, it turns out that I really wasn't emotionally prepared for seeing cancer patients, on a regular basis, who so vividly reminded me of my final days with my mom. After a number of very difficult encounters, it became clear to both my supervisor and myself that the jig was up- I couldn't do it. I was spending so much energy on the emotional challenges of it all that my professional growth became almost stunted. Anyway, my supervisor really advocated for me, she and I spoke with the Director of the Case Manager department about what other options existed, and before I knew it I was working alongside a social worker in the Infectious Disease Outpatient clinic. Very different population, different role, different challenges. Most of the people I work with are infected with HIV/AIDS-- this is an area I feel really comfortable in. Before Peace Corps I did a lot of volunteer work on HIV/AIDS education...as a Health volunteer in Zambia it was something that I was really involved in, and even since being back I've felt connected with it having worked on the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) evaluation of PEPFAR. Anyway, suffice to say that I was in charted, and much less emotionally charged territory. I have a client that I meet with weekly, I've been able to help out with some outreach efforts, and just last week a colleague and I began co-facilitating a girls' empowerment group at a local middle school--I'm getting out there..I'm getting a lot of exposure and experience and I'm lucky-- very lucky. Things are good.
I imagine that this is a stressful time for many of you out there trying to decide if UMB's for you. A good friend of mine received only acceptance letters from the schools she applied to (including UMB), and she's now having to make the big decision. I told her she comes here. Period. End of story. No, I'm kidding--I'm actually being very careful to not pressure her in any way, and I'll grant you all the same consideration.I guess the only "wisdom" I can share is that you'll be okay...wherever you go is where you were meant to be. All that we can do is make the best decision with the most information that we have access to at this point in time, and then we go with that decision--full-speed and full of enthusiasm- no regrets. Grad school, like most things in life, is what you make it...and you can make it FANTASTIC!! wherever you want to. :) It kind of reminds me of Peace Corps in a way. I had wanted to be a volunteer in South America, thinking that Spanish would be a really useful language to know. I finally got my official invitation and it read "Zambia". At the time I thought: a) Where exactly IS Zambia and b) Major bummer!! The bottom line, though, is that in looking back, I consider myself so lucky to have lived in that amazing little country for two years. I'd have it no other way...and all of my friends who have done Peace Corps would say the exact same thing whether they served in Paraguay or Ukraine or the Dominican Republic.
I really am so excited for all of you. Being at one of life's crossroads, though a very stressful time, can make you feel so alive!! As always, I'm here if you all have any questions/comments. Good luck!!
It's been a long time since I've written....no excuses, friends. I had the entire week of spring break to check in and say hello....
I'm writing from field right now so this entry will be short, but I promise! promise! PROMISE!!! to sit down in the next few days and write a proper blog.
For the time being, let me address a few comments I've received. Stacey--- congratulations on getting in! That's wonderful. Good news is always so....GOOD, isn't it?! :) So about the research class online, I did take an online class while I was working in DC...it was through Johns Hopkins and was more related to public health research, but I can tell you this: online classes require a great deal of self-discipline. I learned quite a bit and ended up doing well, but knowing my learning style, I very much prefer the in-person interaction. If you're happy to go without that, it might be worth a shot. If you have a pretty firm grasp on it already, you might want to see if they'll let you "test out" of it...I know they allow that with some courses, not sure though if research is one of them. And just to make the matter a bit more complicated, (sorry), I had an awesome research professor last year. Bethany Lee- she's the one I blogged about. So, there's a few factors you should consider, but I say look into your options and talk to some people-- you'll figure it out.
Okay, now Erin---a congrats to you as well for getting in--- very cool. To answer your question, I do live in Baltimore and I'm really enjoying it. Baltimore has a pretty rough reputation...I remember friends in DC asking if I was SURE that I wanted to move here. My friends in PA have heard similar stories....truth be told I've felt very safe here. I live in Bolton Hill, which is so safe that it's almost boring!! (It is lovely, though...has fountains, lots of green space, is close to LightRail, etc....so there are perks!) Housing is pretty affordable and I'm sure you could find a spot that you liked where you felt safe. Plus, there's always a lot of fun things going on, and it's nice to be able to take advantage of them. Last week some school friends and I went to see a ballet/modern dance performance at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Tonight we're heading to a school function sponsored by the International Student Organization---WorldFest....with foods from over 13 different countries. I'm SO there! So Erin, the long-winded answer to your question is yes, most definitely you can live her and feel safe......and LOVE it.
I think it's time for me to run now. Expecting a client any minute! More soon, and as always, please feel free to send me any questions/comments.
Take care!
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