April 19, 2005

• [an excellent read about understanding people who grow up in cultures different from their parents' (TCK)... should you ever have the distinct pleasure of having them as friends and/or dating one]

  
  

  ANOTHER CHAPTER:  Hmm... so how many chapters are there in this book?  Honestly I have no idea I'm making it up on the spot as I go along, really.  Here's more from "Dorm Life: When being a RA is One Letter Away from A.A."

  
  

  
  

  CHAPTER ONE - ABANDON ALL HOPE... OR AT LEAST SOME OF IT.

  
  

  "Congratulations!  You have taken the first step into a larger world of international boarding.  Prepare to have your world view as well as your patience tested.  With that said, your first step to become a RA (Resident Assistant) will be quite difficult so best to avoid the dog poo on the road you will be journeying on.  Becoming a RA is a thrilling embrace of kindness, hospitality and sometimes an iron fist should the need ever arise.  This chapter will be broken down into several categories that will help you realize what you are getting yourself into.  First you must realize WHY you are applying for this position.  Is it money?  Live in a different culture?  Serve and minister to students?  Or looking to meet exciting eligible women?  Whatever your reasons, allow me to cut right to the chase - they are silly.  Yes, silly... ridiculously so.  You are about to embark on a journey that is to take you far from your family and friends to be responsible for people you know nothing about.  Supposing this international school is located in a "danger zone" (like South Korea for example) you would probably question anyone else's mental capacity for taking the job but instead it is you.  Sure you have read research articles and journals about where you are going and whom you will be working with by now as you quadruple check your to-be-packed list once again... but that is like someone writing a research article on your mother and expecting to know her afterwards... it just does not happen. 

  
  

  So why is your reason for applying so important?  In these next chapters you will learn about difficulties with students, the culture around you and sometimes the people you work with.  These difficulties will mount up against you and bring you to a place where you will begin questioning your reasons.  So to begin find a reason that is rock-hard and cling tightly to it... it will be rough ride."

  
  

  PROM-TLY DENIED:  Bummer!  Fellow RA Roger will be working prom as a chaperone so no trip to Busan this weekend   However I am not limited in my options... oh no... I.. uh... okay so I'm limited *sigh*.

  
  

  <><
  Will

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