Me, Today

The packages for our placement have finally arrived! I haven't yet opened all of the attachments included in the e-mail but it is confirmed I am going to Ghana in the Fall. Now it's time to begin the doctor's appointments, getting my passport renewed, getting my finances in order (yep, I will be broker than I've ever been this May when all my fees are due) etc. etc.

But how did I get here?
Why INDEV?

The moment I decided to abandon my decision to go to University to become a vet and instead choose to pursue my interests in development studies, I was sitting in a council session at a Model United Nations conference at Trent University in Peterborough. I was in the midst of getting my university applications ready and I had been doing some serious soul searching about what I wanted for my future. I had a light bulb moment and I realized that my heart was just not into veterinary medicine and instead chose to pursue my interest in development studies. Thank you Mom and Dad for being on board with this decision!

But my story and adventure in global studies and learning about the world around me began years before I went to my first Model United Nations conference. I was fortunate enough to spend two years living and going to school in England (thank you Nortel). Everyday life was an adventure, whether it was getting lost with my Mom (which happened A LOT), or family weekend trips to heritage sites, or going to school. We were fortunate to be able to travel frequently and explore Great Britain and Continental Europe during our two-year stay. One memory that has remained with me was playing tag in an alleyway in Greece with my brother and some of the local children. Even though there was a language barrier, we still managed to communicate and play together. Those two years of living and travelling overseas piqued my interest in history and global studies. Being able to see castles and Roman Baths up close was fascinating, and I have maintained that love of history ever since.

I was very fortunate to have Mr. Edwards teach my Grade 10 Civics class. He suggested I volunteer at the Model United Nations conference the high school was hosting (I think I was driving him crazy by asking questions all the time). I am so glad I did. I enjoyed being around other students who were interested in the same things as me and who wanted to make a difference in the world. It was inspiring that many of my peers wanted to create positive change in the world, despite the many problems we face in the future. If Model U.N. taught me one thing about the world it is that the issues we face like poverty and education are complex and have no one solution. Being open to other views and ideas was also really important and despite everyone's best efforts, reaching a unanimous solution was difficult (impossible).

So here I am today, getting ready to download the attachments on that acceptance package from A Rocha. It's been an adventure getting here and I'm sure it will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

And thank you Mr. Edwards. I appreciate all your guidance and encouragement and I am forever grateful.