Expat (ˈeks-ˌpat). Noun. An expatriate person, or someone who has withdrawn (him/herself) from residence in or allegiance to his/her native country. In GK’s migration class this summer, one of our assignments was to write up and present our personal or familial migration story, and this word turned out to be a tricky thorn in my side when writing up my narrative. See, in some ways, … Continue reading Interrogations
I mentioned in another post that the first of possibly several field visits was to happen in the third week of my internship. Now that I’m on my fourth week, it’s already taken place; it seems that this is as good time as any to talk about it! AAC is part of a larger federation of country offices whose work is to collaborate with local … Continue reading Oddar Meanchey
That’s the question I asked myself as we sat in a circle at our IEDP orientation last Friday and shared our backgrounds. The professors all had such distinguished resumes, and all my cohort mates had a cool story about working internationally or coming from another country or speaking multiple languages…what did I bring to the table, besides a love that borders on obsession for chocolate … Continue reading Week 1: What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
Three straps are beginning to criss-cross my feet in smooth, pale lines. Every time I look down, I see the hint of this tan and wonder how long it will take for it to boldly take over the visual landscape of my feet. I’ve always preferred walking to other modes of transportation, so after discovering that it takes only fifteen minutes by foot to get from … Continue reading The language of the city
The first week of work is officially in the books. Somehow I’m surprised that I managed to function through it, especially during the first few days. See, I may have sabotaged myself slightly. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was in Paris and had a week to go until Cambodia. Little did you know that I was in either an airplane or an … Continue reading One down, eleven to go
I have not been breaking any mirrors. No black cat incidents. Zero travel under ladders. In other words, it seems I have been very lucky recently. I’m soon to begin my internship with ActionAid Cambodia (AAC), having spent this past month working on an unrelated literacy-based project at UNESCO in Paris. I was lucky to be offered the opportunity. Luckier because logistically it worked out. Even … Continue reading Cambodia in context
If you are interested in hearing about IEDP (internship) experiences other than those of yours truly, then check out my classmates’ blogs! While this isn’t a complete list,, it will give you a sense of what IEDP students do during their internships and how they evaluate the work they’re doing. (PSA: some of these blogs may not be operating/full of posts just yet, since some … Continue reading Some light reading…
Hello friends! After taking a lovely break home with the family post-fake graduation, I have since started GK’s Migration course for the summer before I head out to my internship in July. I thought I’d give you an update on what it’s like to be at GSE during the summer, as well as a head’s up on what I’ll be doing for my internship. It … Continue reading Summer updates
According to Lauren, the last time it rained during commencement was about twenty years ago. So… I guess we brought the tradition back? Anyway, I felt somewhat like a fraud because technically I still have two more credits to go before I actually receive my degree. In fact, everyone (except the returning IEDP students who were in the ceremony) still have outstanding requirements before we … Continue reading A rainy graduation
… The spring semester, that is. Yours truly still has to take a summer course, and obviously go on the internship, but the main thrust of the program is over. The policy brief has been turned in and my other final papers submitted. Next weekend I get to walk in the commencement ceremony and “graduate.” And yet, I still don’t feel like it’s over. Maybe … Continue reading And then it was over
The International Educational Development Program 