Orientation in Akron, Pennsylvania

Due to delayed flights and rescheduling, I am writing this first international blog post from a complimentary hotel room overlooking Doha, Qatar with a pot of Arabic coffee and a plate full of dates. Although I was initially frustrated with the interruption to my journey to India, I am very thankful for this day of rest and reflection before I reach the MCC Guest House in Kolkata.

This last week of orientation was spent with 62 other young adults from all over the world; people coming from US/Canada to be placed internationally and people coming to stay in US/Canada. Orientation provided us with the space to learn about MCC and their commitment to peace and justice, to anticipate the challenges of cross-cultural adjustment, to say our goodbyes to our communities, and to learn about one another and the cultures that shaped us.

Our temporary campus, The Welcoming Place, heard the laughter from French tongue twisters, late night salsa dancing, barefoot soccer games, worship in different languages, aimless walks through empty streets, and long conversations over carpet ball and ping pong. Even though we may all be headed to different countries, cities or towns, this last week has gifted each and every SALTer or IVEPer with a new community that is simultaneously sending us and being sent alongside us. I am very grateful for all the people I met this week and especially my roommate, Esther, who left her home in Korea to work for a women’s organization in Denver, Colorado for the year.

The next time I post I will hopefully have made it to Kolkata, India for my in-country orientation and language training before heading north to my host family in Siliguri.