It's been a little while since my last post, but it's been a solid five weeks here in North Carolina. My journey has taken me here during my summer internship and it's been an amazing experience so far!
There is a saying that goes, "Everything happens for a reason" and I believe me being here has been more than just an internship. It's been an amazing life experience.
I remember looking through piles of schools to apply to and looking at UNC Asheville. It was completely different than what I was used to with me always being in a large school and in a city. I remember sitting with one of my RAs and talking to her about there was just something...different...about the school and I so I applied. From the first conversation I had with everyone in the office, I was hooked. I felt an immediate connection that made me realize this "fit" people always seem to talk about. Luckily, I was offered the position and the experience has been perfect. It's everything I wanted out of this internship and more. I had the ability to work with an amazing group of people and supervise 15 amazing orientation leaders. I get to work with my co-grad who has introduced me to North Carolina and been able to work with our head orientation leader who is pretty much the most amazing student leader I've ever met in my life. No biggie. hahaha
In moments like these, I'm thankful for my mentors because they not only helped me to prep for this experience, but always guide me through self-reflection. Taking on this experience has been more than just an internship for me. It's been a way for me to pay it forward.
Ever since I was a Peer Leader, I always looked up to our graduate interns (we called them GIs). They were people who supported me during my first year as a Peer Leader and helped me to come out of my shell. They were people who challenged me in overcoming my self-doubt and they were people who were ultimately the strongest role models for me going into my grad school program. Even years later, I still continue to keep in touch with a few of them and they continue to support me on my journey.
I was actually skimming through my past posts a little while ago and I kept writing about Liz. Liz was one of my GIs when I was Peer Leader Coordinator my last year in the Peer Leadership Program. There were many challenges that year, but Liz always made sure to give me extra support when I was feeling stressed out and always had such a positive attitude that made me realize what it meant to be a great leader. It is because of people like Liz that I wanted to take on this role as an intern--to provide that support, but also challenge my students to help them to grow.
While the OLs were only here for three weeks, I feel like I was able to fulfill that role. I don't know how to describe it, but they were able to come up to me and make me laugh or tell me about their day or help them with concerns they had and it was amazing. I just think it's the biggest honor to be able to work with and help students. It's what makes me want my mentor's job time and time again. We looked up to her and respected her so much and just loved spending time with her and I couldn't help but to feel that--hopefully--my OLs felt that way about me too.
As the summer has gone on, I have come to realize that within the matter of two months, I will have lived in three states. It's crazy. This grad school thing really is a journey. I have come to love North Carolina. It's only been a few weeks, but it already feels like home, which is something I sometimes struggle with when I'm in Miami (and sometimes even in Jersey). Everyday, I think about what makes "home." Is it the people? Is it the culture? Is it food? Is it the weather?
There's just so much to factor in. Sometimes, I don't know where to start. I guess...it's just part of the journey.
