When I entered room 123 on the first day of orientation, I was a little skeptical. I knew that I have been to New York city many times before in my life but I always stayed in touch with my fellow Haitians. It was the first time that I was about to start interacting with so many different people and cultures. I was wondering how much my colleagues knew and care about Haiti. I was questioning myself about how much they would feel involved in the story of change I want to write for my country. In fact, I did not realize that, as much as we may look different, we all share an extensive list of things in common. From the minute when Pam broke the ice and showed how much knowing more about us was important to her, I started to care less about what I am, to focus on who we were as a group. From that day, I started paying more and more attention to what brings us together thousands of kilometers away from our hometowns and cultures. I came to realize that being different is what brings us together. Here at St Johns, we are all treated equally to enjoy and succeed a very dynamic pre-academic program. We have all received the same gift cards, same nice red binders, we eat together at the cafeteria, we walk together along the streets of New York city and were together when the rain started pouring over our heads this afternoon. We all traveled here for the same reason, we share the same passion to make a difference in the world. We are all looking at a brighter future and are trying to grab as much as possible right now to prepare it. We are all curious minds willing to learn more about each other to better understand the world. Finally I did realize that we are a group of young leaders willing to help each other constantly: Phone quests, financial management, how to use a washing machine, where to go for shopping and these are only the basics. Overall, we share that enormous positive energy.
We are all the same. Even if we will be scattered around the US in 3 weeks time, may we find the opportunity to stay connected to shape this world as we want it.
Very nice to meet you all!
"From that day, I started paying more and more attention to what brings us together thousands of kilometers away from our hometowns and cultures. I came to realize that being different is what brings us together". I really like this statement, Marc, it really echoes what I believe the feeling of all of us. I am so surprised (and relieved) to recognize how smooth we are all communicating, getting along together, and taking care of each other even in a very small manner, e.g: sharing the detergent.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to meet you all, too!
That true Abi.. Irrespective of our different background, you can see in all the common determination to cooperate and relate. Thats a great interpersonal skill that will even be of help when we return to own home country. Whats also common about us is our post academic plans as all will say "I will return to my home country and apply what I have learnt in the US". Thanks everyone
ReplyDeleteTrue, for me the weirdest thing is that in just three days in New York, it feels like we've known each other longer!! My first day here, we were already walking by the hudson river with imah, fred and sandile, we all share the need to change our world to change THE world and i believe that as bright as we all are, i am meeting future leaders, presidents, ministers, nobel price and many more, just do not forget this week wherever you will be!
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