So I don't think I really talked about life on the ship and what it's like so I'll try to briefly write about it although I think seeing pictures will be the best was to describe it. I've had such a refreshing experience by doing semester at sea that helps me as a young professional in student affairs to see the bigger picture and realize that yes, the things we do impact the lives of our students. I know when I return to the states, I'll have a withdrawl and feel lost and confused. I'm coming from a community where you know a lot of names, something about them, and most of the faces are pretty familiar by this point. You also get 200+ instituations represented and so for someone in student affairs, being able to talk with these students and learn about their schools helps me in turn think about how I work with my students at NYU and in the future.
In my daily routine as the RD for my sea (Caribbean sea) and in charge of student programs. I get a taste of both worlds. I continue my work in residential education and deal with the typical roommate conflicts, homesickness, and in general great students who I live with. I also get to be in many ways the director for student activities. I advise the student groups, support their programs, put on movie nights, talent shows, and set up a place for student to take a break from the intensity of their academics. Aside from going to Global Studies, having a meal with a student, or engaging them in conversation gives a completely different feel to things. I'm starting that point on this return journey in which I know there will be a void for some time. When I've been focusing on human interaction on a morning to night basis...having no access to television or excuses that I'm busy...that will be a big change.
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