It hasn't seemed real yet. That I am going to India.
Last spring, I applied for the opportunity in a huge rush. I learned about the program five days before the application was due, so I quickly created a collaborative project and pressed my sophomores into research mode.
We set up criteria, and in teams, they found answers to many questions about the 18 possible countries I might list as my top three preferences. Then they made recommendations based on the criteria, advising me to consider or not consider the country they had explored via the Internet. From their input, I narrowed my choices to the three countries I knew the least about and probably would never get to visit without a sponsoring program: India, Senegal, and Georgia.
My AP Language class proofread my application essay, pointing out places where I was not as clear as I had thought. I revised it and sent in the application packet. Then I waited...and I waited... until I got the email notification in August that I had been selected and would be going to India. No idea where, not sure exactly when, no clue with whom, but going to India.
The excitement gradually wore off with so few details. I settled into a general interest and vague enthusiasm generated by the occasional India trip dream or television reference.
Two days ago, it suddenly got real... in a pointed sort of way.
After school during a routine medical checkup, I mentioned to my family doctor that I had been chosen to travel to India in April as part of the US State Department's Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) program. I casually asked him about the shots I would need and if it would be possible to take an antibiotic with me, just in case.
He was only too eager to help. He promptly began ticking off the various immunizations I would need: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria...and maybe Yellow Fever, depending on the zone where I would be. Furthermore, he said, I would need to begin them immediately, as it would take six months to complete the series.
Yikes!
Luckily, his nurse was one of the capable types with a practiced technique. With Bandaids fluttering off her hand and ready for action, she pinched my arm and with the other hand she jabbed her three needles once, twice, and again. B-A-T, she said, from top to bottom. Typhoid, Malaria and Yellow Fever would have to wait for the next round.
India here I come!
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Though the beginning had been painful, I can assure you that the ending will be really rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI too had a long, long wait before I got the intimation from IREX that I had been selected.I relived my experience at the Hospital where I had been for the Medical Checkup, when I went through your experience.
I had to queue up along with the new-born babies for the BCG vaccine ( I was the only adult in the line without a baby!? ). When my turn came, the nurse enquired where the baby was. I looked around and sheepishly answered ,"I am the BABY". Those around me had to stiffle their laughter.
RUGMINI
I love this story. I am so lucky to be working with teachers who appreciate the irony and humor in their lives.
ReplyDeleteHow about starting a blog of your own, Rugmini? I suspect you have several stories eagerly waiting to be told.