Prior to the start of the residency week, I was consumed by feelings of excitement, fear, and uncertainty. It was thrilling that the long-awaited residency week was finally near but at the same time, I really did not know what I was getting into and, if, when I did get into it, it would be what I wanted. But I guess that is how it always goes in life. Hence, the whole bit about having to get your feet wet.
To my relief, the residency week proved that I was, indeed, in the right place and that I would be able to handle this new chapter of my life. I was concerned that my fellow students would be the wrong kind of people and that this would sour me out of the program. It really matters to me that I am surrounded by the right individuals, because then I know that I am in the right place. Needless to say, the group of students is very diverse but the thread that links us all is highly evident.
Each person in the program has their own idea of what cultural sustainability means to them and how they plan on using the skills that we will be acquiring. Not only does this demonstrate the breadth of cultural sustainability, it also demonstrates its importance. Clearly if this concept matters to such a diverse group of individuals, it has to have some sort of significance.
Through various discussions with people about their projects, the freedom that the program provides has really been demonstrated. It was interesting to learn about the problems of Native American tribes, Maryland’s eastern shore residents, the study abroad world, and many others. The team-building activities such as the leadership-style compass really helped me see the different approaches that people take to solve a problem and that there are, indeed, many ways to look at the same problem. I also liked the field trips we took to the eastern shore and the Philadelphia folklore project, because it showed me a picture of this new community that I have joined. Most people aren’t blessed enough to get the experience of living in their dream community for a week, I was.
Because of this week, I learned that it is okay to be yourself and follow your dreams, even if they aren’t cookie cutter dreams of having a white picket fence and a doctor for a husband. In this creative and warm environment, I feel that I will truly be able to do my best work and push myself to the next level. I can be myself and really do something that I care about, which is an amazing feeling. This program is encouraging, rather than discouraging. I mean “wow,” they are actually letting me do a project on Goths and aren’t giving me the hair eyeball!
Bottom line, this residency week gave me the additionally courage that I needed in order to make this freak show of a project come to life. It’s okay to dare and dream and push boundaries, you just have to find a place that is confident enough in itself and you. This Cultural Sustainability program is the answer to my prayers.
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