I've done my part, now it's up to the university to decide.
My scores aren't as high as the school's average but I'm a whole person not just a number from a score.
Please pray that God would direct the university administration to the right decision for my life, whether that is attending there or finding something else.
God is good and there is no denying that :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Dreams, Grad School?
So this story has changed so many times and I'm convinced will continue to change. It all started back when I was 6 years old. I wanted to be a ballet teacher. So mom signed me up for dance. I took ballet for 30min and tap for 30min. After four years I had to pick. Was it to be tap or ballet for a whole hour? With ballet my arms got tired of being held up in funny shapes, and my toes were tired of pointing. The choice was clear; tap it was. I said goodbye to a very real dream of being a ballet teacher.
When I was 15 years old I decided I wanted to be a special education teacher. (are we sensing a theme here, teaching) I spent all Jr High and High School deciding which grade level I would teach. I worked in all the age groups. High school was my favorite without a doubt. There is so much to learn about life as a high school-er. I had a vision of starting a general ed leadership through service class. The students from general ed would learn about what it is to be a leader and then practically use their knowledge by serving their peers in the special education department. That all changed when I was given yet another choice. This one had a greater effect on my life then ballet vs tap. Would I be willing to move for a year to Burundi, Africa.
After a month of living in Burundi I realized that my heart was there. I wanted to see life for those who had no voice, were forced to beg on the streets, hid in their homes, and who society did not have resources or knowledge to deal with. I wanted to see nationals empowered to make a difference in their own country. I wanted to be the catalyst that pushed them on to great things; knowing that I, as an outsider, could never make an impact that was culturally relevant as well as they could for their neighbors.
But just like before my dreams were halted and options were presented. Now I'm faced with a choice. Do I write off my dream or do I allow it to be changed to something greater?
Currently I'm faced with the fact that the main platform to share concepts of special education in East Africa is in a university setting. This would require a master's level degree. I could work for another special education organization, which there are very few world wide. But I've contacted lots of them and they currently are not in need of me.
The other option I have is to give up on Africa and focus again on the dream I had 3 short years ago, but I don't think that's a wise choice. Every time in my life I'm faced with a choice and I take an opportunity I learn more about who I am and what I do best; what I was made for. I get closer and closer to a dream that I didn't know I could dream about.
So I'm going to chase this one. I've applied to the Graduate School of Education at University of Pennsylvania. They have a program that looks tailor made for my dream. It's called the International Educational Development Program. It takes only a year if I go full time. And bonus, summer semester is spent abroad. Which means I could be back in Africa (no guarantee on location) as soon as next June.
The next step is Tuesday 6/21/11 taking the GRE (it's like the SAT test for Master's programs). Please pray for me as I'm starting it at 3pm and it goes until 9:30pm. I'm not a night person but that was the only time available.
Once the school knows my scores they will let me know if I'm invited to attend there.
I believe this is a step in the right direction towards my dream.
When I was 15 years old I decided I wanted to be a special education teacher. (are we sensing a theme here, teaching) I spent all Jr High and High School deciding which grade level I would teach. I worked in all the age groups. High school was my favorite without a doubt. There is so much to learn about life as a high school-er. I had a vision of starting a general ed leadership through service class. The students from general ed would learn about what it is to be a leader and then practically use their knowledge by serving their peers in the special education department. That all changed when I was given yet another choice. This one had a greater effect on my life then ballet vs tap. Would I be willing to move for a year to Burundi, Africa.
After a month of living in Burundi I realized that my heart was there. I wanted to see life for those who had no voice, were forced to beg on the streets, hid in their homes, and who society did not have resources or knowledge to deal with. I wanted to see nationals empowered to make a difference in their own country. I wanted to be the catalyst that pushed them on to great things; knowing that I, as an outsider, could never make an impact that was culturally relevant as well as they could for their neighbors.
But just like before my dreams were halted and options were presented. Now I'm faced with a choice. Do I write off my dream or do I allow it to be changed to something greater?
Currently I'm faced with the fact that the main platform to share concepts of special education in East Africa is in a university setting. This would require a master's level degree. I could work for another special education organization, which there are very few world wide. But I've contacted lots of them and they currently are not in need of me.
The other option I have is to give up on Africa and focus again on the dream I had 3 short years ago, but I don't think that's a wise choice. Every time in my life I'm faced with a choice and I take an opportunity I learn more about who I am and what I do best; what I was made for. I get closer and closer to a dream that I didn't know I could dream about.
So I'm going to chase this one. I've applied to the Graduate School of Education at University of Pennsylvania. They have a program that looks tailor made for my dream. It's called the International Educational Development Program. It takes only a year if I go full time. And bonus, summer semester is spent abroad. Which means I could be back in Africa (no guarantee on location) as soon as next June.
The next step is Tuesday 6/21/11 taking the GRE (it's like the SAT test for Master's programs). Please pray for me as I'm starting it at 3pm and it goes until 9:30pm. I'm not a night person but that was the only time available.
Once the school knows my scores they will let me know if I'm invited to attend there.
I believe this is a step in the right direction towards my dream.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Heart Change
It's amazing how different things look when you look at them from a different angle. Perhaps the extra time I'm here is just more time to prepare for my return. Hmmm
I'm starting a to do list and beginning to use my time more wisely.
Anyone know where I can learn the basics on blind education or physical therapy? I also want to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
Just some things that could come in handy in the future :)
I'm starting a to do list and beginning to use my time more wisely.
Anyone know where I can learn the basics on blind education or physical therapy? I also want to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
Just some things that could come in handy in the future :)
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