Team Quest at Piney Lake

On Monday, we had a really cool experience with Team Quest at Piney Lake. The purpose of Team Quest is to strengthen groups and teams and create a sense of unity that can only be achieved through trust and confidence in every individual and in the group as a whole. For me, this experience helped me bond with many of the students and get to know many of them better. We shared this experience together –struggles and successes alike– it felt as though everyone was brought closer. I sensed a great deal of support and encouragement, and every single participant completed every single challenge, which is easier said than done in a high-ropes course! Even though there were moments of hesitation and doubt, the group was so wonderful, encouraging, and supportive that it eased many fears and created a high level of motivation. It seemed as though everyone wanted to do their very best –both for personal acheivements, but also for the group. We were all in this together, and it was heart-warming to see everyone work so well together and get to know each other in new ways.

International Civil Rights Museum, Greensboro, NC

And so it begins…

It is day three of the German-American Fulbright Summer Institute 2011 at UNCG, and time is already flying by.  For the past few months, I have been eagerly looking forward to this time, but I have also been a little nervous about the program, since this is the first time I am part of something like this– on the leadership side of things.

Meeting everyone on Thursday night was great, and my anxieties started to ease as I was able to talk to the students, start getting to know everyone, and start getting busy with our schedule. So far, we have been able to figure out the logistics, such as setting up e-mail accounts and getting ID cards. We have had our orientations, been to the Emerald Point Water Park, and been able to go out in Greensboro. Quite a big accomplishment for two or three days, I think!

I am so excited about spending another 2 weeks with the Fulbrighters, who are such an awesome group of people! I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of the students, and sharing our many adventures, conversations, and overall development over the course of the program. I am also looking forward to having some more formal group sessions that will focus on processing and talking about what we are all going through, and what these experiences mean and bring up for us. The “American life” with all its beauty–AND also with its fair share of struggles and differences— is very new for many of the Fulbrighters, and it’s not always easy to deal with and adapt to.

I am looking forward to sharing both these struggles and accomplishments with everyone. Thank you all for an amazing first few days and for many more to come!

Also, please remember that I am always available to you (as is Steve, Brian, and everyone else you have been in contact with), and if you have ANY issues, or just need to talk, there is NEVER a bad time to approach me, e-mail me, call me 🙂

-Paulina

(Graduate Assistant & Program Coordinator)