Last week I finally reached Columbia, SC after 16 hours in the car. I definitely would not have been able to do it if it weren't for the music and my friends who kept me on the phone for the duration of the drive. Let me tell you, Columbia is not an easy city to navigate when you have been living in a small town like Stillwater, OK for the past two years. I got lost at least twice, and the coordinator who was supposed to check me in must have thought I was incompetent after having to call him a few times for directions. BUT I made it, and that is the important thing.
This has been such an amazing experience, and I am really loving my supervisors and colleagues. Everyone here has welcomed me into the department, and I can see myself working at a place like this after I graduate next year. I've been able to get students interested in our Common Courses Program (linked course program) and register them for a few of their classes. The department also has me working on a brand new concept: the Associate Learning Community Proposal. Starting this fall, students are able to create their own living-learning community. It needs to be academically-based and have the support from professionals and other interested students. I am working on creating the theme and webpage for this new concept. I am also looking at ways to promote this new program to students and staff members at the university. So far, I have gotten some really great experiences, and the people who work at the university have been great. I don't know if I could say the people in the city are as great, though.
I cannot tell you how many times I have almost been hit by another car. These people cannot drive to save their lives! When I lived in Wilmington, I always thought, "These people are terrible drivers." When I got to Stillwater, I thought, "These people are worse drivers than the people in Wilmington." The drivers in Columbia take the cake for CrAzY! Some of them drive 10 mph under the speed limit, some cut you off while making left-hand turns, and others decide it is alright to blow through red lights. Needless to say, I have not been driving too much since I made it out here.
In other news, Columbia has some amazing farmers markets! They also have a Target and some pretty amazing local and chain restaurants. I am in heaven right now... I'll have to make sure that I get my fix in before I have to travel back out west for another year. Well... it is 12:30 AM, and I have to be at work early. Signing off for the night!
SRB
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