Helicopter Parent

Had to deal with a unique situation this afternoon. I've been in contact with a woman whose child is has paid a deposit to go on the trip. However, s/he is not an official student, so there is some red tape to wade through. And they ran into some typical bureaucratic stuff (closed offices, run around, etc). However, it's been all the mom dealing with it. The child has only sent me one email. The mother has emailed at least twice a week for the past three or four weeks. Finally, I emailed my mind (I've made some changes for privacy):

I listened to the voice mail. I appreciate your efforts. I am a bit concerned that you are doing all of the work and ---- isn't taking the initiative. I understand -- is in ----but s/he should be the one doing this legwork. If I am going out of country with students, I need to know they can handle things on their own because s/he is not going to have you, or me for that matter, to handle these types of situations. I do these trips because my typical community college student needs this opportunity to mature and take responsibility for his/her life; study abroad is often his/her first experience of true independence. The first step in this journey is dealing with the red tape prior to leaving. I would suggest that you have ---- take more of an active role in this process; it will be better for all involved.

Once an appointment is made, let me know who it is with and we will figure out how to get the paperwork to you or the counselor.

Game on

The trip is a go. I have 16 deposits- 14 women, 2 men. They all are excited - most have said they are looking forward to the volunteer work. I am glad. I expect three or four more. It will be a good sized group, manageable.

I am switching focus now- from the second phase of recruitment (the first phase is conceptualizing/planning), to the third phase of details. How will the students pay their remaining balances, drafting a contract, what will the students be doing exactly day to day. I have been in contact with the school, my amazing dean, Gloria Miranda.

I need to gather my course materials together. My goal is to produce a workbook of sorts with readings and material needed for 1C and for the volunteer projects. Something my students can write in and turn in to me.

This week we will finalize the contract. Figure out the payment option. Begin to shape the volunteer work.

I have also decided that we need to raise $500 for supplies. I will enlist the students, talk to the Foundation, maybe do some fundraising activities on campus- bake sale, car wash, the usual. Maybe we can do something different.

I have one more informational meeting. Then I will be squarely in phase three.

Becoming Real

The trip is becoming real. I have 13 students who have submitted deposits. I need at least 15 to make. One girl emailed me today and told me she is coming by tomorrow with her check. Another said her friend is coming soon with a check. That will make 15.

I need to contact Intercultura, to finalize a contract. To settle on numbers, itineraries.

I have booked a flight at Thanksgiving to ensure the volunteer project is worthwhile. I have a lot riding on this trip; it is an initiation of sorts for me and El Camino. I see this as a vanguard, the first of many. Next summer, I'd like to visit Cambodia with the Fulbright grant trip Bo Morton is putting together. I see Cuba as a potential site. Africa? India? There is no shortage of developing country locations.

I have one more informational meeting and then I move to the next phase. I need to organize my classwork, put together my readings.

A neighbor, Tom who is an avid surfer, told me the other day that crime is rising in CR. Bandits are hijacking buses, ambushing Americans. This makes me nervous. Not for myself- for the students. I check the government website, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html. It is not as bad as Tom made it out to be. Typical stuff, a slight increase because the economy is bad. There are no official warnings. I am not worried about Samara. It is small, intimate. The petty stuff is always there- no worse than Venice, Santa Monica, the South Bay. Hell, books get stolen out of the library everyday.

I am excited. The clock is ticking. January 10 will be here before we know it.