The Late Arrival and Rough Start

June 1st I arrived home from my first summer adventure, a volunteer trip to the Philippines! I have the world's weakest immune system, and was congratulating myself and being congratulating for arriving home in one piece having no incidences for the whole trip. We climbed southeast Asia's tallest mountain, Mount. Guiting Guiting, a mountain used to train for Everest! I arrived home and within 48 hours became violently ill with a stomach virus which doctors say was from the Philippines, so joy, intense pain and sickness, so I was sedated on gravol. My mom was to drive me to Ottawa to find a place to rent, being gone the whole month of May I still had that minor detail to figure out, and then to start my internship less than a week back from the Philippines.

The departure date for Ottawa was pushed back and back, on Sunday June 6th though I had no choice. I started my internship the next day (June 7th) still had no place to rent and was in Toronto. So put some business attire in a bag with some other basics and off I went to Ottawa. Found a place by 4pm, the furniture for my rented furnished room arrived and was set up by 6:30pm, and I went to bed by 7pm.

Monday June 7th - FIRST DAY OF INTERNSHIP

My internship position is at "Fulbright Canada" or "the Foundation of Educational Exchange between the United States and Canada". My project this summer is to coordinate the orientation weekend held in September for all incoming Fulbright student and scholars (graduates and professors) and Killam Fellows (undergraduates).

The morning was a bit rough but comical, my computer wasn't working, none of the spare computers were cooperating. They finally got my computer up and running only to realize that much of the software needed updating...(I can go on). At the end of the day I had a computer that worked and a tedious project to work on, updating emails in the database. I was so excited to be here and I love the office, I love the building and atmosphere, I love the staff, and I will be more than excited to take on any project!

For the last two days I have begun my project, alot of arranging. Arranging the participants and their travel, arranging activities, and all that comes with it.

This year is the 20th anniversary and on orientation weekend there will be a gala, which I will be able to get all dressed up for!

They've kept things interesting with a couple smaller projects thrown my way. I was invited to a eco scavenger hunt by one of the staff members. Tuesday evening after work, I joined a team to do a scavenger hunt all around downtown Ottawa. I met some people and I became more familiar with the streets and different things to see and do in Ottawa.

So far, I LOVE this opportunity. I love being away from home and living on my own (first time). Ottawa is smaller and quieter than Toronto, but for those who know me, that fits me perfectly!