Yesterday - Spent half the day on the academic campus reviewing, poking and preparing. Being a stranger here myself, you realize how, well, foreign everything is. If I get a stomach ache, what do I do? If I run out of Benadryl, can I get some and how? I tested the latter - was interesting to walk into a Booths (ladies, you may have seen their products at Target.) I was referred to talk to the doctor. She came out, asked what I was looking for and pulled a small, inexpensive box off the wall from behind her counter. I guess the doctors can require a script or simply hook you up with what you need. Many of our students here are international...some of them may live regionally - but have very diverse backgrounds. In speaking to two students today - I believe about 6 nations were represented - but they were united in their identity as Arab. But the point is, trying to figure out how to get basic needs addressed is important for our students. Part of that is having the information available, and the other will be remembering collectively what has been done in the past. With a new on-campus program - those are things that are in development. Providing live-on staff helps to facilitate that collective memory as the population changes.
In the afternoon, Mandip, Mohammed and I grabbed a taxi for the Mirdiff City Center mall to get supplies for move in. Just some simple welcomes, door decorations and some snacks for the students that would arrive late at night. We navigated the huge mall in search of basic office supplies - and ended up at Borders to grab some markers and colored paper. Then to brave Carrefour for munchies...we picked up some fruit, dates and pretzels - easy snack food. Mohammed is originally from Egypt and says he loves RIT. His sister and mother encouraged....or perhaps strong armed him to apply. "I hope in a few years you'll be able to tell them they were right and thank them!" He says he already has.
For a start up university, the message that keeps coming to me is the care and individual attention that these students receive made a difference in their decision to attend. There's bumps and things to work out as there is at any school. I've made it my habit to ask - "Why RIT?"
I'm also reminded that its the unscripted and the unplanned that can make the most of an impression. I'm not sure if I made an impression on the guys - but they sure made one on me. The discussions and the decisions...I wanted to shoo the men up while I waited for my ride home, but they insisted on hanging out with me. Mo is also very keen on buying a motorcycle. He asks every delivery man if he can ride their bike and even asked to buy a man's bike while we were pulled up next to him in the taxi. ( Mo does well bantering in the language that the person speaks - he's proud of his Hindi vocabulary). Mandip and Mo are complementary leaders - its fun to watch them work together as friends.
Last night Rachel and I were exhausted, still struggling to adjust - but finally convinced each other to go out and forage for food. We both had to start taking pictures- so we started snapping shots in the mall.
Well, I might also add that Rachel and I are also dealing with dizziness and light-headed-ness that we attribute to jet lag. Which translates into being a little clumsy at times.
As I take position to capture the photo, Rachel steps into the shop behind the display - and loses her balance. She lurches forward, knocking over Hello Kitty who, like an enormous bowling ball, then takes out the child mannequin right next to it.
Rachel just took out the window display. I panic and miss the shot, run into the store to assist.
Rachel at this point is about 12 shades of pink darker than anything in the store (which has a LOT of red and pink). We make our humblest apologies and attempts to assist the fuming clerk who makes no eye contact and says nothing. I think she manages to call for her supervisor as we sulk out of the store and proceed to speed walk to the other end of the mall - we'll go back and make sure Hello Kitty is safely back in position...Maybe after we buy a few scarves and veils at the souqs to disguise ourselves.
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Mandip and several of the residents assisted in greeting and ferrying the Study Abroad students back to the campus last night. They were up until 2 am getting the students in safely. I think Mandip was exhausted and we agreed to wait until Saturday afternoon to continue work. I will move in tomorrow to the halls - so we'll see each other despite the National Day and the weekend.
I spent the day on campus putting my notes and recommendations together, pulling some resources for Mandip and planning Saturday's time. I'm using a computer at a reception area so I get a fair share of visitors. The Dubai students were on campus today as Dania had worked to coordinate a service component with the Silicon Oasis's celebration of National Day. A class of special needs students opened the day's celebration, followed by several RIT Dubai students performing a traditional dance. Then, lots of dignitaries, the Sheik was there, cute kids in traditional clothing, an extremely large cake was cut and the students provided face painting, henna painting, and other activities to just hang out with the kids. The kids were so warm and loved it - Ilias was thrilled when a student gestured him over to give him kisses on the shoulder. Dania did a great job structuring a meaningful opportunity for the students to connect...hmm...future student affairs roles for her??
Elias and Hala kept me company at the desk for awhile - sharing their love of Arabic culture and their incredibly diverse stories. Hala was wearing a beautiful traditional dress in magenta with embroidery and flowers...and cute uncomfortable shoes that she shed as soon as possible. Elias was the photographer that day - taking pictures of people trying on the traditional garments. They giggled when I showed them my Berliz Arabic in 60 minutes. Apparently - it was formal Arabic and not conversational. I've got a lot to learn from our students.
The Study Abroad students arrived on campus for their orientation so I snuck out to greet them. They said they felt fine and nodded - but have the tell tale signs of jet lag. Tonight they were going to go for dinner near the indoor ski facility and Rachel and were to join them.
Except that my taxi commute home put me under. Coupled with rush hour traffic and the tap-and-accelerate method of driving, I had to be poured out of the taxi and grabbed onto a hand rail to steady myself. I was able to hold steady and got to my room and hoped a 10 minute nap would stop the nausea. Rachel meanwhile was getting pulled into the work back at Rochester and called me to excuse herself from dinner, just after I told Tom I wasn't feeling well -
I passed out for an hour or so - probably not helping me in my fight to get adjusted to the time - but maybe I just need a night to be down and recharge. I think I will be able to go to sleep tonight.
And I'm sure a few people in retail are happy the Rachel and I are staying in tonight...
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