Return to the Continent. . .

After a 5-year hiatus, I am starting the blog up again, because my life is about to get a little bit less mundane, and a little more blog-worthy. I'm seizing a very unique window and going abroad again, this time to serve first, and learn second.   After 3 years in Washington DC, I am leaving for Geneva from January through July to serve for six months, three in Geneva, and an additional three in Juba, South Sudan, God willing.  After that, I plan to begin a full-time program in public policy in the fall. . . I've applied to a number of places, and will have to see how admissions and financial aid shakes out. 

DC was wonderful, but I am ready for a change of scene for a few years at least. I am taking the next several months to pursue something I've always wanted to: international service.  I spent most of high school and college dead-set on the Peace Corps, but when the time came after graduation, I wasn't quite ready to take that step. Now that I'm ready and able, I'll be volunteering instead with a small organization called VIDES (http://vides.us/) run by an order of Catholic nuns, called the Salesians who focus on tending to the young, especially young women,which is both important to me personally and smart international development.  In Geneva, I'll be supporting the work of the order's human rights office, advocating for the rights and protection of children and youth.  In Juba, it'll be a little more traditional service work.  The sisters are establishing a school there, so I'll have the opportunity to help with organizational work, as well as teaching English and computers. 

So far, the organization has been wonderful.  I trained with them for 2 weeks in Texas in January and am now fully formed and ready for anything.  VIDES provides logistical support, health insurance, room and board, while I am responsible for my flights and personal expenses.   I've done some fundraising, and will be relying on the savings I've built up, in part with this kind of experience in mind. 

I welcome your thoughts, comments and questions. For those of you who know me, I do want to express my gratitude to all of you.   These past few years have been really wonderful, and in spite of tough times, I've been continually surprised by the support, advice, and time that my friends and family continue to give, even when there's not a lot of time or energy to go around.   In a roundabout way, these next months are a way to give back a little and remind myself not to take anything for granted.

In peace,

Laura