Ma Parole
So it seems this time around I’m putting up much more photos and much less commentary. I’d have to say it’s the product of a fast internet connection and a busy schedule. Unlike my first 2 years of Peace Corps… I feel like my time here is a bit rushed. I just got here and I only have 11 months left. There is so much that I want to do, and it seems I don’t have enough time to get it all done. My goals range from personal to professional. To give you a brief idea of where I am right now and where I want to be in one year’s time (in no particular order) :
So as you can see I’m going to be quite busy. No more sitting at home reading book after book. Even if some of the things don’t pan out I’ll still have a full plate. I just got back from a Cisco Systems conference in Dakar that had directors from the US and Europe as well as the directors of the academies from francophone Africa (made me feel like a real grown up). I had a little bit to contribute to the conference because the directors from the US and Europe either 1) don’t speak French or 2) have a clue about how IT works in the African culture context. I’m currently trying to I get an information packet together on how to request a Peace Corps volunteer for the academies. Also I met with the representative for the UN for Small Business in St. Louis and he can’t wait to start taking me around to show me all of the different activities here. As you can see there is definitely more name dropping which will do nicely for the B-School applications. Also, I bet you also noticed a difference in what I’m doing in Senegal compared to Burkina…I’m working locally and internationally at the same time. It just goes with my theme for this third year. BIGGER AND BETTER. Whether it’s my living conditions, work, or social life…that is the running mantra… to be continued all things mentioned above are to be put on hold for, you guessed it, I.S.T. (In Service Training) which will be three weeks looooooooooooooooooooonnng. So till then I got to be patient and get back to my grand plan in March which at that time I’ll just have 10 months! Allons-y!
So it seems this time around I’m putting up much more photos and much less commentary. I’d have to say it’s the product of a fast internet connection and a busy schedule. Unlike my first 2 years of Peace Corps… I feel like my time here is a bit rushed. I just got here and I only have 11 months left. There is so much that I want to do, and it seems I don’t have enough time to get it all done. My goals range from personal to professional. To give you a brief idea of where I am right now and where I want to be in one year’s time (in no particular order) :
• Study for and take GMAT
• Help get the Cisco Networking Academy more students and organize its finances (coordinate with US and European offices to develop program goals in Africa) could possibly include travel to other African countries…we’ll see if Peace Corps will allow it ;)
• Work with the United Nations Development Program in Saint-Louis on Small Business efforts
• Possibly organize a summer program with Kellogg Business School (although the outlook is looking bleak)
• Complete CCNA 1 and 2 Cisco Certification
• Learn Wolof
• Perfect my French
• Get back into “near” marathon shape…so I can at least train for my second one upon “re-entry”
• Gig with my saxophone on weekends (ask for MP3 clip of my first concert and see pics below)
• Applications for Business School in the fall
So as you can see I’m going to be quite busy. No more sitting at home reading book after book. Even if some of the things don’t pan out I’ll still have a full plate. I just got back from a Cisco Systems conference in Dakar that had directors from the US and Europe as well as the directors of the academies from francophone Africa (made me feel like a real grown up). I had a little bit to contribute to the conference because the directors from the US and Europe either 1) don’t speak French or 2) have a clue about how IT works in the African culture context. I’m currently trying to I get an information packet together on how to request a Peace Corps volunteer for the academies. Also I met with the representative for the UN for Small Business in St. Louis and he can’t wait to start taking me around to show me all of the different activities here. As you can see there is definitely more name dropping which will do nicely for the B-School applications. Also, I bet you also noticed a difference in what I’m doing in Senegal compared to Burkina…I’m working locally and internationally at the same time. It just goes with my theme for this third year. BIGGER AND BETTER. Whether it’s my living conditions, work, or social life…that is the running mantra… to be continued all things mentioned above are to be put on hold for, you guessed it, I.S.T. (In Service Training) which will be three weeks looooooooooooooooooooonnng. So till then I got to be patient and get back to my grand plan in March which at that time I’ll just have 10 months! Allons-y!
posted by Ryan at 2/11/2006 08:47:00 PM
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