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(This blog, this post, and all related accounts are not an official Department of State publication, and that the views and information presented are the Grantee’s and do not represent the Fulbright Program, ECA, the Post, Fulbright Commission, or the host country’s government or institutions.) I played Dixit for the first time at the Fulbright two-month check-in meeting. This open-ended card game features a collection of stunningly nuanced paintings or drawings on each face. In this version of the game, our coordinator prompted each of us to choose two cards: one that represented a moment of pride or joy and another for a challenge we faced in April or May.
My prideful card depicted a child walking through a forest green hilly landscape under a sunset sky. The child blows bubbles in the shapes of planets into the sky, which rise above the sunset’s borders into the borderless night sky littered with stars. In my card of challenge, a white daisy threatens to crack through the floor of concrete it grows through. The daisy’s stem yanks at the petals; a few are already missing. Two petals float off into the distant, dark cloudy background. What do you think they mean? I’ll give you a moment. . . Just checking in, are you ready? It’s ok. Take your time. I’m not in any rush. Alright, let’s continue. The prideful card signifies blowing out my ideas into existence. Each of the planets represent one project or idea I brought to life in the past two months: a video exchange system with a Spanish immersion school in Duluth, Minnesota, a children’s book guide, swing dance classes, and writing original songs to share with my students. Now, they float out in the universe among the stars. My ideas are strung together, constructing a constellation: a visual synopsis of my contributions and lessons. I hope the impact of this bubble solar system, this constellation, lingers after I depart Montevideo. The card of challenge is a visual representation of the first month settling into a new life in Uruguay. I scoured websites for volunteer opportunities, optimistically messaged contacts about course hours, and leapt out of my comfort zone to visit unfamiliar parts of the city. When I arrived in Montevideo, I was handed a white daisy of possibilities. Each event and bus trip to Ciudad Vieja was a petal. And when those fell through, or I realized the possibility could not blossom into reality, the petal was yanked away by the stem. Yank! Yank! Yank! Yank! One after the other, possibilities stripped away until I was left almost hopeless. Despite my routine misfortune, I kept going out, manifesting new possibilities. My gifted flower displayed layers of petals—it was nowhere near bare. And with time, the stem relinquished its tension on a few petals. The flower of possibility is not in full bloom anymore, but it is still standing strong because now, it is planted in soft soil of trust and relationships, not the crumbling concrete of uncertainty. Dixit was the prelude to a four-hour meeting of reflection and looking forward. As the calendar creeps closer to June, the sun inches closer to the precipice of setting on my time in Montevideo. Time is an illusion, it’s true. The second month passed in a flash. It is taxing to recall everything that occurred in a day. I championed reluctance every evening when I snuggled into my comfortable bed with four layered blankets for warmth. My journal was heavy in my hands, and sometimes picking it up and confronting the next empty page was too much of a chore. I am grateful for the chilly nights when I found the strength to write a bullet-point list of events that transpired. It is a resource I leaned on when crafting this post. And I know I will regret not filling in the spaces of two, three days in between entries when I backtrack back home. That being said, this post is my best attempt at recollection. My journal, “Favorites” photo album, and emotions serve as my comforting guides. So without further ado, here’s a reflection on month two.
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(This blog, this post, and all related accounts are not an official Department of State publication, and that the views and information presented are the Grantee’s and do not represent the Fulbright Program, ECA, the Post, Fulbright Commission, or the host country’s government or institutions.)
On Tuesday, one of the other grantees texted our group chat with the thought provoking prompt: “How was day 2 (with a song?)”. Usually, I struggle to connect my reflections to obscure references, but this time, a song immediately jumped through my head. The chipper, encouraging Cheers TV show theme, “You wanna go where everybody knows your name” seamlessly floated into my train of thought. Let me explain.
Follow Journal of an Evolving Teacher on social media!
Disclaimer
This blog, this post, and all related accounts are not an official Department of State publication, and that the views and information presented are the Grantee’s and do not represent the Fulbright Program, ECA, the Post, Fulbright Commission, or the host country’s government or institutions.
When I begin to write this post, it is January 11th, which means I have two and a half months until I depart for Uruguay. It is impossible to wrap my head around this shrinking timeline despite how much I talk about it. I feel so out of control as I frantically organize my weekly work schedule around sporadic social gatherings. Little energy remains for pre-departure tasks, so should I spend my free time contemplating the present or the future?
There does not seem to be a perfect ratio. However, to soften the breathtaking blows of culture shock and physical distance, I am beginning my mental transition early. As a type A planner, I already curated a checklist with sub-checklists of purchases, forms, and tasks. My parents push me to progressively empty my bedroom in Duluth of unnecessary loads: out-of-season clothes, books, wallhangings, etc. Soon, my life will once again be reduced to boxes and bags to be reorganized in a new way, for my new destination. 
Follow Journal of an Evolving Teacher on social media!
This blog, post, all related accounts are not an official Department of State publication, and that the views and information presented are the Grantee’s and do not represent the Fulbright Program, ECA, the Post, Fulbright Commission, or the host country’s government or institutions.
. . .Welcome, Fulbright applicants! You are about to embark on an extensive application process that (hopefully) will lead you on your next international adventure! The deadline is approaching in a few short months (October 10th, 2023)!
(I forgot to mention: it is free to apply to Fulbright. . .yippee!). I hope this post provides reassurance and guidance throughout the turbulent next few months of preparation, submission, and anticipation. I am a grantee/finalist for a Fulbright ETA scholarship to Uruguay. To view a timeline of my application process, scroll down to the end of this post. Please note, I am sharing this guide from an ETA (English Teaching Assistantship) perspective; therefore, the recommendations on essays and application requirements are geared towards an ETA grant. |
AuthorMeghan Hesterman (she/her) is an aspiring educator, storyteller, and traveler. Through regular posts and commentary, she candidly reflects on her evolution as an educator and young adult. Categories
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