Summer Training: Week One

Where do I begin...This past week has been crazy, logging over 70 hours in the office, but so much fun! Summer training for the Patriot Leaders began on Monday so we are busy bees from at least 6am to 9pm everyday. Retreat was on Tuesday and Wednesday and words really can't describe the experience. It was physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. We did a high ropes course (which is one of my biggest fears), listened to everyone share deeply personal stories around the campfire (again words can't describe this experience), learned about the FISH! philosophy, build bikes for the Boys and Girls Club, worked on team-building activities and learned more about Mason and orientation. This week we met with quite a few campus stakeholders (Specific Colleges, Admissions, The Freshman Center, etc.), which was especially helpful for me to grasp a better understanding of the campus culture and services. It has been a great learning experience to watch the Head Team members put summer training together, as corny as it sounds I can truly see student development theory playing out before my eyes. Our mornings are mostly spent in meetings then we all have lunch together in one of the student centers which has been great to learn more about where the PLs are coming from while living the dream of life with a meal plan. In the afternoons we work on our specific projects and program pieces. This past week we had quite a few song and dance practices, to learn their alma mater Patriot Pride and the orientation rendition to Tik Tok, needless to say both are humorous. Speaking of laughs, every night from 6-8 we have skit practice. Skits are a critical part of orientation at Mason and it is the job of the interns to make sure they run smoothly. While every day has a schedule, no two days have been the same. The new environment here is amazing. I absolutely love the students I work with! They are so much fun, have high skill-sets, and are the most diverse group I have ever worked with. The ProStaff clicks as well. We already hangout outside the office and while at work the laughter and jokes do not stop. One of our supervisors Katie graduated from HESA a few years ago so it's been nice to have her perspective and understanding of where I'm coming from. On Friday the other intern Katie (from Elon) and I met up with our supervisor Katie and her friend in Georgetown to see SATC2, which was so cute! We also decided that we need to find boyfriends in Georgetown because it may be my new favorite place. Saturday we went shopping at Tyson's corner and then had a relaxing night in. Yesterday Katie invited us to her pool and we had time to chat about South Carolina so that was refreshing. Today we will most likely hangout with one of our other supervisors, Cal, who started the same day as us and has really clicked with us. We've also been really good about running or going to the gym everyday which has been great to get back into. I'm so grateful that I have other grad students here to share my experience with and can't wait to get back to Cola to hear about all of my friends' adventures! Looking forward to what the next week will bring!