Huntsman Scholar, Travel to Europe and Ghana

It is nice to have things to look forward to that I (Joey) am really excited about. It just makes life exciting.

First an update on our last post about going to Uganda. Well, I are not going to Uganda. However, WE are going to Ghana. I had an orientation meeting yesterday about the SEED program, and they switch us, because instead of having a single guy being stuck with a married couple in Ghana, and the same in Uganda, they put the single guys together in Uganda, and the married couples together in Ghana. And we are 92% sure that Emily is going to go too. Part of the reason is the next big news.

I interviewed for a Huntsman Scholar position back in February. It is kind of the best scholarship in the School of Business. Initially I was told that I didn't get accepted, but then I got an email saying there was another spot open and they wanted to do another interview. So I did that and they said they'd let us know in a few days...well it took them like 3 weeks, and stuff like that makes me anxious. It was nerve racking because it changes when I will graduate, so the whole next year was up in the air. Anywho, to make a long story short I got an email today that said:

Dear Joey,

Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you a position within the Fall 2010 Scholar Class of the Huntsman Scholar Program. Sorry to make you wait for a response for so long!

As a Scholar, you will participate in the fall Semester program which includes an intensive study and travel experience in Europe.

We look forward to receiving your confirmation and welcome you into the program.

Regards,

Stacey Hills & Shannon Peterson

Co-Directors, Huntsman Scholars Program

The intensive semester it mentioned is REALLY intensive I hear. So Em and I probably won't get to see each other as much as we'd like in the fall, so that helped us decide that Em should definitely come to Africa.

In other exciting news, Em and I went to an Extreme Sports Movie night last night and she won a skateboard deck. Go team!

Iganga, Uganda and the SEED program

I received the following yesterday:

Dear Joe,

I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted as an intern for the SEED program in Africa this summer. You will be stationed in a village outside of Iganga in Uganda and you will be working with Ben Macey. You will be responsible for identifying microfinance opportunities and educating and assisting those capable of pursuing those opportunities.

The internship goes from May 17 – August 9. You will be responsible to get with Ben, coordinate your schedules, and book your flights so that you can fly together.

We are pleased to have you in this program and look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Kaitlin Stewart

SEED Administrative Assistant

So there you have it. And actually this was all a VERY big surprise to us. Two weeks ago my (Joey) professor talked about these SEED internships available in Africa. At that point Emily and I were pretty sure we were going to go to Pocatello, but I've always wanted to go to Africa, so I thought heck, I'll just turn in an application/resume. So I did and forgot about it. Then this past Monday, I got an email from the director of the SEED program (my professor) and he asked if I'd stop by for an interview. So I figured he was just going to interview everyone and then select someone. So I got to the interview and first thing I did was ask for more details about the program, and he gave me the details about the assignments (which took about 30 minutes). Then he ended somewhat abruptly by saying, "Okay, I'll send you an email tonight and let you know for sure." I was confused at this point, because I thought this was an interview, but he hadn't asked anything about me. So I walked out with the feeling that either I had pretty much already been selected, OR screwed something up and he was kicking me out of the office.

But the next day I got the above letter. So all of a sudden I'm going to be in Africa all summer long. I am stoked! This is a dream come true and a once in a lifetime opportunity maybe.

So....we are unsure about what Emily is doing, because I didn't know she could come with me, but I guess she can. So she is scrambling to find an orphanage there that she can teach at to count as her practicum. So she may be coming with me. So we'll let you know.

I am unsure about to many details of the area right now. I know they do have electricity (but it is intermittent). And the main village has some internet cafe's, so I can send home pictures. And they do speak English...sort of. It is British English and a little strange sounding with their accents.

I keep thinking it will be like "The Other Side of Heaven". In fact my professor, when he was doing the recap in our meeting said it like this, "So basically you fly into the capital city (Kampala)...there should be someone to pick you up at the airport...you'll find a bus going out to Igana...find a place to live...and start overseeing microloans....oh, and teach business classes 3 times a week."

It popped!

So Joey was helping Emily make some curry stuff, and she was heating some oil and then she dumped the chicken in and it splattered on Joey's hand....and he got this big blister. Cool, huh?

Then a few days ago, Joey was shaking someone's hand (I won't say who to protect the innocent) and it popped! It was gross. There was sooo much liquid.

So the moral of the story is: Be good.