I chose this photo of me in front of my mom’s former high school in Santa Ana, El Salvador, because I was, in many respects, a student during this fellowship. I have always said what I love about my job the most is that the world is my classroom. I learn something new from each and every person I come across and all the places and cultures I’m exposed to. Some of the things I learned during this fellowship were:

* How to remain calm (not just pretend to be calm) in exhaustive, stressful situations. 

* A reminder of the great potential that comes in working in a collaborative, effective team environment. 

* A refresher on how to share your “me” time with others in a graceful and gracious way. 

* How to adapt to a constantly-changing, demanding environment

* How conducting interviews in a foreign land can differ from one’s home country. 

* How to take risks and try new things and experiences. 

* How to escape if tied in handcuffs, duct tape or a zip tie. 

* How I might possibly react/respond in a kidnapping situation in a foreign land. 

* How to be much more aware of my surroundings. 

* How I might potentially react/respond in a shooting 

* Self-defense techniques that could save my life or that of another person’s one day

* Basic emergency response techniques that could also save my life or that of another person’s someday. 

* The genuine realization how fortunate I am to be an American woman with rights and privileges others could only dream of. 

* How not to sweat the small stuff as much, and realize that perfectionism will never guarantee perfection. 

Thank you IWMF for this invaluable experience.