Johnny Kim
8 weeks or 2 months. It sounded like a long time before the program started. I had many expectations for the DukeEngage program, and I still remember feeling excited when the plane landed at the New Orleans International Airport. Now we have only a few days left here in the Big Easy, and it has yet to dawn on me that I'll be leaving this place for good. This post is going to be slightly sentimental, so bear with me.
I was very excited for the program, but I was never sure what to expect. Friends who were in the program told me many eventful stories about the program, but also told me that words really can't describe the wonderful experience I am going to have in this city. Now, I finally fully understand what my friends meant.
I have utterly fallen in love with the city. 8 weeks seem like a pretty short time to fall in love with something, but New Orleans definitely had its way of persuading me. Before the program, I never really understood why native New Orleanians would ever come back to a city that was so hard hit from Katrina and still experiences seasonal hurricanes year after year. But from big attractions like the food, music and cultures to little details like the "New Orleans" way of life style, I think I got a glimpse into why people would come back to the city.
I was very excited for the program, but I was never sure what to expect. Friends who were in the program told me many eventful stories about the program, but also told me that words really can't describe the wonderful experience I am going to have in this city. Now, I finally fully understand what my friends meant.
I have utterly fallen in love with the city. 8 weeks seem like a pretty short time to fall in love with something, but New Orleans definitely had its way of persuading me. Before the program, I never really understood why native New Orleanians would ever come back to a city that was so hard hit from Katrina and still experiences seasonal hurricanes year after year. But from big attractions like the food, music and cultures to little details like the "New Orleans" way of life style, I think I got a glimpse into why people would come back to the city.
My experiences working with the American Red Cross was simply fantastic. The job description I read before the program started was pretty simple: I will be doing presentations about hurricane preparedness to the community. However, the amount of exposure and experiences I have gotten from working with kids, seniors, adults from various backgrounds in every possible corner of Louisiana was definitely not expected. Anshu and I have travelled not only to every major part of New Orleans, but we have done presentations in the North Shore, West bank, South of Mississippi River and even had a chance to do a presentation all the way out in Baton Rouge. With the support of our wonderful supervisor, Maureen, who provided the right amount of guidance and independence, we were able to reach out to about 2,500 individuals in the area about hurricane and fire safety. At the end of each presentations, individuals would come up to us and personally thank our effort, and the realization that I am making small impact in the city by educating the public about very critical and imminent information definitely makes me feel grateful for the opportunity that the program has provided me. Working for the American Red Cross not only taught me more about the history of Katrina and New Orleans, but I also learned these stories in much more personable manner.
My job experience is definitely not the only thing I am going to miss. I am going to miss going out to various restaurants for amazing food. There were so many options that I could choose from when we decided to eat out that I was always very excited. I also loved the musical culture: listening to jazz at the Snug Harbor, Natchez and even at the Preservation Hall left me yearning for more New Orleans jazz.
Last but not least, the people. I want to thank everyone who made my experience here in New Orleans wonderful and unforgettable. Our program directors, Ashley and Juan, were always accommodating and supportive of our experiences and made sure that we got the best out of New Orleans. People at the American Red Cross could not have done a better job making Anshu and me feel at home from the very first day and especially our supervisor, Maureen, and AmeriCorp member, Amanda, who helped us adapt to the new work environment seamless. And there are the other DukeEngagers. Without the 14 wonderful friends I have made through this program who I was able to experience the wonders of New Orleans together, it would not have been the same, and I am forever grateful for their friendship and bonding experiences.
That being said, this has been one of my most fantastic life experiences, and has truly changed my perspective on so many issues. Thank you.
That being said, this has been one of my most fantastic life experiences, and has truly changed my perspective on so many issues. Thank you.