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Work/life balance?

Ok, stop laughing.

Based on a recent survey that I conducted, more than 90% of study abroad administrators and graduate students planning to work in the field said that felt guilty that they were  not “doing enough” for their clientele (students, faculty, boss, peers) or family.

That makes me sad. It was disturbing to read this type of statistic.

Study abroad staff also shared that work/life balance was often a real challenge for them due to the cyclical nature of the work and the need to be available during emergencies.

From where I sit, much of the challenge also has to do with the rapid rise in study abroad participation coupled with the budget challenges that most universities are facing.  Staffing is down, student participation is up.

Should we be surprised?

I actually wasn’t. The comments in the survey very much mirrored those that I felt when I worked for a school.  I loved my job, but often felt that my concerns about staffing and cross-training fell on deaf ears.  Or I was told about budget challenges, despite what appeared to be tens of thousands of dollars annually being spent on campus programs with food. (Ok, I’ll admit…I’m being obnoxious here, but you get my point.  How many pizza parties does one school need after all?!)

I recently offered a workshop (online) about how we can deal with the stress and honor ourselves by making changes that encourage more work/life balance. It was apparent from the chat room that people really need to talk about this issue.  Makes me wonder how often the Employee Assistance Programs and counseling services are being utilized.

What are your thoughts on the subject? Should there be firm standards regarding staffing expectations based on the number of students that we serve – and if so, how can one be sure they’re being adhered to?  Please feel free to comment below.

And by the way, I might suggest that you forward this post to your boss. I’m serious! I’ve had readers do this in the past – it has has helped to create dialogue.  In one case, a study abroad employee at a northeast university was given an extra day off that week in recognition of her hard work, which her boss only began to understand after reading the post – I think it had to do with something I wrote about the additional work that the volcanic ash flight crisis created for our field a couple of summers ago!)

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So many international educators and graduate students are eager to attend international education conferences.  The challenge, of course, is funding.  It has become increasingly difficult, unless you work for a very well funded university or other organization, to receive approval to attend the two main conferences in our field – NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad.  They are such outstanding events, but the average educator is challenged with the cost of paying “out of pocket.”

To address this, MelibeeU will be offering several affordable, online professional development workshops during the weeks of both of these conferences.  All you need is a computer and phone line or mic.  There is no hotel charge, per diem for meals, or flights.  In fact, you can even wear your jeans to these events – they are all online – YET interactive (we use chat and voice technology for dialogue.) MelibeeU is also all about participation – so you will have opportunity to communicate, network and learn – even if you can’t be at NAFSA or the Forum this year.  (And if you are attending those conferences and still want to participate – even better!)

Please know that I do understand how hard it is to scrape up thousands of dollars to attend these face to face conferences.  It is important to me to ensure that no one else misses out on professional development because we ALL need it, even if your employer is facing budget cuts or you’re a student and simply can’t swing the additional expense.

I’d greatly value your input about what topics you would like covered online.  Please email me at info@melibeeglobal.com or comment below.  I really do value your input!

If you haven’t heard much about MelibeeU yet, here is some feedback from our first workshop:

“This was my first webinar and while the overwhelmingly positive experience I had makes me want to participate in so many more, it will be difficult for future ones to live up to this one!  Very much exceeded my expectations.”

“The exercises … were very well chosen and implemented.”

“Your little examples here and there were so great – they were thoughtful and a variety of audiences could relate.”

 ”It was obvious that my opinion was heard and valued.”

“Resource guide is really great…very helpful…”

Be sure to check MelibeeU in the coming weeks for the schedule!

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Edward T. Hall

Edward T. Hall was simply the guru of culture.  This man’s life work is the foundation of many international education and intercultural programs today – and deservedly so.

“An Anthropology of an Every Day Life” was written by Hall to document the first fifty years of his remarkable life.  It is a fascinating read in that we get to observe an anthropologist in the making -  commenting, through his unique lens, about his own journey and why he turned out the way he did.

Facts about his life are revealed in the early chapters. Did you know that Hall was essentially abandoned by his parents at a very young age and sent off to be cared by others? Before most of us are old enough to leave home, Hall had lived in France, Germany New Mexico, Missouri and on Native American reservations in the southwest,  a part of the US that he loved deeply.

His work with the State Department under President Truman involved training Americans who were serving abroad in the foreign service. His life in Washington DC was full of interesting friends, including a psychologist who deeply influenced his work.  Interestingly, he writes about his own need for therapy as to better understand his depression that stemmed from being abandoned at boarding schools at an early age.

His research, focused on perceptions of time, space and relationships, was quite controversial at the time that it was published. Today, his writing is core to our work today and required reading for Peace Corps volunteers!

I cannot recommend this book enough – it is an easy read in that Hall simply shares stories of his life and his observations.  It gives us rare insight into the life and measured thinking processes of one of the most brilliant interculturalists of our time.

Anthropology of Everyday Life, An (Hardcover) By (author) Edward T. Hall List Price: $24.50 USD New From: $21.40 In Stock Used from: $1.32 In Stock Release date February 4, 1992.

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Hilary Corna

I have to give Hilary Corna, the author of “One White Face”, a pat on the back.  Or perhaps I’d bow to her.  Or shake her hand.  It would really depend where in the world we would be – as this book documents her work and travels around Asia.  Regardless, she deserves a nod for her her first book.

“One White Face” tells her story about graduating from college, at the age of twenty-two, and flying to Singapore on a hope and a dream.  Corna went with the goal of landing a job, despite having no business contacts or work experience. She gave herself two months to find a gig or return home.

That’s gutsy.  Reminds me that, if we’re paying attention, we will often learn a lot from the young people around us.

Corna’s book details how she lands a job at Toyota, navigates life as an expat, makes plenty of mistakes, finds her place, travels extensively and in a very frank manner, addresses the challenges of dating in Singapore. She writes about why she needed to take this leap of faith on the other side of the world, despite her family and the man everyone expects her to marry not understanding it fully. She must follow her dream to work in Asia.  It is something that she cannot suppress or deny;  she must follow her bliss.

The beauty of Corna’s writing is that it is incredible honest – innocently and refreshingly so.  Her book contains the kind of candor that you find in a diary. Think “Bridget Jones” meets Guy Kawasaki.  It is the kind of authenticity that is more common of a blooming “twenty-something” – and that is what makes this read unique.  Most students will find her style relatable and it will inspire them to pick up and take a chance.  For me, that is the biggest take away from this read:  You have to take the leap and hope for the net.

Corna does a very good job of describing the pace of her work and the relationships that she forms with her bosses and co-workers.  She attempts to explain Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of ongoing improvement in the workplace. (For me, the main focus as a reader was less about Kaizen and more about her journey as a young expat.)

Columbus, Ohio was wise enough to have Corna participate in the TEDx event.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen in to the words of Hilary Corna.  Her message – DARE – is one we all need to hear, regardless of age. If you like this video, then I’d encourage you to read “One White Face.”  It is worth noting that Corna is on a book tour at US universities through the spring – and based on my conversation with her by phone, would be well worth checking out.  More information is available at her website, One White Face.  If you’d like to buy the book, click here and be sure to get a 25% discount using this coupon code: P554X5B4

Click here to view the embedded video.

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MelibeeU has LAUNCHED with TWO new workshops!

The first, “International Educators – Striking a Balance” is $12. Yes, you heard me correctly – it is only $12.  We’d like to help you celebrate 2012 in affordable style!

The second, “Global Service Learning:Design/Connection/Reflection” is an outstanding three part workshop with Dr. Eric Hartman, an educator with much to share about the subject of GSL and Global Citizenship.  

As promised, Melibee will be offering this second workshop at a more affordable fee than other online professional development opportunities.  

High quality, lower fees!  There is no better way to kick off 2012.  

Actually THERE IS! This exciting 4.5 hour workshop will be offered at an even MORE discounted rate if you register by Wednesday at 11:59 PM EST.  Here are the coupon codes to receive the special rates for Dr. Hartman’s workshop:

Organizations/Individuals (who are NOT Full Time Students):  Use discount code “Thirty” (no quotes) to receive a rate of only $247 for nearly 5 hours of training! And you don’t even have to leave your desk!

If you’re a Full Time Student, enter discount code:  ”FTStuEarly” (no quotes.)  The rate will decrease to only $97. (If you’re a Full Time Student attempting to register after Thursday at 11:59 PM, you can  use the discount code “FTStudent” (no quotes) and the rate will decrease to $127.)

And don’t forget to check out two other trainings that were offered this fall in conjunction with Small Planet Studio.

Click here for Melibee U’s main page.  You’ll find all the information and links you need to get you started.

Happy New Year and thanks for your support and many good wishes!

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After many months of reflecting, research, planning and writing, MelibeeU is launching this month!

Why? Because it is about being you.  (The “beeU“ is intentional!)

Being you = Trained. Informed. Inspired. Creative. Effective. Joyful.

MelibeeU is the new training space for Melibee Global.  It will officially launch next week, but I am so excited about it, I just have to share a tad with you!

MelibeeU will provide training/professional development opportunities that are:

• Unique:  If they’re taught through MelibeeU, they’re original. Period.
• Forward thinking:  We’re trying out new ideas here.  Innovation. Inspiring. Introspective. You won’t find it approached quite this way anywhere else.
• Affordable: We realize how expensive some organizations’ professional development opportunities can be, especially for those of you who are students.  We will be addressing this through our pricing model, making it more affordable to learn, participate, contribute and grow.
• Designed to help you approach your work with more confidence and joy: We have an obligation to uplift you so that you can continue to care for your employer(s), students and clients  - and YOURSELF - every day!

We’ll launch with TWO workshops (one in January, another in February.)  I promise, they’ll be worth waiting a tad longer to hear about!

If you have any ideas about training topics or guest presenters, please email info@melibeeglobal.com with them. We sincerely value your input!  After all MelibeeU is about U (you!)

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Greetings!

During this holiday season, I am practicing what I preach and spending quite a bit of time reflecting on the past year and thinking about plans for Melibee Global in 2012.  This may explain why I have not written on the blog recently.

BUT…

I will get back to blogging in mid-January!  New blog posts will include:

- book reviews (including Hilary Corna’s “One White Face”)

- the launch of a new online workshop with Dr. Eric Hartman

- more interviews with inspiring international educators!

Meanwhile, the Melibee team wishes all of you a wonderful holiday season and a VERY happy, healthy, peaceful new year full of moments learning, travel and reflection!

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I am planning a trip abroad.

“Planning.”

It has been too long.

I am more excited than words can describe.  I have the travel bug.  I must go.  Soon, very soon.

Daydreaming about a trip slowly morphs into a “plan.”  Or as firm of a “plan” as I can make, knowing that I have an adventurous spirit.  I like to be spontaneous once I land as I never know what I’ll stumble upon, regardless of all the “planning.”

Perhaps “planning” isn’t a word that can be used for those who have the travel bug.  Perhaps we just appease others with the idea that we have a “plan” but we know that we will veer off of it.

Often.

This “plan” as it stands today includes intensive Portuguese lessons in Florianopolis, Brazil while staying with my “Brazilian brother” – an exchange student who lived with my family in New York twenty five years ago.  I stand corrected:  He lived with “our” family as I will live with “our” family in Brazil – my beautiful sister in law and my nephew and two nieces. And my brother, Sergio, someone I would have hand picked to be part of my family if I had any say in the matter. The exchange program gods/goddesses sure got that one right when they plopped him in our driveway decades ago.

The thought of practicing Portuguese with our family – and not expecting them to use their English – excites me.  Practicing what I preach.  Learn the language. Don’t expect. Participate.  Immerse.  Live.

I also “plan” to visit local universities, arrange an opportunity to volunteer in the community and practice Portuguese.

And to observe.  To speak less. To hear and see more.

The “plan” also includes a visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina and a trip, by boat, to Uruguay.

Or maybe someplace else.

Because those with the travel bug really know that once you get on the plane, there is no “plan.”

Just being in the moment.

Turning the corner when it calls to you.

Meeting a new friend. Not a Facebook one.

Veering off the path.

Looking back at the “plan” and winking at it.

Oh you silly “plan” … what were you thinking?

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Secretary Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State, celebrates International Education Week 2011 by encouraging students to study abroad.  What a wise woman she is!

Click here to view the embedded video.

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© Carrie Wagner

Carrie Wagner will join me, LIVE, at 3 pm EST to talk about her time in Uganda with Habitat for Humanity and global citizenship.  To join us, you simply need to click on the VIDEO in the next column just shy of 3 pm EST.  Be sure to sign into the chat feature so that you can network with others on the livestream and ask Carrie questions.

Carrie is the author of “Village Wisdom:  Immersed in Uganda, Inspired by Job, Changed for Life.”  She is a teacher trainer, educator, professional photographer – and a tremendous inspiration!

NOTE: Livestream is a free service. It is free because they place an ad at the beginning of each video and sometimes a text ad at the bottom of the video. I have no control over the ad selection or frequency, so I apologize in advance. I recommend that you keep your speakers low when you first click into the video as an ad will roll!

We hope to “see you” at 3 pm!