A year and a day

Happy 2009! I arrived here exactly one year ago yesterday. One year! It does not seem possible. The time has flown. I cannot believe how much I have learned and how much I still have to learn/want to learn.

Yet another learning experience looks large. As I write this I am putting the finishing touches on a conference that we will be hosting here at the Central House Jan 3 -10. We are expecting 25 professors from Iowa colleges and universities including ISU, U of Iowa, UNI, DMU, Drake, Simpson and Central. Professors from these schools formed a group about 10 months ago called the "Heartland Global Health Consortium." Their purpose is to foster international health learning experiences and opportunities to help students to become leaders in global health."

This is their first conference, and I certainly hope not their last. I have set up an agenda for them that will take us to urban and rural health centers, to universities and to community centers. Speakers are scheduled to talk about public health issues in Mexico, public policy, resources, and the role of NGOs. One of our final speakers will be a Fulbright scholar who will talk about her research about immigrant health issues.

Most of the participants are staying here at the Central House. In addition to the programming and housing, we are providing all meals, a field trip to the archaeological site at Uxmal, and a day in the markets/downtown. We are having a reception on Thursday night for all of those people who are speakers and for those who wanted to meet with the group but there simply wasn't time. I am a nervous wreck!

Luckily, students do not arrive until January 18. I have to admit I am ready to greet them. My organizational work throughout the past year has paid off in that I have many systems already in place and just have to plug in new information. I will be teaching Contemporary Issues again and also feel better about the lectures and assignments that are now a result of 2 semesters, my own reflection and the evaluations provided by students. I am nervous, but when I think about where I started from a year ago and where I am today, I feel great. More than ever, I am convinced I am where I belong.