Am I at college?

Some days, living at an orphanage feels a lot like I’m back at college. Not what most of you think of when college is mentioned. For those who don’t know, I went to Milligan College, in the beautiful smoky mountains of northeast Tennessee. Its a small Christian school with community built around extracurricular activities, roommates, and a coffee shop (not sororities/fraternities, packed football stadiums, and bars).

1. Living arrangements: At Milligan College, we either had the choice of living on campus in gender specific dorms or commuting from home if it was close enough. None of the off-campus apartment living. Here, at Casa Shalom, there are 7 houses, separated by age and gender. Like the juniors and seniors got the extra privileges and first choices, so do the teen boys and girls here.
2. Cafeteria: At school, we were provided with 6 am- 9 pm free access to the cafeteria, with certain times scheduled providing hot meals 3 times a day. Same at the orphanage, just with more limited hours and not many options. You take what you are provided. You can go to the cafeteria for free for every meal, make a small microwaved meal in your room, or spend the money to eat off campus. For me, in both places, I’ve enjoyed the community shared around the table (and I’ll always take food I don’t have to prepare/pay for!)
3. Sutton hill/Guatemalan mountain: Living in the mountains of Tennessee for a few years has prepared me well for Guatemala. For those that have visited Milligan College and/or Casa Shalom, you know the hill I’m talking of. At school, my dorm was at the very top of the hill, for all 4 years. Here, my house is only halfway up the hill, so I have more of an option to go to my room between activity, instead of waiting down below so I didn’t have to walk the hill twice. Though, I’ve gotta say, I’m a fan of the volcano smoke (and occasional lava) front porch view here!
4. Spanish/photography & media assignments: I did two years of Spanish and took a bunch of media classes in school, and also helped with the yearbook for a year or two (all 4 years in high school). Here, I am the main source of photography, other than a few snapshots from the visiting team. If there’s an event going on, I’m in charge of photographing it. Something needs to be designed? Me (see image above). Some one needs help with a video project? I’ll let you take your best guess on that. As for Spanish classes, everyday is Spanish class for me! Listening to and (trying to) talk with the kids is helping me to increase my Spanish vocabulary. I’ve been helping collect distribute and translate the letters between sponsors and their sponsored child(ren), so that’s been a big help too!
5. Spiritual & personal growth- College was a big help to me in growing spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I’ve only been in Guatemala a little over 3 months, and I don’t see the growth stopping anytime soon.
6. Sleep schedule- Here I use the word “schedule” loosely. Those that went to college can attest to this, that you stay up late (or even pull an all-nighter) to study, get a load of laundry done, get an extra Netflix show in, or finish that composition paper you forgot about. Naps become a treasure you only wish for. Since I’ve been in Guatemala, I’ve started learning of the powers of coffee. Living on campus with the kids, you never know what the night (or early morning) may bring. A new family getting to the orphanage late? An earthquake in the middle of the night waking me from a restless sleep? The neighbors celebrating with fireworks? Waking up early to take a shower when the water is on? The roosters/cows not knowing it’s 3 in the morning? An airport run leaving at 4am?
7. Alone time: Whether on a college campus of 1,200 students or an orphanage campus with 105 kids, you treasure the time you get to spend alone. Days start early and end late,  so alone time becomes slimmer and slimmer. I’d hate to admit the classic movies I have yet to watch. Without teams being here the past two weeks, I was able to enjoy my alone time and marked a few off the list. I still have many more to go….. we’ll see when I can ever get those watched!
8. Passion: It may be a biology major, an aspiring actor, or a want-to-be historian. You can see the passion in everything they do related to that subject, life choice, or activity. With the kids here, it’s easy to see as well. They are excited to show off the few English words they know. They want to share the tricks they can do with a soccer ball. They seek to perform that new song or dance they’ve worked so hard on perfecting.
9. Maintaining friendships in multiple places: Going to school in Tennessee was an adjustment for me, being that everything and anyone I’ve ever know (for the most part) was in Florida. During holiday breaks, I would enjoy the visits with the friends and family back and Florida, only to miss everyone in Tennessee. I am missing people all across the US and do my best to stay in contact with some of them (via WhatsApp, email, Facebook messenger, or video call). Relationships come and go here, as well as at college, and all of life for that matter. I know when I am visiting with friends and family the next time, that I will be missing the 105 friendships I’ve built thus far.
10. Lots of ups and downs, but wouldn’t trade for anything!