Being International...

The day started with me being accompanied by my aunt to the Humber College. I was not excited or over zealous. I just wanted to know how to get there and what it looked like. When I entered the institution under the directive of my aunt (an alumni), I found the area to be pretty decent. The school reps were very helpful. I went straight to the international students' office and photocopied my documents. 

Onto the next phase...

I was directed to E137 Lecture Theatre - the location where the International Students Orientation was being held. This was my first orientation at a tertiary institution (believe it or not...ahaha). I made it my point of duty to locate a Jamaican...which I did quite quickly. I looked at the hair, nails and overall deportment...voila! I was correct...the new "parri" was from Clarendon. The orientation started a little behind schedule. The information disseminated was already known to me - a distinction is not easy to get from the University of the West Indies, Mona; I worked hard and achieved it by following the guidelines and ideas the presenters were sharing. 

Game Time...

To lighten the air, the moderator engage the new students in an INTERNATIONAL NAME BINGO...guess who finished and won a prize? Yes, you got that right...lol 

Spooky...the Daruma Doll

I was introduced to a Daruma Doll that brought good fortune. It is from the Japanese culture. In essence, you buy one and set a goal (or let me say make a wish). After you set the goal, you would colour one eye and when the goal has been achieved- you would colour the next eye, go to a temple, pray and burn it. 

If the goal was not achieved, you would just burn it to rid yourself of the guilt of not achieving the goal. When the presenter (a lecturer of Kinesiology) shared the concept I smiled and thanked Jesus Christ that I don't have to go through that process. Readers, I have an understanding that my God is an on-time God. If something doesn't work out, it simply means that either God has something better in store for me or that goal is just not in line with the plans that are set specifically for me by God. Thus, there's no need to believe in an object to bring good fortune.

Game Time Part 2...

This ice breaker was a group activity. Jamaicans are everywhere (even on the lawns) <---only a few readers will get that joke. Well, the group I was in consisted of 9 Jamaicans and 1 Guyanese. I was selected to lead the group which I did quite well given the results. We came second, but only Jesus Christ can tell me it wasn't because the group consisted of white people. When we entered the room, that group was there...they did not get the bonus question correct. When the moderator checked our paper...we got ALL the questions correct. To my surprise, they won because they entered the room first. Plain prejudice!...right?

Jamaica, Jamaica

Well, I was happy that we won the Humber key strings. I was impressed with how the Jamaicans teamed up and kept calm after we realised that we were cheated out of  the Humber tams...ahahaha.

Next phase...

I did my own tour to the bookshop and where my classes would be held. I like the environs...no need to go outside unless you are forced to.

So was it a faux pas or do I see myself moving forward at that institution? Well, eliminate the prejudism and it definitely it's the WAY FORWARD!