The PDO (Pre-Departure Orientation)

In June, Kerry and I went to the Pre-Departure Orientation in Washington, D.C.  It was for all scholars and students going to the East Asia Pacific region of the globe (not just China, but Thailand, Indonesia, etc.  Japan seemed to be strangely absent).  This orientation involved a dinner the first night, meetings and sessions the second day (from about 8 am to 6 pm), and then some more sessions on the final day.  Many of the sessions were informational, about the history and background of the Fulbright, but there were also sessions on such topics as teaching in China, cultural knowledge tips, and information about the dispensation of the grant itself. There was also an interesting roundtable about being GLBTQ in the East Asia Pacific region. They also had an AMAZING "lunch" (it was more like a dinner) on the second day--salmon, pasta, hummus, all kinds of desserts!

I met some really nice people there. I was somewhat intimidated by the fact that a LOT of my China cohorts already seemed to have been to China before or already know some Mandarin. I sense that this will be a challenge for me!  Some of them even specialize in Asian American studies and have written books about China. On the plus side, though, out of about 23 Fulbright U.S. Scholars going to China, I am the only one from a community college!  I'm a bit amazed by this.

Kerry and I got the chance to tour the National Mall a bit after a wine and cheese reception at the end of the long meeting day.  We went to the Lincoln Memorial, walked across the National Mall (where Kerry helped successfully reunite a baby duck with its mommy), and saw the White House from afar (or should I call it the Black House now, considering its current resident?  No matter. He's probably at his Florida estate).

Anyway, here is a pic of me and Kerry at the Lincoln Memorial: