Undertaking the Mae Sot Education Project, I truly had to be determined and committed to the adventure ahead. While I know the experience is going to be amazing, the stress associated with its preparation can be quite overwhelming. As June creeps closer, I have had to balance project-stress, work-stress, as well as family and personal stress. Together, they all form a kind of ‘weight’ at the back of mind. Undertaking the Mae Sot Education Project, I truly had to be determined and committed to the adventure ahead. While I know the experience is going to be amazing, the stress associated with its preparation can be quite overwhelming. As June creeps closer, I have had to balance project-stress, work-stress, as well as family and personal stress. Together, they all form a kind of ‘weight’ at the back of mind.
The project-stress comes first, which seems quite normal given the experiences associated with it. I had take two classes that alternate weeks; both of which provided me with readings and some small assignments. On top of that, there is the stress of fundraising. As a group, we had no set goal aside from raising as much money as possible, but most of our efforts involve communicating with the local community which is quite enjoyable. As events grow closer, stress levels rose within our group with the pressure of pulling off “Battle of the Bands” or pushing to sell the last handful of raffle tickets before our draw. The best way to overcome this stress as volunteers was to support and encourage each other. But months go by, winter turns to spring, and the departure date begins to loom. I signed the agreement with the Project, and I as knot in my stomach grew I asked myself: Do I truly want to undertake this adventure? It is a big hurdle to jump, but once I overcame it, then I really start to plan. The stress of the project remains in flights, vaccines, and packing, but at this point there is nothing I could do except for deal with it. The second stress I had to deal with was that of my job. The stress from work started when I had to speak with my boss about taking a six-month leave of absence. For the past five years I have been working for the same job, and as the departure date gets closer, I begin to wonder what position I will return to in January. Especially, as my job is based on an annual contract. This made me question where I would live, whether I should stay with this job, or if it’s time for me to move on to a greener pasture in January. As these stresses come together, the ‘weight’ begins to feel heavier. The third stress came from my family and friends. I’m about to embark on a six-month trip to a country on the other side of the world: this is big news. It all began when I let my parents know that I had applied for the Project. Once I was accepted, then I had to sit down with my family and show them where I would be going and what I will be doing – trying to answer their questions as best as I could. Still, as it comes closer for me to leave, my parents will worry more and more. They may begin to ask more profound questions about my trip and what I will be doing, and my answers, or lack thereof, will add to their stress. Despite all of the talks with past-volunteers that I have had, and assurance that everything will go smoothly, my parents’ anxieties have transferred to mine. This alone adds another “15 pounds” to my metaphorical stress-weight. More of this ‘weight’ is added when I started seeing someone. When we started seeing each other a few months ago it was well established that I would be leaving in June. But we both know that my departure will be painful. We have spent countless hours getting to know each other, always keeping in mind that I would be leaving. But the inevitable happened and we have both fallen for each other. The stress that is associated to this is so much greater than the ones I have mentioned above! Having seen various friends go through long-distance relationships I know that it could be a make or break for our relationship. Deep down I want it to work out and hope we can continue when I return. I may be prepared to wait the six months, but I would never expect her or want her to feel like she should wait as well. Regardless, we both will be hurting because of this trip and all that we can do for the moment is play it day by day, maintain good communication and simply remain truthful and honest with each other. For now, I must enjoy the time we have before I leave and remain positive and optimistic that all will work out in the long run. All these sources of stress have made me feel discouraged and overwhelmed at time, but I must remember that I am embarking on an adventure as big as the Mae Sot Education Project. These stresses have influenced and affected every part of my life for the last few months. But I also know now that since it has begun, there is no turning back. All I can do now is hope for the best and begin to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
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