Posted by Jami Couch | Posted in | Posted on 6:16 PM
Hey guys, long time, no post. Anyway, orientation for my program at Vandy was yesterday and today. I guess just as a change of pace for them, we met at the zoo yesterday, actually. During some free time we all went and saw the elephants and giraffes...one of the giraffes was licking a tree. I'm not sure what that's about. Basically yesterday was about what we should expect in terms of classwork and overall experiences, although they can't be too specific about lab rotations and such because it varies so much between labs.
Today all the program directors introduced their programs (by which I mean they reminisced about their grad school orientation). Then we spent the rest of the morning getting our ID's and parking passes. Since most people went for the ID first, a few of us got the bright idea to try to get our parking passes and skip the ID line for later. As it turns out, you need your ID to get a parking pass, so we ended up in the very back of the ID line. Good times. They budgeted way too much time for that, though, so we managed to get everything done, eat lunch, and play pool in the student lounge for like an hour. By the way, Indian food is kinda tasty...there's a buffet across the street from campus. More importantly, I met a couple people that play racquetball, which is exciting.
One thing that is really crazy is that the students are from all over. There are probably more international students that students from Tennessee. For example, my conversation with a girl on the shuttle to the parking lot went something like this:
"Where are you from?"
"New Hampshire"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Twelve hours the first day and eight the second."
"Holy crap!"
And so on.
So I guess James and Mary Ellen are starting at their respective schools pretty soon, I can't wait to hear about it. We have a bunch of safety training tomorrow then we start class Thursday, so it's getting to be that time.
Today all the program directors introduced their programs (by which I mean they reminisced about their grad school orientation). Then we spent the rest of the morning getting our ID's and parking passes. Since most people went for the ID first, a few of us got the bright idea to try to get our parking passes and skip the ID line for later. As it turns out, you need your ID to get a parking pass, so we ended up in the very back of the ID line. Good times. They budgeted way too much time for that, though, so we managed to get everything done, eat lunch, and play pool in the student lounge for like an hour. By the way, Indian food is kinda tasty...there's a buffet across the street from campus. More importantly, I met a couple people that play racquetball, which is exciting.
One thing that is really crazy is that the students are from all over. There are probably more international students that students from Tennessee. For example, my conversation with a girl on the shuttle to the parking lot went something like this:
"Where are you from?"
"New Hampshire"
"How long did it take you to get here?"
"Twelve hours the first day and eight the second."
"Holy crap!"
And so on.
So I guess James and Mary Ellen are starting at their respective schools pretty soon, I can't wait to hear about it. We have a bunch of safety training tomorrow then we start class Thursday, so it's getting to be that time.
Wow, sounds like a good time Jami! I am so excited for you guys, but at the same time I am so happy to finally be free! Don't you go forgetting about us TTU people once you move on to bigger and better things! Can't wait to hear all about classes and racquetball when they start!