Week 1 (Sort Of)

This past week I started my new life as a graduate student...sort of. I haven't actually been been accepted to the graduate program yet, but I'm taking a Winter course as a continuing ed student. If I get accepted to the program this course will count as an elective. If I don't get accepted...well, it will still have been a great learning experience.

That is definitely true. The class is Dialogue and, roughly speaking, revolves around fostering meaningful, deep conversations within groups, especially around challenging subjects. On a practical level, I think it will help me in my future work with undergraduate students, and (hopefully) in other situations.

Even more important, however, is the impact it will have on me as a person. From the point of view of the course (and our text) engaging in dialogue requires a tremendous amount of personal reflection, a willingness to interrogate your own perspective, biases and habits of conversing. The goal is to understand the inner forces that affect how we engage with others.

I think that emphasis on self-awareness will actually be the most useful part of the course. Despite my efforts (and hopes) it won't always be possible to engage a group in deep dialogue. But the ability to look at myself, to understand where I'm coming from, to focus on how I'm thinking and feeling, and how that affects my responses to others is incredibly valuable. Whether it's a two minute conversation, or a true group dialogue, that self-awareness will facilitate my personal growth while also improving my ability to communicate.

On an immediate level, the class is also a deeply moving experience. We spend our time trying to listen to each, to create a space of meaningful conversation and shared insight. That is incredibly rare experience, and each class meeting is like a little gem of meaning and beauty. That doesn't mean we always agree, or that the conversation is always easy, but it is very powerful.

Finally, let's continue sending out positive energy about my acceptance and enrollment in graduate school! It's looking good so far, but I can't relax until it's actually all in place!