Memories of a First Time International Counselor
What it’s like to be an international counselor? It is a totally strange experience flying four thousand miles from England to a small place called Leaf River Illinois to work as a camp counselor. Nonetheless, at the beginning of this summer, armed with a bag full of sweets and other home comforts, I set on my way. After arriving in America and being picked up at the bus station by the lovely (food service manager and co-camp owner) Natasha, I arrived at Camp Kupugani, thinking I would be greeted by a whole bunch of Americans. How surprised was I that there was an international posse of a Canadian and three Aussies with not an American in sight.
People gradually started to join us with a lot more Americans joining the mix. Turns out they needed some correction on certain things about English people like we don’t go for tea at 4 o’clock every day. (We wish we did, but we don’t.) The other thing is we don’t all live in London…there are many other places in England (but London is great.)
Over the course of the summer, I really enjoyed meeting people of various backgrounds and learning about all the different cultures and differences between people. I hope to come back soon.
Camp was the most incredible summer of my life. Leah (from England).