the exit interview

I spent a couple days on questionnaires in preparation for my final formal interview and wrap-up of my placement with the volunteer sending organization. Though some of the questions were mere formalities, there was a lot of opportunity for both sides to share perspectives on not only my job in Namibia, but the volunteering experience as a whole.

It was good to share successes and challenges constructively, to think together about ways that we may have better handled some of the difficulties, and to relate my challenges to some of the challenges and ongoing changes happening within the program I was a part of.

We also finalized a reference letter for me, bringing out the best of my experience, without turning a blind eye to the obstacles that were not always manageable.

I emphasized that I was not bitter or upset over anything that has happened, that many steps forward in development work are followed by two steps back, and that I do believe that everyone has something positive to take out of this placement, and can hopefully focus the memories on the forward movement, rather than on the reverse.

Overall, I feel happy to be wrapping up the documentation; voicing and discussing any concerns, releasing them before they have a chance to get bottled up inside as negative energy. Time to move forward, in fast forward..

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