2008 Woodie Awards
Drew students make a difference
Erica Varlese
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Opinion
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Before embarking on a 16-hour ride to the not-so-illustrious town of Meridian, Miss., I imagined myself as a more feminine mixture of Dean Moriarty and Huck Finn. There is something about the legendary road trip that inspires feelings of intense Americanism-rolling hills, classic rock and heated political conversations guaranteed by youth who grew up in the aftermath of yippies, hippies and the like.
For quite some time, I've been in the throws of what one might call a lover's quarrel between myself and my home country-a sentiment that, last year, lead me to the idealistic decision to transfer to a Parisian university, complete with high hopes of attaining citizenship and changing my name to something exotic like Françoise or Genviève.
However, the week I left for my new "patrie," Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. I remember watching coverage of the natural disaster on CNN. I felt so detached and removed from my home. I soon had the creeping feeling that I had made the wrong decision and that, indeed, I could never change my Jersey Shore, loud American ways into the demure, intellectual française.
After returning home, I promised myself that I would volunteer in New Orleans within the next year. Of course, promises are easier made than kept, and I got swept up into a frenzy of college application paperwork and resume-building internships. However, when I saw the Habitat for Humanity e-mail last semester inviting students to apply as volunteers for the spring break trip to Meridian, I immediately filled out the application and waited for a, hopefully, positive response.
I remember a feeling of intense anticipation the day I was accepted-after all, I had wanted this for nearly a year. As spring break neared, I had moments of doubt. Was it worth it? Would the trip turn out to be everything I hoped for?
Judgment Day came on March 9. At 4 p.m., 17 Drewids stood outside three vans, prepared for the long trip ahead of them as other students sprinted off for a week full of relaxation or tropical partying.
For quite some time, I've been in the throws of what one might call a lover's quarrel between myself and my home country-a sentiment that, last year, lead me to the idealistic decision to transfer to a Parisian university, complete with high hopes of attaining citizenship and changing my name to something exotic like Françoise or Genviève.
However, the week I left for my new "patrie," Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. I remember watching coverage of the natural disaster on CNN. I felt so detached and removed from my home. I soon had the creeping feeling that I had made the wrong decision and that, indeed, I could never change my Jersey Shore, loud American ways into the demure, intellectual française.
After returning home, I promised myself that I would volunteer in New Orleans within the next year. Of course, promises are easier made than kept, and I got swept up into a frenzy of college application paperwork and resume-building internships. However, when I saw the Habitat for Humanity e-mail last semester inviting students to apply as volunteers for the spring break trip to Meridian, I immediately filled out the application and waited for a, hopefully, positive response.
I remember a feeling of intense anticipation the day I was accepted-after all, I had wanted this for nearly a year. As spring break neared, I had moments of doubt. Was it worth it? Would the trip turn out to be everything I hoped for?
Judgment Day came on March 9. At 4 p.m., 17 Drewids stood outside three vans, prepared for the long trip ahead of them as other students sprinted off for a week full of relaxation or tropical partying.
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