Jeni as a Bangladeshi

As I officially begin this blog, I’m celebrating this historical moment with a plate of kung pao chicken and an episode of South Park. I don’t watch South Park. I also don’t eat meat. This may seem a bit off, but sitting here in my parents’ basement in suburban Maryland, with all my belongings from the past three years of living in New York City neatly packaged in boxes around me, nothing else really strikes me as all that odd.

No, I did not find myself out of a job and moving into my parents’ basement. Actually, quite the opposite. In a week, I will be embarking on an exciting project opportunity, offered by one of my company’s key corporate citizenship initiatives - Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP). In a nutshell, ADP uses a profit-neutral model to offer consulting expertise to nonprofit organizations in developing countries. Although only a few years old, ADP has gained quite a bit of recognition and press for its innovative operating strategy, broad reach, and successful project delivery.

I heard about the program years ago, and applied immediately after I’ve met all the qualifications. And now, after a couple weeks of applications, assessments, and scheduling limbo, I was fortunate to land myself a great project - I will be spending 6 months in Bangladesh, working with the GSM Association to design and launch a Skills Development Center to provide industry-relevant training programs for the entering workforce.

Of course, staying true to the nature of most great opportunities, this one came rather suddenly, and with an expectation that I’d begin within two weeks. So unsurprisingly, the past few days have been a crazy blur of last minute appointments, travel visas, vaccinations, and the biggest headache to all New Yorkers - breaking out of my lease and moving out of the apartment. Thank goodness for an extremely understanding roommate, for supportive family and friends, and of course, for craigslist. 

And now that the pain’s over and the fun’s about to start, I’m doing some last minute preparations. Namely, I am:

1. starting a blog to share with friends and family members on what I anticipate will be an incredible experience.

2. watching an episode of South Park on TV, because no matter how much I’ve rolled my eyes when friends make me watch this show,  I do admit that it is mildly entertaining, and there is a chance I might miss it.

3. training my stomach to eat meat. I can only pack so many bottles of Imodium before airport security will begin giving me queer looks.

Anyway, I will do my best to write often. Seeing that Bangladesh is relatively weak in tourism and sparse in international coverage, I’d like to use this as a venue to share what I learn of its people and culture. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, and/or requests.

Until next time!

(ps - I’ve eaten all pieces of celery, peanuts, and carrots surrounding the chicken pieces. #3  may have to wait until tomorrow. One can only be so ambitious in a day!)