A Letter to the Future Borlaug-Ruan Intern
Hey Hunger Fighter,
Welcome to what will be the craziest, most fulfilling summer of your life, yet! As I type this letter, I am drawn to reflect upon the past five weeks that I have spent at the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru. There have been some exciting days and some pretty mundane days. There have been triumphs and even a few setbacks.
The opportunity you are about to undertake will, at times, feel extremely overwhelming. There will be times when you feel absolutely clueless. You will second guess each and every skill and talent you thought you possessed. During these times, I want you to remember every great experience begins with the courage to start. You were chosen by the World Food Prize for this opportunity for a very good reason. You are here because you believe in the possibility for a better world and a better tomorrow.
Believe in yourself and you’re halfway there. -Theodore Roosevelt
This internship will foster a new sense of resilience and “can-do attitude” that you may not have developed otherwise. When you take a moment to step outside of your comfort zone, that’s where the magic happens. Allow yourself to get comfortable being uncomfortable and get excited to do things that push you past what you’ve accomplished previously. It is the commitment to continuous growth that will allow you to achieve many great things, in whatever arena you decide to dedicate your time and talents to.
Ask questions. Period.
Fake it till you make it, but never stop asking questions. Your mentors want you to ask questions. They will, undoubtedly, stop at nothing less than drawing stick-figure diagrams on the back of a lab procedure booklet to ensure you know exactly what is happening (I’m speaking from experience here!).
Do it anyway.
Take a moment to put your reserve in your back pocket and learn to salsa dance with your host family. Never mind the videos that will be posted on Facebook the next day. Use that opportunity to practice a new language with a native speaker. Then learn to laugh at yourself when they don’t understand what you are attempting to say, and keep trying anyway. Try the various organ meats consumed by locals, but don’t feel obligated to fall in love with it. You’ll always have the story to tell of that one time you unwittingly ate cow intestine in the cafeteria! You might feel a little silly asking random people to take your picture. Do it anyway.
I have an immense sense of gratitude for all that have come before me as a Borlaug-Ruan Intern, and I hold so much hope for those that will come after. Although I have only been in Lima for five weeks, the things I have learned and experienced only make me more excited for all that is yet to come.
A fellow Hunger Fighter,
Kaci
