1. What proved the most challenging part of our July Phase 2 DOTCOM experience for you?
I think one of the biggest lessons I learned throughout DOTCOM in July was about communication between individuals and groups of people. Everyone's ideals are different, and every individual has his or her own expectations for every project and experience in life. Because of this, communicating ideas in a group project and synthesizing individual "visions" to make a final, unified project is massively difficult. Each of my lovely group members had his and her own expectations for our film, and I had my own ideas, as well. It is so, so, SO important to be respectful of each other's suggestions, and it takes a tremendous amount of effort to find solutions that combine every group member's ideas so that the final product is a fair representation of every individual's ideas and passions, and, in the end, though the process was long and, sometimes difficult, we made a great film.
Truthfully, it is very dissapointing that, after our vast efforts and hours upon hours of hard work, our film had to be pulled from the web. It saddens me deeply that, for reasons I understand and epathize, our work cannot be shared with the world at this moment. DOTCOM was both a blessing and a curse in opening my eyes to the realities of the world, and, while I am upset at times, I have come out of this experience a grown person, and certainly more perceptive to the world and the issues of this world than I imagined possible. I am immensly upset at times with the reality of it all, but I am also tremendously thankful to have had such an eye-opening experience. I know I will only continue to grow as DOTCOM continues.
2. What proved the most rewarding part of our July Phase 2 DOTCOM experience for you?
I, as I'm sure most DOTCOMers would agree, feel that the absolute most rewarding piece of the summer experience was the friendships made. I am a different person now than I was at the start of July because I was so affected and touched by the other students I met-- from all three countries. Not only are the friends I made compassionate and inspiring in their own individual ways, but the fact that they opened up to me and shared their personal stories and fears and concerns made me learn more about humanity and human relationships than I ever imagined possible in a 3 and a half week period. I can honestly say that I love my DOTCOMers, and the connection I have to them is deeper than any bond I will ever be able to experience with friends in my home town because we endured such a tremendous experience together, and-- goodness-- I love them. I'm teary-eyes right now thinking about everyone.
I wish we were together still and will totally explode with joy when we're all reunited in the spring. I miss you all. I love you all.
3. What proved the most fun part of our July Phase 2 DOTCOM experience for you?
Haha oh my gosh, DOTCOM was so so SO fun!... SO MUCH FUN! I think I laughed for a month straight because everything was hilarious and the other DOTCOMers are so awesome. But I should give a specific example, I think... Hmm, David's PSAs on recycling and the slow Internet were HILARIOUS. And the S'more video! And of COURSE Lenin and the 4th of July parade were fantastic because, honestly, who ever thought that David and Dr. Rob would be able to March in the Washington, D.C. Fourth of July Parade??? WITH A RUBBER CHICKEN!? I think I laughed myself to sleep every night. And my host family, was rockin' and Emily and Sona and I went biking, and ended up on the highway, and every day was an adventure, I swear. I can't find one moment that was "most fun" because I think every day and every experience, regardless of all the stress and chaos that accompanies film producing, was a complete blast. OH OH OH and seeing the Armenian DOTCOMers in the airport when Katie, David, Jacob and I were leaving because their flight was cancelled-- THAT WAS WONDERFUL. I couldn't believe that I saw you all again so soon! I cried!
This is way more than 3-4 sentences and it is totally scatterbrained but it's because I am so enthusiastic about the program and about you, my friends, and just thinking about July makes me swoon and smile and leap for joy. It was the best experience of my life. LET'S GO BACK for a Waitsfield reunion ASAP.
4. What are you most excited about, looking forward to our online Phase 3 DOTCOM experience coming up this fall?
I can't wait to see how we will use our knowledge from Phase 1 and our July experience to progress in the DOTCOM program. I'm not so sure what to expect right now; DOTCOM Phase two is still quite enigmatic for me, which is exciting! I'm looking forward to using the Flip more-- PSAs, anyone? And just following the blogs of my fellow DOTCOMers is exciting because I MISS EVERYONE SO MUCH and now I look at other DOTCOMer's blogs with a fresh eye because I really KNOW you all now, and I don't feel like I'm reading some distant (but lovely) person's blogs-- I now see the blogs and see your personality's shine through and feel so close to you all even though we're all home. It's so comforting to know that, regardless if you live in Armenia, Azerbaijan, or across America, you are all still living DOTCOM with me, and I feel closer to you all than ever before because of it.
I loved our "field trips" together in D.C. and Vermont. We appeared on the huge screen in the Newseum, which was so cool!!!
