The Office of International Programs

Today was Thursday, and it was one of those days. It was one of those days that us international kids were called to have a meeting with the director of international programs. It doesn’t happen too often, but it requires a certain amount of mental, emotional, and physical preparation when it does.

I’ve never attended meetings that so precariously walk the line between the tendency towards boredom and the tendency towards a shit show.

Let me try to explain the situation:

The characters:

Sanjay Mishra – the office assistant, who works one thing or another throughout our meeting, sympathizing with us as he does.

Best line – Ravneet: “I hate her [Dr. Asha Mathur] so much!” Sanjay: “I know, I hate her too.”

XiXi: International student from Singapore

Role: the one who actually does what they are supposed to, and suffers through the meetings in silence.

Ravneet: International student from Australia

Role: the one who gets yelled at by Dr. Asha Mathur, to cause problems

Thea: International student from Brown

Role: general confusion

Margaux: International student from France

Role: Argue with Dr. Mathur, cause problems

Sedona: International student from St. Anselm

Role: to be obstinate, and generally confused

Dr. Asha Mathur: Director of the Office of International Programs

Personality: is a very old woman, a very old fashioned woman, and a very obstinate old woman. 

Activities in a meeting: Shrilly talking over us whenever we disagree

The situation:

The best way I can think to explain these meetings is by a number of examples, one here, others coming. 

“

Ravneet, we have concerns for you.” Ravneet had missed some class, being sick, and in that time had missed an test, this all with the craziness of trying to adjust to being in India in the summer heat. Still sick, Ravneet bravely came to the meeting, to be lectured on the importance the College places on being in class, on being present for tests. Ravneet asked if she, therefore, should have shown up to class sick. Dr. Mathur then said Ravneet should have informed the teacher. “I did. I texted my class representative. You can see the text message.” Ravneet offered Dr. Mathur her phone, which was snatched and examined. Finally Dr. Mathur said, “You couldn’t come to class but you were well enough to be on facebook!” At that point, we were well beyond rational discussion, and a sick and tired Ravneet gave up and just started crying. This all in front of all the other international students as well as teachers who were using the office. While Dr. Mathur slumped again into the negative points for supporting the international students, Sanjay prevailed, calling Ravneet later and asking us if she was okay. “I know, I hate her too.” – Sanjay