The interview is complete, and I have supporting notes in hand. However, this project is proving to be more difficult than I had thought. The project seemed perfect: my "newcomer" was not only new to his job at the university, but he was also new to this country.
Dr. Honores is the history department's Latin American Studies scholar, teaching courses like Western Civilization, Mexican History, and Latin American Studies, haling from Lima, Peru. I suppose the complication is the theme of the project: the newcomer. Presumably, I should be writing about the trials that most newcomers face: how they are adapting, what they like about the new environment; what they don't like about the new environment; what they miss about their old life; what they don't miss about their old life.
Having spoken to people from many countries, I expected him to have the same stories of cultural shock and period of adjustment, but I didn't get any of this from him. Dr. Honores, with his overflowing energy and unyielding optimism, is just as comfortable in High Point as he was in Washington, and just as comfortable in Washington as he was in Peru. He immediately adapts to life wherever he goes, therefore, there is nothing "newcomer" about him.
I will not be discouraged, though. I shall keep digging through my notes; I am certain that I will be able to find a good angle on this story. It will just take more effort than I had expected.
You know Cathy, the fact that Professor Honores' has this ability to quickly adapt is inteslf interesting because it has a surprise element for your audience. Anyone reading this will think, ok, it's the usual talk of cuture shock, etc. But you end up with a surprise feature on someone who feels at home anywhere and maybe a close like into the Why of this story. What is it about his personality or his life that helps him do this?
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