Peace​ Quartet

What do fellows do now?

Well, starting our days with check-in questions really makes our days. (sometimes they are really funny).

Time for internship: Assigned to one of the specific projects of the IFOR, the fellows spend their week days (Monday through Thursday) to work on those projects, fulfilling tasks given by their respective Supervisors. It feels really worthwhile to be a part of the big projects of IFOR, such as organizing three upcoming events (IFOR Gathering of Young Leaders in Berlin; IFOR Council, Centennial Conference) developing database of experts; working on the monthly newsletter etc. We appreciate such great responsibilities, as it is not only an opportunity for us to be a part of IFOR work, but also to learn and develop ourselves.

Fridays, usually are spent on trainings at different topics related to nonviolence and peace, held by outstanding

people/experts of their respective fields. These trainings are great places to increase knowledge, gain new skills,

exchange ideas with trainers as well as with each other and most importantly to get inspired to do great work.

Individual projects - each fellow is working on designing their individual projects that they submitted as a

part of their application. Learning new techniques and applying them is challenging, yet rewarding. We are sure,

good preparation will pay off. In fact, that is what we fellows also learn from our trainings. It is best to prepare

as much as possible before taking an action. As they say, “good start is already half way to success”.

Trips to NYC, Stony Point, Boston and the upcoming one to Niagara falls – are a part of the program that

brings another color to our life and work over here. 

 

How about life in Shadowcliff?! Living in this historic, beautiful house overlooking the Hudson River is something special. 

 

This house is big enough not only for the four fellows, but also two more interns from Germany (Ben and Vicky) and

other staff members of FOR USA, including our program coordinator Gretchen Honnold to live together. The kitchen,

our lovely room is the place where everybody are rounded up. Sometimes, it may get too crowded, but that is fine.

We love being there. It took us a good while to get it right, where compost will go, where recyclables will go,

where cartoon and where trash. But finally we got it. It is also fun to spin the wheel to get the chore of the week.

Sometimes, we are not happy with what we get. But you have no option. You have to do it, or you have to do it.

That is the most fun part, isn’t it? Challenge yourself with the thing you don’t like.

 

Spending Halloween and Thanksgiving, the two big holidays of America here is so much fun and a great way of learning about American culture. Having joint luncheon/dinners together and tasting food from different cuisines is one of the many other blessings we are having here in Shadowcliff.

Yes, we have become a family now. It is such an amazing and lifetime experience for each and everyone of us that we will not forget this experience for years, if not forever.