After so many updates (via my Facebook group) over the past two years, I have kind of unplugged for the past month. I think that part of that had to do with the fact that face to face conversations and phone calls are a lot easier, now that I'm Stateside, for many of my friends. But, more so I think it is because Limbo is not fun to write about. I'm not sure where I'm going; what I'm doing. I keep busy to some degree, but not really plugged in to the life I hope to lead.
Regardless, I think that having some kind of record of my life, even now, is good for me. So, I've decided to share an edited version of an e-mail I sent to a professor that kind of explains me as I stand today in simplified terms. For those who know about my talks with my alma mater as well as my beloved previous employer, I still am leaning that way, but until they accept me and I'm sure that is the way I'm going, I am seeking out all options and listening for that voice to say, "this is the way, walk in it."
Dr. --,
I am currently searching for my future educational options, and found the class listing for the cultural anthropology program at the ----- University website interesting, even inspiring. But, I am curious as to whether I would be a good fit in such a program with my history and interests.
My undergraduate was in music. I received a BM in vocal performance from UTK in 2004 but I realized before graduation that I was more interested in the performers than the performances themselves. My growing faith and interest in how people experience God in urban contexts led me to New Orleans and seminary. I received an MA in missiology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary which combined conservative theology with anthropology, where I especially focused on ethnography and non-traditional church models.
I recently returned to the States after two years in Austria where I worked for an organization where part of my job was to do some cultural research on the student population of Vienna's universities for a leadership mentoring program they hope to develop. This term solidified my interest in post-industrial societies and importance of intercultural relations. I believe that many of those in the Christian community of "missions" now condemn humanity's imperialistic tendencies but have little knowledge of how to do good and follow our faith without dragging our idiosyncratic cultures with us. I wish to be an advocate and trainer for improved understanding and trans-cultural communication practices within that small community.
The unfortunate divorce between secular and faith-driven approaches in cross-cultural exchange have harmed the methods of well meaning Christians and excused bigoted practices in the name of a God who is depicted in the Bible as both meta-cultural and interacting within various cultures. I wish to seek out theories and implement best practices that others interested in human cultures have to teach me, including secular communities. But, I fear that because I am honest about my agenda - to apply the knowledge gained to better communicate what I believe is universally salvific in a way that is meaningful within host cultures' existing paradigms - my work would not be taken as serious or helpful in the secular community while I'm learning those skills. I also recognize my limited education in cultural anthropology in my previous studies may also effect my learning curve.
So all this to ask: Is there a place for me in your school, or would you suggest another route to improving my cultural research and trans-cultural communication skills?
Once again, kudos to the intriguing mix of classes within your degree program that seem to engage current global issues that anthropology speaks to as well as more specialized, classic academic research.
Thank you, etc.
