Ever since I started my master's degree I've been thinking that I might get my PhD some day. Recently, I stumbled upon International Psychology. I have been developing an interest in multicultural psychology and bringing counseling to people who need it, but do not have access to it. If you want more information, you can go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_psychology
So, I've been learning more and more about international psychology and I discovered that there are very few schools in the US that offer it as a PhD concentration. One of the schools is The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, in Chicago (obviously) and I contacted them for information last week and they called me yesterday. Now, I am totally pumped! The school sounds amazing!! It's really everything I am looking for, the school is looking to open up centers all over the world and to couple with other universities. They also have a lot of grass roots initiatives going on in the city of Chicago. These things would really help me get hands on experience working with all kind of cultures. There are so many areas that a person can go into with this kind of a degree.
So what does this mean for the Blooms? Possibly that we will be moving to Chicago in a little over a year. Crazy! It's hard to think about leaving our neighborhood and our church community. But it would be an amazing opportunity to study at the Chicago School and go down a professional road that I really think I could enjoy and do well in. Although, Matt and I have not been doing any preventing as far as children goes and if I am going to continue my education even further, I don't know what that means for having kids. We'll probably want to hold off on the kids, at least until we get ourselves settled in Chicago or decide we're not moving.
So, the Blooms have some major decisions to make! I'll try to keep everyone posted on our progress.
Things seem to be going better this semester. I'm a month in and I feel much better about my choice for graduate school. I think that some of that has to do with the fact that I have a different prof for every class. It really helps to have variety in life. Dr. Unorganized is definitely more bearable in small doses. I'm turning in my first paper today so we'll see if he can manage to hold onto it this time.
One good thing about this semester is that I actually get to do some counseling. I am co-leading a group for undergraduate students. We've only had two sessions, but I am beginning to enjoy it. I think it is a good introduction to what it will be like as a counselor and give me so practice and some confidence for when I start individual counseling. It's the perfect beginning really, because I have a co-leader who is amazing as what he does and group counseling is all about the group members learning from group members. So I feel very little pressure on myself to have something to say or to come up with good questions because that is what the other group members are for. My practicum starts this summer so I am very excited to get whatever practice I can.
Another big help for me is only taking three classes. I can't believe the difference. I feel like I hardly have any homework to do. I've been able to pick up a few extra shifts at work here and there, so that's been helpful for us financially.
All in all, this semester seems to be going much better the last. Hopefully, nothing happens to make me change my mind about that, because I discovered recently that you are only allowed to transfer 9 credits toward you graduate studies. After this semester I will have 30 credits which is half way and I will not be starting over!
I will be getting my degree from IWU, so now I just have to make the best of it!
