I have one of the best interviews of my life in Johnson
City, Tennessee the next day. I’m focusing this blog on the travel aspects of
this process (because who really wants to hear about interviews?), but this one
is worth mentioning. Let’s just say that I was greeted by a sweet woman in her
70’s, whose first question to the group of applicants (of course, in heavy
Southern accent which is standard here) is “So, who say a black cat this
morning?” She goes on to explain that a black cat named Tom roams the first
floor of the hospital, “patrolling the crowds,” and that he is the king of this
place. I instantly know that I am going to love it here, and it just gets
better. The Training Director is a quick witted, stout red head in her 40’s who
is an absolute riot. Her opening monologue is about how sadistic the internship
process is, and how her goal is to make us feel comfortable and relaxed here.
Even the other applicants have a different feeling here. I love every minute of
the 6.5 hour interview.
Following the interview, there is time to kill and I have no
idea how to get back to the Tri-Cities airport (which I didn’t mention in the
last post is the absolute smallest airport I have ever been in). I ask around
and find another applicant who is willing to allow me to tag along with her in
her rental car until she flies out back to Ohio around the same time I leave.
Hanging out with strangers for several hours is always a hit or miss risk, but
I end up glad I take this one. Heather is seemingly like my nerdy psychological
soul mate. We have so many interests in common, and as we drive around the
backwoods of Tennessee (and giggle about how we can’t find any of the four
Starbucks Dr. Elder had mentioned existing in the area), we chat about
privilege, gender, and how much we loved the interview. I am amazed that
someone from an entirely different part of the country has so much in common
with me, and I feel instantly connected with her.
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| Many churches seen on the side of the road |
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| View of Tennessee landscape |
We end up hanging out for several hours between the
interview and our flight departure, getting a beer in the airport and
debriefing more. I find myself hoping that we cross paths again, and maybe even
end up on internship together. We part ways without exchanging information, but
somehow I sense that I will see Heather again. And if not, I am grateful for
the experience of connecting with someone while so far from home, even if only
for a little bit.
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