3 Life Lessons from Cherry Juice
Jun 1, 2020 8:45:21 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, IDEAS projects, Living Overseas, Learning, Culture
People often ask what foods I miss from my home country. There are some I miss, such as Colorado’s green chili. However, after living in three different countries, the food I miss most may not come from my home country. . . which leads me to cherry juice.
How I Know Working Abroad Is Worth It
May 4, 2020 9:44:12 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Education, IDEAS projects, Life, Living Overseas, Learning, Culture
While living and working overseas, it’s normal to wonder at times, “Is it worth it? Does what I’m doing matter?” Recently I have been assured that the answer is, "Yes!"
Work in the Time of Corona
Apr 13, 2020 10:43:54 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Education, IDEAS projects, Relationships, work, Learning, community, Crisis
I dedicate this blog to all the amazing educators who, with little or no advance warning, have stepped up to remotely teach the world’s children. The stories I share below barely scratch the surface of what I hear and see among the educators here in Jordan as well as across the globe.
Living Beyond the Dream
Mar 2, 2020 9:32:06 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, Learning, Culture, community
I've heard it many times. When people learn that I work overseas they say, "You're living my dream." That may be true. People dream of the adventure of travel and living in a new place. I get to live in Jordan, a fascinating place with a long history, friendly people, and delicious food. But I've learned that those who last the longest overseas have ...
What He Sees: An Optometrist in the Middle East
Feb 4, 2020 11:10:27 AM Sarah Rymer Healthcare & Wellness, Jordan, IDEAS projects, Relationships, Transformation
I am an optometrist living and serving in the Middle East. I examine refugee patients at two humble clinics situated within two local churches. I primarily see Syrian and Iraqi refugees.
Celebrating Christmas Far from Home
Dec 23, 2019 11:43:27 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, Learning, Culture, community
Spending Christmas far from home, away from friends and family can be hard. And it can feel a bit surreal celebrating Christmas in a country where it’s not an official holiday. Yet, this distance means that unexpected signs of Christmas turn into precious gifts. Some of my favorite Christmas memories come from living abroad.
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How Forbidden Cake Empowered Me
Nov 11, 2019 1:13:51 PM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Education, IDEAS projects, Life, Living Overseas, Learning, Culture
How to Talk Expat
Sep 16, 2019 9:51:45 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, Learning, Culture, community
Recently I realized I’ve learned another language. No, not Turkish, French, or Arabic, although I’ve learned each of those to varying degrees of proficiency. I guess it’s not actually another language I’m learning, but a dialect I call Expat.
How to Survive Culture Stress
Jun 24, 2019 12:28:58 PM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, Learning, Culture, community
I recently experienced culture stress. The situation: the purchase of a new refrigerator and the fact that it took two weeks for it to be delivered, which meant two weeks of storing my food at my neighbors’ house and two weeks of rearranging my schedule to be available on days the refrigerator might be delivered. This ordeal led me to think about culture shock, ...
What Is My Purpose? An Engineer's Response
Mar 25, 2019 10:50:29 AM Sarah Rymer Jordan, Agriculture, IDEAS projects, Living Overseas, Relationships, community
Why do I work? Am I having an impact? Is my work worth something? These are questions we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives. We want to know we are working towards something more than just a way to earn a living. That our work has some greater value. When I took a position in Jordan with IDEAS, I had no idea how important these questions would ...