Interview and general update

Wednesday Interview

At 11:30 I went for my last interview for the second phase of selection. I feel it went really well! It was much more like what I was expecting, especially from one of the university lecturers. The questions were aimed at expanding on my application, as well as things like my philosophies and opinions about critical questions in psychology and ethics. He also focused on the typical strengths and weaknesses questions, but in a very applied way. This time I felt I really got a good opportunity to show exactly who I am, what I believe and why they should select me. That left me feeling much more positive than with the last interview. At the end the interviewer said "You are a strong and brave woman." so I assume I made a good impression.

Now I just wait to find out if I go on to the third and final selection phase. I think I stand a chance. If I don't go through to the next phase at least I am satisfied with how my interviews and role play went.

General Update

I've been crocheting like crazy while I'm here. It has helped to keep me calm and focused. I will hopefully finish a whole project while I'm here, although I might need the time from the final stage. I'm working on a granny square sling bag. I've done the one side and 7 of the 12 for the other side. Each colour represents a different emotional state I have experienced while I have been here in Grahamstown. The colours don't show too well in the photo unfortunately. My Chinese store hook and yarn, despite being of questionable quality, have been serving me well!

On a random note, I found "Old House" on "New Street". I found this amusing.

After some lunch I'm off to the Albany Natural History Museum. They don't allow photos there so unfortunately I can't post anything on that.

Tuesday Exploration - Botanical Gardens

I ran out of time to post yesterday, so here is the rest of yesterday's exploration.
I finally found where the botanical gardens are. They are much like Kirstenbosch in that you have a mix of indigenous and typical popular alien species (e.g. oaks). There are stone paths that lead through planted areas and large areas of lawns spotted with well-established trees. I noticed some interesting tree and found a small partially dammed river,





The plants were mostly familiar, with only a few exceptions. I expected to see more different flora considering I'm in a different province. What I did notice is that I didn't recognise most of the birdsong. I saw some familiar faces, like grey ibis and a blue heron, but I also saw some variants of shrike, robin and bull-bull that I didn't recognise.




I noticed at the top of the gardens you could see more natural vegetation which was by the roadside so I climbed up there. That was more charactertised by long yellow grasses, strelitzia and aloes. From up at the top of the garden I noticed a hidden path that seemed to lead up the mountain (well, it's more like a really big hill). Of course, this lead to an unexpected bare-foot hike right to the top. The mountain was on the edge of town so I got a view of both the city and the yellow rolling hilly mountains on the other side.

That hike was quite exhilarating and left me with quite a positive buzz. I needed that time in nature! The exercise was good for me too I'm sure.

Tuesday Exploration - Fantastically Fishy!

The first place I went to after my role play was the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. It turns out that only the front room is available to the public. This means I wasn't able to check out what research they are currently doing. However, the front room was fascinating so the visit was well worth its time!

First, there is some great art on the front door. This is part of it:




The first thing you see when you walk it in a large Mbuna cichlid tank. It was quite standard except for one fish which I didn't recognise. It was some sort of suckermouth fish but I don't think it's a pleco and doesn't really look like a loach. Its yellow colouration wasn't evenly spaced on it's face so I wonder if maybe it had some sort of genetic abnormality. It also had pink puffs on its face which could be bites from the cichlids.





Then there was the coelacanth. I'd always wanted to see one, even if it is in formaldehyde. Standing next to it gave me a really good feel for it's size, which while being the size I expected, somehow felt even bigger in real life. I could also study it in great detail, which allowed me to notice things that one simply can't see in pictures and documentaries.



I was excited to see there was even more! The next area was filled with information on coelacanths and have two other specimen (including a juvenile, which I had recently been wondering about!). I didn't take photos of most of the exhibit unfortunately.




I later found every more fishy things. I discovered a small pet store which stocked fish equipment and a few fish. It's good to know that if I moved here I would have a place to get fish (and ratty) basics. At the pet store I found my second mystery fish for the day. They moved too fast for me to get a good photograph, but I hope the one I took might help me identify it at some point.

I still have more exploration to post about, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. It's getting a bit late and I'm running out of time.

Selection process update

Monday's interview

My interview was somewhat different from what I expected, but I think it went well regardless. 

The interviewer started with questions to see how I react when put on the spot or potentially made uncomfortable. I had heard this sort of thing happening so this part didn't surprise me. If I remember correctly, his first question was "Are you angry with your parents?" The most odd one he asked was "Who will stand up for the rights of the straight white male plumbers?" That one did catch me a little off guard as it was so specific and unusual. I think I answered alright though.

The rest of the interviews was what was unexpected. He didn't really have many questions to ask me. I even commented that I feel he didn't ask many questions that would allow him to get a better idea of who I am. He had evidently read my application (including autobiography and motivation) in depth and he didn't seem to want that much more info. I'm sure he was analysing everything that happened during the interview though.

Since he had so few questions we ended the questions part early. Instead he gave me feedback on my application and then we just chatted about the stuff I was interested in doing and psychology in general. I'm sure that also gave him a better idea of who I am.

His feedback on my application was both positive and negative. He said, in his words, that my application was strong and there was nothing missing from it. However, he said I was unlikely to get in because I am too young. He did encourage me to keep on applying until eventually my age won't be an issue. A current masters student I spoke to said he got in at 24 and two other students got in at age 22, so he disagrees with that. The interviewer also said that, to a lesser degree, being a white woman will count against me. He said they try take a diverse group and since there are so may young white women applying the odds are against me. This is all stuff I have heard before. I do wonder if maybe we was interested in seeing how I reacted to being told I was unlikely to get in. If that is the case I'm sure my response was fine. I understand and accept the reality of the situation and will just keep trying till I get in.

Overall I think the interview went well. I left feeling positive.

Tuesday's role play

The role play was the only part of this process that made me feel nervous and worried. I don't have training in counselling, with the exception of HIV pre- and post-test counselling which is totally different, so I am at a disadvantage here. Also, performing an unfamiliar test while being observed and judged by a panel is anxiety provoking in itself. Especially when so much rests on it! Despite this, I felt it went really well. I got lots of good feedback from the panel and I was probably harder on myself than they were. 

Now that this is out the way and it went well, I'm not stressed for anything. I really don't mind interviews, and I am usually quite confident for them. There is just one more interview before they decide on who goes to the final stage of selection (50% of the current applicants). If I get into the final phase then I have a panel interview. 

Sunday Exploration

This is my second day in Grahamstown and my first opportunity to explore! I soon realised I'd end up a typical tourist taking photos with my phone. I've put some of them up here to share.

First I set out to find the best route to where I need to be for my interviews. The main area with university buildings is quite beautiful. Old architecture and stone walls are interspersed with gardens and many leafless trees beginning to bud or blossom. The air must be clean and unpolluted here as even young trees, barely older than saplings, already have think fluffy lichen.





The psychology department and psychology clinic where I will have my interviews and roleplays are only a 10min walk from where I am staying. That will be very helpful for tomorrow morning when I need to get there early.



After checking where I needed to go I set about exploring the area of town around me. It was quite quiet, even for a university town on a Sunday. At least a number of places remained open for me to explore. I set out to find not only the practical places that will help settle me in, but also for something different. I wasn't disappointed.

Anyone interested in architecture could wander about town for hours on end. I took photos of some of my favourites. There were, however, many more mixed in between average every day buildings and shops.



I found the SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity which wasn't open, but I was able to scout a freshwater fishy smelling pond area around the back. I'll come back during the week to check it out better.




I also found a few random gems. I now have a new favourite Chinese store, and I found an interesting looking pub and the braille library. I also found out that Rhodes students are apparently called Rhodents, which is quite exciting for a rat-lover like me.

The Chinese store stocked small balls of polyester yarn and a mystery-sized crochet needle, which should keep me sorted for stress relief. The rest of my day was spent practicing crochet in the courtyard of the BnB I'm staying at speaking to the very friendly chef here.

I'm off to bed now. I have an interesting day ahead of me tomorrow and I have no idea what to expect! Thanks for reading!