Where am I now?

So, you're the new AmeriCorps volunteer working at Boston Partners in Education? Congratulations! You're in for a great year at Boston Partners. Although you won't be working on the same project that I did, the support system at Boston Partners will help you through the year. They're all good people and many of them really understand what AmeriCorps is working towards. Some of them are current AmeriCorps volunteers, and a handful used to volunteer as well.

A few things I wish I had known before this year:

• Make sure you move to a neighborhood that's closer than Brighton/Cleveland Circle. Although I didn't mind the ~hour long commute, life would've been much easier if never had to deal with the B line. I got an apartment with three other Mass Promise Fellows to save money but we didn't do our research very well. Three of us were commuting over 45 minutes to get to work :(
  
• If you can, don't bother with a car in Boston. Yes, having a car is a great advantage, but I see it as a big disadvantage until you have a full salary. Parking is a pain in the neck in Boston, it's just not worth it most of the time.
  
• Invest in raingear! I still haven't gotten around to getting a decent rain jacket or rain boots.
  
• Go out with co-workers more often, whether this means lunch dates out of the office or after work, weekend adventures are also fun. It's a good chance to see people out of one environment.
  
• Spend as much time outside in Boston as possible because when the winter months come, you're gonna spend a lot of time inside.
  
• Finally, make the most of everything you are given. Trainings with JSI are a good chance to get to know other JSI employees. Volunteer with other organizations. Get involved with other interest groups. Explore the many neighborhoods of Boston. Do what you want to do!

I will be moving on to another Massachusetts Promise Fellowship position for the 2010-2011 year. I will be serving at Tutoring Plus in Cambridge managing and designing curriculum based activities for afterschool programs targeting middle school students. I am also moving from Brighton to somewhere else (TBD) to get a different experience of Boston.
I'll be leaving behind tips and tricks for managing Math Rules! with Wendy if you should be interested. We should meet up sometime to talk about AmeriCorps, Boston Partners, or whatever! Please don't hesitate to contact me: minguyen5 at gmail dot com. I would put up my cell phone, but since this is a blog, I won't. Emailing me would be the best way to contact me anyways.

Good luck! There's a good chance I'll pop into the Boston Partners office from time to time. I'm one of those people who never leaves once I get comfortable :)

Best,
-Minh