also appreciate the opportunities I had at OES to grow spiritually as a young person with courses in religion and philosophy. It’s so rare to be afforded the chance in our youth to expand our horizons through coursework that is spiritual in nature but at the same time in no way dogmatic—it is a balance that OES carries off impeccably.
Q: Any tips for Americans traveling abroad?
A: At this point in our collective globalization march it is important to take proper safety precautions like sharing your itinerary with friends or family not traveling with you and enrolling in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.
travel.state.gov. Above all, maintain situational awareness when in an unfamiliar environment and pay attention if you ever get a gut feeling that something is “off” around you.
Beyond that, I think talking to local people (even if they have little or no English and gesticulation wins the day), is one of the most enriching aspects of traveling to a new place. It’s easy to focus on historical buildings, works of art, or breathtaking panoramas. All those unique sights, sounds, and smells of a new place are priceless, but connecting with different people and encountering up close our shared human experience and surprising similarities—that’s what has kept me exploring after all these years.
Crawford plays a friendly game of hoops on the White House basketball court while working at the National Security Council.
that doesn’t naturally lend itself to processing setbacks efficiently. I think many of us simply regard apparent setbacks as successes yet to be achieved. It’s important that people move on when they have reached their setback tolerance though, and several of my colleagues who went through orientation with me have already resigned their commissions to pursue other career dreams elsewhere in the government or in the private sector. I’ve thought sometimes about what I might do after this very big adventure; we shall see.
Q: How does your OES education and experiences feed the work you are doing?
A: Te breadth and depth of my education at OES has held me in good stead ever since I graduated. OES gave me a wellspring of tools to draw on in life and in my profession . . . indispensable skills like critical analysis, which informs my judgment as I am asked to assess very fluid, sometimes fast-changing developments in the world. I am indebted to OES for nourishing from a young age my ability to communicate effectively. Tere is a vast chasm between knowing a thing and being able to accurately, precisely, and persuasively express that thing to people. I work every day to bridge that gap seamlessly for my audience of US policy makers.
My class trips and Winterim experiences were really my first chances in life to step out of the comfortable and familiar environments I inhabited and learn how to be a flexible and resilient member of my community at all times. Especially when working with the Vatican, I
30 Oregon Episcopal School
“Connecting with different people and encountering up close our shared human experience and surprising similarities—that’s what has kept me exploring after all these years.”
Q: Looking back, is there anything you would like to say to current OESians as you reflect on the time you spent at OES?
A: Take your time. Be present in the moment. Enjoy the luxury of your time at OES and consider what you learn there as the apparatus you will need to navigate a dynamic 21st century global community. As small as the world seems to be getting, it remains a very big place, and you will be well-equipped as you come into your own within it.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: If you always endeavor to move through the world with open eyes, an open mind, and an open heart, your chances of leading a life imbued with meaning and happiness will increase exponentially. And go Aardvarks!
In China as a Peace Corps volunteer.
www.oes.edu
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