Author Archives: mnieter

There’s Something in the Water

This has been an incredible summer full of personal and professional growth.  There have been so many significant changes that it is nearly impossible to put it into words.  When I moved out to Maryland, I really didn’t know what to expect.  I had a lot of questions such as:  “Who are these two other people I will be living with?”, “ What will I be doing?”, “How will I be able to contribute to this organization?”, “How can I represent Valpo and CAPS to the best of my ability?”.   The list went on and on and it was a bit nerve-racking.

I learned that there is something in the water at Valpo and in Rockville (where you run into more Valpo graduates than you would think!).  Valparaiso University has provided me with so many useful tools that continue to set Valpo students  apart from other university students.  Valpo not only guides us with strong academic programs but instills in us a sense of service .  We want to give back and positively impact individuals and groups.  This summer, I was able to see the way Valpo has shaped  students, graduates, and especially me with regard to serving others.  There is something in the “water” at  Valpo that leads us to do more and be more for the individuals of our community.  There is also something in the water out here too!  National Lutheran Communities and Services (NLCS) and The Village at Rockville are filled with individuals who genuinely want to serve residents and each other.  I can’t begin to tell you the countless  times employees have gone out of their way to offer me assistance and guidance.  They have something in their water that has made it harder to say goodbye to this place than I had anticipated after just a quick 8 weeks.

As I reflect on my time in Rockville, I have noticed that many of my decisions and thoughts have been re-affirmed.   I am confident I have selected the right courses for me over the past three years.  Without a doubt, I am in the correct major and am on the right career path.  With each meeting, interaction, and project development, I found myself contributing to something I desire to be a part of.  It has exposed me to areas of work that I didn’t even know were available to me. I am able to  grow professionally in this field  and take on new adventures while being able to remain passionate about service to others.    There is a multitude of opportunities  that await me after I graduate and I am anxious to find out what my path will be.

As I conclude my fellowship, I received answers to all of my initial questions. I had the great pleasure of living  with two incredible individuals who shared their knowledge and experiences with me as well as sharing a love for adventures (both traveling and food related)!  I was given the opportunity to develop a nursing on the floor checklist that I hope will be implemented soon.  I gave my best efforts  to any and all tasks that were presented to me.  Most importantly, I tried to ensure my work benefitted the people we serve.   While my questions at the beginning of my fellowship were answered, I now have new questions to fill their void! How can I best utilize everything that I learned while at  NLCS and The Village at Rockville? How can I carry this work method forward? How can I grow from here?  My senior year will, no doubt, also lead to many new discoveries and questions but there is no place I would rather be than in the place “where there is something in the water”!

Valpo representation at NLCS Leadership Summit.

Myself and 2 other CAPS Fellows in front of out cottage.

Hiking view at Sugarloaf.

Met up with the DC CAPS Fellows for a Nationals game.

Cottage Lessons

A fully packed car that went from Fort Wayne to Rockville.

The first two things that occurred to me when signing up for this blog were:

1) I really should sign up to do this blog at the same time my roommate does her blog so that I remember to do so! and

2) This blog follows my first week… that’ll be easy. I can talk about all the things I that I have learned.

 
 
 
 
 

The first point was perfect because I nearly forgot, and the second point was more difficult than I originally thought. It’s not because I haven’t learned anything, but because I have learned so much.  I have been inundated with information.  This information is both overwhelming and also thrilling.  I have felt the rush of wanting to dig into my project as well as the… “where do I even start?” feeling.  As one of the three fellows residing at The Village at Rockville (TVAR), the experience has already proven to be the start of an incredible fellowship. We have the privilege of living on the campus in one of the independent living cottages. Not only does that make for a great conversation starter, but ironically, two former CAPS fellows live across the street from us as well. We have been abundantly welcomed to the community. Not only have we had a chance to try out the local favorite eating spots, but we are also being exposed to a growing community that is taking steps to expand and flourish.

 
 
 
 
 

Our first week has been jam packed with things to get us oriented and acquainted with the community.  We completed a two day new staff orientation. We learned policies, safety, and what it means to be a team member at this organization. The rest of the week has been spent with Jason Gottschalk, the executive director, and Cyndi Walters, the COO, and many other members of the TVAR family.  The meetings we have attended have allowed us to meet and  get to know other leaders as well as introduce us to potential projects.  We have spent downtime researching various projects in order to hone in on the one or two that interests us the most.  We have also spent a great deal of time exploring the building and getting our bearings!

Katie, Michelle, and I at Billy Goat Trail.


 
 
 
 
 

Outside of the office, my cottage-mates and I have encountered many of what we refer to as: “cottage lessons”.  Basically, they are pretty much life lessons we have come across as we adjust to living in Maryland. Some of these lessons are funny stories such as putting clothes in the dryer first as opposed to the washer.    Others are slightly more serious like visiting the minute clinic at the local CVS which is open 7 days a week.  This came in handy after an encounter with poison ivy.  Katie, Michelle, and I know that there are probably a thousand more cottage lessons we will encounter before our time here comes to a close.

 
 
 
 

The excitement I have for the upcoming adventures in both Rockville and D.C. is immeasurable.  We are set up for a summer of career growth, learning, leadership, great food, and memories.  I’ve never been so thrilled to be part of such an inspiring organization.

 

A picture of the scenery we saw while hiking.