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How does the Program become involved in specific projects? Requests for assistance are initiated and defined by Pacific islanders, not by the Micronesia and South Pacific Program (MSPP). Pacific islanders control the focus and content of projects. Our role is to select the best application for a particular position. How are Technical Assistants selected? Applications are reviewed to determine work experience, relevant technical skills, educational background, and interest in the Pacific islands. During Winter term, the Director and Associate Director observe applicants in the PPPM 626 "Experiencing Crossing Cultures" course to assess development of adaptive skills, increase in self-awareness and perception of impact on others, openness to new experiences, competence in giving and receiving feedback, and ability to adapt and adjust. A final decision is based on class participation, technical expertise, feedback interviews, and references. Can my partner and/or children accompany me to the islands for three months? MSPP policy regarding taking family members to the work site is similar to that of the Peace Corps. Except in rare circumstances, children are not allowed to accompany Technical Assistants (TAs). The sites where we work are in developing countries with very limited housing available to foreigners. We do not have the staff nor funding to assure children a safe and healthy place to live. In the Pacific islands, spouses or partners represent the MSPP just as much as do the TAs. (In fact, all the TAs on an island are regarded as "family" by local people.) Spouses or partners must be selected as a participant independent from their relationship to a TA, and are expected to contribute actively to a MSPP project. If a spouse behaves inappropriately, it reflects on the MSPP. Thus, we feel it is important to assess the ability of spouses to adapt to a different culture. Because the agencies are required to house the spouse as well as the TA, the agency expects to receive some benefit from housing two people. Therefore, spouses are evaluated with regard to their ability to participate actively in MSPP projects, as well as their interest in doing so. What if family or friends wish to visit me during my TA internship? MSPP policy states that TAs may have someone meet them on-island at the end of their period of service only. Based on several years experience, we have found that it does not work to have visitors during the internship. It is often difficult to find housing for visitors, and accommodating an extra person into your house or apartment, which is paid for by the agency, can create stress for other TAs on island who may share housing with you. We have repeatedly found this to be the case, no matter what the accommodating TA may say when asked whether a guest would cause a problem. Can I travel off-island while I’m a TA? It is not acceptable for you to travel away from your island during your three-month period of service, unless the agency you are working for has requested that you attend a workshop or meeting on another island and is willing to pay your travel expenses. Of course, leaving the island via medevac for emergency medical care is also acceptable. What about transportation on-island? Common modes of transportation by TAs are hitching rides, walking, taking the bus or riding a bike. Agencies do not provide transportation for TAs, although in some cases an agency may make a vehicle available for a TA to use after-hours and on weekends. Are there behaviors or dress requirements that I need to know about as a TA? You will be expected to observe behavior and dress requirements on your island. Local people will not tell you when you are dressing or behaving inappropriately, yet word about any breach of cultural norms will be circulated generally among the local population. If you drink alcoholic beverages, it is important to do so in moderation (1-2 beers at most), as alcoholism is widespread on many islands. The program strongly discourages sexual involvement with local people (there is no such thing as "dating" in the islands, and even flirting is misunderstood) -- Hepatitis B, a serious sexually transmitted disease, is endemic to the islands; additionally, you cannot necessarily know whether someone already has a partner on island as island norms will not disclose this information to an outsider. While acceptable apparel on each island differs (you will be given specific information about this in class), in general be aware that women wear short-sleeved blouses or tops with skirts, or dresses, and men typically wear short-sleeved shirts and light pants. We ask that men's hair be no longer than ear-length and facial hair, if any, be neatly trimmed. Your effectiveness as a TA will be enhanced in direct proportion to the respect you show islanders in terms of compliance with their culture, including the attire and behavior expected of visitors other than tourists. |
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