Eden Teodorovici | CIIP 2023 Blog Portfolio
Posted: July 5, 2023
Orientation
Orientation was such a beautiful, insightful, and memorable week. Entering the week, I did not know what to expect except for 8 hour days, lots of socializing, and free breakfast and lunch! I’m grateful that it was much more than that. I had just moved into my apartment the day before, anxious about the week ahead and the “big girl” adult life ahead of me for the next two months: paying bills, planning meals, managing finances, and being self-sustainable. The experience, friends, memories, and knowledge I left with everyday of orientation was exactly what I needed to be comfortable, excited, and eager for the summer ahead of me.
The first challenge I encountered during orientation was figuring out how to put myself out there and maximize my potential for leaving a good impression, making friends, and optimizing the opportunities. As an introvert, I usually don’t speak until I’m spoken to in these orientation-like settings, but I was determined to step out of that comfort zone. I particularly enjoyed all of the encouraging activities planned that allowed for me to do so and grow! During my time at Hopkins as a freshmen, I was eager to meet so many new people and develop many new friendships ranging across friend-groups. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to escape the bounds set by my classes, clubs, and dorm to meet new people of different majors, ages, identities, and so on. That was one of the biggest blessings of CIIP and orientation. I am so grateful to have met so many amazing individuals with shared passions yet unique identities.
Another challenge I faced was discussing some intense and difficult topics this week. Various speakers and activities everyday challenged me to get outside my comfort zone and let my opinions and knowledge about some difficult topics escape the bounds of my mind. I had never been a part of a discussion with very uncomfortable but important topics such as the grouping activity with the theater group where most blatantly separated into groups based on race and then dove deeper by discussing it.
As mentioned earlier, I am definitely an introvert; one with a small social battery. Thus, another challenge this week was trying to put myself out there, be as sociable and friendly and engaged as possible with my social battery tank on empty. I had always believed that the social battery was in expandable but I learned that it is just like a muscle and with training and proper nourishment, can grow. I can happily say that it did and I am happy to spend time with any of my fellow CIIPer’s this summer for as long and far as the fun takes us!
Week 2
A challenge I have faced for the past two weeks is engaging in meaningful work that pertains to my interests, skillset, and/or experiences I seek to gain. Throughout the first weeks, I have been heavily involved in the beauty that is the work of horticulture. This work truly brings me joy and inner peace as I have learned to immensely value and respect nature and horticulture as I grew up farming and gardening. This is not something I want to give up, but rather replace half of it with administrative and programming work, honing in on my skills I have to offer and experience I yearn to gain.
By applying my direct and effective communication skills, open-minded approach, and team-focus mindset, adjustments can be made. I would like to continue putting in every ounce of elbow grease into the physical farm but also work in the office and home on projects involving marketing, research, event planning, outreach, etc. to partake in the strengthening of my placement’s connection to the Baltimore community.
Now, to reflect on my week in Baltimore in a more general sense, I think my love for the city strengthens every week. In the Waverly Giant earlier this week, I was greeted in almost every aisle I visited, given uplifting words, and had a conversation with a Baltimore native in the deli line. I left with my grocery list empty and my heart warmed. The city has so much to offer when you’re looking for things to do! Sarah (a fellow CIIPer) and I discovered three new ice cream spots, a great date night restaurant, and a craft-lover’s dream shop. I am looking forward to exploring more next week!
Week 3
A typical day at work not only varies based on the day of the week but also the week itself. We begin the week with a “crop walk” where the team examines each field, hoophouse, and row. This allows for us to document and plan the tasks throughout the week. Examples of this could be weeding a row, harvesting a crop, preparing a row for planting (using hoe, tiller, and broadfork), trellising the tomatoes or cucumbers, and so on. Entering each day, the team already knows what the day generally looks like in terms of the schedule. Everyday I am accompanied by Grace and Bryan, two Americorp members that make up the work team. A day that typically remains consistent is Thursday: CSA day. Grace, Bryan, and I split up the harvesting tasks because we always have multiple crops to harvest. This week we had to harvest snap peas, plums, garlic, watermelon radishes, green onions, and the entire row of carrots. Following the food safety procedures, we had a successful and fruitful harvest. Next, we thoroughly rinse each individual crop in our processing shed. Once the produce is clean, it is portioned out for each CSA bag. For carrots we aim for about a pound which is around 6-8 carrots, 5-7 watermelon radishes, and 6 green onions. Another team member simultaneously organizes the CSA bags based on size: small, medium, and large. We then pack the produce accordingly. The CSA bags are placed in the walk-in fridge, organized by drop off destination (e.g. Charles Village, Hamden, Roland Park, Belvedere Square, Clifton Mansion, Hollins Market, etc.). This means the CSA’s are packed and we take our lunch break! Reconvening after lunch, Grace, Bryan, and I carry on farm maintenance tasks like weeding and preparing rows for planting. This week, we were in Field 4 weeding the overgrowth paths. Majority of the weeds were extremely tough and established in the soil so I used a draw hoe to bring up the roots.
Throughout these past three weeks, Grace and I’s friendship has bloomed. I am extremely grateful to be a part of such a great team and have my main partner Grace! She is a senior at UMD studying environmental science which is what I am studying. We also have more than just our majors in common so work never feels like work when you have such a great friend working alongside you. I’ve been getting a little sad when thinking about completing the internship because it’s not like I’ll be able to see her on campus like the CIIP interns. This calls for some improvement with my communication skills!
Week 5
Throughout my internship, I encountered numerous unexpected obstacles that hindered the pursuit of my ambitions and goals. Looking back, I now recognize that I should have taken a more proactive approach by asking more questions and expressing my concerns openly from the beginning. Regrettably, I allowed these issues to persist, and as a result, my overall experience suffered, with participating in administrative work only during the last few weeks.
I realize now the importance of avoiding assumptions and granting others the benefit of the doubt, but at the same time, I must become a stronger advocate for myself. Identifying several red flags even before starting the internship, I should have engaged in direct and clear communication with my supervisor to eliminate any potential miscommunication, misunderstandings, or conflicts. By doing so, I am confident that both the experience and my relationship with my supervisor would have been significantly improved.
This realization has been an invaluable lesson, and I am committed to ensuring that I do not encounter similar challenges in the future. Moreover, this internship has provided me with valuable insights into interpersonal relationships and self-awareness. I am deeply grateful for the incredible coworkers I had the privilege of working with, as their genuineness and kindness made each day enjoyable. They created a supportive environment that encouraged me to break out of my shell, a feat I hadn’t accomplished since middle school. Surprisingly, once I revealed my true self, I noticed an even stronger connection with these wonderful people, and it allowed me to reduce the burden of overthinking and alleviate my social anxiety during interactions.
The experience of being in such a positive and nurturing environment has confirmed that I am on the right path and pursuing a professional route best suited for my skills and interests. I now have a clearer understanding of what truly drives and excites me in a professional capacity, and I plan to utilize this newfound knowledge to pursue roles that optimize and enrich my future experiences.
Week 7
As my summer internship comes to a close, I find myself immersed in deep contemplation about intersectionality and how it has influenced my personal growth. Working at Civic Works Real Food Farm amidst a diverse team and community has opened my eyes to the complexities of identity and the interconnectedness of social categorizations.
Intersectionality, a concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the overlapping and interdependent nature of social identities, such as race, gender, class, and more. It has made me realize that I am more than just one dimension; I am a culmination of various aspects, each shaping my perspectives and experiences in unique ways.
Throughout my internship, engaging in discussions on social issues, food justice, and community empowerment, I discovered how intersectionality plays a crucial role in addressing challenges faced by different communities. Understanding the complexity of these issues helps in crafting more inclusive and comprehensive solutions that cater to diverse needs.
One striking realization came from witnessing the impact of intersectionality on community engagement. The lack of funding for educational programs at Real Food Farm hindered deeper connections with marginalized communities. This underscored the importance of recognizing systemic inequalities that restrict access to resources and opportunities for certain groups. It also reinforced the need for social justice-oriented approaches in our work.
Embracing intersectionality requires acknowledging biases and preconceived notions that we may unknowingly hold. By doing so, we can strive to be more empathetic and understanding, creating an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel valued and heard.
As I move forward, I am committed to advocating for intersectionality in both my personal and professional spheres. My journey of self-reflection during this internship has made me conscious of the privileges I may possess and the responsibilities that come with them. I will actively listen to the voices and experiences of those whose stories may differ from mine, ensuring I create a space for inclusivity and equality.
Gratitude fills my heart for the transformative experiences of this summer. Not only did I learn about urban farming and teamwork, but I also unearthed deeper insights into myself and the world around me. This newfound understanding will undoubtedly guide me in shaping a future where intersectionality is celebrated, and every individual’s uniqueness is embraced.
As I bid farewell to this internship, I carry with me the lessons of intersectionality, which extend far beyond the confines of this program. It has become an intrinsic part of my outlook, and I eagerly anticipate applying these insights in my future endeavors. Together, let us pave the way for a more just, inclusive, and compassionate world where everyone’s voice is not only heard but cherished.
