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Question
Hi,
I am a 16-year-old Irish (American raised) boy. I have recently started dating a beautiful girl. Her family and herself are very religious and she hasn’t told them about me yet. The main problem is I have been offered a job. A job in which if I take I will be overseas in any country for the next 15-20 years of my life. The job will have me helping people, which is something I have always dreamed of doing. But I will have to adapt to the culture of the area. Doing so would keep me there for an unknown time during the 15-20 years. It’s very risky too. My question is I love this girl a lot and I know she loves me but my time is coming soon, probably 6 months, and I'm not sure what to do. I would stay for her and become a teacher instead but... I am still only 16 and I know there are millions of other people out there... what do you see in this?
~Joe~
Hi Joe, and thanks for your question. It's difficult to say. What concerns me though is that 15-20 years of your life as a commitment to make at age 16 may not be well advised. I think it would doom your prospects with this girl, as well as much of the next six years, which really are a key time in life--also many of your friends will be marrying and making other important life transitions. There is always time to get into helping professions afterwards, particularly after college or personal travel, etc. Teaching is a great profession, which can also take you around the world (particularly in ESL). I've had a wonderful and full experience in human rights work even waiting until after university myself, and lots of opportunities have opened to me. I can't tell you what to do, of course, but I hope that this helps. Good luck to you!
peace,
Le Anne
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Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
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