How the heck did Joseph end up in Panama??

Like many people, you're probably asking yourself that question. Like you, I thought Panama would be last place anybody would consider moving to. So here's the story, don't worry, it's short.

It was around mid-July of this year. I still hadn't decided what I was going to do after I graduated from my Computer Infomation Systems program in August. So far, my options were to: go to computer animation school, accept a pretty sweet job offer from a Canadian company, take a few art courses and take it easy for a while, or look for a higher paying job in the US - which is what most newly graduated techies do. Well time was ticking, there was only 3 weeks to go, and I almost started to panic. (That's a BIG almost, by the way).

One day, I decided to visit the co-operative education office to look for job postings. Then I saw it, a posting for the "Internship of the Americas". I've never heard about it before, and neither did any of my friends. I talked to the coordinator about the program, and I was instantly hooked. In a nutshell, the program sends recently graduated students to South/Central American countries for 7 months, one for school and six for work. I was just in time, the job I wanted had a deadline for submissions the following week. So I got my tight, hairy, little, procrastinating ass in gear and finished my application package. (Check out www.lanagara.bc.ca/ioa for more info about the program.)

It turns out that I was the only applicant for the job. So guess what? "Joseph, you're going to Panama". Of course, I was also fully qualified for that position.

None of my friends from school were even remotely interested into going to Panama. They said, "The big money is in the States!", "Do they even have computers in Panama?", "What's in Panama?" and the classic, "Where the f@#$ is Panama?".

None of that affected my decision to accept the position. Eventhough the pay was going to be minimal - and I mean MINIMAL, I saw an awesome opportunity to learn a new language and culture, to practice what I learned from school, and most importantly, to do some travelling and get away from my parents - sorry mom, it's the truth.

So the next thing you know, a month and a half later, I'm in Panama City, and lovin' it.