Ember Melcher

Age: 18

Birthday: March 11, 1987

Favorite Part of the Experience: It’s not possible to choose a single part of this experience, but I suppose I can share my favorite memory. While I was in China, I decided one night to wash my hair in the sink in my bathroom as opposed to taking a full bath in the big bathroom because I didn’t want to bother my host mother with heating up the water. I told my host sister I was going to wash my hair and then go to bed. I washed my hair and my sister knocked on the door to tell me the hot water was ready. We had obviously misunderstood each other. When she saw my wet hair, she became very concerned. She called her mother into the room, and then her father followed, all of them speaking very quickly. The mother scooped my hair off my shoulders and held it suspended from any contact with my skin. They were obviously wondering what to do with me now that I had made this decision. We eventually compromised by rinsing my hair in warm water a few times. What this incident taught me was that although every culture may have different ideas about what is safe or not, mothers across the globe manage the same look of exasperation and surprise over the blunders of their children. It’s an expression that transcends borders and cultural boundaries. I suppose that’s not very surprising, considering that the mistakes children make also transcend those borders.

Favorite Subjects: History, politics, English….in that order

Interests: Rock climbing, reading, violin, live music, political discussions

Future plans: I want to get a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. I haven’t decided which college. I want to minor in French and one other foreign language, again undecided as of now. I’m hoping to work for the CIA, in any variety of desk job positions. I plan on interning for the CIA at least once to decide if that avenue is lucrative. If I don’t go into intelligence, I want to work abroad, possibly delivering aid or information about women’s health to remote areas.