I'm out of my house right now, so I'm not in a very creative atmosphere, so I apologize if this story seems really weird or even not up to my usual.
As the sun set its light enveloped the landscape of the Mayan ruins. The bright ambers and burning reds lit up the ancient walls and glyphs giving them a majestic old fashioned glow. To behold the ruins in this natural light would leave anyone in awe. Anyone except Fiona Ingram, who sat behind her state of the art laptop with personal internet USB relay typing an angry letter to her university professor.
Dear Professor Smythe,
I've never been more disappointed with you than I am now. I would thank you for this opportunity to study Mayan culture but this is tantamount to punishment-for what I don't know!
When I asked to for the best chance to study culture I didn't mean some archaic run down disaster. I hardly see the appeal of staring at rocks all day. I wanted to be in the thick of proper culture. This is not culture. At best this is playing in the dirt like some kind of savage.
When the work placement lady asked if I would accept a position in another country I expected something like Paris or Italy, NOT Mexico!
I've written a strongly worded letter to the program coordinator and the president of the school regarding this gross oversight. Someone of my acedemic level should be granted the best opportunities to further my studies in the field of my choice. Instead I'm treated like a child and sent away on some filthy vacation.
In closing. I expect this to be rectified upon my return to the states tomorrow. I do not think I should lose out on an opportunity because someone else doesn't understand what culture is.
Signed,
Finoa Ingram
She closed the laptop lid with a slam and removed her hair tie letting her ponytail fall and drape around her neck. She had spent over $100 getting her hair styled before she left, and all the heat and sweat and arid conditions had ruined it. Not to mention her favourite pair of high heeled shoes.
She retreated to the shower tent to wash off and forget about the wretched jungle she was in. It aggravated her so much that the school would send her to some useless and smelly land when she could be in the cultural epicentre of the world, Paris.
After a long shower and a few hours of pampering herself she felt more relaxed. Still irritated but relaxed. She decided to check her e-mails to see if her professor and the program coordinator had gotten back to her.
Her inbox had only 1 new message. Typically the coordinator hadn't gotten back to her yet. He always took his time, but Professor Smythe had written back. She smiled. They must be so embarrassed for their mix up. She opened the e-mail to see what he had to say.
Dear Fiona,
I'm sorry to hear that such an enormous opportunity has been wasted on you. You're absolutely right. Someone of your academic record shouldn't be studying abroad. They must have needed to fill the empty seats in the program. The coordinator is looking into this oversight right now.
Unfortunately there's no archeological programs that we have partnerships with in France or Italy. If you're really interested in studying there we offer an excellent Culinary Arts program, though I suspect you will need to fight a lot harder for this seats, we often have to turn away students with lesser aptitude scores.
As for your early return I'm sorry to hear about it. As you know by terminating your studies abroad you've effectively withdrawn from the program, and since the last withdraw date with full refund was the week BEFORE you left we won't be returning the tuition money you've paid.
And while we're on the topic of tuition, I've spoken with the registrars office. You're payment for fourth semester is late so we have to charge you an additional $500 late fee.
Sorry to hear you've wasted the time of so many people.
Sincerely,
Professor Smythe.
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