What do you enjoy most about mentoring?
- I enjoy seeing, or imagining, the smiles on the faces of the mentees when they begin to understand something. It makes me feel like I have accomplished something in Egypt, and left my mark on someone who otherwise had no one to look up to for questions.
What do you find most difficult about mentoring?
- The most difficult thing about mentoring is when there is a person who, no matter how simply I explain things, still doesn't understand.
Where do you find it easier to mentor - on the island or the mainland, and why?
- Mainland - There are so many more things to do and things to be accomplished. On the island it feels like the same things all the time.
How would you describe your mentoring style?
- I make things pretty simple/easy (i.e., helping to gather supplies) and I am there to guide the new player in the right direction, without smothering them with attention; each person needs time to try to figure things out on their own. I'm easy to get along with and tend to be able to adapt to the needs and learning styles of others.
Whats the most important thing to teach / do for a new player?
- The most important thing to teach a new player would undoubtedly have to be "Don't be afraid to ask questions."
Whats the best, or easiest, kind of student to teach?
- The student that is best to teach is the student that is easy to get along with, willing to learn, and takes Egypt seriously.
What problems have you encountered while mentoring, and how were they resolved?
- The language barrier. It takes a fair amount of effort to attempt to translate when you really don't know the language. This problem was solved by passing the new player off to another mentor who speaks the language and/or would be able to translate.
What makes you a 'good' mentor?
- Plain and simple - I'm fun! :)