Brett Reichert is a man on the move.
Reichert, who works in the SCAD Office of International Student Services and Student Conduct, spent six quarters at SCAD Lacoste as a student coordinator. Before Lacoste, Reichert served as the ESL director for SCAD Savannah. He also spent time as a Fulbright Grantee in Belgium and an English instructor for the Samsung Corporation in South Korea. And he has participated in study abroad programs in eight countries. Reichert recently spoke to the Connector about his at home and abroad.
Why did you choose to work in Lacoste for a year and a half as a student coordinator?
This opportunity presented itself to me coincidentally. At the time, I had just completed 2 years as ESL (English as a Second Language) director in Savannah. I was at a meeting when someone asked if I knew any French speakers I could recommend for the position. Well, I ended up applying for the slot myself. SCAD had a need. I spoke French, was qualified and was feeling adventurous. I thought about it overnight and said “yes, I’ll go.” I had lived and worked outside Paris before, so I was eager to explore Provence.
What were your culture shocks when you first arrived in Lacoste?
I knew French and French culture already, so that helped. Nothing really shocked me. I would say, however, that I was in such “awe” at the natural beauty of the area; it was hard to settle down and get any work done those first few days. Every view in Lacoste is captivating. Every town and village the students visited was a new chapter for me as well. With the technology available at SCAD Lacoste, I was able to e-mail, chat, Skype and share photos very easily back home, so my “old digs” never seemed too far away.
What reverse culture shock experience did you have when you came back to the U.S.?
“Reverse culture shock” … hmmm. I would suggest that cultural differences don’t have a “direction,” so the idea of reverse shock is really a misnomer. Yes, I’m American, but coming back to the U.S. was not going in reverse culturally. Rather, I was moving forward in my life. Plus, I knew what I was coming back to, so there were no surprises. I’d come home before after travels abroad. Shock at being home just points out the things you miss where you were, like a daily routine, ways of life, a certain food or place. I miss the calm serenity of Provence, the lack of cars, the lazy narrow farm roads, the uncluttered landscape and the walkability of villages, towns and even big cities. I did not miss McDonalds, Wal-mart, Starbucks or even cars, as some first-timers report.
What was the most difficult part of the transitioning back to living and working in Atlanta?
I lived in Savannah before Lacoste, so I moved here with SCAD and started a new job when I came back. That was stressful, finding a new place to live, learning a new city, buying a car. I remember looking out over the I-75/85 Connector one day during rush hour from SCAD Atlanta. The undertone of white noise from the city was pervasive, and all I saw below were buildings, pavement, highway and cars. That’s when I really knew I wasn’t in Lacoste anymore. I miss the small village feel, knowing everyone by name in Lacoste and the close proximity of everything you need. It’s a great place for artists to go and focus on their work, instead of all the things about life that get in the way of creativity.
Has your perspective of your own country changed since coming back?
I believe that any experience in a foreign culture puts things in your own in a different perspective. The result is that we naturally think about life on a deeper level. We ask “why?” more and “so what?” less. Travel makes us more inquisitive, curious and understanding of differences. I encourage all students to take part in study abroad while they are young. You’ll be more interesting and more human. These are good job skills, too,
What do you miss the most about Lacoste?
Waking up to the sound of a cow bell from across the valley. Telling time by a 400-year-old bell tower. The evening light show across the huge valley sky. Never a rerun. Walking 500 feet to work. Not having a car. Fresh air. Time in Paris every 12 weeks. Friends and colleagues from Lacoste and the area.