American University
Beirut, Syria
Sept. 17, 1938Dear Miss Turner,
Your card arrived soon after I did. I'm sorry we didn't cross paths but it is almost as if we did.
Eureka! or some such epxression. I have undertaken to carry on teaching Anatomy & Physiology. The other matters of this job which could well consume all the time available will perforce only take part of it and I've a feeling will be done just as well. I hesitated, but since deciding, have felt a new push of energy & itnerest. It will be a good course yet. The Carlson & Johnson book gives a new attack by the fresh phrasing, on many ideas. The importance of building my background increases with the restriction in time, English, and schooling of my little pupils. There are two Junior college graduates in the group who are taking our five year course leading to a degree. They look promising. There are 4 Cyprus government students, picked with care and destined for government posts and then the usual scattering of dumb Syrians from mediocre families, clever Armenians, stupid Armenians, and Jewesses. I must confess, the Jewess in the classroom always, almost, pleases me most. There are 16 in the group, and possibly 18 if the two Viennese who have applied succeed in getting here.
All the head nurses with two exceptions, & I know them well, were my students. I thikn we shall arrive. The girl who took my job is a perfect henchman, and loads better in her managing than I ever was. She grants me the edge in the teaching of anatomy & physiology, but yields nothing in the teaching of rinsing techniques. That is all right with me.
My former assistant is making strides under her and will be a good teacher one of these days. I want to get her into a ward situation and see what her training in the classroom will mean there.
Several former students have come in & I hear often of the work they are doing. These poor lambs are plunged into jobs of terrific magnitude - one young Bulgarian is the head of a Moslem hospital where her only assistants are "practicals". The right practical reads no English. The Bulgarian can't write Arabic & the night orders are given verbally in Arabic. The doctors give the nurse freedom to order medications. Well, you can see the job we have on our hands. Our good nurses are snapped up in Palestine where there are so many European doctors. When I see some of the material that goes forth I do tremble.
Social life proves delightful. You can not possibly imagine the contrast between last year's provinciality and this year's promise.
I am spending this weekend with my friends the Oppenheimers. He is a German Jew, she a Gentile. Their daughter Suzanne has eaten a spoonful of porridge "for Aunt Katy" these many weeks in order for her to know me on my arrival.
The Palestine picture is dreadful, 20 deaths in the last two days, sporadic & meaningless murder on all sides. Suspicions of Italian promotion. The Lebanon is becoming a haven & refuge for all groups. Egyptians, Iraquians, & Palestinian Arabs have filled the mountain resorts & many will not return. Three big hotels in one of the villages are being equipped with steam heat against winter use.
I must stop this and go to work on Monday's lesson.
Love to Charlotte & lots for youself,
KatyWhen I get a house it will have a guest room.