The First of Many Posts
Ever since I began thinking about my college career, I have dreamed about studying abroad. The places I could see and the student experience I could have seemed unrivaled! I came to realize that semester long study abroad options were not realistic for me, and it seemed like my vision might not come to fruition.
YET, here I am writing my first blog post before leaving for my Maymester study abroad trip where me and a group of nearly 30 other students will be traveling and learning about Sports Medicine, History and Culture in Ireland, Switzerland (making a quick trip to France!), Germany and the Netherlands all in the course of 20 days. It all feels pretty surreal, and I am not sure it will truly hit me that I am finally going until we arrive in Dublin tomorrow!
My expectations for this trip are high, but I foresee they will be greatly exceeded. I hope to develop strong connections with my instructors and peers while getting to explore part of the world together. I am excited to experience how each country's sports medicine field may differ and am looking forward to learning hands on some of their techniques and traditions.
American's and our culture have many diverse stereotypes, and quite a few are not on the positive end. Some worldwide views of Americans include that we are loud, arrogant, entitled, and ignorant, among other things. In our large group, we definitely might fulfill the loud image of college aged Americans. However, I hope that throughout our travels we prove to differ from these other preconceived notions. Being American and spending very little time out of the U.S., it may be true that I am slightly ignorant to the cultures and lives of others who do not share my background. My worldview is limited in this way, for I've never truly been immersed in a culture other than my own or travelled to many places I am unfamiliar with. Expanding this worldview through out this trip will be an amazing opportunity and I am excited to be forced to step outside of my bubble that I am used to staying in.
I am most looking forward to exploring Ireland and Switzerland, I have wanted to travel to these places for such a long time! I am least looking forward to the time difference and how it may affect my sleep schedule (this girl really loves her sleep). I have also gotten used to the amazing 70-80 degree weather Columbia has had for the past month or so, and transitioning back to the colder temperature might prove to be rough at first. Although, this is a minuscule price to pay for the journey I am about to embark on!
The next time I post will be after I have spent a few days in Dublin, I can't wait to share what my experiences will be! For now, pray that I get some sleep on this overnight flight.
YET, here I am writing my first blog post before leaving for my Maymester study abroad trip where me and a group of nearly 30 other students will be traveling and learning about Sports Medicine, History and Culture in Ireland, Switzerland (making a quick trip to France!), Germany and the Netherlands all in the course of 20 days. It all feels pretty surreal, and I am not sure it will truly hit me that I am finally going until we arrive in Dublin tomorrow!
My expectations for this trip are high, but I foresee they will be greatly exceeded. I hope to develop strong connections with my instructors and peers while getting to explore part of the world together. I am excited to experience how each country's sports medicine field may differ and am looking forward to learning hands on some of their techniques and traditions.
American's and our culture have many diverse stereotypes, and quite a few are not on the positive end. Some worldwide views of Americans include that we are loud, arrogant, entitled, and ignorant, among other things. In our large group, we definitely might fulfill the loud image of college aged Americans. However, I hope that throughout our travels we prove to differ from these other preconceived notions. Being American and spending very little time out of the U.S., it may be true that I am slightly ignorant to the cultures and lives of others who do not share my background. My worldview is limited in this way, for I've never truly been immersed in a culture other than my own or travelled to many places I am unfamiliar with. Expanding this worldview through out this trip will be an amazing opportunity and I am excited to be forced to step outside of my bubble that I am used to staying in.
I am most looking forward to exploring Ireland and Switzerland, I have wanted to travel to these places for such a long time! I am least looking forward to the time difference and how it may affect my sleep schedule (this girl really loves her sleep). I have also gotten used to the amazing 70-80 degree weather Columbia has had for the past month or so, and transitioning back to the colder temperature might prove to be rough at first. Although, this is a minuscule price to pay for the journey I am about to embark on!
The next time I post will be after I have spent a few days in Dublin, I can't wait to share what my experiences will be! For now, pray that I get some sleep on this overnight flight.
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