Vocation, Vocation, Vocation

      Aside from just joining clubs on campus at Al-Akhawayn and participating in community services, I believe that networking with my professors during my study abroad will contribute the most to accomplishing my vocational goals. The reason I am focusing on professors, is because they are able to bring a little more insight to the table than most. As I was doing research on my host country and institution, I came across many segments where they described their professors as intelligent individuals form different walks of life.

      During my study abroad I will be finishing up my second part of thesis, so talking to my professors about their thoughts and advice on my topic would be a great way to generate a dialogue. Soon after, I would inquire them about internships and other business opportunities that would help me transition into the work force while I am there. Networking closely with the professors of AUI would definitely help in finding my vocation.

Living Like a Local: My home away from home

To be honest my plan to blend in with the locales of my host country is pretty simple and straight forward. Be a sponge, and soak up everything. Sure there will be times where I experience some forms of culture shock but its all apart of the experience in my opinion. Plus it'll help prepare me for future travel experiences.

I have already made plans to get involved in community services in my host country as a way to immerse myself with those who don't just attend the University. This would also give me the opportunity to practice on speaking and understanding the language there.

As far as food goes its simple.....eat all the foods. This is probably the main reason as to why I am studying abroad (after finding my vocation and gaining an increased global perspective of course).

I also intend on joining a few clubs during the semester and become familiar with the campus as soon as possible. With that being said, I am not trying to stretch myself too thin and do everything that is available or become annoying to others. The way I see it is that if I want to live like a local, I should be open-minded to different things and not be prone to say no if I am asked to join in on something.

Academics in Al-Akhawayn

As I researched my host institution of Al-Akhawayn, much of the academics and curriculum are the same especially the flow of the semester. However, the faculty and student relationships are different compared to Maryville College. At MC walking into a professor outside of class and conversing about topics other than class is a common occurrence. At Al-Akhawayn although you converse with professors outside of class, the topics of discussion may be limited. This goes for the classroom as well.

The workload is one thing I will have to learn quickly with. Al-Akhawayn does not have midterms or finals in class. It is a few assignments that are cumulative throughout the semester. So no room to procrastinate!

Credits are counted exactly the same as in the Maryville College curriculum. So 3 credit hours at Al-Akhawayn are equal to 3 credits at Maryville College. In fact, some courses are weighted in halves, mostly electives. This includes the letter grades as well. 

Unfortunately Al-Akhawayn, does not not have a version of the Career Center or the famous Noah Bowmen.  

They do however have Tech support and tutoring in the library.

How many credits do you have to enroll in to be considered full time at both your home and host institution? The amount of credits I need for both institutions are 12 to be considered a full time student, this translates to about 4 courses. 

An American Abroad

Naturally, I am the epitome of an introvert if I am being honest. Even though I played sports all my life I would only talk to others if I really had to. Now I was not trying to distance myself or couldn't socialize when i was younger, I just didn't talk much. High school and college was when I really started to come out of my shell and be more outgoing and it turns out that I'm pretty good at it.

The only thing about being outgoing is that instead of a small liberal arts college in Tennessee, I will be abroad in Morocco. This is one challenge I think I will face the most of, being able to network and meet new people, who may or may not be accustomed to the way I would initiate that processes. I cant help but think that I would take it to far to where I'm overwhelming and annoying, or revert back to just keeping to myself to where I'm invisible. My solution to this is to find a happy medium between the two and take things as they come. So, I am really hoping to have a smooth transition and not be annoying to the locales. Luckily for me, as I look back to my self audit, I have a few strategies to help in that aspect like my interpersonal skills.  As far as being an American and educating others while I'm their, I feel I  will have much to offer because of who I am and where I come from. I'm really looking forward to it.

Objectifs Professionnels: Vocational Goals

Studying abroad will help me determine whether or not I would like to return to France after obtaining my Bachelor's Degree to teach English in the elementary-level classes. Becoming fluent in the French language, understanding the school system in France, and having an awareness of the expectations for an elementary teacher are a few of the steps I would like to take to determine this. 

UniCaen does not offer volunteer positions to students only studying one semester, but I hope to make connections with international students fulfilling volunteer roles in the local elementary schools to better understand the system.

The classes I will take will allow me to build a working knowledge of the French language and become familiar with literature that increases this learning. I also hope to visit a local elementary school, sit in on a class session, and speak to current teachers. This will help me understand what skills they think are best to be successful in their field. 

If I choose not to be an English teacher in France, gaining the perspective of another culture will help me in my professional and personal career regardless. It will allow be to consider the differences in opinions, values, and attitudes and react accordingly. I want to be a writer as well, and this experience will give me insight that will better my writing as well as exposure to new and different kinds of writing.  

Preparing for the Job

For those of you who don't know, I plan to become a cultural anthropologists. In other words, I want to study cultures. I have a particular interests in Asian cultures and sub-cultures. 

How will studying abroad help me with my future vocation?

Well, it'll help with everything, basically.

See, one of the main parts of cultural anthropology is that you live and dwell among the culture you wish to study. This helps you have an insider's look on their way of life. Studying abroad will be my first step into this process. It'll be a great opportunity to see how I adjust to new cultures, how I observe new cultures, and how I learn new languages. It'll also help me see if I even want to explore cultural anthropology as a career.

Another way studying aboard helps me with my future job is with the classes I'm taking. Aside from my Japanese classes, I will be taking a selection of classes from either history, sociology, religion, and anthropology. There's one class in particular that I really hope to be in that focuses on sub-cultures. This class will definitely help me form a better understanding on the that specific culture, and whether or not I wish it to continue down that field. The other classes will give me a better understanding on the Japanese culture as a whole. To study this classes in the actual culture is an opportunity I don't want to miss! 

All together, this experience will show me whether or not I'm going down the right path in my life. I love cultures, hence wanting to be an anthropologist, but there are other vocations that use cultures. This will just allow me to see where I am down that path.

Vocation

I knew I wanted to teach at an International school at age 13. My uncle, aunt, and two cousins had moved to Venezuela for my uncle's job. They came back to Tennessee every summer to visit and with each visit I heard more amazing stories about the school my cousins were attending. As a 13 year old who had lived in one state her whole life, I was so intrigued. The stories they told about their friends from all around the world and the things they were learning impressed me so much. 

Teaching at a school in another country has remained my main goal for my future career. My student teaching experience in Germany is the first step in reaching this goal. This opportunity will give me a better idea of whether or not I can survive living outside of the United States. I will get to compare German school to American school and use what I learn in this experience to make me a more diverse teacher. 

While in Germany, I have plans to take trips to Switzerland and Belgium to visit some International schools. I am planning on meeting with my Uncle's friend who is the director of a school in Zurich. He will be able to show me the school and give me tips for finding a job at an International school. 

The "Real" World

When I was about 8 years old, I decided that I wanted to live in Europe. I don't really know why I chose Europe, but it just seemed so magical: full of princes and princesses, cute little towns, trains and trains and more trains. A few years later my cousin moved to Egypt and I thought that it was the coolest thing in the world and wanted to do it, too. I spent my time travelling and learning french to prepare for my dream of living in Europe. In real life I won't move to Europe and fall in love with a wealthy young man and get married and never have to work. So, I'm doing it my own way: studying abroad, living like a local, and finding a job and a place to live and people that care about me that are 5,000 miles from my family. I used to be an International Studies major with hopes of working abroad with a nonprofit. Those classes were not my thing, so I decided to do school that I loved: theatre. And what am I going to do with a theatre major? I had no idea. But I have a dream to do theatre as a type of therapy abroad through non profit work. I will be involved with theatre through the University of Bern and hope to find a place to volunteer by working with children, possible at an after school program. By doing these two things I will be surrounded by a different theatre culture and grow in my understanding of child development in a place different from my own. 

Vocation

      I'll be studying abroad primarily to learn a language. in the future I wish to travel in Latin America and Europe to countries that speak Spanish or Portuguese. I would also like to like abroad and not simply go on business trips.  My studying abroad in Spain and then Chile will help in learning and practicing a foreign language. I'll be able to speak primarily in Spanish in Spain and Chile. In Chile, I will be with an international student body that includes many Brazilians and because of this will be able to speak in Portuguese.

      I'll involve myself in business internships-especially in Chile. In Chile I can take part in the business start up business internship. In the Catholic University of Valparaiso students can start up their own business and other students can work internships in those companies. I will for certain take advantage of that opportunity.

Becoming a part of the Dortmund community… living like a local

One of my fears about studying abroad is that I will let the time pass all the while being a tourist. It is important to me to feel like I can live like a local in Dortmund, Germany. From others who have studied there, I know there is a big group of international students who tend to hang around together at the University. I am so excited to meet people from all around the world, but I want to remember that I am in Dortmund and I want to become a part of that community.

My hope is that my internship at a German Elementary school will help me to live more like a local.  I will get to be immersed in school, which is a huge part of any culture. I would love to get involved with things outside of normal school hours. Hopefully I will be able to volunteer with after school activities and be a part of any and all events the school hosts. This will help me meet families and other individuals in the community.

In the description of the month long German language course I will attend, trips around the city are included. This month before school starts will give me time to get familiar with the city, learn how to use transportation, and more. The more comfortable I am with basics like transportation, the more I will get out and explore. I think this course will really help me get familiar with my surroundings and it will be an easy way for me to make friends.

It will be important for me to stay busy. When I get homesick I tend to hide out by myself and avoid interactions with people. But interactions with people make me happier, so its will be good for me to spend most of my time with others. I only need a short period of time to myself to reenergize. If I keep things scheduled and make plans, I will avoid that feeling of wanting to hide out.

How to Live Live a Local

My past in traveling to Spain will give knowledge in living like a local-an important aspect of respecting and learning from the host culture. A couple of steps I would follow in order to become part of the host culture

1. Go where locals go: Tourist areas. They look enticing, and there is nothing inherently wrong. However, tourist areas tend to not give a very authentic view into the culture. The areas are often made simply to please tourists.

2. Eat like locals: "Go where locals go" can be especially important in finding somewhere to eat. Food and alcohol tend to be one of the funner ways in which a culture is different. For me, I loved trying all the different types of Spanish food and alcohol.

3. Local friendship: Many American students fall into a common trap with international students: they tend to form friendships with people like them, from their own country, and with people who speak their native languages. For me personally, he language aspect is rather important. I will be going to Spain to study Spanish as will as many other things. While meeting other English-speakers is inevitable, I will attempt to make local friends that will make me speak Spanish.

4. School clubs: Local friendships could express themselves in form of school clubs. These organizations will give me the option to meet and coordinate with local students.

5. Clothing: Spain has very formal and particular style. A great way to stand out in Spain is dress in shorts and flip flops like a tourist. Not many Spaniards are found of foreign tourists. A great way to fit in is dress like the Spanish dress.

How to Live and Not be a Tourist

It's easy to be a tourist. It's hard to be a local. It's especially really hard to be a local when you are living in a new country with complete strangers and a very high language barrier.

But no matter! I will not be a tourist for four and half months! How, you ask? Well, I have a plan- a plan that will help to (hopefully) ensure localness.

Step One: Making local friends. This is perhaps the most important step in keeping yourself away from tourist mood. After all, the best way to live like a local is that make friends with one. You can observe and learn from them. I also, in general, just want to make some friends while I'm there. With my program, I will be living and studying with International studies from around the world. I don't want to put myself in an International Bubble, where all I do is hang out with Internationals. This will be hard because we'll be the only ones on campus for about a month. There will be a Japanese Kansai Gaidai student that will act as a RA to help us adjust to our new surroundings, however. Hopefully we'll become friends. If not, there'll be other ways to make friends, like in clubs. Clubs are a big deal in Japan. Hopefully by joining a club, I can make some new friends!

Step Two: Eat like a local. Am I going to restaurant that's filled with mostly tourists every time I go? That's probably not a local spot. Do I eat McDonald's, hamburgers, and other American food? I probably shouldn't be doing that. Food is a big part of a culture. If I'm limiting myself to food that are catered towards Americans, I'm not living like a Hirakata City local. Instead, I'm eating like an American in Japan. So, one of the first things I'm going to do is ask what are some good places to eat. Luckily, food in Japan tends to be cheaper there than here in America (to my knowledge). By eating like a local, I get a full belly and culture immersion at the same time!

Step Three: Observe and asking questions. What are locals doing? Do they use the bus, train, walk, or bike? How do they act in a grocery store? Are there even grocery stores or is there an outdoor market? How do students act on campus? Do they wave to people that walk by, or do they just walk past them? Do friends stand in the middle of campus? There's a lot of observing that goes into living in a new country, especially if you want to live like a local. And sometimes, just observing something doesn't work. Instead, you have to ask. Like asking if it's normal for the public toilets to not have toilet paper. Or what button to press to flush the toilet. Is it normal to talk to the cashier at a store? Is it okay to wear this type of clothing over that? Things like that can be asked instead of observed.

These plan is still incomplete. I honestly don't know what else I need to do until I get there. I can do research now, but that only gets you so far. Hopefully, this these starting steps, I can help make it one step closer to living like a local. A key thing to remember is that I'm still Renee. I'll just be Renee in Japan, learning and growing there. My goal is to not be Japanese. I'll forever be viewed as a foreigner there, but maybe I can be less of a foreigner by trying to live like a local. That's my goal.

Vivre Comme un Local: Living Like a Local

As a Writing and Communications major, and more importantly, as a person with a passion for writing, I find that the best way to preserve my experiences is to write about it. Not only does this help me remember the details of my life, but it helps me to cope with whatever the situation may be. It is absolutely essential that I have a journal and good pen when heading off to France for an entire semester. When I get back, I expect that the journal's pages will be worn with use and stuffed full of memories from my trip abroad. Already, I have an idea of the memories I will have written down. I have daydreamed entire situations that I will experience. Why? Because I am ready to live like a local!

I have already befriended a girl from another U.S. campus that will be studying abroad in Caen at the same time as me. Because we have both discussed our intentions to visit as many places as possible while abroad, we have agreed to travel together. Already, I am prepared to experience the French culture directly. Not only do I intend to learn about it, but I also intend to integrate myself into the culture. How, you ask? 

I want to capitalize on all the things France has to offer that the U.S. lacks. For instance, the food in France is more healthy for one's body and comes at a cheaper price than healthy food in America. I do not consider myself a foodie, but this is because I am not fond of the American dishes am exposed to. Also, the ability to buy healthy food cheaper will encourage me to prepare my own healthy meals. I am ready and willing to fall in love with food, be it French of otherwise. 

Also, the French prefer a small group of one or two trustworthy friends rather than a large mass of "friends". In America, it seems common enough that one person has a large group of friends, but I have never been that person. I am ready to build friendships based on intellectual conversation and an appreciation for differences and diversity. 

I will do this by getting as involved in the campus as I can. I hope to join a few clubs and hang out in local cafes. I have a love for coffee that can not be competed with, and so, I believe this love will transcend the culture difference and allow me to try new types of coffee in the numerous cafes in France. 

Although I am not a social butterfly, my interest in the French culture and my need to obtain a working knowledge of the French language will push me to converse with the locals. Already, I have come into contact with the father of two students currently studying at Caen in France. The father, a Frenchman, lives and works in Knoxville and has offered his daughters assistance managing life on campus. I am slowly establishing relationships that will be advantageous to me when I am studying abroad. 

How Not To Be A Tourist

One of my biggest goals for studying abroad is to live like a local and to not be seen as a tourist. I know that this will take a while to do, but I am already trying my hand at it. I am preparing and learning about the style, about eating habits, and the main form of transportation.

I obviously love theatre and I hope that I will be able to join a theatre department in Switzerland. This will allow me to branch out of my comfort zone from an acting stand point, but it will also connect me to people and help me make friends. 

I chose to live in an apartment where I would have a suitemate. This will be an automatic person that I will see on a regular basis and will hopefully be able to confide in and connect to on a deep and emotional level.

I have plans to join clubs and groups on campus to help me with becoming acclimated to my new school. I also would love to find a church or a bible study group of some sort in Switzerland. This will keep me grounded in my faith, but will also provide me with a support system.  

Although there will certainly be struggles that fit with my new lifestyle, I am completely confident in myself that I will be able to handle it in a positive manner. 

Japanese School Not on Saturday

At Maryville College, every Saturday Andersen field becomes flooded with the sounds of Japanese children. They come here for Japanese school. There, they learn Japanese culture, kanji, and any thing else they need in order to assimilate back into Japan.

This is not the Japanese school I will be going to.

Kansai Gaidai University will likely be very different than Maryville. Everything from grades to attendance to behavior will operate on a Japanese mindset. After all, I will be in Japan, not America.

So let's start grades- the most important part of an American student's life.

At Kansai Gaidai, they use a 4.0 scale for quality points that are then translated into letter grades. An A+ and an A are a 4.0, while an A- is a 3.7. A B+, B, and B- are 3.3, 3.0, and 2.7 respectively. This pattern continues with C's and D's all the down to F, which is a 0.0. I hope I never see that number while I'm there. In regards to regular point assignments, I have no idea how they will do it. Now, according to World Education Services, Japan's scale is that 80-100 equals an A, 70-79 equals a B, 60-69 equals a C, and 0-59 equals a F. As a student who gets mostly A's and a few B's, this 80-100 scale works wonderfully for me. But, does this mean that the work is harder? I have no idea, but I'm sure I'll find out!

From looking at the Kansai Gaidai website, I've found no support or tutoring. There may services available, but are not advertised on their website.

I'm lucky in that Kansai Gaidai's credits equal Maryville College credits. This makes transferring credits a breeze! I will need to be enrolled in a minimum of four classes (14 credits) with up to a maximum of six course (20 credits). This, plus the minimum 12 credits needed for Maryville College, will make me a full time student.

Enough about logistics though. What will I expect culturally?

See, that's the part I'm not sure with Kansai Gaidai. While I'll be at a Japanese school, many professors there are not Japanese. And since the Asian Studies Program caters towards Western students, will this mean that the classes will behave more Western than Japanese. That, I don't know.

In general, however, Japanese classes are different than American classes in that students don't talk. Questions are saved for after class. There's also a more formal relationship with Japanese professors than here in America. The causal conversations we have with our professors are a completely foreign concepts. I have no idea with this mind set will still exist with American professors that teach at Kansai Gaidai.

While I'm there, I will be expected to take Japanese course that will have three 90-minute periods with labs and homework. Kanji and Reading courses will meet two 90-minute periods a week. The other course will also be 90-minutes two times a week that may have field trips, research assignments, and etc.

All in all, I feel prepared to study abroad. Though there may be some unknowns here and there, but I'm sure through observation and professor dynamic, I'll know what to do.

SoSe, So Me

Bern has two semesters, known as WiSe which is Winter semester (or fall) and SoSe which is Summer semester (or spring). I will be attending Bern in the SoSe which runs from late February to July. There are different kind of courses that are offered at University of Bern. Students can partake in Lectures, Pre-Seminars, Seminars, Tutorials, and Discussion-based classes. The majority of courses are offered in German, but there are plenty that are offered in English, which I will be taking. 

There are over 2,400 teaching professionals with some odd 18,000 students. This is a student to faculty ratio of approximately 8 to 1. This school size is small in comparison to other schools throughout Switzerland. This is exciting for me because it will hopefully have the same sense of a community type of atmosphere as you find at Maryville.  

The University of Bern has a course catalog and portal where students can view classes and courses that are offered as well as registering for said classes. On this portal, students can view a course description, the language in which a course is taught, the amount of ECTS credits it is worth, the professor, and the meeting time and place. Class credit amounts vary greatly, much like here in the U.S.; this is anywhere between 1 and 8 credit hours. The majority of the classes that I am interested in account for 3, 4, or 5 credits. For each ECTS credit, it will transfer here at Maryville as approximately half. So a four hour credit course at Bern will count as a two hour course at Maryville.

The grading scale at Bern is a number scale from one to six with half intervals. Six is rated excellent, Four is rated adequate, and anything three point five or lower is inadequate. This is determined from a student's course work and exams.

There is a wide variety of support that the university offers. They have online exercises, testing, and self evaluations available. There are tutors, and extended office hours for students to get additional help as needed. There is a mental health center, a student union, and an IT department. There is a health clinic as well.  

In order to be a full time Undergrad while using the ECTS course system, students need a minimum of 60 hours a year. This breaks down to 30 hours a semester. As an international student, it is suggested that I take 20-24 credit hours a semester. With the transfer of ECTS to US credits, I will need to be in classes that equal 12 hours in the U.S. In simplest terms, I will need to take at least 24 hours in Bern. 

Academic Differences: Spain v United States

1. Final exams: In the USA I am adjusted to having final exams that count for a portion of the grade, but a smaller amount. In Spain, the emphasis and the bulk of the grade is generally placed at the end of the semester. I will have to try not to procrastinate until the last moment to finish all my final projects.

2. Teacher relations: From what I have researched, I would suggests that Spanish professors tend to be lest involved. The teacher typically lectures and the students are to write down all that they can.

3. Costs: The costs in Spanish universities tend to be less than in the USA. This means that my purchasing of test books will probably cost way less.

4. Grading system: The Spanish grading system runs on a 1-10 grading scale in which 10 is the very best that one can attain. However, it is not unusual to receive a 5 and most people are okay with making such a grade.

Academic Differences: A Comparison between France and the U.S.

One significant difference between French universities and American colleges is the student's interdependence. While there may be daily homework assignments/grades within an American college class, French college classes may have as few as one grade for the entire semester: the final exam. While the class size of both French and English universities varies based on the size of the school itself, Maryville College is known for its manageable class sizes of no more than 60 students. 

At UniCaen, it is likely that I will be exposed to a lecture class size of a couple hundred even up to 1,000 students. This significant difference in class size will be a struggle for me. I selected Maryville College because of its small class size and one-on-one attention with professors. In France, I will experience  class in large lecture halls and will be expected to depend more on myself rather than reaching out and setting up a private meeting with a professor. 

Despite the large class size and distant professor-student relationship, there are resources that Caen offers. Typically, French universities organize student-led study groups where they go over the material discussed in class. Aside from this, there is also the option to ask a classmate for help. The grading scale in France is also difference. Instead of being graded 0-100 as in America, France grades its students on a scale of 0-20. A 10 would be considered a 72/100 or a C in America.

In the U.S., one is considered a full-time student if they are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours. In France as an ISEP student, I will be enrolled in 12-15 units which will consider me a full-time student for both locations. In France, typically the student doesn't have much freedom concerning the classes the take. In America, the electives and core classes make the education process longer, while in France, one is able to obtain his or her Master's Degree in just five years. This process takes 7+ years in the U.S.

 Each class will meet 1-2 hours a week, with the majority of the learning being done independently by the student outside the classroom. Once again, here is another example of the student's interdependence. Studying abroad will present me with challenges I have never faced before, but I am eager and ready to being this journey of self-discovery and discovery of the world. 

  

Academic Differences-TU Dortmund

One of the biggest differences in academics in Germany is the school calendar. Most universities have a winter semester that goes from October to March and a summer semester from mid April until mid July.  Classes are mainly lectures (Vorlesungen) with accompanying seminars/small group discussions (ubungen). Seminars are led by professors and require students to participate, often through oral presentations. Students should take between two and four seminars per semester. Professors do not often explicitly assign specific pages to be read by a certain class period. Students are responsible for reading and independent study. Classes are less demanding in terms of day to day assignments and homework, but for the semester as a whole, the independent study part can be difficult and rigorous.

TU Dortmund uses ECTS to compare credits at the university. Completing the 4 week intensive German Language course before the beginning of the semester will get me 7 ECTS credits. Full time students take 30 ECTS credits per semester.

Grade Conversion from World Education Services

Scale	Grade Description	U.S. Grade Equiv.
1-1.5	Sehr Gut (Very Good)	A
1.6-2.5	Gut (Good)	A
2.6-3.5	Befriedigend (Satisfactory)	B
3.6-4.0	Ausreichend (Sufficient)	C
4.1-6	Nicht Ausreichend (Insufficient)	F

Une Americaine a l'etranger

Many conditions have influenced my life to make me the person I am today. I was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and I have never lived in any other state. My family is large, with nine kids in the household, and being the second oldest, I've had to fend for myself many times. Independence and self-reliance is important to me, and my self-audit reflected as much. Because the feminist movement is still underway and not without its to-do list, I have found within myself a passion to advance myself for the sake of finding accomplishment and pride as a woman.  For me, equality has always been important.

Because I will be studying abroad in northern France, I know that the culture, the customs, and the country itself will make for quite an adjustment. France recognizes, like many European countries, that the family is a working unit, in need of respect, privacy, and attention. French family members make decisions with much importance placed on the opinions of the other family members. Because my background and upbringing with my own family is not solid and strong, it is impossible for me to adopt these culturally significant values for myself. It will also be difficult to remember that other students, perhaps native to the country of France and the idea of a tight family unit, were not exposed to my background, and therefore, have no need to be as self-reliant and independent.

Within my self-audit sheet, I scored strongly in openness and weakly in flexibility. My willingness to try new foods, visit new places, and meet new people will combat and hopefully conquer my need to know all the information regarding a situation. I am inflexible with my planning habits and feel the need to live by an agenda. In doing this while overseas, I might miss valuable opportunities to partake in spontaneous adventures. This is something I will have to be aware of and control.

The popular opinion regarding Americans is that the are loud, selfish, polite for the sake of politeness and not respect, and boastful about their busy schedules, seeming to have no time for friends with all their time going to work/school.  I get loud when I become excited or angry. I manage a schedule because I am used to juggling work, school, volunteering, and other obligations that require focus and time of me. The cultural atmosphere I exist in does not allow for much flexibility and so I have grown inflexible along with it, and my independence and ability to work well alone can often be perceived as selfishness. I fit much of the standard expectations regarding Americans, but I want to show that I am more than those things, and I want to learn all I can about the French people and the unique individuals that exist within that group.       

Renee the American

The number one thing about adapting to a new culture is that I have to be aware that I am not in America. Things that may seem like they should be the same, may not be. And that's ok. Great actually. It keeps humans from being really boring. However, this brings a challenge when I'm going to live in Japan for about four months.

I recently found out through the Cultural-Context Inventory that I embody a low contact culture. This makes sense. America is on the medium low scale in term of cultures. This is a little bit of problem however. See, Japan is an extremely high contact culture. Like really high. It's usually the example for a high culture. This means that I'll have to be careful in what I expect from people around me. Japanese people are a collective culture where the group is more important than the individual. America does not do that. Instead, we focus on the individual, how can I succeed and such, instead of how can the group succeed. This will probably come to head when I make Japanese friends. I'll have to make sure to think more about their concerns and feeling than I would here. Not that I don't already, but I must be more proactive in my thinking than usual. This also might appear in school work. I'll mostly be working with internationals, but there's a chance that I might be in an elective or club that's mostly Japanese students. I prefer individual work, while they probably prefer working in a group. And they care about that group. This will probably be a positive. Instead of the usual "one person does the work for the entire group" mentality and tendency, Japanese students might actually work together and make sure everyone is on the same page and have the same share of the workload. This, of course, is only speculation. But I most be prepared for any and all sides of the the spectrum.

The High and Low Culture difference is not the only thing that will pose a challenge. See, Americans and Japanese tend to be different personality wise. I'm a very blunt person. It's very American. If you don't like something, tell me. Don't beat around the bush. That's not Japanese at all. They are the opposite. In fact, saying no is considered pretty rude. They instead prefer to say their equivalent to maybe. They also have a different sense of humor. I'm a very sarcastic person. My friends often joke about the fact that noooooo waaaaaaay am I sarcastic. My humor is a part of me. I won't stop being sarcastic simply because I'm aboard. Well, I'll probably decrease it, but not fully take it away. This is something I can showcase and educate people on while I'm there. They may not understand it or get why it's funny, but at least they'll know about it now.

This is one thing I am nervous about- culture shock. It's going to happen. In fact, I experienced it before. When I was originally going to Japan back in high school, my program made us go through some cultural websites before we went to orientation. The things that they covered were so drastically different that I panicked. It was honestly really scary. This time though, I'm prepared. I know culture shock is coming, I think I know how to keep myself from panicking. I have a journal that I write in from time to time. While I'm abroad, I'm going to write in it as often as I can. Having a space to pour out my feelings in my native language will really help. This method as helped me in other times, so I'm know it will work. I'm also going to be more open minded. Last time, I had an idea on what to expect. When my mind didn't fit reality, I couldn't handle it. This time, I have a general idea on what to expect through research, but I'm keeping my mind very open. This way, I don't have a true firm idea on everything. I'm exploring and learning something new everyday this way. It might be the same from American or it might not. Either way, by keeping an open mind, I can be prepared for almost anything.

In general, as I go aboard, I must keep an open mind and observe. The culture will show itself al lot more if I just observe. The number one thing I will observe is the interactions between people. Being collective and high culture, I imagine that their interactions will be drastically different (they may not be). I can learn a lot by doing this. Doing these things should help me adapt better to Japan. I also must be true to myself. I'm an American, first and forth most. I will never be Japanese. I physically can not be. I will forever be a foreigner to them, even if I become a citizen in the future. But that doesn't mean I can't learn, and they learn from me. Hopefully with all these things, I'll be ready to go abroad!

Volviéndome a Casa: Returning Home

This time will be me third time in Spain and second time in Andalusia and second time in Almería- the city of my placement. I went to study abroad for six weeks in Spain in the summer 2016 and stayed two weeks in Madrid, four weeks in Málaga and traveling to Nerja, Frigiliana, Salobreña, Almería. I  visited the Universidad de Almería while I was there.

I've already lived with another family in Málaga the month I was there. I learned a lot about Gastronomy when my host family cooked and I learned a lot about common restaurant food served by the beach bars. Being with a Spanish host family forced me to have to speak Spanish. The most important skill that the opportunity gave me was a better understanding of Spanish language that I will use at UAL as Spanish is the only language courses are offered in.

Esta vez será la tercera vez en que he estado en España y la secunda vez en que estaré en Andalucía, y la secunda vez en que estoy en Almería-la ciudad en que se encuentra mi universidad. Le fui a España por primera vez en el verano de 2016 para seis semanas. Yo pasé dos semanas en Madrid al lado de Calle de Atocha en el centro de la ciudad. Yo cogía el tren AVE de Puerta de Atocha hasta María Zambrano-las estaciones de trenes de Madrid y de Málaga. Al llegar en Málaga, yo (sin saber cual línea de autobús me llevaría hasta el barrio de el Palo o Málaga de Este) anduve desde la Estación María Zambrano sobre el Rio Guadalmadina por el centro en que se encuentra la mayoría de paradas de autobuses por la entera pasarela al lado de la Malageta y la Caleta, El Balneario,  por los barrios de Málaga de Este hasta los apartamentos en la calle Abogado Victoriano. Aprendí usar los pies en Málaga. Luego me aconsejó mi madre anfitriona que la línea tres corre desde María Zambrano hasta un parada dos minutos afuera de los apartamentos.

A Small Town American Girl in the World of Swiss Cheese

Switzerland is known for their knives, cheese, music boxes, chocolate, lace, and clocks. Switzerland is also one very culturally diverse county. They have three national languages and another that is widely spoken. The Swiss have played a major role in worldly innovations (such as the ones above) such as their contribution to medical care, war efforts, and music. 

I was born and raised in a small town in east Tennessee to a middle class family that values christian morals and believes in opportunity. My parents married young and have grown up my sister and I in such a way that embraces open-mindedness and acceptance. 

I am interested to see how the way I was raised is different than how Swiss parents raise their children. I know that each person is their own person but I do believe that the way in which, and the place, plays a great role in the development of their personality. 

I understand that each culture is vastly different (culture being the why and how people think, believe, and act the way they do) and I know that language is a vast and obvious distinction of culture. Because I do not have any background in German (the language that is spoke in Bern), I believe that language will be the most difficult adjustment that I will have to make. Luckily enough, I will have the opportunity to partake in a language course to aide me in learning the language. 

Another thing that will be a culture change is the fact that I will not have a car in Switzerland. In the rural areas that I live in I depend so greatly on my own personal vehicle. It gets me to work, to classes, to the store, and sometimes it's a major hassle. In Switzerland, cars are a luxury. Trains and buses are the casual way of life and I absolutely love trains. Riding on them gives the bystander a look into the culture and the lifestyle of a specific person. 

An American Abroad

The most popular response I've gotten after telling Americans I am studying abroad in Germany is, "Oh Germans are mean," along with other negative adjectives like "scary" or "harsh." This terrifies me because I am a really friendly person and I am very sensitive to people's opinions about me. I usually gage how much a person likes me and if I will like that person by how nice they are in that first interaction. I think it is very important for me to keep learning about the German culture and keep that in mind when I meet German people. If I don't, I can see myself being easily offended or believing people do not like me. On the self audit, I scored pretty high on both openness and flexibility, so hopefully these traits will help me get used to the way Germans interact. 

I learned from a cultural context inventory that my communication style is high context, but Germany is  a country with a very low context culture. This will be interesting for me in an elementary classroom. One characteristic of a low context culture that I do not identify with is efficiency. Speed is valued and how efficiently you learn something is very important. My teaching philosophy focuses more about the process of coming to a conclusion, so I think taking time to fully learn a skill or material is important. I am nervous, but I know I can and will learn a lot!

Goals, feelings, and maximizing my experience

Sarah Husi, TU Dortmund, Germany

goals:
One of my goals as a future educator is to experience as many different classrooms as I possibly can. I feel that I learn best by observing other teachers and settings. By different classrooms I mean a rural Title I school, an inner city school in a populated area, classrooms in many different countries, etc. I hope to take what I learn from experiencing other types of elementary school classes and implement them in my classroom. While I am in Germany I would love to see some classes in other European countries as well. I want to learn as much as I can about other countries' school systems, especially the successful ones, and eventually return to the States and share what I have found with other American teachers.
So my main goal in going abroad to complete my student teaching is to become the best teacher I can be. In addition, I hope to push myself to do things that would not normally be in my comfort zone. I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I do not want to waste it.

feelings:
I am so excited about this experience, but I am also very nervous. I know that the German classroom will be very different from what I am used to. I am also concerned about who my cooperating teacher will be and what he/she will be like. I will be spending a lot of time with the teacher who's classroom I will be in, so I really hope we get along. I am also nervous about how the parents of the children will respond to an American teaching their kids.

3 things to do to maximize my experience:
1. I really want to learn as much German as I can. I believe that will make a huge difference in my experience.
2. Travel as much as possible!
3. Write about my experiences everyday. Take really good notes in the classroom.

Switzerland Bound

I'm Switzerland bound and just slightly terrified. I am so excited that I have been given an opportunity to study theatre in Switzerland and I know that it will be one of the most memorable times of my life. I am excited to live in the capital city, to explore the Swiss Alps, and eat all the European food and try my hand at German. But I'm terrified of the possible language barrier. I'm afraid of being away from everyone and everything I have ever known. I'm afraid I will run out of time and money to do all of the amazing things I want to do and see. But I also know that I am no dumb girl. I can carry on a conversation (maybe not in German, but French is spoke in Switzerland, too) with anyone, I can navigate the bus and train routes with ease, and I am comfortable and confident enough in my own skin that I will make this an experience worth every ounce of fear I have. People are magnificent. I love the way different cultures interact and communicate with each other and how different one lifestyle is from the next. You will never run out of things to learn about a person. I am excited to make new friends and possibly reunite with old ones. The conversations I enjoy the most are the simple and innocent ones that turn in to something deep and meaningful. They are the ones that last all night and move in to the morning. Those conversations will be had. 

Study Abroad: Universitie de Caen

My goals for studying abroad at the Universitie de Caen are, first and foremost, to gain knowledge and understanding of the French language. From there, I hope to carry out or make easier the goals that follow. A second goal of mine is to be more culturally aware of a country's history that is not my own. To do this, I plan on visiting France's historical monuments and well-known landmarks. So not to miss out on the lesser known or "labeled" bits of France's culture, I hope to travel and visit bookshops, cafes, and other enjoyable areas that may be off the beaten path. Using the train system, I hope to see as much of France as possible by taking weekend trips to visit other areas. I do not want to limit myself to France only, though France is my main focus. I would also like to see other countries that surround France if given the opportunity.
 This upcoming travel experience could not be more highly anticipated for me-nor more nerve-racking. I have never lived outside of Tennessee and, furthermore, I have visited very few states and no other countries aside from my own. Caen is situated in Northern France, and I will be going in the spring semester. Because Winter is the most difficult season for me to cope with, I know that I with struggle to handle the colder temperatures at that time of the year. Despite my fears of getting lost in a foreign country and being unable to understand the people that surround me, I feel that to immerse myself in the country's rich culture gives me no other choice than to learn and grow with experience.
I am unsettled about being away from my family for a long period of time. I am very close with my nephews and niece, and at their young ages, I know that I will be missing out on their landmark achievements such as learning to walk and talk. This personal attachment I have with them both discourages and encourages me to go. This trip will allow me to grow in ways I have not been given the chance to, and I will be exposed to the world in a way I have never been. In going away, learning, and coming back, I hope to bring with me knowledge that will also help my niece and nephews in their lives.
This study abroad experience will be something I have never encountered, and I look forward to the challenges that I will be faced with.

Blog 1:Goals

First and foremost I would have to say that I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to study abroad. I have always wanted to travel around the world and this to me is the first step in achieving my dream. This experience will be exceptional and different from my future plans because I will exposed to the educational system of another country, something I may not have the opportunity to do again. Some of the things I will do to maximize my experience are, more research on my host country, form relationships, and keep a positive attitude. It's hard to put into words exactly, but some days I wish I could start this journey immediately, and other days it's "well what if things don't go the way I imagined"? However, it is on those days where I remember that the highs and lows are all apart of this study abroad experience and that I should embrace it wholeheartedly.

Feelings and Goals on my Trip to Japan

The time has come.

I'm only one semester away from studying abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan.

To be honest, I'm kinda scared. Japan is a long ways away, 6,928 miles to be exact. I'll be halfway across the world from my family and friends. There's no Mom there to visit you if your sick or need free food. The language is no joke either. It's a complicated language that's no way Latin based. I can't guess like I can with French or Spanish. I've studied Japanese for two years at this point, but I'm nervous about speaking, especially to natives. Will they understand me? Can I really ask where the bathroom is located? In reality, they probably will be able to understand me, and I really can ask where the bathroom is located. It certainly helps that classes at Kansai Gaidai will be in English, but these fears are still present. After all, you never know what will happen until you get there.

But even with these fears, the feeling of excitement overwhelms it significantly. In a weird way, I'm actually excited to speak to Japanese people in Japanese, despite my fears. Living in a language surrounded by natives is the best way to learn that language. By being constantly surrounded by it, I'm hoping to improve my language skills. That's not all I'm excited about! I can't wait to immerse my self in culture. Japan's culture is so different, but yet so similar to the US. They have such a rich and deep history that the US, and even some parts of Europe, don't have. I want to explore it all.

So, what do I actually want to do while I'm in Japan? Or in other words, what are my goals?

Well, I mention a couple already. First, I want to expand my language skills. The best way to do that is to talk, talk, talk. Talk to as many people as I can. Write as often as I can in Japanese. Watch and listen to Japanese TV, movies, and music. Even though my classes will be in English, I can not use it as a crutch. If I do, I'll severely hinder my learning skills. It does help that I will be taking a Japanese langue course. Second, I want to explore and observe the Japanese culture. How do college students differ? How are they similar? Why are the differences there? I may not be able to fully get the answers, but at least I'll be a step closer since I'm physically there. I also have to realize that I'm only there for a semester. Not only that, my classes will begin before Japanese students and end before them. I won't be able to get a fully immersive experience, but it's one step closer than where I was before. And thirdly, I want to try some authentic ramen. I'm done with the 75 cent stuff. It doesn't even have to be ramen. I want to try real, authentic Japanese food.

Since I'll only be in Japan for a few months, I want to make sure I get the maximum experience possible. To do that, I'll make friends while I'm there. Both international and local friends can help me with my language skills and explore the area. I mean, it's going to be fun, so why not share with friends? Another way is to try as many things as I can and able to do. It might be new and different, but I should do these things while I can. For an example, go to a festival, or even to Tokyo. Even if I'm by myself, I should do those type of things. A finally way, though definitely not the last, is to do as well in my studies as I can. I'm there to learn. My classes focus on culture and sociological theories. As an International Studies with an Asian track major, studying Asian culture classes while in Japan is an opportunity that I don't want to miss. While I will have fun and plenty of adventures, I mustn't forget that I'm there to learn.

All in all, I'm fearfully excited about this trip. It'll be a range of emotions all at once, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Shane Byerley: Study Abroad Plans and Goals.

A semester of studying abroad is a requirement by both of my majors; I am double-majoring in Spanish Language and Internacional Business. I have applied to the Universities of Málaga, Almería, Murcia and Vigo Spain with the ISEP exchange program. I have also traveled to Spain twice before, including the cities of Málaga and Almería. The cities were interesting and had an amazing Mediterranean climate. Both Málaga and Almería are historic cities, having been colonized by both the Romans and Arab-the two empires that left their influence in South Spain. I long to return to Andalucía.
Some of my goals for study abroad are developing my fluency in Spanish and further gaining knowledge of Spanish culture, in particular southern Spanish culture. I am already fluent in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish; however, given that Spanish was not my mother language, I could always use some practice.
Also, I have attempted to apply to a second semester abroad, to the university FAAP in São Paulo Brazil. I would like to eventually learn Portuguese.
Una semestre de estudiar en el extranjero es un requisito para los dos de mis títulos universitarios; estudio un doble-titulación en español y negocios internacionales. Les he enviado mi ficha de inscripción a las universidades españoles de Málaga, Almería, Murcia, y Vigo con el programa de intercambio estudiantil de ISEP. La verdad es ya he recorrido dos veces a España, incluyendo las ciudades de Málaga y Murcia Andalucía. A mí me interesaron las ciudades antiguas de Málaga y Almería, particularmente a causa de su clima mediterráneo e historia de colonización árabe y romana. Deseo que me pueda volver a Andalucía, o a cualquier ciudad española que me aceptaría.
Una de las metas mías serían el desarrollo de mi fluidez de español y mi concientización de cultura española, enfocando en la región sureña de españa llamada Andalucía. Ya puedo hablar, escribir, leer español pero es que español no fue mi lengua materna. Por tanto, siempre pudiera tratar de practicarlo.
También, yo acabé de hacer una aplicación para ingresarme en la universidad de FAAP en San Pablo Barsil para el semestre de otoño 2017.

Vocation

Study abroad is going to be an amazing opportunity to gain experiences which will help me in my future vocation(s).  Right now, I am studying writing and communications as well as literature. While at the University of Essex, I will take several writing and literature classes.  A marketable writer is able to write in a variety of contexts, and by taking creative writing non-fiction, I will be applying my writing skills to a genre I have never had the opportunity to try.  Although we have a creative writing non-fiction course at Maryville, I was unable to take the class because of a course requirement conflict. Having the opportunity to take this class abroad will definitely help me in my career.
The University of Essex also has a Creative Writing Centre, which I will definitely take advantage of while I am studying there.  It offers a place to research for my writing.  The school also boasts an amazing array of professors who have experience being published playwrights, poets, song-writers, novelists and even travel writers! I hope to meet and attend classes with as many of these professors as I can, so I can gain the knowledge I need to start a successful career in writing. Another one of my goals for this trip is to really figure out what it is I want to do with my writing skills. I've interned with marketing departments; I've written blogs; I've published poetry and worked on newspapers, but I've never really decided on one thing I would like to do. As someone who has never traveled internationally before, I'm also hoping this experience will help me decide how much travel I want to do in my career and how best I can accomplish the travel I want to do without sacrificing my career choice.

An American Abroad

As an American abroad, my biggest goal is to not reinforce the ignorant American stereotype. I hope to set an example to others about how Americans truly act, and that we are not as crazy as Hollywood makes us seem. However, in order to do that, I must first further my own knowledge about Japan.

The cultural context survey results surprised me: I scored only 7 points higher in Low Context than High Context. As I have only ever extensively spoken English, I expected the Low Context score to be higher. This is slightly encouraging to me as Japanese is a High Context language. It will help me to communicate more like a local than a foreigner. In the self-audit survey, I scored fairly high in the openness category: this will help me to understand others and determine what I need to do in order to fit in. Finally, I found that I scored very highly in independence: this will especially be helpful as I will be entering an experience unlike any other that I have previously had.

An American Abroad

Being an American abroad has so many different meanings. For me, being an American abroad refers to going outside of your norm and doing things that are unexpected and going to places that you have never have gone before.. As a Maryville College student studying abroad in an Asian country I expect to see many things pop up that are new to me. Different culture, language, setting etc. Overall I think as I await my final preparations to study abroad being an American is something to be proud of. Even as a foreigner, I can still appreciate what other people think in terms as being an outsider. However, in the end as I await my final steps into the Land of the Rising Sun, it'll surely be a moment I'll never forget.

Vocational Goals

While studying abroad in itself is a goal of mine, there are other goals that I hope to accomplish abroad.  I am very passionate about service work, and impacting my community in a positive way! Ulster University has a strong push for students to serve. Volunteer work offers so much experience in amazing ways. It can be an incredible way to connect with the locals while also benefitting the community. Service work also acts a way to reduce stress. Putting time and effort into helping others can take your mind off difficult classes or general stress.
    I am also planning on completing my minor in biology abroad. While I am a mathematics major, my true passion is biology. Ulster University is offering classes that will count towards my minor but are not offered here at Maryville College. One such class is Epidemiology of Disease. This class will count as an upper-level bio class for minor , but this class also offers insight into what I will be doing as a career. I am very interested in biostatistics so I am also hopeful that professor might have connections that could be useful for my future career.
   Lastly, I am the current Marketing Committee Chair for Student Programming Board. I love connecting with all the campus in such an intimate way. Helping plan and coordinate events is a great way to make friends as well as contribute to your campus. I would truly love to be a part of the programming team if at all possible.

Vocational Goals

As a international student of going to an uncharted territory, I won't get nearly as involved unlike others because my primary focus for my study abroad experience is study and use the language by means of traveling instead of the culture.

Due to my experience in the United States with Japanese in a college (which was overall a poor experience for me as a student of the language in addition to a negative learning environment). Furthermore, my confidence in the language has diminished. I would highly suspect that people who study abroad use it as a expensive a vacation instead of actually learning.

There are couple people on the blogs expressing their feelings in a selfish, perfectionist tendency that is persistent throughout as if they have a "I know everything" attitude. Speaking about language, there was a girl's post I saw once on social media stating that it was difficult to get directions in her host country. After I saw that, I said to myself "I don't want to make that same mistake again". Thus, I will prep myself (as I already am) to some kick some serious お尻 and make sure I become the best in the program as it pertains to my goals by not speaking English the entire time, speak more in my second language, etc.

As mentioned above, the reason I am more focused on the language than anything else. Becoming accustomed into the country must pertain an amount of considerable language ability to live comfortably (which is the precise definition of global proficiency). Doing this you can give access to live and enjoy the culture.

As a 日本語王 like myself, I'm already well equipped with various materials at my disposal. Nevertheless, with friends and family who have seen my second language progress....私は言わば花だ。だが、ユニークな花に成っている。Surely, one day, I will become a master of the devil's tongue and the spectacular thing is I'm already on my way!!

行くではありません！

Academic Differences

There are several academic differences between Japan and United States. First off, the atmosphere in the classroom is different from the laid back atmosphere (sweats and a shirt) found in the States. Contrasting this, Japanese universities want students coming in for a cleaner look (i.e. shirt and jeans). 

Accessing the info for the classes are similar to the BlackBoard but however from my research it'll show only the teacher and course description. Since we have 192 contact hours (6 credits for the class) for a total of 8 weeks. Grading system is as follows 

Anything higher: A+

80-89% - A

70-79% - B

60-69% - C

One last thing to mention is because of the ranking system, we are expected to be very polite to our teachers, hence, they are our superiors. Full time status is normally considered to be 6 credit hours (reason being is that because its a summer program there is going to be less) however there is a 2 additional credit for a "fun" class that you can partake in which also corresponds to the 6 hour language credit. In other words, the language credit and full time status are the same. 

Living like a Local

Normally when you study abroad people often ask you how your going to maintain being your true self while growing on aspects that you need academically and usually my answer is that being immersed into the culture and speaking the language.However with me, things are going to be different: speaking with 100% No English whatsoever is the goal I hope to achieve during my time in Japan. Moreover, I believe that too getting involved with the locals (i.e. speaking and interacting with them) are vital to getting acclimated within the culture. Thus with the intent of not speaking any English over there and be within the Kyushu area and travel throughout that region; some parts outside of Kyushu.

In conclusion, I'll be adapting to the culture and becoming akin to a Japanese person as much as possible. Therefore, I'm really looking forward to study abroad this year and am ready prepare for another 日本語 journey!!

Living like a local (make up post)

To live like a local, I plan to try and experience as much of what Hirakata city has to offer. Be it shops, food, or everyday commutes, I want to try it all. I want to see the mythical vending machines that dispense ramen and hot drinks. I want to see just how far public transportation can take me. I want to try foods I can't even pronounce. I want to make friends with my fellow students and my teachers, and get involved in activities that interest them.

But aside for the above tourist-y behavior, I do want to try and get involved in the local community. I plan to do volunteer work, as mentioned in previous posts. I think the easiest way to get to know a community and a culture is to acquaint myself with the troubles the community faces. If you can get to know something at its most vulnerable, I think that is when you can really understand it.  I'm going to be getting involved with a volunteer club on campus, which I think is a great way to both make friends, and get to know the community.

Ray Cleavenger

Vocation

My vocational goals as of now are to be a high school teacher and coach soccer. Studying abroad will help me to be further prepared to be able to obtain these goals. While studying abroad I will be participating in the language and culture program. This will consist of different classes structured for the purpose of enhancing my knowledge on the culture and language of Spain. As a teacher I will be qualified to teach Spanish. As this is my favorite subject, my main goal for studying abroad is to enhance my proficiency of the language and improve my knowledge of the culture to be able to teach this subject. Through this program I will be able to do both of these and these skills will directly translate to teaching Spanish which will help me with my vocational goals. Additionally, while in Spain I would like to try to at least get out and play some pick-up soccer if not try to play on a team. This will allow me to get out and meet more people in the community and learn more about the people and their culture.