Photo Blog of my life at MC!!

Nothing like an early morning on the MC campus! (Blurry but ok)

Now that's a nice campus. (Off center)

So ready for this to be finished!! (Far away pic)

Homecoming Weekend!! (Framing)

Training room with these freshman goons. I spend waaaay too much time here. (Tilted pic)

One of the perks of traveling with the soccer team. SUCH a nice field!! (From above)

We got a little upgrade to our locker room and now there's turf in it. (Framing)

The keepers got new jerseys!!!

This is my good friend Sasha the hedgehog. Her name is fittingly Russian. She always looks like she's wearing a large Russian fur cap. (Tight pic)

There's not many better ways to take a break from schoolwork.

Photo Blog about Myself at Maryville College /Taylor King

Study Abroad Blog 4 – Photo Blog Taylor King

Chimney Tops (I was not level with the ground... I was definitely above)

Smokey Mountains day trip (contrast)

My brother and I at the Chimney Tops!

Close up of my Lovely room (somewhat blurry but OK)

My personal decorations...I know needs some improvement

Never loosing these keys! (close up)

Mis Carpetas de Espanol con muchos colores

Can't go without this (Maybe next time no flash)

Homecoming!  (I took this far away)

My awesome village building (again above not at eye level)

Argentina!

New Culture or First Long-term Experience Abroad:

Some strength that I have found when I used my Self-Audit Activities is that I have a strong sense of openness.  I love new foods and will try anything to see how it tastes.  I have experience traveling out of the country to Cuba and speaking Spanish.  I also have Hispanic friends whom I converse with here in the United States.  I am a Spanish major so learning a new language is my passion.  Different accents and regions will have different sounding spoken Spanish and I cannot wait to find out how I will adapt to Argentina’s style of speech.  I want to be fully immersed in this travel abroad experience so that I can hopefully come back fluent in Spanish.

However, some challenges that I will face ARE the different accents.  Argentina speaks very differently and pronounces words uniquely other than say Spain.  A strategy that might help me to adapt to this change would be to listen to Argentinian music or possibly watch some clips of people speaking in Argentina to help me be more prepared for the speech differences.  

As an American, I want to bring the cultures and aspects of identity of American food, clothes, and attitude for openness, faith, my English to share, activities/games played in the United States and movies/music with me to Argentina to share and educate the native Argentinians. 

An American Abroad

Ben Munger

An American Abroad

As of now, I can finally say that I feel like my study abroad experience is beginning. Last Thursday I got a very pleasant surprise when I found out that I’m going to Argentina!!! It still hasn’t fully hit me, but my excitement level is already through the roof. With that being said, I feel as if my ability to start preparing has increased tremendously now that I know where I’ve been placed. Luckily, I’ve already had a little taste of Argentina. In January there was a group of students here at MC that were from Argentina. I had the privilege of having one of them as my roommate, and I ended up spending more time with that group than with anyone else. That experience showed me only a portion of the culture of Argentina, but I still think that it has given me a little bit of an idea of what to expect.

Just like the cultural-context inventory showed, Argentina is a high context place, and this was also noticeable with the group that was here. While some Americans are typically not similar to some of the high context traits, there is one part of it that I am very excited about. Having grown up in the South, there were a few things that have been engrained into my mind as being important. While football, fried food, big trucks, and fishing all fall under this category, I’m more proud of southern manners. I realize that manners vary from culture to culture, but from manners and politeness I realized how important relationships are. From everything I have seen about Argentina, the people are very big on relationships. Not only will this help me adjust to the culture, but I also hope that it shows them that Americans aren’t always concerned with being busy or focusing on themselves.

While I feel pretty confident about the type of relationships I’ll have in Argentina, one adjustment that I already know I have to make concerns my school work. It’s not that I have a problem in school or getting work done—it’s actually the opposite. While I love relationships and prefer having a few deep friendships instead of a lot of shallow ones, I may as well leave the planet when I start doing school work. If I start doing homework, I essentially shut out everything around me until I’ve completed my task. I want to make sure that don’t let this get in the way of my experience. I am definitely going to focus on friendships and take breaks from schoolwork when someone tries to speak to me.

Relationships are quickly surfacing as something that is an obvious goal of mine during this trip. While I’m good at having a genuine interest in people and their lives, I want to make sure that I don’t get too wrapped up in the schoolwork. Even more than schoolwork, I want to make sure that I don’t let anything get in the way of developing friendships with the people around me. If I can do that, then I honestly think I can consider my entire trip a success.

An American Abroad

It seems most evident to me that my strengths lie within my ability to spark a conversation with just about anyone. I like to think that I’m approachable myself and so I can keep a conversation with someone else. I also think that I’m a very patient person, so I think that will help me as I become adjusted to the culture. However, I do think that due to the drastic change in culture, I will have an understandably tougher time trying to connect with people. As well, I’m terrified by the language barrier. I understand that a lot of Thai people speak English, but the context in which we understand each other will be drastically different, so I anxiously anticipate the difficulties that will come along with trying to overcome these linguistic barriers.

As for being American, I would like to make a point to show that our sense of freedom and nationality is not as detrimental as foreign countries think that it is. It seems there is an air of arrogance that is usually associated with Americans, so I would like to debunk that falsity. At least, explain that not all Americans are like that.

An American Abroad

 

An American Abroad

I think that I have a lot of positive qualities when it comes to learning about a new culture. In my short time in my adult years, I have made many friends from all over the world. I have understood from a very early age that there are other countries and cultures from my own, and each of those are just as important as the one I know. For me personally, I think it's important to try to understand the culture of my host country. However, I believe there will be times where I will have difficulty understanding. If that's the case, I will continue to try to understand while just accepting that "this is just the way things are here." I'm happy to say that according to my Culture Learning Strategies Inventory Worksheet, I am open to trying any strategy to better understand my host country. I cannot say for sure right now that any one strategy will help me the most, but I am very open to seeing how our cultures are both different and similar. Honestly, I'm not sure what I can bring to Japan from my American culture. I was very lucky to make a couple of Japanese friends with a similar sense of humor as me, but I don't know if I will be so lucky again. To be honest, I'm kind of nervous about this. However, if the natives of my host country understand and enjoy my humor, that may be the most noticeable aspect of American culture I can show them. I think other things will arise where I can explain the differences in American and Japanese culture, but I cannot think of anything else off the top of my head.

This is probably the only picture I took while I was being social. I should have taken more. T-T This, if you couldn't tell, was taken at karaoke.

An American abroad

As weeks are going by, I keep counting down on how many more days I have to go. The level of excitement is increasing at somewhat the same rate as the level of nervousness. But, Oh well, I know that it will all be fine in the end. I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to other countries before, and each experience in those countries have been unique and life-changing; therefore, I am looking forward to make this trip to France memorable as well.

By taking these cultural inventories, I am getting to learn more about myself, my values, and my character. This is helping me to know what to expect when I go abroad and learn ahead of time how I will cope with it. I already have some insights that will help me to understand the french culture. I am more of a listener, and I like to observe people and what they do. This helps me to have an internal understanding of why people do what they do and how they do it, which in return makes it easier for me to adapt myself to a new culture. I also like being involved and always doing something; therefore, this will help me to get out there and participate in activities and clubs that will help me make friends and familiarize myself with the French way of living. I refrain myself to be judgmental or to make assumption about other people because I like to know why people do what they do before I give my opinion. I am very open to new challenges, and this is why I hope that once I get to France, I will try to do stuff locally so that I may deepen my understanding of their culture. I like to talk to people and start having conversations with them. I also expect people to ask me more about Rwanda and my native culture, and I will definitely be open to tell them more about it and educate them about my own culture as well.

Furthermore, I like to think of myself as independent. Growing up, my parents challenged me to go above and beyond to make sure that I do everything and give my best. They taught me to always know that whatever I tell myself to do, I can do it. I was also taught that whatever I decide do not always affect only me. I love being aware of who I work with and always try to cooperate for the better of both of us. I am also flexible; I don't freak out when things don't go as I expect them to. I also care about the relationships that I make, so I am looking forward to make long lasting relationship with some people that I will meet while studying abroad. Without that being said, I will always make sure that I keep in touch with my family and friends back here and update them on what is going on with me.

I have my own culture that I will bring abroad with me, and I want to teach people more about the traditions that we have. I want to teach them how to cook Rwandan meal and how to dance traditionally. Many westerners know Rwanda because of what they read or heard, so I want to teach and show them a new face of Rwanda. As I am writing this blog, I am getting very excited, and I can't wait to actually be there and make all this happen.

EMMA: AN "AMERICAN" ABROAD

I have strengths when it comes to communication and people skills, but I have never used them to introduce myself into and to adapt to a new cultural setting. The closest experience I have to this is working with two Hispanic men who spoke very limited English. We took care of 18 horses together, which is no easy under taking, and they were new to horse care so I had to help them. When I communicated with them I tried to avoid using contractions, I spoke slowly, and I did a lot of pointing an gesturing. I also learned a few Spanish words. Most of the time we were able to understand each other. In this experience, though, these men were adapting to American culture and the American work place and I was just helping them make the adjustment.

I believe I can use my communication and people skills to help myself adapt to culture in the United Arab Emirates. I will try to be respectful and open minded. As an American female I know that I will be viewed much differently than I am here. There are also tensions between America and the Middle East. While the UAE may not have the same view of Americans that other Middle Eastern countries with more American involvement have, I still want to make it clear that I am there to learn and not to pass any judgment.

Strategies for "being an American" abroad:

- get involved in campus groups and activities
- travel as much as I am able
- stay in touch with family and friends and tell them about my adventures and learning experiences
- be respectful of new cultural differences and keep an open mind
- find an outlet where I can express any feelings of homesickness and culture shock in a constructive way

STACEY: AN "AMERICAN" ABROAD

The semester is flying by in a whirlwind of class time, assignments, exams, service work, job-work, and brief moments of sleep. Leaving (or – maybe a better frame of mind – arriving) is always in the back of my mind, yet I was surprised and overjoyed when I learned late last week that I was accepted into ISEP! Now I wait for news from la Universidad Católica del Uruguay… Now that September is almost gone, it’s time for more serious reflection on how I will handle living abroad once I arrive in Montevideo.

Some of my strengths and strategies in learning about and adapting to a new culture:

STRENGTHS

1.       Considering cross-cultural perspectives, especially during culture shock or disagreements

2.       Thinking of generalizations and cultural values rather than stereotypes

3.       Distinguishing between personal, cultural, and universal behaviors

4.       Paying attention not only to differences, but to similarities!

5.       Not making quick judgments about people or situations

6.       Knowing that I have my own cultural biases, and having patience for biased judgments

STRATEGIES

1.       Forcing myself to write in my personal journal (which I love once I start!)

2.       Allowing myself to de-stress and let culture shock and homesickness happen as they will

3.       Considering what people will assume about me as an estadounidense

4.       Keeping physically fit and well

5.       Staying in touch with my family and friends, but allowing separation to happen

6.       Relaxing about TIME, which runs differently in Latin America

7.       Being cautious about what physical actions and demeanors are “okay” culturally

I’m happy to be able to write such a long list of positive items, but I can’t pretend that there aren't plenty of weaknesses in that mix. I think that my biggest concerns are about adapting to Uruguayan culture, more so than learning about it. I’m naturally inclined to observing others (Sociology major!) and consider myself open-minded and slow to judge. So, learning about culture is something that I’m very eager to do and feel comfortable about. However, I have been in many situations where I felt that I understood a whole lot about the culture of my surroundings, yet felt completely separate from the culture. One of my biggest worries is that I will be an outsider placed within a culture, rather than a student immersed in another culture. I can’t say that I would be satisfied to understand [parts of] the culture – I want to FEEL them. Maybe I’m putting more pressure on the situation than necessary, but I’m quietly, strongly hoping that I will find connections to my own Latin American roots in Uruguayan culture. My history does not come from an area so far south, nor so European, but Latin America is categorized as a region for a reason. We’ll see..!

I have already read about some of the cultural differences between Uruguay and the countries that I am familiar with through family. I have been reading through travel guides, an e-book for ex-patriots in Montevideo, and my World Cultures textbooks, drinking in all the information about Uruguay and its neighbors, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. These have all been useful in understanding a travel-guide and academic-type approach to culture, but once I have spare time (read: winter break) I plan on reading works by Uruguayan poets, novelists, and leaders, as well as investigating artists and movements. I've found a couple of blogs that I think will give me similarly “primary source” perspectives, too. I was fortunate enough to travel to Kyrgyzstan in 2012, and I remember my new friends being surprised and pleased when I knew about their culture and history – and they got some hearty laughs over the slang I learned through the internet..! Although Central Asian and Uruguayan cultures surely have their differences, I think it is universal to feel like your culture and life-ways are appreciated.

On a similar note, I think that one big thing I want to teach about my culture is that not all who live in the US are ignorant, stubborn, and nationalistic. I don’t identify primarily as “American”, but in my experience that is how I am categorized while abroad (either “American” or “Mexican,” and the latter always feels more complimentary – which, on a side note, is an interesting change of sentiment compared to rhetoric that I’ve experienced in the US [but that is a whole ‘nother blog!]). So, I think that I can represent the diversity of the US well in showing (with my actions more than just words) that one can be born in the US and be an open-minded, respectful, and informed person. I am curious to see if those negatives are actually the expectations that people will have for a student coming from America. Additionally, just as the US has a multitude of cultures and subcultures that I could never fully represent to others, I am curious to learn about the diversity within Uruguayan culture and society.

I think that have plenty of ruminating left to do on this topic, but I can’t truly say how cultural exchange will happen until I experience it.  Roughly 5 months to go!

EMMA: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN THE UAE

by Emma Slaymaker

I have never been out of the country, and I have a tendency to get homesick. It stands to reason that I would definitely be nervous about studying abroad, but I also couldn’t be more excited. This experience of studying abroad in the United Arab Emirates will be a milestone in my life, and a great opportunity. I have looked at and considered many other schools, but whenever I imagine studying abroad I see myself studying in the UAE. I want to immerse myself in a very different culture, and I have developed an interest in Middle Eastern culture. I also want to start learning Arabic language, and I’m so thrilled to have the chance to learn in an Arabic country.

In addition to unique learning experiences, I would like to explore the UAE as much as I can. I know that safe travel may be limited in some Middle Eastern areas as an American woman, but I don’t think that will hinder my experience. There will still be ample opportunity to explore, I’m sure. I would really like to travel out to the desert and ride Arabian horses at some point while I’m there. 

PATRICK: GOAL SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN FRANCE

by Patrick Nkurunziza

I can’t believe it is getting closer. I am about 5 months away from going to study abroad. There is too much emotions going on inside me, but overall I am excited. I have always wanted to go to France, and I am so happy that my dream is about to come true. I am excited to get to meet the people, to experience the culture, to go site-seeing, to make new friends and visit my friends who live in France, and most importantly I am excited to gain knowledge. I have missed the French learning system and just having conversations with people in French. I am excited that soon I will get to re-live that feeling. Once I am in France, I hope to go visit some old friends that I haven’t seen in a while. I have always heard that France is a beautiful country, and I am so ready to just get to see what I have been hearing from many people. I am excited to take classes in French too.

I know that I am excited, but I am also nervous. I am kind of nervous because I am going to a new country that I have never been to, and I will not have my family. I am trying not to set in my mind any expectations because I don’t want to be disappointed. Although I am a little nervous, I know everything will be alright. I know that that is where I want to go, and I am trying to have an open mind and heart for anything that will come my way. I wouldn’t say that I am afraid of anything; it is just that I am anxious and nervous. Although I feel this way, I know that this is all part of traveling to a new place. All these emotions end up going away.

While I am in France, I want to keep taking serious my academics as I do here, and I never want to miss any class. I want to have good relationships with my professors. I want to be successful in my classes and always do my best. Besides academics, I want to travel around France and all around Europe. I want to visit as many places as I can, and I just want to enjoy the culture. I hope to make good French friends that will show me around and show me opportunities to be a part and experience the French culture.

RACHEL: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN SCOTLAND

by Rachel Burton

1. My main goal for studying abroad is to live in a different country and in the culture comfortably, to fit in and adopt it as my own for a semester. I also want to accomplish receiving a different style of education and consider the similarities and differences as academia in America.

2. I am excited mostly, but have little fear about "fitting into" another culture. I want to be able to reach out to people and talk to them without any conflict or judgment. I don't want to just be "that American girl." I hope to find a name for myself over there and be involved at the university just like any student from Scotland would.

3. I want to join clubs and find extracirriculars, such as dance or choir, like ones that I am apart of at MC so I can compare them and bring my knowledge back to MC with me. I also want to be apart of an organization or club or hobby that is not offered here so I can get a wide range of experience.

TYLER: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN THAILAND

by Tyler Jones

Goals and personal agenda

Obviously, getting to study abroad is an immeasurably ambitious venture. So I think it’s fitting that I should have some pretty ambitious goals while I’m abroad. One goal is to get involved with helping Thai children learn English. On the ISEP website, it mentions that there is an option to do that. I’m not sure if it’ll be offered when I’m there, but I think it would be a brilliant way to get more involved with the culture in a really intimate way. As well, I think it would be great to help people.

As well, I would definitely love to explore possible thesis options. At this point, I don’t have anything set in stone, but I think it would be interesting to explore the way in which British Colonialism affected Buddhism. As well, I think it would be pretty interesting to research the ways in which Thai Buddhism differs from Buddhism of other parts of the world.

Feelings about impending journey

I think my feelings are definitely an amalgamation of extreme nervousness and hopeful excitement. There are so many things to prepare for and it’s definitely becoming increasingly stressful. As well, I’m pretty nervous about connecting with people whenever I get over there. I’m trying to mentally prepare for the immense amount of loneliness that I’m anticipating on feeling. I have a feeling, based on what everyone who has studied abroad has told me, that it will actually be pretty easy to make friends once I get there because everyone will be in the same boat that I am, but it’s the anticipation that is killing me. I just want to get over there and experience it. The simple fact of waiting is causing me to think more and more about things going wrong or feeling vast amounts of homesickness. But on top of all of my worries, I’m definitely hopeful and optimistic that everything will work out and I will have a beautifully enriching and earthshattering experience.

3 things to maximize my experience

1.  I want to start learning basic Thai phrases before I leave so I at least have a minimal understanding of their language in the hopes to be able to maneuver around the city and interact with people, even if I’m by no means a master of the language.

2.  I want to go in with a clear, open mind and try to understand that things could go absolutely opposite to what I’m anticipating. I feel that if I go in with a clear mind then I will be better equipped to dealing with strange and unfamiliar scenarios.

3.  Finally, I want to completely open myself up to people. I want to be an open book to all of these new people that I meet. I want them to know exactly who I am in a short amount of time. I don’t want to put up any barriers. If I want them to trust me and welcome me and enjoy me, I feel like I need to open myself up entirely. I feel like people respond better to that…..hopefully….it’s worth a shot.

BEN: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN COSTA RICA

by Ben Munger

When I submitted my application to study abroad way back in April, I couldn’t believe that I would have to wait until some time in September to find out where I would be spending my spring semester. One unbelievably fast summer later, I’ve found myself in September and enrolled in a class that helps me prepare for when I study in another country— not if, but when. Now that it’s hitting me that there’s a good chance that this is going to happen, I’ve been thinking about what I want to come away with from this experience.

One of the goals that I have while I’m abroad is to truly understand a different culture. I don’t want to just see it as a knowledgable tourist, but I want to live it and be a temporary part of it. While I still don’t know where in Latin America I’ll be going, I know that I’m going to take full advantage of the geography of the area. Whether it’s mountains, oceans, rivers, or all three, I really want to make sure I take full advantage of what the area has to offer.

Latin America has so much to offer that, even if I don’t want to, I’m going to learn more than I even realize. Before I go, I really want to understand the things that the world focuses on in whichever country I end up in. I hope to get a good understanding of what I’m getting into so that I won’t be completely surprised by everything. While I’m there, I hope to learn how things really are in that country compared to how they appear from the outside. If I can accomplish this, I’ll be able to learn how a country can appear on the outside compared to how it really is to its inhabitants.

In order to truly maximize my experience, I want to make sure I do 3 things. First, I want to say yes to everything possible (within reason). I want to know that I don’t miss out on any opportunities because of fear or nervousness. Second, I really have a desire to meet people more frequently than I do here in the US. If I interact with a lot of new people on a regular basis, I think my chances of getting a full taste of the culture will be much better. Last, I really hope to have as little time sitting still as possible. While I’ll certainly be tired and worn out at times, I’m only going to be abroad for one semester. I also don’t know when or if I’ll ever be able to go back. As a result, I plan on forcing myself to take advantage of my free time by enjoying things that I can’t enjoy here in the US.

It still hasn’t really hit me that I’ll be in another country for an entire semester, but its hard for me to focus on anything except my placement right now. At some point in the next four weeks I’ll find out where I’m going. At this point, I’m having a hard time looking at anything past my location. I can’t help but be excited and nervous all at the same time. While I have already started the study abroad process, in my eyes the experience won’t truly begin until I know where my foreign home will by for the next semester.

AFTON: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXERIENCE IN FRANCE

by Afton Boles

It’s been a long road that has lead me to where I am today. Although, that’s basically the case for everyone, I guess. There are so many little decisions I’ve made over the years that have all pointed me to International Studies and studying abroad. Why do I want to do it? Gosh, that is such a vague little question that is hard to answer. My first thought is, “Because I want to.” I know that’s not really an answer, though. So, I’m going to reference back to my cat-whispering days and dreams of traveling the world. It just feels right. Somehow, I am so absolutely certain I’m supposed to be doing this that it’s hard to actually give a straight answer. It’s like trying to explain what love is – such a simple concept that doesn’t quite have a definite definition. That being said, there are still some nagging doubts. Not if studying abroad is the right thing, but I worry about all the other what-if’s.

I’m a little worried that I’m going to be frustrated at my language skills, considering I’m going to be completely and totally immersed in French culture. There’s the tiniest fear that I’m not going to like it as much as I think I’m going to. Overall, I think there is a healthy balance of fear and excitement considering the amount of knowledge I have about where I’m going and what I’m really getting myself into. I’m not going to lie; one of my biggest anticipations is the food. Being very prone to an independent attitude, I’m eager about genuinely being on my own and surprising myself with just how much I can do. I’m even secretly hoping I get lost just so I can find my own way. However, what I want most is to find some gratification that I’m on the right path. I want more gut feelings that this is IT; I want a deeper hunger for experiencing different cultures, languages, and interaction with people than I have now.  I want a sign that what I’m slowly catching onto is my calling.

There are so many things I want to do and only a short six-month period to do them in. While I’m aware that my list of must-do activities will exponentially increase once I arrive in France, there are a couple things on my bucket list that are definite so far. 1) I have to see the Eiffel Tower. 2) I’m going to eat pizza in Italy the first chance I get. 3) I want to make life-long friends from at least 5 different countries. 4) I need TONS of pictures. 5) The blog must go on. 6) If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you; I will challenge myself every single day so I can make the most of my time in France.

STACEY: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN URUGUAY

by Stacey Padilla

My goals for studying abroad in Montevideo, Uruguay:

1. My most basic goal is to improve my fluency in Spanish. I want to be able to hold a conversation without the anxiety of “How would I construct that?” and to be able to write messages in Spanish without agonizing about whether I should have used the subjunctive. I’m not saying that I’m BAD AT SPANISH, but there is just so much I’m looking forward to improving!

2. I want to better understand the perspective of an immigrant. I am a second generation immigrant raised by one parent who moved to the US as a young adult and another parent who grew up in the US as an ethnic minority. I already know what it’s like to feel “on the outside looking in” culturally, but I think it’s a valuable lesson to remove yourself completely from your home and experience total readjustment.

3. While this trip will more directly benefit my Spanish major, there are also SO MANY aspects of it that can contribute toward my education in Sociology (my other major). Uruguay is a very interesting country in regards to its government system and high level of safety. I bet there are some good thesis opportunities topics just waiting to be uncovered…

4. In a very big and rather vague way, I want to better understand where I, as a Latina, come from. I am not of Uruguayan descent, so I cannot call this a pilgrimage to my roots, but I am really invested in seeing what the culture of Montevideo reveals to me about my own culture.

How I’m feeling about this impending journey:

Right now my feelings are mostly positive. I feel immeasurably fortunate to have the opportunity to study abroad, and am even further psyched that I was nominated to my first choice of university, La Universidad Católica del Uruguay. I have had many international friends at my college, so it’s a little bizarre, but very exciting, to find myself in their shoes (or, looking at their shoes & preparing to put them on…). I’ve already researched Montevideo through the internet, a travel book, an e-book for expatriates living in Uruguay, and a whole lot of Google Earth. I get pretty giddy about it.

At the same time, it does make me nervous, because I have seen my friends struggle with adjusting to a new culture, finding a comfortable social group, and navigating a non-native language. I’m a shy person, so many of the social aspects of this trip are nerve-wracking for me, particularly knowing that I will be staying with a host family. I worry that I will be one of the international students that nobody gets to know, who feels homesick because they haven’t created a home-away-from-home, who effectively disappears once she boards the plane home. Still, I know that more likely than not, I will make friends, figure out how to operate in the culture, and be able to laugh really often about all of the silly mistakes I’m going to make. Change is hard, but this opportunity is too amazing to feel down about.

Some ideas of how I will make the most of my experience:

1. I want to buy or rent a bike so that I can see the city. Cars can take a lot of the life out of wandering around, and walking only allows a certain range of discovery. Riding my bicycle is one of my favorite ways to explore, so I am going to put real effort into this! If it ends up being impossible, I’m sure I can have some insightful experiences on public transit…

2. I am going to do my best to not hang out with only Americans. We’re fine folk, but I’m travelling to Uruguay to experience something different. Along this line, I want to be speaking Spanish at least 90% of the time – not using other English-speakers as a crutch!

3. While I plan not to be too hard on myself about culture shock, it is my intention to push myself to be more outgoing. I would really like to travel during breaks from class or after the semester ends, so I need to find other adventurers to explore with! I want to create real bonds with other students, and through service work, create bonds with community members. This is an exercise in ~coming out of my shell.~

My time abroad feels simultaneously so far away and rapidly approaching. I’ll probably come up with a whole set of new goals and plenty more thoughts about the journey before I even leave. I’m so ready to make the first step toward Montevideo.

WHITNEY: GOAL-SETTING & MAXIMIZING MY EXPERIENCE IN JAPAN

by Whitney Bowers

I’ve been to the area that I’m planning to go to for my study abroad experience. I really wanted to put my Japanese to the test, so I saved and saved at my part-time job until I had enough to experience Sapporo, Japan, for two weeks. I already had friends in this area that I met while they were studying abroad at MC, but I also made a good number of new friends in this short stay. I feel that my comprehension and use of Japanese became much better in those two weeks, simply by being surrounded by native speakers. I hope that a semester abroad will help my Japanese skills improve even further.

I’m really excited to see old friends again, but this time in their home and in their language. I also really enjoyed the city of Sapporo and the experience of Japan as a whole. However, I’m incredibly nervous about having a host family. While I feel that it will be great for my Japanese, I am nervous about living with people that I’ve never met, in a foreign country and tongue, no less. But I have hopes that these fears will dissipate after I arrive. I am also nervous about communication problems, but I believe that this problem will become easier with time in the country.

To maximize my experience, I want to:

1.) Use as little English as possible. This may be hard to do considering the amount of Japanese students that study English, but I will try to stick to only Japanese unless specifically asked.

2.) Study hard! I worked harder on my Japanese language courses than any other course since arriving at MC, and I want to continue to improve. If I do not continue to study, I know that what I have worked so hard to acquire will begin to escape me.

3.) Socialize. I’ve always been terribly shy about using Japanese with native speakers for fear of making a mistake. I know that if I want to improve, I need more experience communicating with native speakers, so I hope I can overcome this while I’m abroad. If I could become friends with Japanese students in their native language, I would be very happy.

View of Odori Park from the Sapporo T.V. Tower (Sapporo, Japan)

 The famous symbol of Sapporo, The Clock Tower (Sapporo, Japan)