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