Personal Reflection

And you thought last entry was the last? Heh. The Study Abroad department at my school had everyone meet that went abroad and it was a couple weeks ago. They gave us questions to reflect on. What better way to answer them then here?

1. What did you learn about yourself from your time abroad? In what ways have you changed?
A: I learned that I can be driven if I try. I can achieve great things for myself. I can be independent. Fitting in isn't always the best goal. I am very stubborn. I go against the grain and carve my own path if I really want to. I am now more culturally aware. I have seen amazing sights. I have worldwide friends. Now I watch news programs.

2. How do you plan to integrate what you have learned into your social, career, or academic life?
A: Socially I have told stories and shown pictures. No career yet, but maybe I will take my desire to travel and teach English abroad. Academically I doubt I'll change. Australia gave me time to learn on my own, USA does not. I can't work around that.

3. What aspect of the host culture surprised you most? What does being American mean? In what ways have your definition of your nationality been challenged?
A: It surprised me how similar it was, yet different depending on where you were. Being American is loud, ill-prepared, clueless to world events, and yet, still respected worldwide because of the power. My nationality really wasn't challenged other than now I try to stay on top of world events.

4. What aspect of the foreign culture would you like to remain with you?
A: The laid back aspect that I already had with me. The creativity.

5. What was the most challenging aspect of your trip? Would you have done things differently?
A: It was hard to spend all the time I was given. I would have disciplined myself more to learn more on my own.

6. How did you deal with being (and being treated like) a foreigner?
A: It wasn't that bad as long as I didn't open my mouth. I never got over the feeling of "I'm better than you, I'm American" though. I will have to struggle with that in the future. I need to be humbled.

7. What were gender relations as compared to what you are used to? How does that effect your learned behavioral definitions of what it means to be a "man" or a "woman?"
A: I didn't notice anything different.

8. What were some social roles expected of you? Did you defy or remain in line of societal norms?
A: Study, behave like everyone else. I remained in line. I'm not used to any different.

9. As we move forward, what will be your contribution to the international and local community? How will your international perspective help us grow into an emerging global village? Does it even exist and if so, what direction is it going?
A: I have no idea. I will respect everyone no matter what their background is and I will try to learn as much as I can. I think it is going in a smaller world direction where everyone tolerates everyone else, and hopefully more than just tolerate.