Blogs are ephemeral beings you feed with a steady stream of quotes, analyses, pictures and stories. They operate in their own time and space, and offer a place for independent and honest introspection. Hopefully, the sum of the blog is greater than the parts.
Study abroad programs are also ephemeral and operate in their own time and space, separate from the rest of one’s life. They also offer a place for independent and honest introspection. Freed from most academic and financial responsibilities, the study abroad student is able to set aside more time to understand his or her self in relation to the rest of the frikkin world. Study abroad memories are made up of a sum of vastly different experiences, hopefully forming a patchwork of ideas, places, and people that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The bigass conclusions and insights one draws from a study abroad experience are as different as they are the same. Oh and they’re often cliché. You know the conclusions I’m talking about: wow, time just feels so different here, people are so much friendlier, people know how to have a good time, people don’t just work, they actually socialize, they are more trusting, less isolated....
If the person is from the Northwest, the conclusions are the same but amplified; WOW! Look how sunny it is here, omg people actually get up off their computers to talk to you, wow people go out at night! They don’t just stay home and read!
Then, the thoughts inevitably become 'how the hell am I going to integrate this experience into my life at home?'
I blog because I hope to one day be able to answer the questions studying abroad force us to ask.
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