zone isn't always easy, especially in a foreign setting. In my life, traveling has not only been a means of seeing new places, but gathering exposure to cultures that have led to a greater understanding of different and opposing beliefs that exist throughout the world. On my recent trip to Europe, I acquired knowledge of cultures that I could not even begin to comprehend had I not experienced it first hand. Experiencing circumstances on foreign grounds taught me that the area in which we live in can
As I nervously walked off the bus, I looked towards my new family who beckoned me towards them with signs and open arms. After hearing the Spanish-sounding blur coming out of my new sister's mouth, I could only produce a blank stare in response. I immediately came to the realization that living in a Spanish-speaking culture would not be as easy as I had expected, and my ten years of classroom Spanish would not be enough. This was a living language that I would have to learn and adjust to. Despite
before me starting school. Although no such thing happened, I still blame everything on my parents. Now you might think that they did something awful to me. On the contrary. My parents wisely made a life-changing decision when they sent me to the British International School of Budapest. Why do I say
captivates my interest, resonates with my being—my favorite word in this beautiful language. 怀旧的 (huáijiù de). This word is home. I grew up surrounded by characters. They taught me the beauty of words. They taught me the power of art, calligraphy, and perseverance. They showed me the power and effect of language on culture. As my first foreign tongue, it stays with me and changes as I do. 懐かしい (natsukashii). A bittersweet feeling. Longing yet loving, reminiscent yet it is tinged with sadness. Hearing
lived in Arlington since elementary all the way to college. Every day surrounded by the same faces, same languages, and the same friends, I feel trapped in a world that only revolves around Texas. In the past summer, I lived the in Italy. This cultural experience opened my boarders on how I perceived the world, attempted to learn a new language, and learned about a culture’s history. However, a summer in Italy is not enough for me. I yearn to return. This time, I want to continue my studies abroad
When staying in a foreign country, a point comes where one is no longer considered a tourist. The locals no longer find it funny when you walk boisterously through the street with your tacky sandals and floral printed button-up shirts. Had you left within the socially acceptable endurance of a vacation and a clung mostly to the Americanized hotels and resorts, your slip-ups as far as matching the status quo of the land would be forgiven or even ignored. However, culturally assimilation is expected
A new idea which arose from the scenario process and which challenged or developed your thinking in new ways The EIBE scenario process was for me a new way of mixing the logical prediction with wild imagination. This is a new mixture and a new way of thinking for an engineer which usually relies on the structured logical way of thinking only. The scenario is basically a collection of new ideas that is based on present facts leading to future imaginary - yet logical - sequence of actions, all
Most children are surrounded by their biological parents their whole lives. They look to their parents for guidance from the time they are born until the time they grow up to become parents themselves. They may still need the assistance from their mom or dad to raise their own families. For those who are not as fortunate as other to be able to conceive a child of their own, couples and families have the option to adopt. In my case, I was not only blessed to be adopted just once, but twice. Although
The Difficulties of Being a Guiri in Spain I am leaving Spain with a multitude of new memories, experiences, perspectives and friendships. I want to call attention to the things that made my trip so wonderful and memorable, but I also want to mention some things that I regret. Being a personal reflection, it would be wrong of me to only focus on the positives of this experience, when there were also a few negatives and bumps in the road that affected my time here. I learned so much about myself,
an occasion to relax and separate themselves from their busy life. For others, it is an opportunity to observe how other cultures live. And some people simply just enjoy traveling for the fun of it. There are various ways to view and experience the world. One is to study abroad, which I always considered but never understood how it’s any different from going on vacation. However, recently I discovered study abroad is a life changing opportunity that helps you discover yourself while gaining an understanding