Occidental College

Albert Camus’ The Stranger explores the philosophic ideology of existentialism in the character Meursault. Meursault is a man in the 1920s in French Algeria going through life seeing and acting through the lens of an existentialist. Without explicitly stating that he lives existentially, his life hits on many key characteristics of an existentialist. Perhaps the most defining of these key characteristics is that he does what he wants, because he can. He also does this because in existentialism there is emphasis on individual choice and freedom based on the assertion that there is no universal right and wrong. Meursault doesn’t always take into consideration what would be polite, or kind, but rather only

Camus uses many different aspects of existentialist philosophy throughout the entirety of the novel. One aspect of existentialist thought that is used in the novel, is that “existence is always particular and individual—always my existence, your existence,his existence” ( “Existentialism” ). This can be seen through various characters, but most importantly through the protagonist, Meursault. In one scene of the novel, Meursault says, “Then he asked me if I wasn’t interested in a change of life. I said that people never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another and that I wasn’t dissatisfied with mine here at all” (Camus 40). In this scene Meursault is talking about how his boss offered him a new job in Paris in part because he thinks Meursault would enjoy the new change in life. This relates back to the existentialist thought that everyone's existence is particular to their own, because Meursault doesn’t really care to start over in a new city, whereas someone such as his boss believes that many young people would love to.

Before I started reading this book I expected nothing more than a dry book from the 40’s that would bore me to death. However I was surprised to find the book filled with symbolism and Camus’s existentialism that has changed the way I look at life. The enjoyment of this book largely relies on the type of person you are.It might : depress you,make you happy, make you want to think for a while, or make you angry. It all depends on what message you take away from it.It makes you think about what life truly is and how you should live it. Each chapter builds on Meursault's character and reveals his thoughts with interactions with other characters. This book emphasizes on what the characters don’t say allowing you to draw your own conclusions on

One of the many benefits to higher education include cultural experiences. This is learned by interacting with students from other nations. International students are more readily available in the college atmosphere.

Studying abroad, which has become a common phenomenon, can be a fun and meaningful experience. Many university students are interested in studying abroad because it gives them an opportunity to explore different cultures and broaden their horizons. As Mark Sherry, Peter Thomas and Wing Hong Chui argue in “International Students: a Vulnerable Student Population,” the goals that students pursue international study are often to acquire different ways of learning and to improve cross-cultural understanding, which helps them gain self-confidence as well as maturity (33). This experience turns out to be beneficial to those who study abroad. Nevertheless, when students are surrounded by a wholly new environment, many problems that hinder their

Albert Camus's novel, The Stranger, is a poignant tale about human nature and philosophy. Throughout the novel, the protagonist, Meursault, undergoes a significant psychological change due to all of the deaths that happen in the novel, but more specifically the death of an Arab man on the beach. The death of the Arab in chapter 6 helps to illuminate the ideals of existentialism and it shows Meursault's real character. Existentialism is the belief that essentially nothing matters because no one’s personal life can truly impact the world.

The United States of America in the eyes of the world is a place full of dreams, full of hope and a place where civil liberties are being uphold. People of all different background, different social and financial status flock to America for various reason. Some people come to America to escape religious and political persecutions; some come to escape the horrors of war; some come to find a better life for their family; and many more will come for a better education. From the depictions of Hollywood, pop-cultural and the tiny sections that are shown on the media, the world sees the American educational system as the best in the world. With diverse student population, friendly faculty and staff, the latest technology, and the most resources available to its student, America is the place to study. International students with full excitement pack their suitcases and say goodbye to their families; however what lies ahead of them is not the glamor that the media portrays, but rather harsh discrimination that comes from negative stereotypes await them.

In the novel “The Stranger” By Albert Camus, Camus presents us with a Philosophical Fiction in which he revolves around the Theme of Existentialism. The Protagonist Meursault believes in no higher power of existence in which that life has no meaning thus opposing religion. The readers experience this in the beginning of the Novel, where Meursault attends his mother’s funeral and express no emotion at a sorrowful gathering which he is demanded to do socially and because of society’s standards and manners. The behavior of Meursault is constant and rarely changes throughout the novel. However his love partner makes Meursault question his views of Existentialism but does not result to change his personality. This transition continues through part

The United States accommodates the largest pool of international students globally, with over one million students choosing to extend their education and life experience in the US. The number has grown since the 1950s and continues to grow due to the quality of teaching offered and the multi-cultured environment that allows for wholesome growth and unforgettable life experience. Additionally, the prospect of getting into the US labor market has made international students prefer the US as a study destination. The number of universities and colleges offering a broad range of courses has also grown thereby encouraging more

The purpose of my annotated bibliography illustrates to the reader the positive correlation between study abroad and developmental benefits received from such programs. It is clear from the findings of my sources that different students, teachers, and researchers have numerical and written proof on why these programs are beneficial. It is more than an academic experience because you grow spiritually and intellectually making college students global citizens. This title of a global citizen differentiates those who study abroad because they have acquired a worldly view. It is important to have these journals to stress the benefits of study abroad so hopefully more students, faculty, and schools stress and make it easier to have this unique experience.

Second, conscious of their own freedom leads people to recognize their own valuable life. On the first part of the book, part 1 chapter 5, Meursault once said " I couldn't see any reason to change my life. Looking back on it, I wasn't unhappy… I learned very quickly that none of it really mattered." Even though he had a chance to get the promotion, he wasn’t interested at all. He found that none of those are important. However, in chapter 4 of part 2, after the trial, Meursault once mentioned: “How did I picture the life after the grave? ... “A life in which I can remember this life on earth. That’s all I want of it.”” Because of Meursault's death sentence, Meursault recognizes that there is only one chance to live the worldly life. In part 2 of the book, Meursault is more energetic and concentrated. He regrets not appreciating all the events and things that happened before he was arrested, he figured out that he should’ve appreciated more to his present moment. Meursault learns how to cherish his own life. Camus used Meursault to illustrate the existential view. He describes that people deserve free will, and hurt when their freedom is taken.

The Big Idea Challenge prompts us to answer the question “how can Montana State University increase cultural competency?” Residence halls on college campuses provide students with the perfect opportunity to expand their knowledge of other cultures because they are a melting pot of different backgrounds. Though MSU has already implemented a program called the “global village,” the execution of it is not the best. This memo will address how improvements can be made to the already existing global village program to fully utilize what residence halls can offer.

Albert Camus references existentialist concepts throughout his works. Some of the ideas that he addresses in The Stranger, as introduced by the Existentialism Packet, are that life is meant to be lived, and man is an alienated individual. The novel portrays an ordinary and passive man named Meursault, and his complete turning of life when he kills a person and is sentenced to death. Meursault’s long imprisonment due to his crime allows him to learn to think deeply, and positively widens his existentialistic views of his connectedness to the society as well as his ability to express emotions.

Books can take readers to certain places they have never seen before without having them even leave their room. There are people who may not enjoy reading as much but there will always be one story, one author that changes their opinion about reading. Numerous authors put in day and night composing shitty first drafts just to make a story someone or many will never forget. Camus presents a philosophy devoid of religious belief and “middle-class” morality, where condemnation of choice and personal honesty become the bases of a happy and meaningful life.

“In 2006 to 2007, according to the data compiled by the Institute of International Education, 582,984 students from all over the world were enrolled in American colleges and universities in a wide range of fields” (Carter, Paragraph 2, 2008). The United States has the highest number of students who are coming to study abroad than any other countries. Each year, the number of international students coming to the United States to obtain degrees is increasing by thousands, and home countries of these students are primarily India, China and Korea, all located in the whole different continent. But what are the motives of students who are crossing the sea to study? Their goal of studying abroad is to experience diversity and to adapt attitudes