Study Abroad Blog
If Paideia is all about putting yourself in situations you wouldn't otherwise consider and seeing things from unique perspectives, it makes perfect sense for an Intercultural Experience to be a part of the program. By going to a foriegn country and living in another culture, one would have no choice but to learn about it and see things through another lens. Studying abroad will force the student to achieve what I see as many of the essential goals of the Paideia program.
I'd like to learn the french language, and I honestly believe that the only true way to do so is through immersion. In addition, I've always been interested in French culture (music, food, literature, lifestyle) and would like to learn more. More than anything else, I want to grow as an individual, and I feel the best way to do that is alone in a situation I'm initially uncomfortable with. It's cliché, but it's true.
As a student of a liberal arts school, I hope and expect to get a very broad education. I know everyone changes tremendously as a result of their study abroad experience, and I think it would lead me to become a more cultured, learned student. Southwestern's slogan is "Engaging minds. Transforming lives." and I feel that studying abroad goes hand-in-hand with that idea.
In terms of concerns, I've got a lot! I'm terrified of leaving home sweet Texas for a country where no one speaks my language or knows my name. I have lots of close friends and family here, and would undoubtedly struggle with not seeing them for several months. These are challenges I'm willing to face though, because I'm confident it'll be worth it.
Like I said in my previous blog, I want to study in France. I was considering somewhere in Nice, but it seems like most of the schools there are more business and technology oriented--quite the opposite of what I'm interested in. In any case, I'd like to go somewhere small and beautiful in France where I can ride my bike, eat good food, and write write write. I thought for certain I didn't want to go to Paris, but I'm reconsidering. I think I'd rather go somewhere a little less...dirty? I think I'd like to go for one semester, probably fall of next year.
What I Expect From Paideia
I first became interested in Paideia when no one could explain to me exactly what it was. The ambiguity was intriguing, but having Dr. Gaines as my FYS professor made the details of the program a bit more clear. He was very convincing--I liked the idea of getting to know students from different fields of study, being given the opportunity to do meaningful community service, and graduating with a real accomplishment under my belt. Most compelling, though, was the fact that I'd be given an incentive to study abroad when I might otherwise talk myself out of it. My reasons for choosing the topic "Understanding Human Behavior" are a little less interesting: it sounded cool! I was excited to have been accepted into Paideia and all of the topics sounded appealing, but psychology has always fascinated me in particular, though I've never taken a college course in it. I was completely satisfied when this was the section I was placed in.
My expectations for Paideia are fairly simple: I'd like to have fun, experience different things, and learn. Getting to know everyone is our class should be good, and hopefully it won't be long before I'm able to break out of my shyness. (I'm really nice, I promise.) Further, I want to try things I wouldn't otherwise do. I guess it's hard to say what at this point, but I have the impression that Paideia is all about being out of your comfort zone and growing as a person and all of those things everyone hopes and expects to come of their college experience. Maybe Paideia is just a little insurance that that will actually happen.
As I think I've previously emphasized, study abroad is one of the most exciting aspects of Paideia for me. I'd like most to study in the south of France, preferably in Nice (though I don't know how probable that is). In any case, I think I'll want it to be in France or close to it, though not in Paris. I've got grand ideas of eating good food, seeing beautiful flowers, and writing amazing novels.
Our civic engagement is something I've thought significantly less about. Issues that are most important to me personally are education, equality and gay rights, though I haven't thought of how to take action with them. I have also always had a little dream of constructing a playground for underprivileged children.
As far at concerns with the program, I am only worried that I will personally have trouble opening up. For whatever reason, classroom situations bring out my true introversion, which is something I hope I get comfortable enough to overcome very soon. Otherwise though, I feel thusfar satisfied and simply thrilled.
Baby's First Blog!
So here's my blog. I'm not feeling at all creative right now, so here is my life in +/- form:
+ i like all my classes
+ it's good to see my school friends
++ i've been listening to a lot of the velvet underground/the sea urchins/david bowie/the magnetic fields
+++ i've been able to eat potatoes at every meal for the past 8 days
+ my apartment is purple
-lots of school work
-- half of my friends go to school out of state
-i'm usually tired
---summer's over!
