Rachel's Paideia Blog

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.

posted by Rachel @ 5:04 PM