The News: Buenos Aires LB

Buenas noches mis seguidores. Sorry for such the late post, I have been backed up with classes and Buenos Aires life. I am sure many of you are aware (hopefully) that President Obama had recently visited Buenos Aires this past week. This was such a wild and ironic experience because the theme of this week's blog post is the news and what is more important than the leader of your country of origin visiting your host country? Nothing.

There were mixed emotions about Obama's arrival among the Argentine public. But, nevertheless it was still the topic of conversation. First, President Obama made history in which he visited Cuba, being the first American president to visit since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.

 “I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas.” -Obama 

The thing about the Argentine newspapers were they seemed more skeptical than the American newspapers. America had its usual mindset of "Obama (aka the face of America) is going to walk right in and make the lives better for the world." The controversy of this issue was the date of Obama's arrival. March 24, 2016 marked the fortieth anniversary of the military coup of Argentina which began the dirty war. America had backed the coup, which instilled torture, disappearance and death to many Argentinians. Many people still today hold grudges against America "the land of the free" for backing up such a malicious creed. Obama's journey to Argentina was hoped to seen as for forgiveness from the people of Argentina. 
Argentina published stories in the newspaper in the beginning, "The United States classifies Obama's visits to Argentina and Cuba 'historic'" which had a tone of sarcasm underneath. However, after they realized how cool Obama is and how nice the visit was, the attitudes of the papers turned around. "Obama calls Argentina 'beautiful,'" or "Obama's visit brings hope for the future." 
The American newspapers more or less were more about explaining why Obama being in Argentina was such a big deal and what he planned on doing down here in his time. I feel like this is more because American's are less aware of what goes on outside of the country. I mean, I did not know that much about the Dirty War, least to say that America had any part in it. Argentinians are very proud of their country, but also at the same time are frustrated with the fact that they find it important to know about America and our current events, when none of us as Americans have any clue as to what is going on in Argentina. 

Obama dancing the tango in BA

I think there were always be some type of tension between United States and whichever country. But hopefully with all the steps that Obama is taking and the progression to make things better, the future looks more bright than bleak. 

"Come and go with good intentions"

Credits for photos:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/bigpicture/2016/03/24/president-obama-visit-cuba/DsPp60xmrgAPlVHjpjV6lM/story.html

https://www.google.com.ar/search?q=obama+dances+tango&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&imgil=uoarK2JI13ulnM%253A%253BLPCXg2zsNkng1M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fnewsok.com%25252Farticle%25252Ffeed%25252F988038&source=iu&pf=m&fir=uoarK2JI13ulnM%253A%252CLPCXg2zsNkng1M%252C_&usg=__bSuH1N7tDLUgRBIpThvbL8r6R24%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjWg_nhvenLAhUDh5AKHYrfDWAQyjcILg&ei=U1b8VpaOKYOOwgSKv7eABg#imgrc=i8KT75JBTG7HAM%3A 

Visible Differences: Angers (AS)

As many of my friends know, I carry around my water bottle with me at ALL times. Whether it is a restaurant, hiking, or at school, my neon yellow or neon orange bottle is with me. There have been a few issues with filling up my bottle as much as I would in the US though. There seems to be a lack of water fountains here, especially at school. Since there are water fountains every five steps at Allegheny, this was a huge change of pace for me, and was one of the first things I noticed. I think that this is because a lot of the buildings are much older and therefore it is more expensive to put a fountain in, but to me, it is a necessity, and now I realize a definite luxury.

A view over the Seine in Paris

            The food prepared by the school has been much better than I expected. Changing every day, there are sandwich, pasta, panini, dessert, fruit, and yogurt options along with some other goodies. There is also more of a cafeteria-style place to eat on campus and it has fewer options, but they change more often. All of the food from campus is less expensive than what someone would usually buy for lunch at a non-school based source. There are a few well-priced places near campus, like the boulangeries (Bakeries which sell sandwiches, quiches, bread, pizzas, etc.)

            When it comes to eating out here, life is different. Eating out is much more of an event than in the US. It is a process. There are many more courses in any meal, but you do not always have to order something from each course. Even with just a main platter, dinner takes around two hours. The service is much slower than that of the US and the waiters and waitresses treat their customers in a different manner.

Tour Eiffel

            On a different aspect, there is a definitive change in the way people dress here. At Allegheny, it is 100% ok and normal to see someone in pajama pants, sweatpants, plaid flannels, a T-shirt when it is snowing, but anything like that here is frowned upon. The one time I wore leggings to grab quick something from the grocery store, I received so many looks like I was scum because I wasn’t in “proper” clothing. The phrase “dress to impress” runs through my head a lot here. It is odd to see a woman with her hair up in a bun or a man with severe bed head. There is also a need to follow the current fashion trends here. In my opinion, as much as I love shopping for new things, keeping up with the ever-changing fashion world is difficult and expensive.

            Lastly, and probably one of the best lessons I have learned, is that Europe’s transportation systems are extremely useful. Here in Angers, I can take the bus every morning to school, or I could walk. I can take the tram to go to my friend’s house. I can rent a bike FOR FREE (so long as you make a bank account here). I have the means to go anywhere with ease. At the beginning of the semester I purchased a bus and tram pass, and it has been the best purchase of the year. There are reduced prices for students making it even better.

Outside of Les Invalides, Paris

            When wanting to travel out of the city, there are quite a few options there too. There are busses, but the easiest and coolest way to travel is by train. It’s fast, it’s comfortable, and it’s easy to traverse. For example, this weekend I spent less that $50 on round trip train tickets to Paris from Angers. There are also a lot of inner Europe flight companies which make is extremely cheap to fly from one country to another (15-45 Euros). When in the city, there are metro systems that can take you essentially anywhere. For example, there were four metro stops by my hotel in Paris this weekend, all of which were within five minutes of walking.

            France has opened my eyes to how the world works differently. Food is a major part of culture by bringing everyone together to discuss the origin and the quality of the food. Clothing is another cultural representative of what values a country has compared to another. The necessity of quality public transport when needed is yet another aspect dependent on a city’s cultural need. There are some good and bad things in my opinion, but everything has been eye opening and I can’t wait to learn more.

Visible Differences: Angers, France (BB)

Visible Differences

I want to preface this blog post by saying that it is a bit difficult for me to compare life at home in the United States with my life in France. At home, I live in a very suburban area, while in France I am very close to the city and downtown. Some things, like food and clothing/personal expression are easy to compare, but the transportation here is probably more due to the fact I am not used to city life.

Food:

French cuisine is probably one of my favorite aspects of study abroad. From the actual food to the attitude towards meal times, it is very different that it is in the United States. Markets are a popular place to purchase food, with twice weekly markets happening in Angers. I normally get cheese and produce at the market, but some people will do all of their shopping for the week there. Supermarkets do exist in Angers, but it seems like most people prefer to go to the market or specialty stores to get their food. It takes a bit longer to have to go to multiple stores, and its a little more expensive, but I find that the food quality is much better and fresher than when I get food from the super market. Dinner with my host family always follows the same tradition. We eat promptly at seven, starting with soup, then the main course, cheese, and finally dessert. My host mother is fond of quiches, so we eat a lot of those as a main course which is a bit different than in the United State where it seems like you only see quiches at breakfast. The other thing that stands out to me about dinner in France is that dessert is a given and something that is eaten every night. I feel like in the United States, dessert is something you may have on a special occasion or if you go out to eat at a restaurant, but my host mother often tells me that it feels strange to end a meal without something sweet.

Clothing and personal style:

Storefront of "Promod", a French store

Appearance is important in France, even in a smaller city like Angers. People here do not “dress up” everyday, but you will never see anyone going to class in sweatpants either. Most people dress similarly to those in the United States at first glance, but the quality and fit is generally nicer. It is also odd to see anyone sporting sweatpants unless they are in the gym. In the United States, I had no problem going to class in yoga pants and a sweatshirt, but in France I had to go to multiple clothing stores before I even found a sweatshirt being sold. Back home, I would wear sweatpants if I was going to take a quick trip to the grocery store or Starbucks, but here I would not wear sweatpants to eat dinner with my host family. I find myself actually thinking about what I will wear versus just getting dressed and running to class. Before I got here, I may have thought it was vain, but now that I am here I understand the appeal of putting thought into an outfit and not just leaving the house in something I would sleep in. I am not going to lie though, I can't wait until I can leave the house in ten minutes without getting stared out in public because I am wearing a sweatshirt.

Transportation:

One of the buses in Angers

Public transportation in France is much more widespread and useful than anything I have experienced in the United States. Where I live in Pennsylvania is a bit like Meadville where you need a car to get anywhere. Most things are not within walking distance, and there is no bus line or subway station. I live in a neighborhood here in Angers, but there are three bus stops that I can see from my street alone and I can be downtown in less than ten minutes for a euro. I will definitely miss the ease of public transportation here, but it also has a few pitfalls. Most of the buses have limited to no hours on Sundays and after 9pm, so you have to search for a stop that is still active or you have to take a taxi. I live off of the main bus line as well, so I sometimes have to wait an hour between buses, even if I am only taking the bus for ten minutes. Sometimes it is just easier to walk, but it is at those times I miss having a car at my disposal.  

Interpersonal Relationships -- India

I do not think it will be hyperbole to say that I am feeling at home in my host country right where I am typing this paper. Right now I am drinking an iced coffee — the temps here have been steadily over 100 degrees fahrenheit — at a Starbucks. There are very few places in India which truly offer free WIFi, Starbucks is  one of them. In so many places around Bangalore I feel at least a little bit out of my comfort zone, being in innately American institutions like Starbucks is a very comfortable place to be. I feel like it is kind of my hood where I understand all of the formalities necessary to be in a Starbucks.

In terms of interpersonal relationships India’s middle class lies firmly at the crossroads between the individual and the communal. At home most people interact in a very communal fashion as tradition dictates, however in public and work settings people a the opposite. In such settings the environment is very much the standard fend for yourself attitude that you see in America. 

India’s youth and older generations differ greatly on opinions of sexuality. In terms of sexuality, much of the younger generations of youth living in cities share similar perceptions of sexuality as would the average liberal American would. Older generations, however retain the traditional values that does not mesh well with homosexuality. One thing that is rather fascinating about India is the Indian perception of the Third Gender — or transgenderism as we would call it in the States. Third Gender Individuals are considered to be very close to god and therefore able to bless people. Often people hire Third Gender to appear at and bless wedding ceremonies. Sadly, though, the Third Gender is still a persecuted community in India and most cannot find housing or jobs. Therefore many are forced to beg on the streets for money. In Bangalore, and throughout India, it is not uncommon to see Third Genders either bless or curse people depending on whether you give them money or not.

Race does not play a big role in social interactions, what does determine status is caste, ethnicity, the language you speak, and religion. In that way status cannot be earned or lost, it is something you have which stays with you from birth. 

Global Citizenship and the Purpose of Study Away- Bangalore, India (NPG)

            Study abroad is about putting yourself out of your comfort zone and opening your self up to new experiences. We live in a society that expects everyone else to conform to our beliefs, ideals and ways of life.  By studying abroad we have to, to a certain extent, conform to our host country’s way of life. In doing so we are able to better understand the world in a way different from what we have grown up with. Study abroad allows for us to open up our minds to possibilities that we have never thought about before as well as promoting a cross-cultural understand between ourselves and the people we interact with in our host country.

            Being in India there are so many aspects of life that are just fundamentally different from the United States. I believe that it is going to be really hard to explain my experiences to my friends and family when I get home. When I have spoken to them in the past couple months and they ask me about India I do my best to explain things that I have done and experienced but there is no way that they have gotten the full impact of the experience I have had. I do not even think that I have a full understanding of what my study abroad experiences mean and I still won’t for a long time after I have returned.

            Being a global citizen is something that takes hard work and taking a semester to study abroad is a step in the right direction. The most important part of this experience is seeing the world through a context other than a US or western context. The understanding that what we as westerners in developed nations see as the right answer for ourselves may not be the same for someone in India or the rest of Asia. Being a global citizen is about working with others from around the world and understanding that everyone has something to contribute and there is not one right answer, studying abroad and coming into contact with other cultures and societies is a large step in achieving this.

Global Citizenship and the Purpose of Study Away; Duke Marine Lab

            When people think study away and study abroad they automatically think international and expanding horizons. I believe the purpose of study away is unique to each individual. Some students travel to gain experience in another culture or language that excites them, others do because they want to see more of the world and learn about the different principles and beliefs of places, and still others, like me, go for the academic opportunities they’d have at their host destination that aren’t available to them at home. I have a different view than my peers on this subject because of the experience I’ve had this semester. I came to the Marine Lab to be able to take courses focusing on Marine Science and to have the chance to be in research driven classes. That was my goal and what I wanted out of my semester so that’s what I got. Even while I took a course in the Virgin Islands we didn’t have much interaction with the native residents. Most of our time and efforts were spent in lectures and doing research, but to me that’s still an experience where I learned so much about my self and what I can do. I wouldn’t trade that time or this semester for another program where I would have truly been “abroad”.

            While reading Brockington and Wiedenhoeft I couldn’t help but think that, once abroad, achieving global citizenship is more up to the student then their home institution. While on campus they can take courses to prepare them for Bussbaum’s ideas of living in a multitude of communities and consuming “media reports, economic policies” and “asking questions beyond that of the individual or national self interests.” Once a student reaches their destination it’s up to them to critically think about their surroundings and put in the efforts to try and understand their host cultures way of life, to be more than a tourist. Also, after reading these articles I see that that’s what these blog posts are for. The questions we’ve had are trying to get us to think like global citizens and look past the postcard picture moments.
                I personally do not feel like a global citizen but I do feel like a citizen of Carteret County. I can walk around the tiny town of Beaufort I don’t stand out, people can’t tell whether I’m here for a weekend or I’ve be here all my life. As Byer’s talked about, I still have all the opportunities and rights in my host destination that “empowers individual human beings to participate in decisions concerning their lives.”

Global Citizenship and the Purpose of Study Away: Mexico (LRW)

Three years ago, when I studied abroad in Austria for one year, I remember feeling belittled and upset when I was asked "how was your trip?" upon my return to the United States. This paltry question couldn't possibly address the challenges and cultural experiences of an entire year of my life in a foreign country, and worse, it seemed to imply that my year abroad was a vacation, like a week in the Bahamas or a short trip to Disneyland. 

The airport in Queretaro during my travels this week

I felt as if I changed tremendously, but no one seemed to notice. I was now a "global citizen," with foreign cultural experiences and new language skills, but I was still an American citizen, living in Pennsylvania, with an American family and an American upbringing. On the outside, and in a legal and cultural sense as well, nothing had changed. And even though I had felt like an Austrian citizen towards the end of my exchange, I never had the rights or duties that national citizenship entails- to vote, or participate in the government in a substantial way. In fact, I couldn't even legally reside in Europe longer than a tourist without my student visa. As Michael Byers explains "if such a thing as global citizenship exists, it clearly doesn't amount to the rights of national citizenship, transposed to a planetary level." 

I started my second study abroad experience this semester in Mexico with a slightly different perspective than before. I looked at the program description, filled with photos of pleased students posing next to pyramids and other impressionable landmarks, promising adventure, travel, and an opportunity to engage in another culture, with a slightly more critical eye.What would I actually gain from an experience abroad there? Would I truly be able to participate in the culture there "just like a local?"

In her article "American Students Abroad Can't Be 'Global Citizens'" Zemach-Bersin explains that "as Americans, our national citizenship, passports, skin color, and currency exchange... all make it impossible to 'act like locals.' Everywhere I went [in India], I was viewed and treated as exactly what I am: a white, advantaged American." Here is the unspoken truth of what every study abroad experience entails: living in Mexico, I am not learning what it's like to be a Mexican. I am learning what it is like to live in Mexico as a foreigner.

My host brother and I are basically twins

Many aspects of my experience, which help shape my perception of Mexican culture in general, are intrinsic to my perspective as an outsider. My host brother certainly doesn't have to deal with catcalls on the street, or being up-charged by taxi drivers who think he does not know the local fares. For him, the connections between family members, or the social class disparities in Mexico, are just as natural as the American political system and an insensible love of peanut butter are to me.

So what is the purpose of study away if you can never truly participate in that culture? Why live in a foreign country if there is no such thing as "global citizenship?" Many students embrace these doubts as truth. They venture abroad as if they had just "bought a product, and expect to consume their experience." They return home with their suitcases stuffed with souvenirs, spouting stories of language mishaps and other funny cultural circumstances. They had the time of their lives, and they have the pictures to prove it.

The view of the Sierra Gorda from Bernal

I am not suggesting that the study away experience isn't valuable. In fact, I cannot recommend it highly enough. But the core of the issue is this: why do you study away? Maybe it's because you will gain invaluable language skills, or you will learn how to adapt in unfamiliar settings, or you will discover new knowledge about yourself that you would never find out in your own culture. All of these are good reasons. But they all involve what you will gain from it: Ultimately, the experience is really about yourself, and not the foreign culture in which you will live.

If you want to make that experience valuable, if you truly want to become a global citizen, you have to utilize it in the way that Byers describes. To become a global citizen, to allow "two communities to come together within an individual... we need not give up our special affiliations and identities... but we do need to work to make all human beings part of our dialogue and concern." A huge part of studying away is learning how to relate to others with beliefs and values much different than our own. This means not just mourning with Brussels and Paris, but also Turkey. This means being informed about other political and economic systems than our own, and not just being "dependent on the fickle attention of the 'global' media [instead of] on any genuine, sustained core of common concern."

A pretty picture of the sunset over the ocean in Nuevo Vallarta

If you treat study away like you are simply a tourist in another country, it really is just a trip. When you return home, and friends and family ask how it was, you can show them the pretty pictures, and share your stories of language mishaps and all the strange cultural differences. But you can also take Byer's up on his challenge to "take back" what being a global citizen means, and use it to "empower individual human beings to participate in decisions concerning their lives, including the political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental conditions in which they live... through engagement in the various communities of which the individual is a part at the local, national, and global level. [Global citizenship] includes the right to challenge authority and existing power structures- to think, argue, and act- with the intent of changing the world." This is the goal of my study abroad experience, what's yours?

The News: Buenos Aires (MO)

"Nunca más" The slogan of the march of remembrance on March 24

Although the news in Argentina seems to be similar to that in the United States, there are some small differences. The news in Argentina seems to contain more international aspects. The news covers a lot of what is going on in Argentina, but also about what is going on in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Another interesting aspect of the news is that it seems a lot more accessible. There are tons of news channels on the television, and just about anywhere you look in the city there is a kiosk where one can buy any assortment of newspapers, and magazines.

News kiosks like this are on every corner
(How many times can you spot Obama?)

Like I previously mentioned the news seems to be a lot more worldly here in Argentina. Because of this knowledge of other cultures and countries, one of the biggest pieces of news this week was of course about Obama. Now, this did of course also have something to do with Argentina, but first it was solely Obama's visit to Cuba. From the moment that his plane touched down in Havana, Cuba that is all that one could find on the news. On all of the TVs and on the front page of every newspaper and magazine there was a picture of Obama and Castro exchanging greetings. The Argentines were very excited that the US was mending it's ties with Cuba, and that Obama was finally able to make it to this part of Latin America. I also found that the news presented a more objective perspective of relations that they are not directly involved in. Of course there was an aspect of bias from the Argentines, but I feel that news about other countries is a lot more open-minded than
in the US.

The march of remembrance stopped all traffic on one of the
 biggest roads in Buenos Aires

Next, was of course Obama's visit to Argentina. An american president had not visited Argentina in the last 20 years, so this was naturally a very big deal here. Something very interesting about Obama's visit here was the dates of which he chose to come. Originally Obama was planned to arrive on March 24 and to give his public speech on this day. Interestingly enough March 24 holds a very special place in the Argentine heart. As my host mom explained to me it is a very "heavy" day for Argentines. March 24 is the date that the Golpe de Estado (military coup) took place in Buenos Aires, and yesterday was not only the "day of memory" of the golpe, but also the 40th anniversary. For these reasons, the people were not very excited that Obama chose to come on such an important day. Due to the major commotion that this caused in Argentina, Obama's arrival was pushed forward a day and he arrived on March 23. Although Obama did give a speech on March 24, it was received much better by the people that he did not make his grand appearance on this day of remembrance.

Argentines are very open about sharing their political viewpoints

Lastly, of course throughout the week the news was also filled with the horrible reality of terrorism that is occurring throughout the world. The terrorist attacks in Belgium were broadcasted very widely in Buenos Aires. Although the attacks were plastered all over Argentina very shortly after they happened, they didn't stick around for very long. I am not sure if this is due to the fact that in America we spend more time talking about such things, or the arrival of Obama in Latin America trumped the importance of the terrorist attacks.

Conclusively, there are many aspects of the Argentine news that are similar to American news, such as the way it is processed, and presented to the community. I do feel that the many different media outlets that are readily available for Argentines greatly increases the knowledge of what is going on in the rest of the world.

The News: Buenos Aires (YO)

A newspaper featuring President Obama with President Macri during his visit to Argentina

There are always many different angles that a new place and culture can be perceived. It is from these angles that we draw conclusions and form opinions about our new surroundings. For this reason it is very important to take a long, hard and objective look at the information that is being presented to us. A good example of this is the news. These days there are so many news outlets present in a single city, much less an entire country that at times it can become almost daunting to read or hear the same story over and over again through different sources. At least, this is how I felt when I was in the United States. Often times in the U.S. the same news stories are told by different news sources, having difference in opinion but not of the story itself. This sometimes creates the feeling that the objectiveness or relevance of the story is extraneous and many people simply flock to their predetermined beliefs and the news outlets that support them without considering the facts as they are.

This is in some ways the case in Buenos Aires. While there is a diversity of news present, people often stick to their own ideological views. Even though there are many cultural differences of the news between Argentina and the U.S. which I will touch on later, in some ways there are similarities between the two that are no more than manifestations of human nature. I experienced this firsthand when President Obama came to Argentina as the first U.S. president to do so in 20 years.

Posters hung at a local university for an anti-Obama/U.S. rally

President Obama's visit to Argentina had been anticipated for a while in B.A. and there were many mixed emotions about his arrival. My own host family was very excited that the President was visiting. My host mother said it was a good sign and that it hopefully meant Argentina was moving in the right direction in terms of foreign affairs and relations with other countries such as the U.S. However, there were many Argentines that did not feel the same way. President Obama's visit to the capital city took place on the 24th of March which was the 40th anniversary of the military coup that resulted in 30,000 Argentines being wrongfully imprisoned, murdered or disappearing altogether. This coup was also one that the U.S. government discretely yet actively supported and many people here have not forgotten that. As a result there were protests, anti-Obama propaganda and people that were simply not in favor of a true relationship between the U.S. and Argentina.

Another example was that of former President Kirchner and her administration which was in charge just before President Macri. Last week a video leaked of people from Kirchner's administration laundering large sums of money. This was nothing short of a scandal that ended up all over the news for days. Interestingly enough, what surprised me most about the story was the response it garnered from some people in the city. While many people were upset, there were also those who felt indifferent. I found this disconcerting at first but then soon discovered that many people were not surprised because they knew Kirchner was not an incorruptible leader. In fact, during her eight year presidency many people found her to be dishonest and untrustworthy thereby making this story nothing out of the norm. At first I could only think of how outraged people in the U.S. would be if a prominent political figure was involved in a scandal such as this. Then I realized there would be people that would be astounded and enraged but that there would also be those who were simply more aware of the fallibility of our elites.

These stories, however, were certainly the climax of my deeper observance of the news in B.A. and the culture that surrounds it. From the 17th of March to the 24th, I alternated between the Desayuno news show, the Clarín newspaper and the Buenos Aires Herald news site. Each of these news outlets overlapped in the stories of today, but what I found most interesting was the rhetoric related to other countries and how Argentina was not only focused on Argentina.

Even though each of these news sources kept the public generally informed of the local current events, what was going on outside of the city/country was also a part of this daily diet as well. While none of the stories were extremely elaborate or giving an especially insightful view into the intricacies of lives abroad, there is an absence of separation when it comes to foreign affairs in Argentina that is so present in the U.S. Usually there needs to be some sort of scandal, tragedy or natural disaster for many people of the U.S. to turn their attention away from their own country. However, it is apparent that the interconnections between countries and their significance are of high value within the culture of being informed in B.A.

In many ways the news is the same here as it in the U.S., certainly in terms of execution, aesthetic and stories being presented around opinions and beliefs instead of only the facts being the focus. In other ways the news here is much more conscientious. While news such as this is also highly present in the U.S., this assessment is also reflected in the people of B.A. and their understanding of the much larger role foreign affairs plays in their daily lives. All the same, what I do believe is universal about news anywhere is that while it stands on a powerful platform it is always the people that make the decision about the stories being told, if they are worthy of our attention and more importantly our action.

Global Citizenship and Purpose of Study Away: Lancaster, England

The idea of global citizenship and becoming a global citizen was something that had not crossed my mind when looking into studying abroad. It's a very complex idea, one I think that is constantly changing and evolving, as does the world. I do not consider myself a global citizen, and it was not my on my agenda to consider myself one when looking into studying abroad. What I was looking for was something that would give me the opportunity to experience a change in atmosphere and dynamic from where I was familiar, to become internationally conscious, if even on a small scale. I say small here, because although I am doing a lot of travelling to different countries, it's mostly in Europe, and there is so much more to the world. This understanding has been realized while studying away.

I feel expected to describe a wild adventure of one life changing event after another to my friends and family when I get home. I know that is what many expect to hear from students returning from their time abroad, and while there have been those moments of wild spontaneity and subliminal sightseeing, it's really just another chapter in my life. I also think that there is a general conception that students looking to study abroad want to become global citizens. While it is a very intriguing theory with many questions, it was not something I sought. I don't in any way feel my experience and studies while in England put me in some way above others, although I am very thankful to get the opportunity to experience everuthing that I am while abroad. This is where I understand my privilege. I hope that I am able to relay an experience that is very indicative of my character in the way I describe what I saw and how I saw it. I'm not looking to come back to America and proclaim myself a master of European culture, but I do hope to have some level of international awareness on many levels of social communication. Lancaster is currently on a four week spring break before next term begins mid April, and I'm doing a lot of travelling in this time.. This is mostly to just see and feel the places for what they are. I'm not staying long enough to conquer these cities and immerse myself as a local. At the same time I am finding ways to integrate myself within my surroundings and really capture the atmosphere. It's a great challenge to try and leave as many filters off when exploring as I can. So far it has been nothing but a constant learning curve.

I think that Allegheny has done well in its study abroad programming. The application process before picking a host destination felt somewhat tedious at the time, but in retrospective it really worked as a sort of self evaluation, to stop and think if you're really up for it. Studying abroad is certainly not for everyone. I know of many Allegheny students that don't seek the experience and I've talked to many European students that don't think they would have done well travelling to America for a semester as well. It's a very personal journey for sure, I can't stress that enough. Allegheny's program works well in that it stresses  a mindset that is very beneficial for young American students. Allegheny preparered me to become a culturally sound student with a global understanding over ignorance. Allegheny's international education focuses on the experiential realities offered through studying abroad, and this has benefitted me greatly while studying in England.

Global Citizenship and Purpose of Study Away: Paris, France (RLN)

• I think that the purpose to study away is for students to not only experience another culture but also ingrain some of that culture into themselves. This is usually done through a foreign language component of the program which will assist the student in utilizing that language on a day to day basis. In order to explain to friends and relatives I will manly focus on the stories that I have of what me and my new friends have done in the country but when it comes to employers I will attempt to market it as a valuable experience that will help me work better for them. I will do this by explaining to them what language skills I have and the office experience that I am having here through my internship and how it is a testament to my work ethic that even in a completely french language setting I work past the barriers and give it my best. As for graduate programs, I will explain to them how my work ethic was increased through studying in an intensive program that was purely in french and how that improved my language skills. 
• When it comes to the reading I have to say that I agree in a general way with Zemach-Bresin. Every individual is different so I cannot speak for every American student studying abroad but in my experience and from what others have told me their experiences American students are usually the last ones to integrate into the society when compared to students from other countries. This comes through when Zemach-Bresin says "I was a foreigner in all respects" and that her foreignness shown brighter than all of the candles in the Dalai Lama's temple. I see this most of the American students here who regardless of if they are loud and outgoing or reserved and quiet, all create bright boundaries whenever in public as most Parisians will immediately pick you out as an American before you even speak. However, I also believe that it can still be an extremely rewarding experience, especially if you do it through a reputable and intense program that isn't simply a vacation semester abroad like some American students do.

Global Citizenship and the Purpose of Study Away: Paris, France (BDZ)

I believe that the purpose of study away is to grow as a person.  In my case, I was put in the vast city of Paris away from familiarity and with a different language.  Being in a situation like this, it taught me much about myself as a person, and discover a new way of thinking which was not possible in the United States.  Study away, for me, is all about gaining a different perspective on the world, and on life.

Brockington and Wiedenhoeft mention cross cultural awareness in their text, citing it as "awareness of the diversity of ideas and practices to be found in human societies around the world, of how such ideas and practices compare, and including some limited recognition of how the ideas and ways of one's own society may be viewed from other vantage points."  I believe that cross cultural awareness is something a lot of Americans lack, and it is much to our detriment.  Back in the United States, we seem so far off from the problems the rest of the world faces, and much of the time we only read about them in the news.  I feel many Americans go day to day without thinking about the bigger picture, and before studying abroad, I can say I was one of them. However, as an American abroad, many of those problems are present here in France, and they are something I see every day.

When explaining my study abroad experience to friends and family, I will say that it was an extremely positive experience in which I learned a new way of thinking, and met many interesting people who all impacted the way I see the world.  When explaining it to employers and graduate programs, I can say that I was on my own in an unfamiliar place, however I thrived with the opportunities I was given here, and definitely made the most of my experience.

I am extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to study abroad, as it's something many college students think about but fewer pursue.  I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here in Paris, and with about a month remaining, I'll have to make the most of my time left here.

Global Citizenship and the Purpose of Study Away: Paris (LT)

Brockington and Wiedenhoeft explained that study away programs were important to foster the identity of global citizenship. But unlike Byers they define global citizenship as the knowledge and understanding of others. While in Byers’ speech he brings up many fair points about what the term ‘global citizen’ could mean, starting from being aware to the political problems of the world to taking an active role in stopping the injustices and closing the gap between the inequalities. However he ended it all with encouragements for everyone to take the term and “make it what you want it to be”. This really resonated with me because I really do believe that study away is a very individual experience. With help from programs like the Kalamazoo’s College’s Integrative Cultural Research Project and our own Cross-Cultural and Communication course individuals who are studying away are encouraged to actively and continuously reflect on all aspects of the cultural experience throughout the abroad experience. I have found this to be very helpful, but in reading all the blog posts and listening to other people in my program it has just made me more aware of how differently people can see the world and this influences the different ways that everyone truly does make the experience what they will.

For me this semester, the purpose of my Study Away has truly been a personal mission. I grew up overseas and attended only french schools before moving back to the US and starting into the American schooling system. Living in Paris for a semester has allowed me to reconnect with the language that I grew up speaking and had started to lose in the American public school system. Coming here has also allowed me expand my understanding of the french culture. In my time in Paris I have spent a lot of time observing the people around me in many different settings. I’ve explored museums and art galleries, I’ve sat in cafes and restaurants, I’ve wandered through the street of many different neighborhoods and have ride on many metro trains. I have been observing the members of the community in which I find myself and asking lots of questions of them to better understand the many differences in our two countries. 

In my Program I get to participate in an internship that has taken me across town away from the area that I usually find myself in, away from the tourists and large monuments to a neighborhood that is alive with life and a diverse group of people. Here I work in the community center in the youth program so while I’m in the office I get to observe a professional setting that is very different than that of back home. I choose to participate in this program specifically for this hands-on experience, because although I know it is great to study abroad and attend school abroad, I personally wanted a little more. I wanted to learn about the professional setting here and professional relations and in coming to Paris I really feel that I have accomplished that.

I think that as a result my definition of Global Citizenship may differ from that of my peers who are also abroad. I personally feel that global citizenship means opening doors, keeping an open mind and an open heart to people of all backgrounds. Being open and conscious to the political problems and the cultural differences and accepting others for who they are and not trying to change them. It means that through observation, active learning and active curiosity that one can work towards being a better global citizen.