I find it interesting how applicable all of the questions raised in these articles are currently due to the fact that we are in an election year. Things like foreign policy and our position in the world are key in deciding who will be next to lead our country.
Separate from politics, I agree in part with both Zemach-Bersin and Byers. First, it is very important that, as Americans, we understand the privilege we have due to our freedom. However, I also believe that it is important not to impose our ideals on the rest of the world. Different religions, cultures, and political policies will always exist, and there is no "correct" one. It is important to notice, learn, and appreciate differences rather than discourage the fact that they are different.
Being in New York I am surrounded by many small pockets of culture: Chinatown, Little Italy, Koreatown, for example, plus all of the travelers in and out of the city. All of these towns exist in great proximity with vastly differing cultures and ideals, yet they don't interfere with each other's practices. It's inspiring, however it is different because all of these cultures are existing within the same political system: one less difference to create separation.
All of these things are especially important when studying away because you are immersing yourself into another culture; you can't forget how inherent your own is or take it for granted, but you also can't disrespect what you are experiencing. And that's why studying abroad is so important, as Brockington and Wiedenhoeft illustrate. It's a chance to learn first hand the roots of a culture and appreciate it, which also brings about a better understanding of your own. Being in New York, I don't have this same experience, especially because I am living in a house with mostly American students in an American city. However, on a much different scale, business as a culture has become much more clear for me, and it has helped me better appreciate the relationships I have with family and friends. At work, I have a work "mom" of sorts, who constantly asks me how I'm doing and checks in, along with all of my coworkers being friends. But I realize when coming home that those relationships begin and end in the office, which is in many ways good. It's important to have those boundaries and this experience has taught me that. However, I do hope to get a true "study abroad" experience someday.
In the future, if ever asked why I took a "break" from my studies to come to New York, I will say that I did it to get work experience, practice living on my own, and live in a city filled with cultures other than my own while doing so, which is invaluable and almost exclusively offered from studying away.
All of your goals you set out to achieve through taking a break in your studies, like getting the work experience and learning to be able to live on your own, are things that I myself hope to be equipped with after college. That's really why I'm taking this time as well, it's something I want to accomplish before graduation, and having the opportunity while in college is awesome.
ReplyDeleteEven though you aren't living in a foreign country, I think those "little pockets of culture" as you said are a great example of different cultures and ideas existing in close proximity to one another in peace. Although I have studied abroad in two countries now, I have never lived in New York- I imagine it's more of a cultural difference from Meadville, PA than you would expect. Sites like HONY are a testament that many citizens of New York are just like global citizens- they appreciate differences, and respect others ideas and upbringing, which isn't anywhere near as common in rural parts of the state.
ReplyDeleteI found your post to be interesting since you are still in the United States, but you seem to have experienced more cultures than many of us who have traveled abroad by living in the cultural melting pot of New York. I agree with you about the need to recognize our privilege without trying to push our culture, accidentally or otherwise, on the culture we are trying to learn more about.
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