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.