Some closing thoughts from Study Abroad

I write this entry from my laptop about 10,000 feet up over the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on a westbound flight to the US. For the past three and a half months I have been afforded one of the most amazing experiences in my life. When I departed the US on Sept 4, 2008, I began a journey that I will never forget. During the course of this journey, I visited five separate countries plus Scotland. Each country has provided a unique experience in which I was able to interact with people from different cultures, and I also learned a great deal about myself. During the course of my time abroad, I was able to travel solo in a foreign country, and I was able to find a comfort zone for myself at the University of Sussex. Coming from a university of only 1800 students, that is an impressive feat at the University of Sussex with over 10,000 students. The friendships that began abroad will be continued for a long time to come, with frequent visit around the country (specifically the area from Pennsylvania to Maryland to North Carolina, and also to Jackson, WY.). Just a couple of weeks ago I was sitting around the Thanksgiving table with a group of friends talking specifically about what we were thankful for, and I think we reached an agreement that we were all so happy to have built such strong friendships abroad. As is always the case when I am around people who I don’t know very well, I was quiet in the beginning. I think as soon as the first couple of weeks were over though, I began to make more friends. One day I know I will never forget was my 21st Birthday, which I celebrated just 2 days after arriving in England. While that certainly was tough, I enjoyed myself, and had fun meeting more people.

During this trip I did learn a few things about myself. The first being how much I really cherish the friendships I have made at Bates. Speaking of Bates, I realized how lucky I am to be attending such a good academic institution. I think, that while I found the classes worthwhile at the University of Sussex, the caliber of the lectures, students, and faculty, was not matched at the University of Sussex. The students I interact with daily at Bates are far different than the students at Sussex. Given the different type of learning system used in the UK, where it is essentially self-taught through immense reading, I think it can be expected to attract different students than Bates.

One last thing I found interesting about being abroad, was impact the 2008 US Presidential Elections had on the rest of the world. While I will devote a later blog post to my experiences, I did find it fascinating to talk to the Brits and learn about which candidates they supported and why. I certainly found many of them to be well informed and strong arguers. I do think the election of Obama has improved the image of the US abroad, and thus the reception that US citizens receive abroad.

I know that I am leaving England on both a high note and a low note. I am excited to get home and see family and friends, but the opportunities I have enjoyed in England and Europe will certainly be missed. I have changed a bit since being abroad. I am growing a beard for the first time and I also have learned to enjoy art and museums much more! Well that is all for now. It looks like they are giving me more drinks or something of that sort. The nine hour and two minute flight from London to Cincinnati provides plenty of time for reading, sleeping, and reflecting.

As always, Pray for Snow!

Cheers,

ZGSKIER