Currently a junior at St. Olaf College, I chose to participate in an abroad program for this the first semester of my junior year. After spending my previous two academic years up on the hill in Northfield I would have to say that I have been more than a little captivated by all of my experiences.
Making the Decision
Walking blindly into the International Studies Office last winter and groping around at pamphlets for different abroad programs, I had less than a clue as to where I wished to go. Upon enquiry I was advised to set up a meeting with one of the advisers in the office for guidance. Hastily snatching up my stack of pamphlets and stuffing them into my backpack, I headed home until I was to get some formal assistance in the planning of my abroad experience.
A couple of days later I had my appointment with Helen Stellmaker of the International Studies Office. She was very helpful and succeeded in taking my fragments of thoughts and grad requirements and filtering them down through what programs I may be interested in as well as what would compliment my major. This process helped me to narrow down and sort out the abroad programs that would be more like vacations and those that would be directed towards my plan of study.
Narrowing it Down
A couple weeks passed. Although I was left with several intriguing options I chose to take the vacation to England at the University of Lancaster. In all honesty I found it to be the most fitting for my academic interests as well as high potential for some interesting travel and living. Going to school in England would allow me to be in range of many of the European countries that I also wanted to visit during my stay.
Eye-opening experiences
While studying here at the University of Lancaster in England I have had the privilege to see a great variety of local small town environments as well as the larger and more popular tourist sights. But my largest cultural exposure came in the month preceding my educational term here. I decided to do the majority of my traveling before I got to school here in Lancaster, England. With the help of internet research and recommendations from my friends I decided to try to find a tour that would allow me to see a large amount of sites for a nominal cost. I learned of a travel company called Contikii that offered budget-fit tours of Europe and a variety of other destinations for people between the ages of 18 and 35, and it allows for the 'starving student' living on ramen noodles. I strongly recommend this method of travel to any who are new to traveling abroad and want to see a lot for a little or just would rather focus more on the sights rather than all the planning. I found a reasonably priced tour for 20 days that took me through 11 countries and back to London before school began. I was able to earn enough money this summer to amply fund this tour,and still have a little spending money left over, while building a budget for my term here at Lancaster.
Cultural Differences
My travels throughout Europe have instilled a whole new respect for the cultures of others as well as that of our own.
Seeing ways in which some people seek out meager livings in small confined areas in contrast with those who live elaborate cosmopolitan lifestyles in 'cities of lights' can really mesmerize a person. Coming from a small town Minnesotan background but spending a good portion of my life in larger cities I have always felt that I had a fair grip on the fluctuations of quality of living. I found this to be accurate in some places, but culture seems to dictate in others. Never before have I seen people sleeping in doorways under piles of newspapers while men in three piece suits get out of their gas hybrid 'Smart' cars and walk by without even acknowledging their cohabitants existence.
But that is just an example of the contrast I witnessed while many of the areas I visited were very uniform. In this I mean their culture seems relatively intact and quite a large part of their lives. This was most easily observed in smaller communities in all of the countries which had not been as exposed to our changing world. Many of these towns were indicative of history books and appeared to be relatively unchanged by the passing time.
A glimpse of Switzerland
One instance in particular that caught me was while on a mountain bike ride in Switzerland; following an old hiking trail I was several miles up from the base of the mountain, above tree line, and far from any signs of civilization aside from a few stone fences. Progressively I started hearing the clanging of old rusty bells, and when I crossed over the next hill I saw a small heard of about 10 cattle and an older man with a walking stick leading them to a green field up the mountain. Later on that same ride I would come across a variety of other stone buildings and then even several primitive yet pleasant looking houses all the way up there. I spoke to the man who owned and operated the bike rental and t-shirt shops in town later that evening, curious of what I had seen. And he explained to me how that is what the 'herders' did; they lived up on the hill in the summer and grazed their cattle up on the mountains and then returned before the snows came. He also explained how some of the mountain communities in Switzerland will remain populated all winter, no electricity or contact with the outside world just as their ancestors had, reminiscent to me of the stories of Heidi. Others leading not-so-primitive lifestyles had succumbed to the evolution of change and purchased supplies from the helicopter pilots, which is the only means of contact during the winters.
Perspectives of America
That is just one example of what culture is over here, and how little we know of it. From many of the countries I have visited I have met a good number of people native to their areas and it has been interesting to learn their perspectives on our country as well. For the most part the spite towards Americans comes from the teenage through the young adult age. Children seem to not have learned to dislike our nation yet and the aged seem to have respect for our country, while there still remain a number of people who bear malice towards the United States. For that middle age group there seems to be a sort of jealous mistrust for the United States as a whole generated from generalizations. Yet, with the English language being a language as popular as it is here, many people are happy to share their opinions with you, although discretion is advised in certain possibly dangerous situations.
Enlightenment from England
All things considered, though, I would have to say that this has been one of the most enlightening experiences of my life,. opening my eyes to new experiences. While getting smacked in the face with cultures that are you learn to deal with things. I cannot say that I do not miss things at home though: family and friends, certain activities and comforts. But there is so much out there and sometimes you just need to let go of your life for a while to look into another's. Leaving the bubble up on the Hill was a big change for me, but the exchange for a better global perspective, I would have to say, proved more than worth my while.
