1. What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself on this study Abroad? Share the pictures, people, and stories who helped you learn that lesson.
There are many things that I’ve learned over the course of this past month! Something that I developed is adaptability with circumstances different from my expectations. I came into Study Abroad with certain expectations for immersing into a new culture, but what I got was a much richer experience. Studying abroad, you are bound to run into unprecedented issues! For example, our group had a short transfer train that ended up arriving late, which in turn, made us sprint to a bus that we would miss as well. Being quick to find a new solution and transport back to Strasbourg was vital! Some of the restaurants closed at strange times and excursions changed, but we had to keep a flexible mindset and positive attitude. Let me tell you; the girls I traveled with this study abroad were the most amazing people! I would not have had this wonderful experience without their company and their skills. The girls I hung out with included Alana, Scarlett, Ellie, Tulsi, Elle, Avery, and Brynli; they changed my perspective and encouraged me in my adaptability! Ellie was wonderful at romanticizing studying. Whether it was bringing studies to a café, picnicking in the Orangerie park, or even bringing our things downstairs to study in the hotel lobby, Ellie always came with brilliant ideas. Elle was always the first one to research a new restaurant. She used an online restaurant rating, so that our group could have the best food with the best service. Scarlett was magnificent at storytelling. She made light of the issues, changes, or mishaps, turning them into detailed stories with the best humor. Brynli brought the calm along with changing plans by encouraging our abilities to adapt. Those are just some examples of how this group of girls helped me become adaptable, flexible, and easy going. I could say infinitely more about these girls and their impact on my life.
1. What is the most important thing you have learned about (1) the EU, (2) Global Leadership, and (3) CQ while you were studying abroad? Share the pictures, people, stories, and insights you gained.
The European Union is complex, a statement with much meaning and intentionality behind it. Getting to experience Europe’s countries for a few weeks and beginning to understand their historically rich culture, the EU begins to make sense. It is nothing like the United States, and to compare which one is more efficient or a better model would be almost impossible. The EU accommodates 27 countries, all of which hold varieties of cultures. I enjoyed going to both the European Parliament and the European Commission, as it broadened my view of the EU’s complexity and formation. I was able to witness their purposes and roles in establishing unity within the European Union countries. When we talked to citizens of France, some of them favored the European Union and others were not as pleased with the European Union. They either enjoy the unity and safety it brings, or they dislike the requirements of payment towards other countries. Both, to me, are valid affirmations and concerns. And with those contrary views, the ability to use CQ and Global Leadership come much handy. Global Leadership has spanned across centuries. I think the best example of Global Leadership was Charlamagne, one of the first visionaries for Europe and ultimately the European Union. His leadership across a variety of languages, cultures, and ethnicities gave him the perspective to lead well based on the needs of the people. That fact translates even into current times. With world leaders like Trump, Putin, and King Charles III or G7 and the EU. All these political leaders have such influence and responsibility, so it is important to understand and evaluate the perspectives of each party or contributor. This brings me to Cultural Intelligence. Probably the most outstanding lesson I’ve learned from the book and the course was to use cultural intelligence to be able to adapt “on the fly”. There are too many ins and outs of cultures to be able to interact perfectly with each person you encounter. But if we can study the cultures and the norms of the cultures, hopefully we will be able to interact with intention, global perspective, and success. Experience also helps build cultural intelligence. Although, I am only beginning my journey of cultural intelligence, I would say I have acquired much throughout Study Abroad.
1. What would you like to tell (and show) an Aggie who is considering taking a CIBS study abroad in Europe. What would they hear, what would they see, what would they experience?
I would like to say that study abroad has been one of the most amazing experiences of college. Getting to meet Aggies I had never met before, exploring rich history, and experiencing all kinds of culture made the studies so worth it. You would hear a different language being spoken each day, and you would be able to catch on to it to interact with the native people! You would see their ways of dressing, ways of cooking, of traveling, and of interacting. That is most fascinating to me because it is so different from the United States. You would experience fun, learning curves, growth, and life-long memories. In fact, I am about to begin a scrapbook of my adventures. I can say that without a doubt, study abroad stories will be the stories I get to tell my kids and grandkids decades to come. The professors, my fellow study abroad students, and the people you meet will broaden your perspective on the world and what it means to be human. I loved my experience studying abroad, and I would recommend it to anyone considering the experience. If you want to learn, study in a European café, learn some bits of a new language, taste the delicacies of a new country, see grandiose architecture, and go on the most thrilling excursions, study abroad is for you! You never know who you will meet and the memories you will make.
