STUDY ABROAD: THE RIGHT CHOICE
Dori White studied abroad during the 2007-2008 academic year in Japan.
As long as I live I will never forget the moment I first saw Japan. On the flight there I was in the middle row, and after the plane arrived I was so busy trying to find my luggage and dealing with customs I didn't get a chance to even look outside. No words can describe how anxious and thrilled I was; it would be the farthest I'd ever been from home, the longest I've ever been away from my family. And as much as I longed to go to Japan, I still had reservations about my decision. Thoughts like 'was this the right choice' and 'could I handle the homesickness' pestered me throughout the flight. All of these thoughts, which had been running through my head, left when I first saw Japan. Looking out of the window from the train and seeing the rice paddies and the traditional style houses really touched me in a way I can never properly describe. Although it was October, the trees showed no signs of turning yet. The sky was gray, it had been raining and all that did was cause a mist to half cover the lush green hills. The dreary appearance only heightened the mystical, magical effect that Japan gave. I knew then, as I gazed out the window, that all the years of dreaming, all the work I had done, all the money I had saved, that this was the right choice.
This has been the most difficult, rewarding, challenging, emotional and educational year of my life. Even though I've had a wonderful time here, it wasn't a cakewalk either. Homesickness was my biggest adversary and because I am so close to my family, it never truly went away. Another source of difficulty was the language barrier; not being fluent in the native language is frustrating. Simple things become complicated, but nothing is more satisfying than managing to hold a conversation, or to talk and be understood. There is no bigger or better reward than the ability to communicate. Little things like that manage to surprise and delight you.
Being a foreigner is a unique experience. People notice you, people want to know you, and people love the idea of you. You are exotic, and that knowledge, I admit, is intoxicating. You do things you never would have done before; I myself climbed two mountains and went to Thailand! You understand what it means to be isolated, what it means to be excluded and this knowledge will make you a better person. You will have compassion for every foreigner you ever meet. However, you won't experience this alone, and having people with you who understand what you are going through is priceless.
I did dorm-style housing, my first dormitory experience and the friends I have made here, the bonds we have forged, are unbreakable. Although we do aggravate each other often, and I know someone stole my favorite cup from me, I wouldn't have been able to survive without their support. We've cried together, celebrated birthdays together, traveled together and even took each other to the hospital. You will make friendships that last a lifetime. If I walk away from studying abroad with nothing but this, it was worth it. It is a brave thing to live in another culture. Yes, there are differences between America and Japan, but always remember that people are people, no matter what country they come from. This was the best thing I've ever done and would do it again in a heartbeat. All you have to do is leap. Trust me, it's worth it.
STUDY ABROAD; THE UNCONVENTIONAL TEXTBOOK JELAYNA DASHLA
If the opportunity to study abroad presents itself to you, take it! If the desire to study abroad has bubbled up within you, don't deny it, but instead embrace the buoyancy and excitement it provides and let those bubbles carry you to new countries. This is not a vacation you are about to embark upon. It is so much more than that. This is a challenging lesson of beauty and diversity that when approached with an open mind, allows you to see the world and yourself in a new light found only in a time zone far away from Central Kansas time.
office of study abroad·108 Lippincott Hall·osa@ku.edu·864-3742
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SPORTS EXCHANGE: RUGBY IN SCOTLAND
Bob Zwolinski studied abroad during the fall 2007 semester in Stirling, Scotland
Studying abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. Studying in Scotland was something that I will never forget; it gave me a chance to branch out and meet people and see sites that I could never even dream of. Visiting other countries like France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Poland opened my eyes to other people's cultures and values; it helped me become much more tolerant of other people that are different from myself. I recommend to other potential study abroad students to branch out and make new friends from different cultures and different parts of the world. I joined the Stirling University rugby team and was the only American and study abroad student. Everyone on the team treated me like family and respected the fact that I was making an effort trying to branch out.
One of my favorite memories was being able to go to Paris for the Rugby World Cup, which was England vs. South Africa. There were 60,000 thousand English fans there to watch the match. It was a beautiful day and the game was being televised right behind the Eiffel Tower on a huge TV; I recall just standing right in front of the Eiffel Tower thinking how amazing it was to be there and how lucky I was to get a chance to experience the Rugby World Cup, which is held every four years.
I met friends that I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life. I recommend to other students to travel as much as you can and to try and do something that you're not used to, like playing a sport or tasting an exotic food; you never know what you like until you try it. Open your mind up to different ideas and you will hear and experience things that will help you become more knowledgeable and ready for life.
Robert Zwolinski playing rugby in Scotland.
Jayhawks Abroad
8
Fall 2008