Allegheny College Study Abroad Spring 2009

When I arrived back in the United States I never expected that I would experience on my re-entry just as I had thought when I started this entire adventure. I mean this is my home where I have grown up and lived most of my life so how could it cause unsettling feelings. This feeling in my gut of discontent and confusion I cannot explain nor do I know why it is there. I desire to be back in Europe and Spain even though when I left I wanted to come home. This inner battle of confusion has me lost in the United States. While in Spain, I never had to defend my political views or my religious beliefs in a country that is 96% Roman Catholic. However, I did have to defend my fan-hood and passion for my favorite football teams: FC Bayern Muenchen, Sevilla FC, and Newcastle United. My professors were surprised and loved the fact that I was such an avid fan of European football unlike the majority Americans and the fact that I was not as ignorant to the sport like others. I also am an avid cyclist fan and enjoy watching the ProTour on Versus; a fact that surprised the Spaniards. I feel that my worldly view of sports showed that we Americans are not completely and totally caught up in our football, hockey, baseball, and basketball; some of us have other interests.

Here in Angers, there is a program known as VVV, which is a group created to exchange cultural differences between American and French students. The members will go out to bars around the town on a set night just to spend some time together. It is a way for the French students to learn more English and for the American students to learn more French. It's a great way to meet new people as well as an excellent opportunity to better your speaking skills and expand your vocabulary in a different language. As an American, you're also able to share some of your experiences with the French students and teach them some new vocabulary of your own.

As I prepare to leave Angers a week from tomorrow, I find it hard to believe it's been 4 months. I've met a lot of great people here, and it will be sad to leave. I'll be happy to return home to see my family and friends again, but at the same time it will be disheartening knowing that 99% of the people I've met here, I will probably never see again. As an Allegheny ambassador, I've done my best to conduct myself with great responsibility and do the best work possible, using the knowledge I have from my experience at Allegheny to my advantage both in and out of class. I feel that I've certainly been an mabassador of the US, sharing my culture and memories from home with the friends I've made here in Angers. It's been an amazing experience, and I can't believe it's almost over. I'll miss the people and also Angers, but it's time to return home for the summer. Au revoir, Angers, I'm nearly Homeward Bound.

I have been home for a few weeks ago and already I have adapted back to my life in the states. While abroad I feel like I have achieved my role of a U.S. and Allegheny ambassador because of my homestay and internship. I lived with two different families over three and a half months and over this time we learned from each other. Both of my homestays have hosted before but each time it is a little different. A lot of the time I sat down explaining to my family and friends that life in America isn't perfect. In many ways they felt like Americans don't have struggles and I guess in a lot of ways they are not as great as the ones many Africans face. Immediately everyone assumes you are rich so I spent a lot of time trying to clear up this misconception. I explained to them that I have been working since I was fifteen and am just a regular student and by no means do I live the life of luxury. My stories were not always easy for them to understand as I was their direct link to an American student. Most of their facts comes from the media which can be biased. Reality TV shows also give the U.S. a poor image as many Africans use this as a base for comparison. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the family and hopefully gave them a new perspective on what they think of America.

In Mexico, I believe forfilled the role as an American and Allegheny ambassador very well. As an American ambassador it was important to live up to the standards American citizens have to live up to in America. Without imposing my beliefs about society and government on the people of Mexico I was able to show them how we live in America while also learning from them and their beliefs. In regards to Allegheny, I was a good example of Allegheny by always striving for knowledge and unsterstanding of my host culture. By stressing friendship and community I believe I brought some of the values of Allegheny College to Mexico to be shared with my Mexican and American friends. I believe the values of Allegheny helped me gain a better understanding and knowlege while in my host country and I wouldn't have been able to learn as much without having them with me