tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251 2009-08-31T19:05:17Z Movable Type 3.36 tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6493 2009-08-31T19:04:33Z 2009-08-31T19:05:17Z

Leaving North Carolina I was leaving more than just the Marine Lab and my friends. Part of my family lives there as well and pulling out of their driveway that morning was harder than anything. Even though we like...

Amanda Schworm Leaving North Carolina I was leaving more than just the Marine Lab and my friends. Part of my family lives there as well and pulling out of their driveway that morning was harder than anything. Even though we like to think we will keep in touch life gets in the way and I knew this would happen. However, it was a comfort knowing the impressions I’ve made on everyone down there would remain. As an American ambassador I would have to say my work was well quite minimal seeing as everyone else there was American. I did enjoy meeting people in Trinidad and definitely made some amazing friends there. I am still in contact with a few of the Trinidad “nature seekers” who worked with leatherback sea turtles there. Working along with these wonderful people they quickly realize that MTV is full of crap  and not all Americans fit into that cliché group. As an Allegheny College ambassador I was myself. I love learning about people and their backgrounds be it in the USA or elsewhere. I am still close friends with two girls from the Marine Lab and we just had a reunion!! I plan on making a few trips down to Duke to catch up with them and a few of my favorite professors. ]]> tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6336 2009-06-08T18:55:55Z 2009-06-08T19:01:24Z

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...

Greg King 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 tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6334 2009-06-07T17:55:26Z 2009-06-07T18:02:23Z

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...

Rachel Poole 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. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6330 2009-06-02T14:48:25Z 2009-06-02T14:57:40Z

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...

Bryan Kramer 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. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6329 2009-06-02T14:42:38Z 2009-06-02T14:47:55Z

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...

Bryan Kramer 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. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6327 2009-06-01T12:04:15Z 2009-06-01T12:04:26Z

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...

Benjamin Eyer ]]> tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6326 2009-05-31T23:37:07Z 2009-05-31T23:37:30Z

Although we were instructed on our roles as ambassadors of both Allegheny and America before we left for our respective courses, I myself never thought about it much. However, looking back I am able to think of any number...

Sarah Kropp Although we were instructed on our roles as ambassadors of both Allegheny and America before we left for our respective courses, I myself never thought about it much. However, looking back I am able to think of any number of examples where I have positively represented Americans, as well as Allegheny College. This mostly has to do with the fact that I like to complain. Any difference I found between my previous lifestyle and my life in England, I would find a way to spin it so that America and Allegheny came out on top. For instance, even though Lancaster has a month long spring break (seriously Allegheny, think about it) and gives its final exams over a course of several weeks, I chose to interpret this to my flatmates that American universities, particularly liberal arts colleges, provide a more rigorous education, and are thus clearly better. In this regard, I have also found myself constantly forced to be an American ambassador because people in Europe find Americans rather fascinating. Everywhere I went, whether it be Brussels, London, or Prague, I found myself being questioned about American politics or my life at home. At first, this was rather off-putting and I usually knew less about American politics than the person asking me about them, thus making me a less than admirable ambassador. However, as time went on I found myself more interested in politics and world happenings due to the added focus and interactions with global issues. So while at some times I played the role of the ignorant American and perhaps rubbed people the wrong way (when the French barista in a Paris Starbucks refused to give me a straw while I mimed drinking in the air), I still believe that I represented America and Allegheny positively. While talking with my American friends that are also abroad, we have all found that we have a much greater appreciation for what we left behind while we are gone. Before I left, I was never one to boast about how great America is--whether this is because I had never been anywhere to compare it with or because Obama was inaugurated while I was gone, we will never know. Now, whether its talking about how much cooler the President is than the Queen, or talking up the quality of American education, I know that I have fulfilled my role as an ambassador and that I have left people (at least a few) with a better impression of Americans than they had before. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6325 2009-05-31T11:18:18Z 2009-05-31T11:40:16Z

I am satisfied with my ambassadorial role here. Although I have only really been in Germany for about 6 weeks, I have definitely fulfilled my role. I have made an effort to cut my ties with Americans here and speak...

Matthew Neckelmann I am satisfied with my ambassadorial role here. Although I have only really been in Germany for about 6 weeks, I have definitely fulfilled my role. I have made an effort to cut my ties with Americans here and speak German with Germans. I am constantly asking people where they are from and what it's like there. A good example relates to a girl from Riga, Latvia. I asked where she was from and she replied "Lettland" - I didn't know this was the German name for Latvia, so she said that I ought to know if I'm interested in diplomacy, which we had discussed earlier. I then explained to her that I didn't know Lettland was Latvia, and to make my point clear and to make sure I was certain about where it was, I told her that it was between Estonia and Lithuania (whose capital cities I also mentioned). I wanted to let her know that I do want to learn about countries! I am interested in the world! I do know some things about it! And I think I've made that point clear to all of my acquaintances - I've lived in Germany for a year already, China for two months, and plan on interning in Serbia next Spring. And I write for an art center in Shanghai and have two passports and am working on getting my third. Although my German still needs work, the fact that I carry around a little log and write down every incomprehensible word lets people know that I really am trying to learn the language - and it's paid off! My German is getting so much better! Yay for being an ambassador! I'm not trying that hard but I think I'm still doing just fine. And integration? I was on the way to Stuttgart on my way to Belgrade and I got off at the wrong train station. While waiting, a girl joined me and I asked her if it was easy to get to Stuttgart from the station the train was heading towards. She said that was the case, and then said "Du gehst bestimmt feiern, oder?" (You're definitely going to some party, right?) I told her I was on the way to Budapest, and ultimately Belgrade, where I was visiting my good friend. We got to chatting and she eventually told me that I had a small accent and asked where I was from. I told her "California." She gawked at me with wide eyes. "But you're fluent!" And I said "Wenn du meinst!" ("If you say so!") I was flattered. On the train, I was talking to a Croatian construction worker who was born in Germany. I definitely noticed his accent - it was difficult for me to believe that he was born in Germany (no offense dude). And then other people have told me that they can tell right away if I'm American. Mixed reviews tend to confuse, but I'm satisfied with my integration. I've managed to mingle, mingle, mingle with the Germans well enough. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6324 2009-05-29T23:53:33Z 2009-05-30T00:17:55Z

The role of an ambassador is to show that where they come from must be good off of what they produced. It's the ambassador's role to show this to many people. So I'd say I'm about the average ambassador. I've...

Shad Hopson The role of an ambassador is to show that where they come from must be good off of what they produced. It's the ambassador's role to show this to many people. So I'd say I'm about the average ambassador. I've made a good few friends here happily and done my best to be good to everyone as I always try to be, but I'm not much of a social maniac so probably don't present myself enough. So besides presenting myself well to friends and classmates best I can (without really trying admittedly) all I really got is fencing. Here I did pretty well though, helped lead the men's team to a undefeated victory in the league and cup down here, got a pretty metal for the win and apparantly I'm supposed to be getting an award from the school for my dedication and helping to bring about this never before done feat. But that was just kind of my fun and games as well, I'm a fencer, I fence. Actually all I've done since I've gotten here was be myself like that, any role as an ambassador has come second really. I've been an ambassador for a lot of things now, my school club, my age group, my highschool, allegheny college, my sexuality, my physics department, my teachers, my opponents, even for the city of Lancaster. Eh, in the end it should all just be trying to be the best you can be, aka, trying to represent yourself best you can, everything else just kind of falls into place with that. Not at my best yet, or anywhere near, but that's the struggle that was my struggle as an ambassador in the end. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6310 2009-05-27T03:55:55Z 2009-05-27T03:57:36Z

I still have about a month left in Australia and though I did not come here expecting to be an American ambassador, I can think of some ways I have changed my new friends’ perceptions of American culture. The...

Emily Thornton I still have about a month left in Australia and though I did not come here expecting to be an American ambassador, I can think of some ways I have changed my new friends’ perceptions of American culture. The United States and Australia are very similar countries. We share similar histories, language, and governments, but the attitudes of the people are incredibly different. Australians see us as loud, elitist jerks. This stereotype is not helped by the exchange students who only spend time with others from America, or those who are, in fact, loud, elitist jerks (I have met a few). I am proud to say that my Australian clique has officially adopted me as one of their own. On occasion, they will bring up “the Americans” (other exchanges) in conversation, and quickly turn to me and say, “oh, but you don’t count.” I hope I have shown them that Americans, like Australians, are not all the same, and those of us who want to learn about and assimilate into another culture can do it quickly and easily. I also hope that through four months’ worth of conversation they have learned a little bit about America: its history, government, school systems, and so on. It is great to have so much knowledge about something by default, and we often find ourselves comparing and contrasting aspects of culture over meals. I believe that networking opportunities like those provided by studying abroad can result in understanding and prosperity for all parties involved. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6302 2009-05-26T14:56:35Z 2009-05-26T15:20:38Z

I felt like I fulfilled the role of an American embassador many times when having conversations with my senora or my professors. We would be talking about culture or politics is Spain, then they would ask me how it was...

Ashley Miller I felt like I fulfilled the role of an American embassador many times when having conversations with my senora or my professors. We would be talking about culture or politics is Spain, then they would ask me how it was different in the United States, and at that point we would talk about the differences and similarites of the two countries. This would often spark other questions that they had about the United States. I realized that people outside our country have a certain image of what the United States is, based on the media and what the see on the news. Many times, these are generalizations, but many times its the truth. I think being able to answer those questions, and diferenciate between reality and stereotypes made me an american embasador. No, I didn't change all of Spain's perception of the United States, or reaffirm the truths that they here on the news, but being able to influence the few people I did, made me feel like a true American citizen and representative of my country. One example of this was when we were talking in my cultural realities class about the education system in Spain, and compared it to that of the US. Another example was at lunch one afternoon when a story came on the news about President Obama. Because he is a celebrity-like icon in Spain, and Europe, she was under the impression he had the same appearance here in the US, while this is not the case. I explained to her that he is not a celebrity icon to us, but and icon of hope, growth and change for the United States, and we are looking to him to do great things for us, but he is not a celebrity. Things like this were difficult at times, because while you can try to correct someone's incorrect perception, but the media makes things out to be what they want, and it's not always easy to make someone understand that the media makes generalizations, and does not always represent a culture correctly and fully. The language barrier at times was difficult too because it makes it more difficult to get your point across in the way you want. However, conversation is the first step in opening up these barriers and understanding one another's cultures all over the world. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6298 2009-05-26T01:11:27Z 2009-05-26T01:11:51Z

My American Politics seminar was filled with juniors and seniors. I was the only sophomore in my class. We began the semester by reviewing the past campaign and talking with political consultants. In my three semesters at Allegheny, I must...

Megan McNally My American Politics seminar was filled with juniors and seniors. I was the only sophomore in my class. We began the semester by reviewing the past campaign and talking with political consultants. In my three semesters at Allegheny, I must have been fill with an abundance of public speaking skills. Most of my class would sit back and not as the speakers questions or answer our professor’s questions. I jumped at every opportunity to learn anything I could from our speakers because it was a once in a lifetime experience. After my morning session, my classmates and I would have lunch together and talk about the speakers. Numerous times, my peers would say they wish they would have asked about ..., yet they did not even raise their hand. Within a few days, I realized how much harder Allegheny’s workload is compared to the schools my peers attended. Allegheny’s professors also require their students to participate in class and to think critically. Throughout the semester, I could tell that my classmates had just as much passion about this topic as I did. By participating in class and asking in-depth questions, I show the class how to learn as much as possible from our professor and speakers. Our speakers wanted to tell us about their profession and spread their knowledge, the class just had to ask questions to show that they were interested. I am happy that I was able spread my excitement and curiosity for the topic by using skills that I learned at Allegheny. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6299 2009-05-26T01:10:45Z 2009-05-26T03:17:50Z

I, like many others quickly realized that, no matter how nice you are or how well you present yourself in a foreign country, everyone knows before you even open your mouth that you're american. With our nationality comes all the...

Christopher Wagner I, like many others quickly realized that, no matter how nice you are or how well you present yourself in a foreign country, everyone knows before you even open your mouth that you're american. With our nationality comes all the baggage of two hundred some odd years of a less than stellar foreign policy and the lingering political hangover of the previous President. Imagine if we hadn't left during Obama's first term. I did my best to get the my point across when I first arrived and everyone asked me or mentioned dolefully of the then-looming financial apocalypse. I think that more than most things, at least in terms of your interactions with your host culture, comes up as a very important facet of the role of "ambassador." With any luck, you know your own country better than they do and you can explain our most recent actions as a nation. A secondary, but ever-present duty of any ambassador is to avoid being a stereotype at all costs. The stereotypes aren't good. Luckily, the average american in Costa Rica is old, slightly overweight and retired, so I had my work cut out for me. Apparently we also poor hygiene, although I really don't know where that one comes from exactly. Regardless of the of the scale or the subject matter, being an american "ambassador" is a simple matter of being aware of yourself, your actions and the world around you. In my travels I did my best to make it come across that, although I grew up in the US, I am not my country nor am I "an american" in the simple sense. I was me, an individual beyond just my background and my home culture. Just as I learned about a few new layers of the Costa Rican culture, I tried to be an example of someone from the US beyond the imperialist, or the noisy, lost tourist or the ex-businessman living off his nest egg that dominated the perceptions of many. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6300 2009-05-25T16:36:52Z 2009-08-11T00:31:52Z

I am unsure on whether I've been an American or Allegheny ambassador. Instead I've been more of an ambassador of oversea Chinese in general. There are many of my kind in America, and our knowledge and experiences vary. Some are...

Jennifer Yin I am unsure on whether I've been an American or Allegheny ambassador. Instead I've been more of an ambassador of oversea Chinese in general. There are many of my kind in America, and our knowledge and experiences vary. Some are almost completely Americanized, and no longer know the language, culture, or traditions. Some know most of the culture and traditions, enough of the language, and blend in with the rest of them quite well, it is only apparent that they aren't Chinese born and raised comes through when you start discussing politics, literature, or other smart people stuff. And most fit somewhere in between. One of the best tests to see how well you fit in is a walk through the touristsy markets like Silk Street. If they ignore you, Congratulations! you're one of them! In some ways I have been more of an ambassador for Taiwan more so than America. All Chinese can instantly tell that my family is from down south. The vast majority can tell that my family is from Taiwan. America has already been demystified for them, by other Americans in China, or the vast amount of American media that mostly come from the internet. However, Taiwan still holds a certain aura of mystery for most. It is quite difficult for most Chinese to ever visit Taiwan. Travel between the two countries are mostly one way. Until recently, the only way for them to see Taiwan was to take a boat tour that circles the country, never entering Taiwan's waters. Although travel between the two countries are slightly more open now, extraordinarily few Chinese are making it to Taiwan. tag:webpub.allegheny.edu,2009:/employee/I/iroy/studyabroad/sp2009//251.6297 2009-05-25T16:11:05Z 2009-05-25T16:11:48Z

Allegheny College is an institution that emphasizes on the importance of diversity and the embracing of different cultures and perspectives. This notion on the other hand is rather difficult to practice. However, by maintaining an open mind and accepting the...

Edayatu Lamtey Allegheny College is an institution that emphasizes on the importance of diversity and the embracing of different cultures and perspectives. This notion on the other hand is rather difficult to practice. However, by maintaining an open mind and accepting the fact that every individual is unique and different, one is able to appreciate the uniqueness in others. Living with two other roommates, a French and an American student, in addition to being around students from all walks of life, not only daunted me but also gave me the chance learn how to compromise and live under certain conditions. I also got the opportunity to serve as a role model to those I surrounded myself with. It was very frustrating a times, to be among a group of people who do not only criticize others because of their educational background or institutions, but also for simply being themselves. Although this practice was against what my home college preached and also my personal beliefs, I kept rather quiet for the first few days until someone approached me and complained bitterly about friend. This friend was complaining about our other friend’s behavior, blaming our friend’s actions on her country of origin. I therefore took this opportunity to educate this friend on the dangers of stereotyping, and how to prevent such judgments. I proceeded by telling this friend about the different ideas and perspectives others bring into ourselves. Most of the time, we miss out on the joy and laughter that other cultures bring mainly because we are to busy criticizing them. Appreciating others and not judging them based on irrational reasons can be very difficult, however, by acknowledging how different ideas and perspectives shape your life and self image, being open to others and embracing diversity becomes rather simple and a part of one’s life.