Great Expectations
One never knows where they are going until they know the significance of where they've been. For me to really know what I want, I want to challenge myself and test my limits. What better way to do that than to live in a foreign country for four months? Academically, I expect to take the classes I need for my double major, really learn the language and emerse myself into the culture. The French take pride in their history and their traditions which for International Relations, is a perfect place to start to really understand the impact of foreign diplomacy. Studying abroad not only helps one to understand where other countries are coming from polticially and culturally but also gives the student a chance to really examine themselves. One personal expectation I have is to learn as much as I can from others. I think that it is important to know where others come from in order to learn about ourselves. Seeing life from other's perpsectives and angles is the best way to learn who we are as people of the world. Patience, empathy and acceptance is the best thing we can experience as international students. I can't wait to reflect back at the end of the semeser and see where I have come and how much I have learned.