Thought I was done with all this nonsense. Oh well, one more won't kill me. Maybe. Returning to the USA, huh? Well the first feeling was relief that the plane ride was over. I'm not sure how long it was, but my feeling is that it was over 24 hours. Way too long. Anyway, about the learning experience. Travelling to other countries is inherently a good thing. Spending all your life in the same country, especially America, stifles the imagination. At least, that's my view. With nothing to compare it to, people assume all manner of things are normal when in actuality they may be incredibly abnormal. Furthermore, to be a responsible citizen of our internationally connected world a person needs to be able to compare and not just make judgements based on media. In relation to a liberal arts education, I do think that study abroad fits in with its goals. Liberal arts, unless I'm mistaken, is all about having a well-rounded education. Spending all your time at the same college shelters you from alternative viewpoints and teaching methods. To fully round-out an education requires seeing multiple angles on the same thing. And, of course, there is the fact I mentioned above about being a responsible international citizen. Gaining knowledge of other cultures is best achieved firsthand. Really, it can ONLY be achieved firsthand, and anyone who says otherwise is a downright liar. So go somewhere. Learn something. And when you get home, don't go crazy at how much America seems to have changed while you were gone. Chances are, it's only you. And that's a good thing.