Students, choose to study abroad
Issue date: 12/4/09 Section: Opinion
This past spring, I studied abroad in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and it was an amazing experience. I took intensive language courses and other courses related to my sociology and anthropology major. I advanced my speaking skills, did senior thesis research and learned a lot about a culture that, until then, I had only read about in books. I had the opportunity to visit places like Moscow and Talinn, Estonia, and volunteer at homeless shelters.
All of this helped me further my understanding of Russia. I was able to experience Russia as a country and learn a lot about the culture in that way. As a result, I have a better understanding of the culture itself, and not just the language.
When I tell people that I studied abroad in Russia, they ask me why. The answer is simple: I love the country's history and its culture. The minute I landed in Russia, I was astounded by the differences between American and Russian culture. Simple things such as women wearing heels in the snow made Russia a unique place. I still don't know how women do it - I fell pretty often and I was not even wearing heels. I realized that Americans follow this strict, fast-paced and efficient lifestyle, while Russians are more relaxed and lenient as they go about their days. From fashion to dancing to relationships, I learned about the nuances between our culture and theirs. I learned a lot about Russia and about myself.
Going to Russia helped me solidify my career goals. Before, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to stick with the Russian language because I wasn't sure how marketable it would be to employers. But after my time abroad, I'm no longer concerned. The program I was a part of - American Institute for Foreign Study - helped me to look for job opportunities that would capitalize on my experience with the language.
I would not have been able to go to Russia if it were not for the help of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This program is designed to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups who might not be able to study abroad otherwise, especially for financial reasons. It is important that programs like this exist, but I feel that many students might not know that such opportunities are available to them.
All of this helped me further my understanding of Russia. I was able to experience Russia as a country and learn a lot about the culture in that way. As a result, I have a better understanding of the culture itself, and not just the language.
When I tell people that I studied abroad in Russia, they ask me why. The answer is simple: I love the country's history and its culture. The minute I landed in Russia, I was astounded by the differences between American and Russian culture. Simple things such as women wearing heels in the snow made Russia a unique place. I still don't know how women do it - I fell pretty often and I was not even wearing heels. I realized that Americans follow this strict, fast-paced and efficient lifestyle, while Russians are more relaxed and lenient as they go about their days. From fashion to dancing to relationships, I learned about the nuances between our culture and theirs. I learned a lot about Russia and about myself.
Going to Russia helped me solidify my career goals. Before, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to stick with the Russian language because I wasn't sure how marketable it would be to employers. But after my time abroad, I'm no longer concerned. The program I was a part of - American Institute for Foreign Study - helped me to look for job opportunities that would capitalize on my experience with the language.
I would not have been able to go to Russia if it were not for the help of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This program is designed to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups who might not be able to study abroad otherwise, especially for financial reasons. It is important that programs like this exist, but I feel that many students might not know that such opportunities are available to them.
Be the first to comment on this story