Hi Everyone! My name is Sarah Robinson I am a Senior
at Ball State University studying Family Studies with a minor in Human
Development. I have the wonderful opportunity to study abroad with the Computer
Science Department. I will be travelling with seven individuals my professor/
program coordinator David, his wife Lois (she is like the trips encyclopedia
she knows so much and she helped plan it), Benaiah, Josh, Kayla, and Steven.
The countries we will be going to are London, Scotland, Northern Ireland and
Ireland. We will be visiting museums, castles, parks, universities, and many
historical sites. A short highlight reel, we will be going to Royal Mile,
Westminster Abbey, Olympic Village, the Queens Jubilee, a Broadway play in
London, Stonehenge, Guinness Storehouse, National Leprechaun Museum, The
Burren, and experiencing the night life.
My
philosophy for the trip is you get out of it what you put into it. I know I am
going to miss my family, boyfriend, and being surrounded by things I know. I
also know this that this is an experience of a lifetime that I may never get
back again. I want to make the most of this trip and I want to push myself
further than I believe at this moment I can do. What I mean by saying to push myself is that this trip will
push me completely out of my comfort zone and down a cliff. I plan on taking in
everything and I mean everything I want to take in the people, the places, the
smells, and the tastes. I am going with individuals that I don’t know the best
more than a weekly to biweekly meeting all semester but I know we will all have
fun and enjoy each other. I am a worrier by nature and I have been worrying
about this trip for a while and as its getting closer I have this mix of pure
excitement but pure fear as well. I am so excited to go to a new place see
things I have never seen before and experiencing everything I can. I am fearful
of being mugged, the hostel beds (praying for no bed bugs), and most of all the
unknown. The unknown is part of the excitement but also part of the fear but I
think I just need to remember that’s part of the adventure!
My
motivation for studying abroad is simple it’s a once in a lifetime experience!
I remember in high school and just other random individuals coming up to me
saying make sure you study abroad in college. I mean, it makes sense after
college is done you don’t have as much time, money, or mobility to travel
abroad. Plus studying abroad is easier and cheaper for college students. My Aunt Cathy and her husband Peter
also live in Ireland and after the field study ends I have the wonderful
opportunity to go to their house for a week. A big motivation for this trip
especially is we are visiting three countries and one of them is by far my
favorite; Ireland. I also know this is a great opportunity to develop my self
identity more to become more confident, independent, and just know I can do so
much more than I think.
I
am really looking forward to finally going to Ireland! I have wanted to go
since I was a child. We had the opportunity to help plan the trip and pick
places that we wanted to go and see. I am really looking forward to just the
overall experience and seeing new places. I am really interested in going to
the castles, the National Leprechaun Museum, Olympic village, Guinness, the
Broadway show, and possibly high tea. I am also interested in just getting to
know the culture and regular day-to-day life in these three countries. As a
college student I know what to expect but I think it will be interesting to
hear someone else’s college experience that lives on the other side of the
world. I have been talking with my Aunt and researching the food over in each
country eating. I think it will be interesting to experience a new cultures
food and what is typical to eat somewhere than in the U.S.. I don’t feel like
it will be too different except I may eat a ton of potatoes in Ireland.
I
know this will be a life changing experience and I know it will be one for the
better! I expect to be different after coming back from this field study in
many ways. By having an experience such as this there is so much opportunity
for personal growth. I believe after this trip I will be more confident in my
abilities, assert my independence more, be a better communicator, and have a
new outlook on life. I feel this trip will build by personal relationships and
make me more aware of how much I rely on my family and my boyfriend. I believe
it will give me a great appreciation for my family, boyfriend, and how
important they are to me. I also feel I will be more aware of other cultures,
customs, beliefs and value sets. This will be a trip I remember for a lifetime
and I will cherish the memories I make.
Hope you enjoy going on the adventure with us:)
Sarah
your essay is a lot more happy than mine :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to being part of your amazing adventure!
ReplyDelete