Category: Student Exchange
Six weeks ago, I left for my journey to study abroad. I spent two weeks in Southern China before traveling to Perth, Australia where I will study abroad during this autumn semester at Curtin University. Since that time, I can say that I have learned more in the last six weeks than I have at Ohio State in the previous three years. I have learned so much about culture, geography, language, business, people and most importantly, myself among countless other things. Having this experience firsthand is something I would not trade for anything in the world.
If my last post was written in a state of culture shock induced delirium, this second post is written in a state of culture awe and relish. In the past two weeks, I have had the joy of visiting some of the world’s most famous and attractive cities: Paris, Dublin, London, and Amsterdam.
I was wowed by the utter difference among all the cities; the history, the people, the art, the architecture, the food, the landscapes, everything.
Paris
Wow. I live in France now. This place is crazy. Not crazy like "OMG this is cah-rayyy-zayyy", but crazy like EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT.
I don't know why this took me aback so. I mean, I was more than prepared to deal with culture shock, and of course, I understood I would. But this week has been intense. I have created a list of all the differences (some, opposites) between my home country/state (the US/Ohio) and my host country.
Rikkyo University is also named Saint Paul's University, and it was founded by Channing Moore Williams, an Episcopalian missionary. Therefore, there are deep religion traditions at Rikkyo University.