Experiential Blog #9

        In completing this wonderful month abroad, I reflect on the knowledge that I have gained from these experiences. It has been apparent to me that the most meaningful knowledge has been learning how to interact with the people from these different cultures. It is fun and also intimidating at times. It has made me more conscience of how people from other cultures may interpret what we say and how we interpret what they say or do. Interacting with foreigners has been one of the best exercises for me. I feel it has helped in the process of really thinking before you speak. It is especially prominent that you do that in other countries, for what you say in America may not be very kosher in another place. In addition, the overall care you have for other cultures is essential. I do not believe I was ever disrespectful; however, I have been much more careful to be respectful while over here. It never hurts to be respectful, after all. 
        Knowing how to speak more delicately with others may have helped when meeting my friends from Italy. My friend's family was in town for a week before they headed back to Italy, when they invited me over to have a real "authentic" Italian dinner. The whole time I was so nervous. I felt so out of place and did not know how to properly respond to them when I did not understand what they were saying. Only my friend knew how to speak fluently in English; the rest of the family was kind of reliant on her to translate most of what I said, for they only knew broken English. It seemed like I was being rude when I just stared at them as they asked me a question, but I was unsure of anything else to do. 
         After having gone to these non-English speaking countries, I was once again flashed back to that great Italian dinner. I have realized, upon speaking with some Czechoslovakians,  that you can communicate to people without fully knowing their language. We had a good conversation, a lot of smiling and pointing, but we made it through. I was forced to work on it because I did not have anyone to help me translate. If I were to go back to that dinner, I would probably try to pick up what they were saying without sitting in quietness. I do know some Spanish; which, when listening to my Italian friend is very similar to their language. So, if I had really tried, I may have been able to pick up on what they were saying to me. Of course, not fully. It would have been a much better experience, I am sure of that. 
           My new found care of other cultures will help me very much in the future. Now, everything I read, write, or do will most likely try be from a worldview rather than an American view. It seems to me that understanding other cultures will be important in the workforce. Especially if a company you work for is international. You never know who might be at your conference dinner or who your next boss might be. It is important to have an understanding of different cultures so that you can interact and collaborate with them in harmony. Cultures work best together if they understand the customs, ideals, and practices of each other. From learning to understand cultural differences, I have now been less quick to call judgments on people. Since America is considered the "melting pot", I believe this conclusion will help me a lot back in the States. There are so many different cultures around us and we have to be aware of them before we exclude those who seem different to us.
             In the end, this overall experience has been so enlightening. I am so thankful for this trip and all that it has shown to me. It has given me knowledge that I can look back upon and, also, knowledge to share with others. Those who may not have the chance to come over here any experience the wonderfulness that is Europe. I will be able to continue my understanding of cultures by spreading the cultural awareness to those around me.
           

Experiential Blog #8

Throughout these three, almost four weeks, we have been learning about the concept of the empire. The different roles of the emperor or empress have been shown through many readings we have done. Learning about the struggles Sisi went through as an Empress; and not to mention her son, Rudolph, who had trials that led him to suicide. We also have been exploring the idea of empire through satirical or fictional stories. We have not only learned about content knowledge, but also how different cultures function.
We are learning differently in that we are seeing and experiencing the places we are learning about. Where we are having class may also play a part. Being in a manor, with an almost castle like appearance in the classroom, you feel as though you are in the empire with the rulers.
I feel like the most important thing I have learned is cultural awareness. Hearing and understanding the opinions of the locals gives you a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the world.

Location:Grantham,United Kingdom

Experiential Blog #7

While in Ireland, I noticed a lot of different behaviors than the places we had already been. The people are happy and friendly with almost anyone, which can be different. The concept of "personal space" does not exist there. I liked their kindness, personally, while others may find it to be fake or creepy. This kind of attitude, I feel, is different from our previous encounters. Vienna felt kind of stone cold, maybe even rude. Prague was nice and pleasant, and, disregarding the night life, not extremely outgoing. In most cases, I would prefer the Prague way of handling things; however, Ireland is temping too.
Honestly, I thought that everyone in everyplace would be nice and friendly. We are Americans after all, shouldn't we get special treatments? No. Their attitude not changing towards me had helped my America-centric point of view that had not left me yet. This point hit me hardest in Vienna, I would say.
It has taught me to be a little more straight forward with everything I do, and to not expect much from anyone. In the end, then, I can still think of the words from Michelangelo, "I'm still learning".


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Visual Essay Photos

Experiential Blog #6

While in London, even at Harlaxton, every person that speaks sounds so polite. I have heard many people say, "Lovely to see you", "Cheers" and "Oh, I am terribly sorry" and have seen friends kissing on each others cheeks, which was not too surprising to me. In comparison, America seems to be very blunt and loud and sometimes obnoxious.
It made me want to study the etiquette of the English people. It shows their obvious cultural differences. If we had similar cultures, then we would speak the same way as them.

Experiential Blog #5

Overall, I have been very happy on this trip. I normally am not a very expressive person in general and not much has changed with that. I have felt I cannot express as much in certain locations, because it may be too loud, etc. I try to stay very neutral with everyone, so keeping my expressions to a minimum is key. I am not exactly sure with how everyone feels; however, it seems to me that others may be a little more expressive and/or emotional than I am (for both the group and the people of Czech Republic). The people of Austria seemed a little more stoic and did not seem they desired interaction with tourists. Personally, I love people. Even the Austrians. It is so interesting to me observing how different people interact. It has shown me that different culture do not all act like ours, which can be frustrating at times. It is a very fun thing to think back on, and it makes me want to travel to many other places to see how they might interact.

Experiential Blog #4

The buildings are magnificent. Very close together and varying in different types of structures. Some goth some not. In the country, there are many hills and rape seed plants; it's beautiful. The cobblestones very uneven but nice to look at.
After going to Vienna, I expected it to be dirtier and more worn down. I did not feel that was the case. When we first came up on the train it looked as how I expected, but once we hit the city it was perfect. Clean, unique, and more stylized than that of Vienna.
The buildings influence the what we're learning in that the old and new town show the rise and fall of empire.
The people in Prague were very friendly. I believe the buildings influence the uniqueness of the people and cause a greater understanding of history.