Personal Differences
When I decided to go abroad, I knew that it was going to be a huge learning experience. Living in a foreign country on my own for an extended period of time would allow not only my knowledge of the French culture to grow, but also allow for me, as a person, to grow. Abroad is notorious for bringing out the independence in everyone.
Abroad does not bring out only independence, however. Other important life lessons that students learn are - just how far your personal limits are (comfort zone), humility, that is it okay to feel down sometimes (regarding homesickness, etc.) and how to pick yourself back up, but also how to thrive. Yes, a foreign country can teach you all of these things, but what about the people you meet along the way? As I got to know my friend better, of course I got to learn more about him, but I also learned more about myself.
His realistic approach on life taught me just how intense my "dreamer" side is. I always knew that I concoct up some wild ideas or adventure plans, but I never realized just how over-the-top I can truly be sometimes. He is great to have around as a friend because I need that person to bring me down to earth. He is that voice saying "Erin, maybe you should not go shopping today, you went yesterday" or even in regards to everything I want to see in a weekend away, he is simply the voice of realism.
Going off of that, I learned that I am an extremely go with the flow type of girl. When making plans with him, it became strikingly obvious that he is the type of person that likes to have nothing less than a schedule. That is fine and works, but I learned that I am more flexible than I thought and would not mind veering off made plans, especially if something else interesting, if not more so, comes up.
Another one of our major differences is our level of adventurousness. I learned that I am very much capable of throwing any inhibitions to the wind and going for it - whatever "it" may be. Whether it be trying escargot for the first time, going up to a native French speaker and testing out my broken French, or deciding to ride a camel in Morocco - I am down! Others, not so much. It is still something that I am trying to be more patient with, considering that not everyone may be as carefree as I am, but after getting to know him more, I am definitely becoming more understanding.
Finally, our last major difference is our ability to let our walls down. Although I am very much a carefree, go-get-it girl, I am one of those people who always needs to have it all together. I like appearing as if nothing is wrong. Fortunately, Ryan taught me that it is okay to not have it together all the time and it is even more okay that others know. In fact, it is healthy. I would be lying if I said abroad is easy. My Instagram and text messages to my friends do not always capture the lows of abroad. It can be hard! However, Ryan taught me that it is okay to have a bad day and let other people know about it.
Studying abroad is a time for growth. I know that come May, I will not return to the States the same person that I left. Whether that be Paris who changes me or the people I meet along the way, we shall see.
Abroad does not bring out only independence, however. Other important life lessons that students learn are - just how far your personal limits are (comfort zone), humility, that is it okay to feel down sometimes (regarding homesickness, etc.) and how to pick yourself back up, but also how to thrive. Yes, a foreign country can teach you all of these things, but what about the people you meet along the way? As I got to know my friend better, of course I got to learn more about him, but I also learned more about myself.
His realistic approach on life taught me just how intense my "dreamer" side is. I always knew that I concoct up some wild ideas or adventure plans, but I never realized just how over-the-top I can truly be sometimes. He is great to have around as a friend because I need that person to bring me down to earth. He is that voice saying "Erin, maybe you should not go shopping today, you went yesterday" or even in regards to everything I want to see in a weekend away, he is simply the voice of realism.
Going off of that, I learned that I am an extremely go with the flow type of girl. When making plans with him, it became strikingly obvious that he is the type of person that likes to have nothing less than a schedule. That is fine and works, but I learned that I am more flexible than I thought and would not mind veering off made plans, especially if something else interesting, if not more so, comes up.
Another one of our major differences is our level of adventurousness. I learned that I am very much capable of throwing any inhibitions to the wind and going for it - whatever "it" may be. Whether it be trying escargot for the first time, going up to a native French speaker and testing out my broken French, or deciding to ride a camel in Morocco - I am down! Others, not so much. It is still something that I am trying to be more patient with, considering that not everyone may be as carefree as I am, but after getting to know him more, I am definitely becoming more understanding.
Finally, our last major difference is our ability to let our walls down. Although I am very much a carefree, go-get-it girl, I am one of those people who always needs to have it all together. I like appearing as if nothing is wrong. Fortunately, Ryan taught me that it is okay to not have it together all the time and it is even more okay that others know. In fact, it is healthy. I would be lying if I said abroad is easy. My Instagram and text messages to my friends do not always capture the lows of abroad. It can be hard! However, Ryan taught me that it is okay to have a bad day and let other people know about it.
Studying abroad is a time for growth. I know that come May, I will not return to the States the same person that I left. Whether that be Paris who changes me or the people I meet along the way, we shall see.
Erin, Great commentary on learning about your own personal limits as you learn about those you have met while abroad. Good job of distinguishing your differences.
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