One of the interesting parts of the article was how much studying
abroad has influenced our generation's way of thinking. More than 270,000 students studied abroad in the 2009-2010 school year. When
I was at UW I studied abroad in both Havana, Cuba and Cape Town, South
Africa and I can honestly say both experiences had a huge impact on how I have
lived my life since. They gave me a desire to know people around the world,
learn more about world history, think more openly about different ways of
living, and help people who have not been given what I have.(The photo above is of Jenny and I in 2005 meeting Desmond Tutu in Cape Town and below is at an HIV/AIDS March to Parliament we participated in there.)
I think it’s pretty exciting that my
generation is interested in expanding their world view through travel and
giving back through charity and non-profit work. Did you study abroad? Do you consider yourself a part of the "Global" generation? Are there dangers to such a lack of permanence in the lives of this generation? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.
Interesting concept! I didn't study abroad, but I feel like I was able to experience a lot of cultural differences by traveling and volunteering in different parts of the U.S. Inner-city Philadelphia and rural Alaska were definitely different than my comfy suburban upbringing and challenged my way of thinking!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that our generation is evolving in this way. The only downside is that when we uproot ourselves too much we lose a sense of local community. Eight years of "wandering" was definitely unnerving in some ways for me, even though I met a lot of great people I still keep up with. Having kids has illuminated that even more. For this stage in my life I need consistent support. But that won't stop us from visiting other places of the world when we can.
You bring up a great point Gina! The U.S. is diverse enough in itself, just by traveling around the country you can get a similar experience in getting outside of your comfort zone and seeing how differently people live within the same country.
DeleteI do agree with you about lack of community from moving around so much too. Although I think my husband and I have struck up a good balance with rooting ourselves in one place and attempting to travel as much as possible.
Hi Gina! Thanks so much for your comment. We have been traveled for over five years before coming home last summer so that we could dig into our careers and be a part of our community so I can understand what you're saying. I thought my travel itch would be scratched by now but I'm finding it might be a life-long tension in my life. Hope all is well with you, I very much enjoy Holding the Distaff.
DeleteTotally forgot you studying in Cuba Teresa! That's so awesome. Not studying abroad is still the biggest regret of my life. But I'm trying to make up for it with plenty of travel in my adult years :)
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteYou and Jason do a lot more "Benevolent Traveling" to places where the way of living is vastly different than our own. You also go with the intent to make the people you meet have better lives when you leave.
We do a different, more self-serving type of "Comfort Travel" mostly to Europe (This next month will be our fourth Europe trip this year). It isn't as life changing, but it definitely makes this Belfair Gal much less ethnocentric! And our one year old daughter more "adaptable."
As far as being global, we have strong friend and family relationships across the globe, that aren't hindered by time or distance.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
-St Augustine
Thanks for the comments Selina. Love the Augustine quote too.
DeleteI definitely want to travel as much as you guys do when I have kids. Look at how much your little one has seen in the first year of her life!
Traveling and experiencing other cultures makes one more accepting and able to "walk in someone else's shoes." Had I traveled abroad sooner I would have been a more well-rounded parent exposing my kids to more than Hawaii. I think students having the ability to study around the world have an opportunity to learn life lessons from people rather than books and the internet. Enjoyed today's topic, Teresa!
ReplyDeleteThis is super interesting to me as someone who sees the world through a sociological framework and as a twenty-something. I have studied abroad, lived and worked abroad and I am currently pursuing opportunities to find a new "home" abroad. But more interesting to me is that I can count several friends, colleagues and classmates who have said:
ReplyDelete- "I don't ever want to own a house. I would feel so tied down."
- "I don't want to buy a car. I would rather spend my money on plane tickets."
I wonder if the shaping of globals relates at all to a decreased sense of nationalism, compared to parents/grandparents? People in the 1950's didn't question the government as openly as we do now. I also wonder if there is a correlation between globals and the financial crisis? Most twenty-somethings I know who tired to enter the workforce after 2007 found that degrees and internships meant nothing in relation to getting jobs, were as people who finished school prior to 2007 would have been more successful in entering the workforce.
It is not surprising to me that with a decreased sense of nationalism (but still pride) or duty to America and a lack of jobs that would pay enough to allow one to buy a house or a car that people like myself and friends look to pursue a different dream...being rich in experience and perhaps maybe even searching for a greener grass somewhere...
I think this is very insightful Stephanie. The American Dream seems to be evolving as our culture and economy goes through huge changes. Always love hearing your thoughts, sounds like you might be off for a new adventure abroad soon? :)
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