My goal to study abroad has actually been around for a very short time, given that my world perspective began maturing only not that long ago. In the planning stages of going abroad, we as applicants were required to write a "statement." This "statement" was intended for us to explain why we want to go abroad, what we hope to achieve by going abroad, and a basic background of who we are. This was our way of meeting the advisors, given there are so many students that go abroad each year. To adequately explain my reasoning, as well as to give a basic introduction to this blog, I will include my "statement" that I wrote to the study abroad advisors the night before it was due. I think and reason better during the late night hours, so you can expect that posts following this one while I am in Europe will be written late at night as well. And with that being said, here is that "statement:"
My name is Paul Kelly, and I am a sophomore at UNCG. I actually liked the idea of a statement of purpose because it allows me to express my deep interest in other countries of the world. This, I think, will also show how much I love travelling, and how much an exchange for a year will help fulfill some of my biggest goals.
I was born in the former Soviet Union, in what is today Saint Petersburg, Russia. After being orphaned for an unknown amount of time, I was adopted and brought over to the United States in 1992. I used to look at this as just a little fun fact about me, but over the past couple of years, I’ve begun to look at it as a unique trait that makes me stand out from others. I didn’t really think of it that way until my junior year in high school, when I met four or five German exchange students in my classes. Immediately I was intrigued by their language, their personalities, and even the clothing they wore. It made me recall my own Russian background, and I began looking at it in a different light.
It’s amazing how something like this really opened my eyes to the outside world. In the summer immediately following that junior year, I was invited to travel with a mission team back to my homeland of Russia, where I worked with little kids and other Russian orphans. I told them my story, and that maybe one day, they too could be adopted and taken somewhere with a loving family. The following summer, I made the decision to do it again. I made sure not to look back too much on the previous year, as I wanted both trips to have their differences. It was a very special two summers for me, to say the least.
What does this have to do with study abroad? As I noted, the experience in high school really opened my eyes to the outside world. Since Russia, I have travelled to China, France, Canada, and Ukraine. In the process, I have met many people with many different occupations, usually within the Business Administration spectrum (my trip to China aided me in my decision to switch my major to International Business). After my junior year in high school, I decided to study German as my second language (I had studied Latin for seven years prior to that). It has been my goal since to master the German language and all other aspects of the German culture. I used to think fluency meant speaking the language with precision and accuracy, but I’ve come to realize that fluency doesn’t just mean language, it also means understanding the culture and being able to fit in with that group of people. Aside from Russia, I travelled to those other countries listed above with no knowledge of language, but I was able to pick up some of their cultural ways along the way. Travelling to a German speaking country will open up my first opportunity for me to not only be able to practice my language skills, but to also be able to master the differences between the two cultures.
Adding this to my abilities, I believe, will make me stand out even more, especially in today’s competitive job market. I’ve seen statistics that say it is becoming more and more important for a job applicant to be proficient in languages other than English. Therefore, I cannot describe how important and fulfilling an exchange abroad will be for me. I love meeting new people, being in unfamiliar places, and stepping out of my comfort zone.
As you have read, many reasons go into my decision to go abroad. I have thought out each reason carefully because not only were they meant to persuade the advisors that we are ready to go abroad, but it was also my own personal guideline of what I want to achieve during my time in Europe, and as you have read, Germany to be specific. Composing this "statement" gave me the opportunity to think deeper about my plans of going overseas. It allowed me to realize that it will have a much bigger impact on my life than I originally thought. I was able to put this coming experience into the context of my life, rather than just the context of my junior year in college. Most of the pre-planning requirements seemed aimed towards those who have not travelled much, those who may not think they are emotionally ready for a semester or year away from home. Even though this is not the case for me, I take every travel experience I have as a new one. Like you read in my "statement", I made sure that I did not compare my first trips back to Russia to each other. If I were to hope that my trip to Germany will be like my trips to either Russia or China, then I will sadly be mistaken when I arrive in Germany. Thinking about your past experiences will not allow you to focus on what's new in the experience you are currently experiencing. So for me, I am putting my past travel experiences behind me now, and treating this as a new one, preparing for it as I would if it were my first travel experience.
For those of you following this experience with me, I hope you will enjoy the ride as much as I will, for without the support of you and everyone in my life, there would be no opportunity or joy in this experience, no one to share it with upon return. And for that, I am truly grateful.
My journey will begin July 25, when I arrive in The Netherlands. It will be the start of something truly special and exciting. Until then...
