Closing

When people talk about study abroad programs for university students, there seems to be a big usage of the descriptor “life-changing” and the act of “finding oneself”. I’ve always been a bit skeptical of these ideas, since it seems easy to lose oneself in the rush of a one-month or one-quarter program, and tenuous to define oneself on such a relatively brief experience.

That said, I must reflect upon the past five weeks and realize that my perspectives have changed. My understanding of the interplay between the social, economic, cultural, and religious aspects of a society has changed, and I feel better able to compare the effectiveness and sustainability of different countries.

In learning about other countries and other peoples, we gain context by which to measure ourselves. We gain historical perspective which both humbles and heartens us greatly.

In learning about others, and learning with others, we find reflections which help us define ourselves. It is a difficult task, to be an immigrant in a strange place, or to be a leader choosing between modernity and tradition. My experiences during this program, with my twenty-four brilliant and diverse peers, and three supportive and insightful professors (and supporting cast) have already (and will continue to) helped me define my own understanding of the world, and my identity within it.