I Wholeheartedly Am In Love With The World.

Hello darlings!

The faculty at Harlaxton have asked us to write a short paper on what it is to be a global citizen in relation to the experiences we have had here. I've decided to share what I wrote with you all.

"A global citizen is someone who shares values both with their hometown or home country and with the broader world around them. They want to understand the culture and perspective of other individuals. A global citizen possesses a variety of characteristics. They are a well-rounded individual who is brave, persistent, and empathetic. They seek to understand the world around them and seek the beauty within different places. They are respectful and take part in experiencing the cultures of the different places that they visit, often going out of their comfort zone, but they also embrace their own culture. They are also reflective of their experiences and share their experience and cultural awareness with others around them, spreading both joy and advice (as cheesy as that sounds, it's true). Through my time at Harlaxton I was able to improve and strengthen these characteristics.
 I was able to both expand my appreciation for the United States, and the different personalities we find within the states, and for different personalities throughout the world. I was able to travel to Norway where I interacted with so many wonderful and friendly people from simply a mom on a train to fellow adventurers toboggan sledding at Korketrekkeren, a 2000-meter long toboggan run with a 255-meter drop. Now, this was terrifying for a girl with a fear of heights who tends to not be much of a risk taker. That's what studying abroad is about though and how you become a global citizen, you take risks and you participate. In Ireland, I went out and experienced Dublin culture at night, at one of the pubs that was not in the Temple Bar area and it was the best place I found there. I met amazing people from Scotland, Germany, and of course Ireland. We danced, we sang, and overall we got to hear about a variety of individual’s interests and why they were there, experiencing Ireland. In France, I separated from the group of students I had been with and ended up lost with a dead cell phone and I managed to navigate my way around, to find a way to charge my phone and meet up with another group. I ended that night with champagne and a French baguette on a boat cruise. I found that the French are not nearly as rude as they are stereotyped to be; in fact they were very friendly and understanding. I learned that sometimes not knowing where you are is the best way to truly come to understand and respect another culture. Although I learned that on multiple trips as I got lost in Ireland, London, and Bath as well. Sometimes, simply wandering around is how you find the best, most spectacular things. Getting lost may be the best thing I’ve done, as you get to explore things that aren't typically suggested and you get to learn more about yourself and what you can do.
I have interacted with so many wonderful people and have explored so many beautiful places. I have experienced what it is to truly appreciate both the world and the people around me through my trips, my classes, living with an amazing and diverse group of people for four months in an old English manor, both the tourist attractions and the less expected places, and through so much more. I have learned what it truly means to be a global citizen. Most of all, I've learned more about myself. I have not found my self as I have always been here, I have simply learned more about who I am and what I care about. I have fallen in love with the world around me, and I highly recommend that you do the same. If you can be fearless, generous, and open hearted then you can be a global citizen. As my meet-a-family (Eric and Pat Whittaker) told me, just keep you love on."

I have thirteen more days until I say goodbye to Harlaxton, thirteen more days until I take my last British studies exam and meet my mom and Scott in London, and 24 more days until I am home in the magnificent midwest. This has been my temporary home, and I have thoroughly loved being here but I love my home and I am incredibly excited to go back. I intend to continue to blog after I arrive in the states, I'm not sure what about yet but most likely just whatever pops into my head surrounding my daily life and my caffeinated adventures. There will at least be one more post on here surrounding Italy and my return home, that I can promise. After that... what will be, will be and I'm sure it will be wonderful. Just keep your love on.

Love to all,
Erin