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Category: Global Identities

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By jesse allan gurney

In my original post, I wrote that identified myself by the places in which I have grown: Vermont and in DC. Vermont has influenced my identity by endowing me with a strong moral compass and an appreciation for living life outside school and the office. DC on the other hand, has given my identity with a desire to work hard for a meaningful career. These dueling identities come into conflict, when I think about my future. After college, Vermont ideals hopes I will be able to identify as a person who lives life outside the office, while my DC side knows that I will find true life-satisfaction in a meaningful and challenging career.

During my time in Australia, I reflected on these identity-influencers and my post-graduation life, and it has both polarized and smoothed my internal debate. ...continue reading "Abroad Influencies on Identity"

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By mluevano17

My time abroad, rather than changed my identity, has strengthened my identity in many ways. I feel much more confident and rooted in who I am. Being abroad and constantly being out of my comfort zone has allowed me to see my limits as well as my capabilities. I think that the hardest part about leaving my international community will be this sense of adventure and new experiences. ...continue reading "Reflecting"

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By Adaeze

Can you believe study abroad is almost over? I don't even want to think about it, especially since the weather has been so nice!

Looking back on my original post, I realize that I still identify myself the same way in terms of race and ethnicity. Now,  it's a little different. When I wrote that post, I also identified myself with who I was friends with, who I was dating, etc. There was always a label that I identified with. Being in Paris has had a way of stripping me of those labels.Paris ...continue reading "Looking Back"

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By conniezhanger

Back at home in America, there are always so many things to worry about, from exams, to papers, to outfits for social gatherings. It's so easy to get caught up in the hurry, rush, and struggle of things that it is easy to forget that most of these problems are not as big as they are. Coming to Europe has really opened me eyes to how expansive our world is, was, and will always be. It's made me even more open-minded than I ever was, and even more determined to pursue my dreams (when I find out what they are). More importantly, it's made me realize that I am the only one who controls my destiny. ...continue reading "European Dreams"

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By conniezhanger

In what ways has your host community supported your identity? In what ways has your host community challenged or altered how you identify yourself? Please share examples of conversations, photographs or situations that can bring your entry to life.

Living abroad really affects you. I’ve come to appreciate many of the American luxuries that I cannot find in my host country of Germany, such as free public restrooms or free tap water in restaurants. At the same time, there are many things in Germany that I appreciate, such as the focus on recycling and timeliness.  One of the best things about my study abroad is that it is also a multi-country EU program, so I am able to travel to many places. We have had field trips to Brussels, Paris, Prague, Berlin, Athens, Bucharest, and Budapest. ...continue reading "How my European Community Effects Me"

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While Australia has not challenged my identity as a white male, it has supported my identity by helping me learn about other identities and gender barriers. I am currently enrolled in a course called Gender Communication, which explores not only the societal effects on the differences between gender but also on queer and non-binary genders such as lesbian, transexual, and gender fluid (individuals who are sometimes attracted to males and sometimes attracted to females). The class teaches how to society unfairly treats discriminates against these individuals, and by taking the class I have learned how to contribute to safer environments for all. The same class has also discussed the differences between male and female communication techniques, and it has taught me how to more effectively mediate and resolve conflict with both male. female, and diverse gender groups. By learning how about non-binary genders and gender communication, I feel that my identity has not only been supported but that I have also become better member of society. ...continue reading "A Course on Identity"

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By Adaeze

One thing I miss about Gelbucks at GW is the ability to be who you want to be. Starbucks is known for being notoriously bad at names, and if you tell them your name is Bob, then your name is Bob. If you tell them your name is Jill, your name is Jill. In France, if you tell them you identify as one thing, they might correct you and tell you what you actually should identify with.

My host community has supported my identity as an American for sure. Contrary to all the false belief about how Parisians are rude and hate Americans, every French person that I’ve met has been nothing but nice and encouraging. They actually love it when I tell them that I’m American. This is kind of comforting because when I got here, I wasn’t sure how to represent myself. ...continue reading "To Be or Not to Be … Me?"

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By mluevano17

In many ways, the classes that I am taking at SOAS have both supported and challenged my identity. I chose to take Politics of Gender, which has been my first experience in a class that studies gender. This class exposed me to many different ways of thinking about gender, not only through feminist thought but also the different ways in which the LGBTQ community and even masculinity has been studied all over the world. This class helped to reaffirm my identity as a feminist, but also evolve that identity into one that examines gender not specifically in the female sense but also in the ways in which everyone is affected by ideas and prejudices about gender. ...continue reading "Evolving Identities"

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By mluevano17

SOAS

This is my school here in London- The School for Oriental and African Affairs. I took this picture on a classic London day, pretty grey and rainy outside. My university has become a huge part of my community, including the teachers and students inside it. I am really enjoying my classes here and I feel that I am learning a lot, especially about international affairs from another country’s perspective. This is also where students line up on campus every day to receive free lunch from the local Hare Krishna group, which makes it a great spot to socialize with other people. ...continue reading "My Community"

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By conniezhanger

Friends

1.) This first picture shows my American IES Program friends on a weekend trip to Munich, Germany. Although I am living in a foreign country, there is a safe American community for me at school. Although most of our core values and customs are similar, we come from many different schools and places in the USA, and in that regard, it is also very diverse. I travel with many of my friends to other place, and it is always nice to share a beautiful experience with friends. ...continue reading "My Multi-Country Program Communitie"

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