Puerto Rico was not a place I had visited or knew much about
until this program. I studied abroad in Arezzo, Italy last summer and loved it so I knew this would be a great opportunity to see, experience, and understand
a new culture.
Before arriving to Puerto Rico, I knew I would be in a new place
with different beliefs, lifestyles, and language. Study abroad gives students
the opportunity to create new friendships and explore the world with people of
the same age and a passion for traveling. Although I had only known two people going into this trip, I came out of the program with new friends and memories.
Before we left for Puerto Rico, the class took a trip to Fort Worth, Texas in
order to explore a different culture and area apart from Norman, Oklahoma. In
Fort Worth, I was able to observe Texas history and a town that revolves around
a western lifestyle. With horses and cattle all around us, we were able to see how a
town operates differently from the one we live in. By being exposed to a
different culture before Puerto Rico, it gave me a greater understanding of a lifestyle and an environment different from what I was used too.
After asking people I had not known about directions or even interviewing them, I began to gain confidence in myself. The more I talked to tourists and workers in the Stockyards, the more familiar and comfortable I was with the area and people.
By talking to these people, I was confident that I could use what I learned in Fort Worth while in Puerto Rico. I was ready to step into the Puerto Rican culture with open arms and an open mind.
| The daily Fort Worth cattle drive |
| Students in the Fort Worth Stockyards |
| A member of the Fort Worth Herd |
Check out:
http://college.usatoday.com/2015/04/15/studying-abroad-here-are-the-top-tips-from-student-travelers/
Contact
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