EGEE 299/EMSC 299
Foreign Studies

Journal Entry #2

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Because this journal entry is from the beginning your study abroad experience, your post should focus on your observations, and expectations, and identifying the knowledge and skill sets you used to navigate the foreign land while you were there. This entry should include a record of what caught your attention and why; it should not merely be a description of what you did but rather a reflection on what you did, how you felt about it and why certain things drew your attention.

Address the numbered prompts below.

General Reflection

  1. What were your first impressions of your host country? Discuss what you experienced during the first day or two. What things felt familiar to you, and what felt different? Please elaborate.
Example: Today we went to a housing settlement to better understand the community’s concerns. The environment was very similar to the one in which my grandmother lived, so I instantly felt at ease here, even though I was surrounded by strangers. I smelled the familiar smells of outdoor stoves and pungent spices. However, this community had more of a feeling of desperation, and it was clear that the living situations were dire. Also, they were using some cooking utensils to prepare meals I had never seen before. It’s interesting how each culture has developed tools to suit their specific needs and situations.

Growth Area: Multicultural Awareness

I would like you to write about how your travel experience relates to Multicultural Awareness and how those experiences may have impacted you on the trip.

Note: The five Growth Areas are summarized on the Personal Growth Areas page in the Overview and Introductions module. Please review the section on multicultural awareness and answer the following questions.

  1. Identify a question or curiosity you had about the country's culture; what is the question? Did you ask your TGP guides about it? What did your TGP guides say about the topic? Do you trust their insight? Are you able to find an additional reliable source to substantiate the information they provided?
  2. What is unique about the culture of the area — do Belizians have their own way of thinking? A unique set of values and beliefs? How is their mindset different from your friends and family back home?