Global Citizenship

Understanding culture involves not only experiencing other cultures, but understanding one’s own culture. In the Honors First Year Experience Class, I began to understand what my culture is and how it affects the way I see the world. Culture is individual and it is not only passed on through generations but is formed through personal experience. While studying abroad in Northern Ireland, I was made aware of my culture. Being immersed in the culture of Northern Ireland, I was able to see my own culture clearly. I perceived the habits of mind and personal styles that inhibit my understanding.

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As an English language partner for the IELI on campus, I worked alongside students whose cultural background was vastly different from my own. I asked questions about the student’s culture and was able to share my culture with them. I formed close relationships with my students and saw the similarities that we shared. While studying abroad, I was constantly asking my Northern Irish and international friends questions about culture. In return, they asked me about American culture and I was able to share my culture. Often I had to distinguish between my own culture and American culture: this allowed me to see the generalizations that I have made before about a person’s culture. Learning about other cultures, I was able to recognize the rules and biases that govern my culture.

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Through learning French, I have had the opportunity to see the cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communications. Language and culture are intrinsically linked. Studying French, I identified the differences in culture that arise because of language. As I studied abroad in Northern Ireland where English is their official language, I was curious to understand how culture and dialect—which is an aspect of language—are connected. Dialect is the variety that exists in a single language, and since it is a part of language it was clear to me that there would be a connection between dialect and cultural identity. I wrote a research paper on the influence of dialect on identity formation and expression.

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After interacting and forming close relationships with culturally different people, learning a second language, and studying abroad, my thirst to experience the world has grown. I want to travel, meet people, and learn about their culture. I traveled to Portugal and Spain with a friend, while I had a break in Northern Ireland, and the trip amplified my desire to travel and see the world. I am excited to learn more about the cultures of the world and my own.

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