中国学生
EstudiantesDuring my last week here in Cuernavaca, México, I had the opportunity to go see a club soccer game at Estadio Azteca (the primary soccer stadium in Mexico City) where Club América faced off against the Tigres. In the end, Club América won the match 3-0. Below are some pictures from the game:
Over the past month, studying abroad has been an anxious, exhilarating, enjoyable, and life-changing experience. I can say with the utmost certainty that this adventure has changed my life, and I am coming back to Saint Vincent College a new person. Overall, I learned a lot more about myself in one month than I did in the past year and a half at school. Due to the unique environment in which I learned and the exploration of another culture, I feel that this educational expedition has been a defining moment in my life and will continue to influence my life for year's to come. In just four and a half weeks, it seems that my ability to tolerate ambiguity has improved, and I have made long-lasting friendships. I believe that the shared experience of living entirely submerged in another culture made these friendships particularly poignant and enduring.
All in all, studying abroad has opened my eyes to the extensive world around me. I met individuals who live far differently from us Americans in the United States, discovered what we had in common, how we were different, and developed an idea of myself that I did not have before leaving college in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In short, I learned how the world could feel both large and small at the same time. I learned how people of another country have the same hopes and fears as I do. I learned how to take in a new culture and use it to reflect on my own, and further use that knowledge to understand what it means to be me.
Sure, I have some remarkable and surprising stories to tell about living in another country; however, México gave me a lot more than that. I guarantee that when I arrive home, I will step off the plane with confidence, maturity, and insight into who I really am, and how I want to spend the rest of my life.
I could not have been more blessed on this trip. Thank you to those who have supported me the entire way through this adventure: Mom, Dad, James, Anna, Belle, Dr. Blandino, Sara Hart, the staff of La Universal, my friends here and back home (Kathryn, Jessica, Adam, Trevor, and Rachel), and of course, my host family (Ana María, Alejandro, and Diana). And a special thanks to those who followed this blog and to those who read this blog in the future. I highly encourage you or anyone who has not traveled abroad yet to start thinking now. As I have said multiple times - the experience will change your life.
Que Dios le bendiga,
Mickey Orange
(Sophomore, SVC Class of 2016 )
