Distance for clarity

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In the same way that distance makes the heart grow fonder, I think distance makes our eyes clearer; it has given me the clarity to learn about my life, my values, and who I am. This is something that has taken me off guard. I assumed that being in a new place meant that people wouldnโ€™t fully know the real me because my time abroad is temporary. Funny enough, my classmates and I have grown very close. I think it is because we are so far away from what we know, but weโ€™re all dealing with that in different ways, because as Americans, we all have diverse backgrounds- ethnically, religiously, academically. I really value the deep talks we have. Whenever I share a part of my life with either another study abroad student or an Indian local, it forces me to reflect on my life. While trying to articulate who I am, Iโ€™m learning how to communicate.

Communication is everything. Studying abroad is all about communication, and thereโ€™s no other way to sum it up. Whether it is trying to communicate to an auto rickshaw driver my destination, to my host mom that I love her food but that Iโ€™m full, to my friends and family back home that I do miss them, or to a new acquaintance who I am, communication is everywhere. And language is not the biggest barrier to it.

Being in a study abroad program of 6 students has cultivated a beautifully connected group. We eat together, sleep together, travel together, and are always working together. Our group dynamic is something special. Usually in a teamwork setting, Iโ€™m the one who keeps her head down and just does her part. Now Iโ€™m fully invested in my team. When we work together, it isnโ€™t a separate, scheduled part of my day; it is every interaction that affects the group, major or minor. My team depends on me and I depend on my team.

Things Iโ€™m learning about myself:

My family and community mean the world to me.

I love learning languages.

I talk about Ethiopia a lot.

I am an emotional person.

I need to work on my communication skills.

I love to have quiet time to read, journal, and reflect.