Hello, my name is Jesse Shaffer and I’m a double major in International Business and Economics, later tonight I will be departing for my next semester at Maynooth University. Being given this opportunity is a great privilege that I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am unsure of what is to come in the future for the time that I will be spending in Ireland and Europe. I was born to a multicultural family; on my mother’s side we’re African and on my father’s we are American so I have experienced through both sides of my family what tradition means and how each different culture interprets and interacts with the world. Different cultures put varying degrees on many aspects of life such as religion, and tradition. Parts of my family are very religious and while I am not they put a larger emphasis on tradition due to them being more religious than I. A strong tradition has helped bind parts of family together and throughout the world this is also the case. Many countries throughout the world have a stronger sense of tradition than others, here in the United States there is less emphasis put on tradition and culture because the United States is known for being a multicultural country and one that isn’t very homogeneous. I am very much looking forward to the experience of another culture which I am not all familiar with and bringing this experience with me for the rest of my life.
