Consumerism is a key part of the American culture. It drives the mindset of many in the U.S., leading them to buy and own more than what is required for them to survive. Buying new items is sometimes associated with instant gratification and can bring the buyer a fleeting happiness. Additionally, having many “nice” or…
Category: SIT Study Abroad
5 Days Before Jordan
Every family in the U.S. differs in their dynamics and values, so it is hard to pinpoint a specific aspect of U.S. culture that applies to everyone. Generally, though, many families in this country value individuality and autonomy more so than those in the rest of the world, especially in regard to the freedoms that…
Pre-departure Reflection
In the United States, there is a very large emphasis on hard work and productivity. There is a widely held notion that if one works hard enough, they will be successful. They can pull themself up by their own bootstraps. People say things like “you get what you work for” and refer to hard work in a glamorous way, as the “hustle” or the “grind.” For this reason,…
A reflection from back home
On the 15th of February, I left America and made the seven hour plane ride to Iceland. Exactly a month later, on the 15th of March, I was back at my house in Colorado. While I was only gone for a month, I had the opportunity to experience many different things in both Iceland and…
2 weeks in Iceland
I’ve only been in Iceland since February 15th. It’s been just about two weeks since I’ve been here, yet it feels like a lifetime. I’ve met some really great people on my program, and we have already had so many adventures together! Right when we got off of the plane, we relaxed in the Blue…
Pre-departure to Iceland
To say that I am excited to study abroad in Iceland would be an understatement. I cannot wait get on the plane, and travel for 7+ hours to reach my destination. This unique chance to study abroad is an opportunity that many do not have the option nor the desire to do. For me, this…
And just like that, my time in Jordan is over
I am currently sitting on an Oman Air flight from Muscat, Oman to Casablanca, Morocco, officially marking the end of my semester study abroad period in Jordan. It is crazy to think that three months and a half ago I was sitting on my flight to Amman starting a blog the same way; it feels…
An internship in Jordan… and the end is near
I’m currently in the last part of my study abroad program in Jordan, which involves me partaking in a full-time internship instead of taking classes. I’m a research intern at NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions, a research, polling, and consultancy firm established and headquartered in Amman. The institution consists on a group of experts taking action…
My experience in the United Arab Emirates
My study abroad experience is based in Jordan, but it includes an international excursion component. The topic of my program is “Geopolitics, International Relations, and the Future of the Middle East,” and in my case the international excursion was to the United Arab Emirates. The purpose behind it was to gain a different perspective on…
Oh, Amman…
Oh, Amman, how do I even begin to describe you? There is no way some paragraphs, an essay, or a whole encyclopedia can do you justice. Each day I spend in your city limits brings something new intermingled in the fabric of everydayness. From the towering minarets rising from a sea of small beige buildings,…