Sunbul
25 January 2018
Life Changing Experience
I born with a traveler family. My dad used to travel a lot because of his job. From a young age I had the opportunity to travel and see the world and experience different cultures, but this time it was so different. Studying abroad in America without my family was the hardest decision that I have ever made, but it was so important for me and for my future. After 5 months of thinking I took my decision and started to read about the cities and the universities in America. I read too many articles about Dayton Ohio, and I saw many international students suggest this city for other international students. Some of the reasons that made me chose this city from the other cities were the location and the affordability. I won’t lie, at that time I was so afraid because in my imagination, America is a very dangerous country like what I used to see in Action movies. Which I realized once I came here that it is not the same of the reality. I prepared to leave with all enthusiasm and energy. After a very long flight that I have ever taken, I arrived to Dayton Ohio for the first time in my life. I was so excited to get out of the airport to see the great skyscrapers, and the crowds of many people from all over the world that I have been imagining all the flights time. Once I put my feet outside I saw nothing from what I have been imagining. I was shocked by the quietness of this city, I always thought of all America cities as big cities such as New York and Chicago.
My mind is full of memories of the first day of my classes. The first thing that always came into my mind is a misunderstanding. While I was walking through the doors, a girl opened the door and stopped. The first thing that came into my mind that she was waiting for someone, but the truth was that she opened the door for me because I was in front of her. When I understood what she meant by her movement, I felt very ashamed.
Talking about my first trip in USA was 3 days in Chicago. I went to the Wills Towers to experience the view from 103 floors up. When I arrived to 103 floor,
Due to the diversity in LEAP classes, I felt that I traveled not only to USA, but around the world because of my classmates sharing cultures with others. With all the differences between us, all of us were proactive in helping each other. Every night I write down the things that impressed me in this culture. Every day I am trying to change my self to the best by taking the good things from this culture.
Going back to my home country after one year in USA, I was so excited to see my family and my new niece, but a lot have changed in me. I was struggling with the wide differences between the two cultures, but I was able to manage it within the time.
One thing that I notice is that American movies effected my reputation before I come to USA. I used to watch a lot of criminal TV shows which also affect my thinking about the safety of living in USA. Misunderstanding between my culture and other cultures was a result of lack of education or knowledge of the other culture. Within the time I see that I was able to adjust my culture to American culture so I can nicely fit between them.
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