yay money.

Today, I received an e-mail telling me that I won some scholarship money from the studying abroad company. I wrote an essay about my "goals" for my study abroad experience.

So, umm, here it is:

General Charles deGaulle best summarized the challenges of the French Republic when he asked, "How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?" Considering one of France's greatest leaders could not find a perfect answer, I doubt I will have much more luck. The abundance of cheese is only one of many obstacles in unlocking the mystery that is France. But I do hope to utilize this grand opportunity to aid me in fulfilling my dreams for the future. I would like to leave the world a little better than I found it. Studying abroad gives me a chance to improve the necessary skills to do so. I expect my study abroad experience to contribute to my personal, career, and academic goals by giving me opportunities to understand ideas that I cannot learn through any other method. I have been fortunate enough to receive post-secondary education in the United States. But, I also believe that there are some lessons that need to be learned elsewhere, away from home and outside the comfort zone.

I am currently pursuing a minor in French. The credits gained from studying abroad may allow me to major in French and still graduate a semester early. I would also like to write my history seminar paper, a comparison of Provençal politics with that of the American South, in French. By living in France, I will have attained some vocabulary specific to my discipline, allowing me to write a sound thesis. An expanded vocabulary in general would help me with my French literature classes, freeing me from the prisons of the Larousse and allowing me to properly analyze the text like a French native. Although more words will come with more studying in the US, I believe that French classes will only improve my language level to a certain point. I must have immersion for additional progress.

Learning to live amongst a foreign culture is one of those skills that I cannot attain while attending a traditional American college. I want to know what is like to live with a non-American student population. One of my academic goals is to adapt in a foreign education system. By experiencing France as student, I can compare and contrast a foreign classroom with typical American one. Another one of my personal goals is to assimilate in a different environment without sacrificing my genuine personality. In France, I will be me, if not, a better me.

Academic goals are quite noble, but what is the use of acquiring any skill if it cannot be used in the real world? Working in a French embassy surely requires at the very least an excellent command of French. I can attain that, along with an understanding of French expectations when it comes to a business or formal environment. Just as easily, I can use my language skills as an asset to enter the job market, and use what I gain to set myself apart from others in a pool of applicants. More importantly, I will become more of a resource than a number to the organization because of my study abroad experience. It is critical to be a HUMAN resource - that is, have a relevancy and function that cannot be replaced by a machine in today's rapidly advancing technological society where more and more jobs can be outsourced to developing countries. Until they make robots that can sense the difference between an Alsatian "r" sound and Parisian one, I still have value.

It is important to see France as French people see it, not as a tourist. Life is not meant for spectators; it is for characters. I wish not to merely observe French culture but participate and contribute to it. That includes attending cultural events that are geared towards the French themselves. I hope to attend a performance of some sort, whether it be a rock or symphony concert, jazz band or string quartet. Engaging the local population while participating or attending an event is also crucial. I shall not be afraid to talk to strangers. Indeed, it will be the only way I will learn anything worthwhile. While studying abroad, I hope to inquire about local customs, in a non-confrontational way of course, and share the information with people back home.

In the summer of 2006, France proved naysayers wrong (myself included) and made it to the finals of the World Cup. During the painfully close match with Italy, one of the players on the Italian team allegedly spoke offensive words to French football superstar Zinédine Zidane. The remarks may have included racism, since Zidane is of Algerian descent. Zidane then responded by fiercely butting the player with his head. Suddenly, the score became irrelevant. A maelstrom of controversy surrounded the words and actions that occurred on the field. Accusations of prejudice, racism, unnecessary violence, and poor sportsmanship abounded. Amidst all the noise, who had the right opinion? I think the American press saw it one way, whereas some of the French press saw it a different way, and surely the Italian press had its own opinion on the matter. In these types of crises, a country's sentiments cannot be "translated"; one must be present to understand what is happening. A chronicle cannot replace a need for history and context.

Studying abroad would give me a chance to feel around the grounds of French culture with sensitive antennae. In a shrinking world where everyone has a voice, learning in a foreign country will enable me to find what humans constantly search for: the satiating truth.