Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow…
As a language major I was often exposed to people from other cultures; but that does not compare to actually being “in the middle of it all”.
While in college, the Russian language department arranged for the first study abroad program in Russia. A five week program in St. Petersburg with a weekend jaunt to Moscow! I was one of the first group to go – there were 35 of us.
Even though I spoke some Russian, I still had a LOT to learn!
We had classes in the morning with native speakers…who spoke very little English, if at all. The afternoons were reserved for “touristy” stuff. WOW! what an experience. We were encouraged to go out, meet people, and experience the city.
I took full advantage of the musical offerings – both on the street and in the theaters. Shopping was a whole new experience all its own.
About the only thing that had any familiarity was going to services at the synagogue on Saturday mornings.
I got to spend time with the school kids from the shul (synagogue) and accompany them on their outings. As a non-traditional student, I was a little older than most of the students, which also helped.
There was a little boy there who not old enough to be in the class, he was there because his brothers were there. Somehow he attached himself to me. And all of the kids were very imitative and fell in love with some of my American “toys”.
They learned from me, but I learned from them as well.
I enjoyed the experience so much that I signed up to back the next year…and this time it was for three months…a very bitter sweet experience that in some respects took years to understand.