Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad

I had originally gone to the Middlebury CMRS program because I wanted to prove that I was better than anyone else; however, once I realized that there was more to Oxford than merely intelligence (after a prolonged period not going outside), this quickly fell by the wayside. To be surrounded by bookshelves that had their own horizons, maze-like streets you didn't mind getting lost within, and pubs galore to go have philosophical discussions whilst downing another Guinness, it's all a treat that I hope to take part in again. I grew as a result of the program, as I no longer feel as though I have to prove my worth to anyone. Instead, I only wish to grow as a means to become a better citizen of the world.

Living in Jordan was one of the most immersive and meaningful academic experiences I have had. From the start, I felt fully supported by the program and quickly adjusted to daily life in Amman. Living with a host family was a highlight, as it gave me constant opportunities to practice Arabic and experience Jordanian culture in an authentic way. The balance between coursework, language learning, and cultural engagement made the experience both challenging and rewarding. Overall, my time in Jordan greatly strengthened my Arabic and gave me a deeper appreciation for the region and its people.

I can’t put this semester into one paragraph—I think I have been pushed and challenged this semester into a lot of discomfort and confusion. I have been so humbled by my own ignorance and presuppositions. At the same time, I have never felt at home so quickly somewhere. Over the semester, I have come to love the things that made me so uncomfortable—chatting the taxi, bargaining at the market, meeting a stranger on the street and even eating water fufu. From an academic perspective, I have learned so much since being in Cameroon about different cultures and regions, about agriculture and the economy, about colonization and the corruption today that is still rooted in colonial oppression. I learned about a war in the western regions of Cameroon that I’d never heard about before and I got to visit political prisoners every week to learn even more about it. I got to sing in the car with my professor and I danced every week with my host mom at church. I ate so much food this semester, there were some days when I thought I’d never be hungry again. I met people from all around the world, and even a girl from my own small town in Ohio. Cameroon has made my world a little smaller, but it has made my vision of culture, language and relationship so much bigger.