Google keeps a record of me. When I goggled myself, I came across so many details about myself. There were important events and there were insignificant ones too. I was excited when I read through the entries. I was curious about the information Google keeps. However, with the excitement was also anxiety. What if I find something offensive or destructive?
I came across stuff that I had already forgotten. There were big events like a graduation, part of High School Class 20__, and being awarded a medal for a local competition. My graduation had lots of entries online. Most of my friends are active in the social networking sites, just like me. I can even see several of my own forwarded messages. I have clear memory of these occasions, but Google keeps a lot more.
There are some insignificant details that I do not even recall anymore. I did not know the attendance sheet for the opening of a local store was kept on record. I read about myself from an online invite of a friend. My name was also included in a list of individuals with overdue books. I was surprised, I was not aware Google would be so comprehensive or should I say so intrusive?
Google keeps a record of everything. At least, information that goes through cyberspace. The details I discovered pertaining to me did not all come from me, nor sent directly to me. These are information of events about people I know or activities I have been part of me. Many of these are insignificant, events I do not anymore remember. However, with Google just a click away, it would be easy to remind myself of stuff I do not anymore consider relevant. Google keeps a record and I have to keep that in mind.
Studying Abroad and Understanding Others
Unfamiliar surroundings, conversations in a foreign language, driving at the other side of the road, all these are unnerving at first to an ordinary individual. For a student of a study abroad program, however, these are opportunities for growth. Program courses educate the student with the knowledge imparted through the professors’ lectures and the manner these lessons are held. Classmates increase learning by sharing their experiences. Facilities support greater interaction within and outside the classrooms. Participating in study abroad programs would certainly develop not only the intellect but also enables the learner to gain a better understanding of other cultures.
Study abroad programs are most often participated in by students from all over the world. In these programs, the classroom becomes a venue for cross-cultural interactions. For an American who goes to Europe to take part in summer program, an Asian who becomes an exchange student in an American university, or a British student taking a summer internship in a non-profit in South East Asia, staying abroad is a chance to get to know other cultures in an open, safe, and participative environment. For example, conversations in the cafeteria about dating practices from each other’s countries would be both informative and illuminating. One gets a look about other people’s perspectives in a more personal way. One’s perception of racial stereotypes gets corrected. Indeed, there would be so many occasions to know more about each other’s culture. And as one gains a greater understanding about the cultures of people from other nations he/she becomes a better person.
