Response 1

[zippongu1]

Many things came together this week to change how I view this class. As of last Tuesday I had only the vaguest of ideas about how I would study abroad. During the course of the week one of my program professors announced that she would be leading a trip to Egypt and Jordan this summer and that it would be possible to extend our stay in the country

Comments

[merrilltaylor]

"I did not find it reassuring to have it so calmly announced that I will make a fool of myself, perhaps many times over. It is not an experience I enjoy. And while I have a sense of humor, it can take me a while to get comfortable with people."

I know exactly how you feel. I'm taking this class because I am really excited to study abroad, but terrified at the same time - of making a fool of myself, of not being able to communicate properly, of just not being comfortable because I'm so shy. Luckily, some things are helping me out to realize that as long as I'm as prepared as I can be and open, things shouldn't go too badly. But then again, there's also a lot of talk about how stupid we're all going to look and feel and I am not looking forward to that.

[ciancettac]

Hi Amy:

Great - glad to hear that your are narrowing your ideas for study abroad.

-Chris