Audrey McClain is blogging about her study abroad as an exchange student in Sweden this semester. Read her blog Latitude and Longitude – The Basics. Here's a recent excerpt from her experience so far:
For those of you who don't know, my name is Audrey and I'm originally
from Springfield, MO. I grew up in Springfield and spent the first 18
years of my life there, in the same house in the same room, until I
moved to Fayetteville, AR to attend the University of Arkansas.
I
think my desire to travel stemmed partially from living in the same
place for so long. While growing up, I always considered myself boring
because I I was just that kid that everyone had known since
kindergarten. Sure, my family took winter vacations to ski in Montana,
and we went to Disneyland (once), but it wasn't until I went to Europe
for the first time that I felt like I had an exciting story to tell.
After being sessile for 18 years the travel bug really hits you hard.
I'm
a junior at the University of Arkansas. I can't believe that I am
halfway through college and in a few short months I will actually have
to start considering real possibilities for my life. However, that's
what part of my trip to Sweden is about. I am trying to discover who I
am and what I want out of life. Logically, I thought the only way to do
that was to get completely out of my comfort zone and travel to the
other side of the world where there is a time difference of seven hours,
and the sun only shines for 5 hours a day, and moose outnumber the
people. At the U of A, I study International Business and Logistics,
while minoring in Spanish. As an International Business major the big
transatlantic move made sense, but going to a Swedish speaking while
speaking Spanish, not so much.
So with the IB major as one
driving force, the other would have to be my parents. I am the daughter
of two wonderful human beings and I would never be able to do anything
without their support. They have always taught me to be independent and
they have never let me give up on myself. Honestly, without them (and my
sister) I don't think I would be brave enough to do this.
With
that said, that's enough about me. I think all the need to know personal
info has been covered. I hope you guys enjoy reading about my time in
Sweden!
Read more here.
