Connectivity & Study Abroad

This morning, when I was scrolling through Twitter (oh the irony), I stumbled across a link to this article from USA Today - How Connectivity is Changing the Study Abroad Experience. 

I approached this article with some skepticism. Naturally, I value social media & connectivity while I am here in London. It allows me to stay connected to those I meet on this adventure but also to everyone back home. But is that really valuable? 

Many people argue that study abroad is about emerging yourself into a new culture & distancing yourself from home. I believe a balance of these two things creates the most ideal experience but this is merely an opinion.

The author talks about how connectivity ruins the study abroad experience, in a way. Some elements of the article really caused me to stop & think. The author mentions how connectivity makes it so we are unable to fully connect with those in the same room as us. We are constantly checking our phones or worrying about what is happening on the other side of the world. && this rung so true to me. Sometimes, especially abroad, we are so concerned with adding a photo to our Snapchat Story or taking the perfect picture for our Instagram, that we neglect to stop && fully appreciate the scene around us. 

I think as a person, you have to find a balance. I take a few pictures when I first arrive somewhere. For example, on the cliff in Howth, I wanted to take pictures to remember the place that I was experiencing. I also took the time, though, to just stand there in awe of the beauty before me. I think my generation, in particular, forgets to take the time to stand in awe. To just take in the world around us & not be concerned with making everyone else aware of your adventure. 

For me, taking pictures is a way to remember the situation but also share my experiences with you back home. My blog serves as a sort of travel journal. I hope to look back on it someday && remember all of the insignificant details & struggles of my trip. But I am also cognizant of the experiences occurring around me & work to take them all in, instead of just focusing on sharing. Very rarely do I write a post in the midst of an adventure. Instead, I take the pictures & place the memories in the back of my brain until there is an appropriate time to share. 

Additionally, my interactions on social media is about maintaining a relationship with friends & family at home. I refuse to use abroad as an excuse to neglect these relationships. I will always value my experience abroad & the independence it has developed in me but the relationships I have with individuals at home are far too important to me. I see no issue in texting & skyping with family & friends at home. I see this as continuing a friendship, not just avoiding life here in London. I promise you, I am fully experiencing life here in London but talking to my mom at the end of the day is something that I cannot refuse to do. I look forward to those texts or Skype conversations with others. 

For me, it's a balance. A balance between communication & being present. I work very hard on being present in the situation I am in but when I have nothing to do at night, I see no problem in texting individuals from home or the occasional Skype call. 

Thoughts?

-hannah-