Study Abroad Trip Research Paper

Since I could last remember, my grandmother has been the central figure in my family, sagacious and unfaltering in compassion. The stories of her life in rural Mexico with a family lineage extending back to Latin America always provided my daydreams with a substantial amount of material to play with. While my family did not have the financial means to travel to these countries with their colorful histories of kings, queens, and warriors, I knew I would have to visit the land my ancestors once walked. From this study abroad experience, I expect to not only adequately improve my Spanish, but to also connect with a culture that blessed me with so many enduring memories as a child. Machu Picchu, museums, culinary workshops, and dance lessons are only a minor aspect of the plethora of places and traditions I hope to explore and …show more content…
This trip would be my first excursion outside of the United States, and I am exceedingly curious as to how daily interactions are different or similar among the people of South and North America. I would room with a generous family and essentially be woven in to a social tapestry that is completely different from my own. During the four weeks I am there, I hope to have gained a humbler picture of myself and my place in this world. In addition, I know that being able to explore all the facets of this program will not come without its obstacles. A challenge I expect to face is my unfamiliarity with the current politics, lifestyle, and cultural issues of Peru. To deal with this, I now read Peruvian newspapers, in order to forge a personal connection with the country whose presence is often missing in traditional American media. Through this method, I hope to more easily foster daily adventures from living in an unfamiliar country and promote interaction with a culture that will become the catalyst for my pursuits towards a medical career at