1. A global citizen is someone who shares values both with their hometown or home
country and with the broader world around them. They want to understand the culture
and perspective of other individuals. A global citizen possesses a variety of
characteristics. They are a well-rounded individual who is brave, persistent, and
empathetic. They seek to understand the world around them and seek the beauty within
different places. They are respectful and take part in experiencing the cultures of the
different places that they visit, often going out of their comfort zone, but they also
embrace their own culture. They are also reflective of their experiences and share their
experience and cultural awareness with others around them, spreading both joy and
advice (as cheesy as that sounds, it's true). Through my time at Harlaxton I was able to
improve and strengthen these characteristics.
I was able to both expand my appreciation for the United States, and the different
personalities we find within the states, and for different personalities throughout the
world. I was able to travel to Norway where I interacted with so many wonderful and
friendly people from simply a mom on a train to fellow adventurers toboggan sledding at
Korketrekkeren, a 2000-meter long toboggan run with a 255-meter drop. Now, this was
terrifying for a girl with a fear of heights who tends to not be much of a risk taker. That's
what studying abroad is about though and how you become a global citizen, you take
risks and you participate. In Ireland, I went out and experienced Dublin culture at night,
at one of the pubs that was not in the Temple Bar area and it was the best place I found
there. I met amazing people from Scotland, Germany, and of course Ireland. We danced,
we sang, and overall we got to hear about a variety of individual’s interests and why they
were there, experiencing Ireland. In France, I separated from the group of students I had

2. been with and ended up lost with a dead cell phone and I managed to navigate my way
around, to find a way to charge my phone and meet up with another group. I ended that
night with champagne and a French baguette on a boat cruise. I found that the French are
not nearly as rude as they are stereotyped to be; in fact they were very friendly and
understanding. I learned that sometimes not knowing where you are is the best way to
truly come to understand and respect another culture. Although I learned that on multiple
trips as I got lost in Ireland, London, and Bath as well. Sometimes, simply wandering
around is how you find the best, most spectacular things. Getting lost may be the best
thing I’ve done, as you get to explore things that aren't typically suggested and you get to
learn more about yourself and what you can do. I have interacted with so many wonderful
people and have explored so many beautiful places. I have experienced what it is to truly
appreciate both the world and the people around me through my trips, my classes, living
with an amazing and diverse group of people for four months in an old English manor,
both the tourist attractions and the less expected places, and through so much more. I
have learned what it truly means to be a global citizen. Most of all, I've learned more
about myself. I have not found my self as I have always been here, I have simply learned
more about who I am and what I care about. I have fallen in love with the world around
me, and I highly recommend that you do the same. If you can be fearless, generous, and
open hearted then you can be a global citizen. As my meet-a-family (Eric and Pat
Whittaker) told me, just keep you love on.