Estrella

Returning from Jordan, there was not much time for jetlag to take its toll on my body or to reflect at long hours on my first introduction to the Middle East or to consider the effects of culture shock.   I was jolted back into American society, which pop music, pop culture, English as a first language, and many more options for how to spend my hours.   It was good to be home, but the day-to-day experiences were vastly different from how I spent my past days in Jordan. Culture shock was bound to hit me, but I didn’t think it would be so delayed.   Getting off the plane nearly a week ago in my hometown, I thought I would be culture shocked in that moment to see so much green land, but it felt more like a homecoming.   Eating out several times already was bound to make me question what American society is doing to its people, but it didn’t.   I was out and about with my dad, driving down one of the longest roads in St. Louis, Manchester Ro...

Jordan: known for its beautiful Islamic culture, Petra (one of the seven wonders) and much more.   Because Jordan has a desert landscape, it does not have much of water for its country, so all Jordanians have to conserve water.   I didn’t realize how different water conservation in words was compared to in practice.   At The George Washington University, many extracurricular clubs and organizations promote recycling and water conversation.   In Jordan, water conversation equates to taking a shower three to four times a week and receiving a limited water supply for a week at a time. I think the issue of water conversation first came into practice when I learned that I would be taking a shower three to four times a week at my host family’s house.   It was different from then what I was used to.   Yet, studying abroad is not about being comfortable; it’s about adjusting to and learning from a new culture.   When living in the ...