(note: This is unedited. I will need to cut down more words, but gives a good picture of my feelings toward the United States experience I have so far)
Trying snowboarding for the first time reminded me when I first arrived to the United States for college. Everything was different, and I am not quite sure what to expect. I met a lot of people from different backgrounds, tried American-style partying for the first time, and struggled through my first seminar class. Of course, like snowboarding, I “fell” so many times: When I felt excluded by my friends, when I missed people from back home as everyone is so different here, or when I felt that I wasn’t taken seriously due to my accent.
However, my experience here is just as addictive as snowboarding. Everytime I fall down, I am almost always eager to pick myself up and continue. I watched more American television shows, read up on the country’s politics and economics, and attended many discussions about topics that I have had little exposure to previously, such as gender equality, LGBTQIAA issues, and sexuality. I sometimes force myself to go to parties and other events as I reminded myself that these cultural exposures are part of the American college experience I wanted. I learned how to dance Tango. I learned how to snowboard. I picked up the Americans’ warmth and caring attitude, which almost always entails a “how are you” or “how was your day” everytime they greet one another, and they almost always meant it.
Whenever I feel that I am going too fast, I had to force myself to fall down in order to stop as well, so that I don’t end up injuring myself. I have not formed a solid world view, and I am in the process of redefining my values. As such, I did not drink even when everyone else expected me to. Although I tried going to parties, I never participated in the college’s hook-up culture. I know that I do not need to please anyone, and I know where to draw the line. And sometimes I take it easy too: Just like snowboarding, when one falls one is always free to rest for a while and not immediately continue. I went at my own pace.
As I went back home for winter break, my friends noticed how the US experience has changed me. I have become more self-confident and assertive as I adjusted to my peers who are so outspoken and confident. I have also become much more adventurous. Living in such an open and different culture conditioned me to take risks, such as how I agreed to stay over at a new acquaintance’s place, as I had nowhere to stay that night. It is something that I would have never done had I not gone to the United States. Most importantly, however, I also realized that I am becoming much more liberal and open-minded about a lot of things. Sure, I was not comfortable when my conservative beliefs about race, culture, and sexuality were initially challenged, but now I am able to better understand and respect people’s choices.
Truly Indonesia's Finest,
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