BAILEYEnglish Education Undergraduate |
BAILEYEnglish Education Undergraduate |
Before arriving in France, I was in awe of how safe and peaceful Switzerland felt. I took walks at night without fear of being harassed, I walked right into an elementary school without showing ID, and I was constantly greeted and helped by strangers. While I of course do not mean to generalize an entire country based on one brief visit, France felt very different. Our time here was unfortunately marked by protests surrounding the killing of a seventeen year old boy who was shot by French police. In retaliation to this horrific murder, French citizens have rioted for the past several days. Many shops and restaurants closed early this evening in preparation for a scheduled mass protest, and we were urged by locals to stay safe and close to our hotel. We also saw police officers wielding AR-15's paroling the city. The entire situation was both frightening and eye-opening. Because of our abysmal history with gun violence in the United States - particularly the deaths of people of color at the hands of police - I always thought of police brutality as a uniquely American problem. It was jarring to see events that mirrored the Black Lives Matter protests occur here in France. It makes me deeply sad to know that hate and violence can be anywhere - even beautiful countries that we as Americans tend to romanticize and idealize. My heart hurts for the boy that was killed, for the grieving protesters, and for every single person that has been affected by gun violence - regardless of the country they come from. I truly never would have expected to witness the panic and pain I saw today. As difficult as this experience was, it reminded me that the problems we face at home are not limited to America. We have to do better as a human race, not just as a nation. I feel so grateful for my cohort's comfort and support today, as well as for my safety. I grieve for the violence that persists both at home and abroad and hope to be a part of a better future.
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Today is the cohort's final day in Switzerland and I'm sorry to say goodbye to this beautiful country! Even though we are less than a week into our journey, I can already see why people say that traveling abroad is life-changing. It has been so illuminating to navigate new spaces and situations. Although many people here do speak English, the language barrier still exists at times. It forces me to be thoughtful in how I communicate and reminds me that my language and way of life are not always the default. I have also been struck by how friendly everyone has been! I took an evening walk near my hotel a few days ago and was greeted by nearly everyone I passed. My friends and I have received advice and ideas about how to spend our time here and have had wonderful conversations with total strangers. Being in a completely foreign place can be stressful, but having kind strangers and a wonderful cohort nearby has made it manageable and enjoyable.
During my trip so far, I admittedly have felt uncomfortable at times. Navigating public transport, reading signs in German, and getting ready to paraglide (one of the coolest experiences of my life!) have all involved an element of unease. As strange as it sounds though, I feel very grateful for that discomfort. I used to consider myself a somewhat shy person, so traveling to another country and soaring above mountains isn't something I would have ever expected myself to do. I feel so proud of myself for growing as a person and embracing the discomfort that comes with trying new things. The people I have met, the places I've seen, and the friends I am traveling with have already changed my life - and there is still so much more left to discover! I truly cannot believe that is June 8th already - only a little over two weeks before our departure date. I'm feeling a bit anxious because there is so much to prepare and remember, but I've made a list of everything to purchase, pack, and do before I leave. As nervous as I am (and a little sad to say goodbye to my loved ones for nearly three weeks), I'm mostly feeling excited. Our cohort was lucky enough to meet the German members of our exchange program last week, and my partner teacher Lily is wonderful! She is passionate, knowledgeable, and tons of fun. Although we only saw each other a few times, I feel a lot more at ease about living with and shadowing Lily while in Germany. She promised to take me to her favorite part of the Black Forest, a wine festival, and a huge Lego store because she knows that I love Lego sets. I feel confident that the two of us will have a great time together both inside and outside the classroom.
Although my brain is filled with logistics - what to pack, if my suitcase is too big, and what gifts to get my host - I know that once I'm on the plane I'll be bursting with excitement. I'm glad that everyone in my cohort is so kind, understanding, and welcoming; together, we can definitely tackle whatever comes our way on this journey! |
AuthorHallo! My name is Bailey and I am a recent graduate from the English Education 7-12 program here at Buffalo State. Traveling abroad has always been a dream of mine, so I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I firmly believe that education is a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative field. Gaining new perspectives from German educators is going to be a life-changing experience - I can’t wait to get started! ArchivesCategories |