What country are you working/studying/volunteering in and which program did you go through?
I visited and studied in Paris, Barcelona, and Avigon through EF College Study Tours in March 2015.
What made you choose this country?
I did not care which specific country to visit. I was so interested in traveling abroad to another country during my undergraduate career. It was a goal of mine that I set during my freshmen year of college.
What were your initial thoughts on moving there?
I was afraid and did not know what to expect. I had fears of the negative things that happen to people that we often see in the media.
How did you adjust to the culture?
I did not care for the food too much, so that was a challenge for me. I did fall in love with the food in Avigon, from a place that tasted similar to American Chinese food. I adjusted well to other things that were different from the U.S. such as the design of the country, the size of rooms, music and more. I enjoyed learning and observing their culture. Everything was so fresh to me and it was exciting. As a kid from the inner city of Washington, D.C. I always wanted to broaden my horizons and expose my mind to new things that were totally different from the environment that I was raised in.
Paris, France/ The Louve
Have you learned anything really cool?
I learned about the popularity and brief history of wine in Paris. I also attended a health class while in Paris that discussed the large usage of wine and olive oil for multiple things in Paris. I was amazed by the many health benefits of organic olive oil.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned so far?
The biggest lesson that I learned from traveling abroad was how my country and other countries differentiate when it relates to the health of its citizens. I learned and observed the affordable cost of healthy foods and resources compared to the US. I also learned how much of a priority health is in other countries. The food is more natural, adapting a healthy lifestyle was promoted at unusual places such as McDonalds, which is very different from America.
Where can people read or see more of your travels?
Twitter:@dreambyanymeans
Instagram:@dreamsbyanymeans
Facebook: Edward Doxen III
