The biggest thing I've learned from my time abroad is you can't let seeming dumb stop you from going a trying things. It is a large world and there is so much to go see, sometimes you have to go out with your four foreign words you know and try to make the best. You may seem dumb sometimes and you may even get lost in a random city but it's all helps you learn and it is all part of the experience.
Failure isn't fun for anyone. No wants to feel like they are inadequate at doing something, but it is necessary to make ourselves better and learn new things. When I fail at something I get made at myself for not knowing the correct way to do it, once you learn what you did wrong it always makes feel stupid I didn't know that in the first place. I think this class was designed to take people out of their comfort zone and set people up for failure, which is a valuable skill because it makes people less afraid to just out and try new things.
Marco, that is awesome! I really want to study abroad in Italy and it is so cool that you are doing that now. I wish you the best. It is hard to look dumb, but I do not think anybody expects you to know Italian since you are a foreign student, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to check out my blog post you can find it below:
ReplyDeletehttp://maxwilk.blogspot.com/2016/04/celebrating-failure.html
Hi Marco,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience studying abroad in Italy. I lived in Germany for 3 years when my husband was stationed over there, so I know exactly what you are feeling. Looks like you learned to put your feeling aside and try to communicate regardless of the language barrier. I found most Europeans were very helpful and to American’s advantage, most foreigners speak English. I did find however, most liked it when you at least tried to speak their language, so don’t be afraid to butcher the lovely French language. I certainly feel more comfortable with failure after taking this class. It really provides a new meaning to the word “failure”. Best of luck in finishing this semester out overseas – how exciting.
Here is the link to my Celebrating Failure post - http://joyspurlock.blogspot.com/2016/03/celebrating-failure.html
Marco, very cool experience living abroad! How exciting, yet nerve racking that can be. I think you nailed it when you said you can't let "looking dumb" stop you from doing things. Plus I think we are wrapped up in ourselves and it makes us think that others are paying attention to us way more than they really are. And even if they are paying attention to us who cares? Good luck with your adventure and everything else when you get back. Here's my Failure story...http://rustywinter.com/celebrating-failure-week-13/
ReplyDeleteHi Marco!
ReplyDeleteWow, I must say I am a little jealous of your whereabouts. My family lives in a small city called Bussi, just a few hours from Rome. Failure seems like a common trend that many students have taken away either from this class or just this semester alone. Great post, safe travels home.
-Andrea
Hi Marco!
ReplyDeleteWow, I must say I am a little jealous of your whereabouts. My family lives in a small city called Bussi, just a few hours from Rome. Failure seems like a common trend that many students have taken away either from this class or just this semester alone. Great post, safe travels home.
-Andrea