Through reading Weber, I started to think and understand the expectations around studying abroad. It is expected and sometimes required in certain cases to study abroad. Weber states, "It is an obligation which the individual is supposed to feel and does feel towards the content of his professional activity, no matter in what it consists, in particular no matter whether it appears on the surface as a utilization of his personal powers, or only of his material possessions" (19). As a student, I'm trapped in the iron cage and I do feel an obligation to fill all necessary expectations in order for success in the future. Studying abroad is meant to give students an opportunity to travel and learn in a different country. It's not only expected that you study abroad at some point, but while you are studying abroad you "should" get another internship. Oh, and don't forget that you should probably be traveling further while you are abroad and to get the most out of your experience while you have the chance. When you return you should have acquired hundreds of pictures documenting your travels. Your pictures, your grades, and your internship experience will all determine the legitimacy of your experience. After you accomplish all of this and gain more experience, your self worth will be much greater and you will be more valuable in the real world. As a result of the iron cage and these expectations, I got a second job so I could make as much money as possible over the summer to save up for my travels abroad.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
If You're Going To Go...Go Big!
Where am I going to go? Well, I am going to study abroad in London. Why am I doing this? There are several reasons behind the why question. Firstly, I want to go. One of my favorite hobbies is traveling and I intend to take every chance and opportunity I get. However, there are certain expectations every college student feels pressure to fill. Is it too much to ask to have a great GPA, to pick your major early, to double major, to be really involved in campus groups, to have a job, to get several internships, to study abroad, to go to graduate school, and to plan ahead for graduate school? There is a great deal that students have to live up to. The pressure to do everything and do everything well is ingrained in ourselves. Students are told that the competition in the real world is growing every year so you better get as much experience as you can. You better do everything to the best of your abilities if you are going to have a chance to survive and succeed in the real world.
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This is very similar to what I took away from the Weber reading. I also found myself feeling overwhelmed and having these feelings brought up in the reading. There are so much pressures to be the "best" yet not everyone can be the best... So where does that leave everyone else. The pressure is so huge on us! There are a million things to do in just "4" short years to do it. We are definitely forced in this iron cage pressures us with expectations upon more expectations.
ReplyDeleteIt interesting that we're "expected" to study abroad at the U, as students I know at other schools always mention how much they want to go abroad by can't or how fortunate they are when they do get to go. I had a job interview a few weeks ago and the guy I spoke to seemed really impressed that I'd already traveled outside of the United States. I was really fortunate that I got to go in high school (through band) and they were absolutely wonderful experiences. Yet I've begun to feel like it's nothing special - so many people go abroad, so many people have already studied overseas, some people have experience that I will never be able to match. I think that everyone should be able to study abroad, but at the same time, I don't want it to loose its "wow" factor and become just another requirement for graduation.
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