Prompt: In the Introduction to "Becoming World Wise," Slimbach mentions the idea of study abroad being just as much for the world as it is for the individual. How does this coincide with Dolby's idea of establishing an "American Identity" abroad? How does it conflict?

Response:

Slimbach and Dolby both discuss the impact, both positive and negative, a study abroad student can have on his or her host destination. Slimbach discusses how one can unwittingly harm the community in which one is visiting by not knowing enough about the culture prior to arriving. Therefore, it is important that study abroad programs are structured in a way that allows participants ample time prior to and post a trip to prepare as well as reflect. This idea is echoed in Dolby’s article that focuses on the reflection piece of a study abroad program during which students are able to process and make sense of their possible impact in their host country as well as the impact their experience has on their identify and the way in which they navigate the world.

Contrastingly, Slimbach primarily focuses on how one can develop a global perspective rather than an “American identity”, as is Dolby’s focus. The introduction of Becoming Word Wise emphasizes looking beyond the western influences that are often loud and noticeable around the world in order to notice the true culture. Beyond noticing western influences while traveling, Dolby highlights the importance analyzing the impact of sighted western influences as well as taking time to hear non-American perspectives regarding the American experience. She analyzes the conversations American study abroad students had with Australians that forced them to hear and invited them to better understand the American identity has defined and understood by non-Americans. The students involved in the study reacted in various ways to these conversations but experienced what I agree with Dolby to be a crucial part of the study abroad experience, the opportunity to better understand and potentially reframe your identity as well as better understand your impact in communities other than your own whether that impact is intended by you or not.

Although different foci, Slimbach and Dolby both iterate the importance of being a reflective ad mindful traveler in order to ‘do no harm’ as Slimbach states.