Studying Abroad!!!

I officially received my acceptance email (we really do live in the internet age now) saying Temple in Tokyo is ready for me. After meeting with Alexis, the study abroad adviser, I realize there is A LOT to do. Everything from passports, visa, loans (ew!) and figuring out how credits will transfer. Don't get me wrong though, I'm looking forward to it completely.

I've also been asking around about the administrative side to studying abroad. Trying to find out why schools support it and how to measure the benefits. This has proven to be an especially difficult task, but one that needs to be done in my opinion. I could see this turning into more than a hobby for me down the road somehow. The importance of being global and experiencing a culture other than your own is huge. There are things that can't be taught through a book or classroom and if you've ever read Edward T. Hall you know what I'm talking about.

1. The Hidden Dimension
2. Silent Language
3. Beyond Culture
   

Creating Something to Better Us

For a class of mine I have to "present an idea I have for bettering us in some way". Now this sounds vague and it is, but I don't think that's a bad thing. It can be anything from making some ergonomic to solving a world crisis. I'm not sure what I'll do it on yet, I do have some interested I'd really like to explore more into though....

• Crowd Sourcing (and how to make it as internationally friendly as possible)
• ARGs (already did a big presentation and created a 10 minute mini ARG last semester)
• Active Cross Media Marketing (close to ARGs, but without the story
• Experience Design (how to design a space in reality or online that mold how people feel and react)
  

I really like the idea of getting people involved with a product or idea rather than being talked at. All of those bullet points can be intertwined, but luckily for me I think that means I'm narrowing down what I want to do after I graduate next spring.