Alana Kalin

December 1^st, 2006

E375L: P2B Leadership

So, what do you want to do when you graduate?

Graduates moving in an unknown direction

42-17105058 - Happy Young Graduates

It is safely said that we have all heard this question a multitude of times. For some of us, the question is consuming. The ultimate goal, whether it is medical school, a career in advertising, engineering, or teaching, will be reached if we perform well enough to be accepted into these roles after graduating. Sarah, my friend who came to school as an aspiring dentist, is now questioning her desire to pursue the field after failing physics, a dental school prerequisite. She is grappling with the questions, “is dental school even what I want? Why did I even want that in the first place? What am I supposed to do now?” As I witness her escalating anxiety I am increasingly thankful for my ability to not let the ultimate question mark of graduation destroy the now. I too grapple with such questions, but have also acknowledged that so far, life has turned out splendidly. I continue to enjoy the splendor that has arisen as a result of choices made, and these choices, namely studying abroad, have allowed and will continue to allow for maximum growth. My torch, what I want to pass down to the next generation, is to live life to the fullest, which is achieved by the creation and seizure of opportunities.

Trees: symbolizing the necessity for unique environments for individuals

Like John Stewart Mill, I believe that humans “are not machines to be built after a model. They are more like trees which grow and develop from inward forces.”[1] Trees are all different and can only thrive and reach their ultimate potential under certain conditions that are unique to each tree. Similarly, every person needs different conditions to reach their potentialities and the way to accomplish this is through exploration of different societies. Mill also wrote that,

There is no reason that all human existence should be constructed on some one or some small number of patterns ... Such are the differences among human beings in their sources of pleasure, their susceptibilities of pain, and the operation on them of different physical and moral agencies, that unless there is a corresponding diversity in their modes of life, they neither obtain their fair share of happiness, nor grow up to the mental, moral, and aesthetic stature of which their nature is capable. [2]

Dave Matthews, a contemporary songwriter wrote, “If you hold on tight to what you think is your thing/ you may find you’re missing all the rest.”[3] Matthews, Mill and I all agree that conducting life on traditional patterns is inhibiting. Letting go of conventionality by trying new ways of life as in studying abroad, allows the exploration of ventures in happiness and a utilization of talents you may have never known existed.

First, the sole decision to study abroad engages one’s “perception, judgment, discriminative feeling, mental activity, and even moral preference.”[4] These qualities utilize risk taking, initiative, and a conviction that comes from exploration and taking advantage of one’s freedom of choice. Risk taking on a grand scale builds confidence. It is quite impossible to know what life in a new place will be like, and it gives those abroad a lesson in letting go of expectations and adapting to whatever challenges the new way of life presents.

Truth and pilgrimages underlie self discovery as is done in the U.S. Supreme Court

Being adaptable and accepting are imperative qualities in a leader; one must be flexible when encountering new challenges as well as able to work with and motivate various types of people. Living abroad expands human understanding and makes a person “able to get along well with people of diverse backgrounds or from different cultures” by being amongst situations and people dissimilar to used to what they are accustomed to [5]. Imagine attempting to continue life exactly as I do in Austin while in Buenos Aires where all stores close from noon to 2:30 pm, and most don’t begin dinner until around 9pm. Also, if I tried to live as did in New York while in Minneapolis, I would be frustrated with the leisurely nature, as well as overdressed for nearly all occasions. By embracing societal differences I allow myself to acclimate to the lifestyle and enjoy new experiences rather than criticize them. Planting oneself in a foreign country will not necessarily make a person flexible; the important changes lie in one’s reaction to foreign experiences and how they carry these changes on to benefit themselves and others. In addition, accepting rather than criticizing disparities between customs and people perpetuates the ability to derive awe from and celebrate my surroundings, or in other words, to celebrate the sublime.

On the sublime, Ruskin wrote, “sublimity is . . . only another word for the effect of greatness upon the feelings,” and also conceded that it related to religion [7]. To me, the sublime is much like Ruskin’s “greatness” of life itself, since beauty can be found anywhere. Becoming a part of an unfamiliar community without judgment is to accept its beauty. Ruskin has a similar appreciation for landscapes as he derives awe from mountains as I derive awe from different experiences and life in general. Sharing this enthusiasm and love for exploration is just one of the characteristics I will contribute as a leader. Studying abroad is not just important for the understanding of other cultures and people it is important for the change it creates in the individual and their surroundings.

Self awareness is also gained as one’s views must have grounds. True leaders do not blindly accept truths they achieve them on their own. Mill wrote that “to take the existing views and desires . . . without regard to the way in which these views are formed, is to surrender to the tyranny of current orthodoxies.”[8] Mill emphasizes the importance of conviction of views since understanding why one acts or believes in a certain way will abolish apathy. Understanding the way you think, feel and operate the way you do is one of the most beneficial tools and qualities in a leader. Without self awareness, we are pushed around by our compulsions instead of knowing where they come from. How can a person know if his or her way of life is best for them, having never experienced another? This question rises every time I meet someone who has not and does not want to experience any other culture, place or lifestyle other than their own. By being challenged and challenging others, I am coming to resemble an “emotionally self aware leader” who is “candid and authentic, able to speak openly about emotions or with conviction about a guiding vision” [9]. In my opinion, self awareness is the most important Emotional Intelligence in a leader; although we may not be able to change problematic behavior instantly, self aware leaders recognize and attempt to alter their behavior in the future. Having a strong sense of self is to also understand one’s place in their surroundings. By broad exposure, those who choose to study abroad are able to see the “big picture in a complex situation,” by being able to put things in perspective [10]. At first consideration, I did not think studying abroad served the greater society. But, the independence derived makes one more forthright in their convictions and allows for a view of self within a whole, or several different wholes.

Living in the present

Because of my experiences abroad and anticipation of many to come, I will forever insist that choices and opportunities are provided to everyone, as they allow for individuality and freedom in life. Those who indulge in freedom of choice will want to support ways of life like democracy, and institutions like universities, already in place and will want to cultivate them where they are not established. Studying abroad also provides practice in the toleration and acceptance of others. More than toleration, I have a deep passion for others and for learning from them. This disposition creates a leader who not only includes, but brings out the best in those around them by recognizing their strengths. Also, I now recognize how I lead others by exemplifying living in the moment, by appreciating my“sublime” surroundings and always taking advantage of the best of what is around. Hopefully this will encourage others to do the same.

As exemplified by Sarah’s distress, living for the future causes anxiety and much of the time, living in the past invites depression. For me the solution is to live in the present as wholly as possible, to work hard and play hard, and to continue to make life decisions that allow for further growth and self awareness. My first goal is to embrace life in South America with as much enthusiasm and intensity as I can without causing hospital visits. In five years, I will have completed seven months in Buenos Aires, and graduated college. This much I know. It is irresponsible to not consider the future heavily, but I delight in uncertainty, in both my career as well as location. As a high school senior I had to write an essay describing what my next ten years would look like. I could have never anticipated I would live in Texas, New Zealand or New York. Instead, I wrote the essay about what I wouldn’t do. I deplored the typical pattern of Jewish Minnesotans that went to the same summer camps, large Midwestern universities, moved to Chicago after college then back to Minnesota when they wanted to start a family. I thought it was a complete “surrender to the tyranny of current orthodoxies,” but now realize there is nothing wrong with this pattern as long as other choices are both available and explored.

The importance of choice

I will continue to promote the freedom and rights of choice, whether it is through law, education, film etc. A goal of mine, after I’m done studying in Argentina, is to figure out how to involve more students at this university in study abroad programs, starting with incoming freshman. Every incoming freshman must attend orientation, and I believe a program advocating the benefits of study abroad should be presented during one of these four days. The earlier a student begins to think of the abroad plans the more likely it will become a reality. Another goal is to work abroad post graduation, while supporting myself as well as my travel. In Israel, after several years in the army it is the norm to explore the world, by working or simply traveling for anywhere from several months to years. Ideally, a similar custom would be the norm for American college graduates. It is far too common, even for the adventurous and open minded to take obvious life routes, straight into whatever it is one thinks they should be doing. To not take advantage of time where we have little responsibility for the self is to throw away one of the greatest gifts imaginable. Often of my dreams to both see the world and become bilingual I ask myself, if I don’t teach English in Peru or waitress in Spain after I graduate, will I ever?

Taking a break between school and the working world, or maybe law school is necessary. Litigating and mediating is becoming an appealing career path to me, but after speaking with young law students and lawyers I fear “selling out” and becoming tangled in the desire to climb the corporate ladder as many of the initially altruistic do. I believe a volunteer experience will allow me never to lose sight of the “bigger picture,” like helping those less fortunate and never allowing money or similar ambitions dictate what I do or who I am. As I become increasingly self aware I will disallow a loss of perspective and continue to promote the importance of choice in college student’s options and decisions to go abroad, and opportunities for all. One way to tie all of my desired skills together is to help the growing Hispanic population gain the right to live in this opportunistic country legally. But that is just one idea . . .

During my Thanksgiving break in Minnesota, I spent time digging through piles of old photos, projects and journals from my travels and from time spent at home. All of these things serve as a reminder that I did not just appear when I woke up this morning, and for better or worse, I am the way I have always been. I realize that studying abroad does not create qualities, but employs and enhances my independence, self awareness, creativity, adaptability, appreciation of the world, people and life in general. It is the best way to experience and learn, and is as valuable to me as formal education itself. Hopefully my passion for novelty and life in general will continue to allow me to develop my confident leadership abilities. I aspire to become a leader that seizes opportunities, never repeats mistakes, always has a positive attitude, performs my best and encourages those around me to do the same. Most importantly, to do all of these things is to live life to the fullest.