Study Abroad

       The study abroad experience is definitely a very independent process.  I want to compare this process to our study of sensation and how it works.  It is a neurological process, you then become aware of your current environment, and this in turn is a very individual process.  This process can be applied to the study abroad experience because you process that you are in a new environment, and everyone responds differently to this experience.  Professor Stoner talked about culture shock, and this definitely ties into our sensation process because the process of culture shock is definitely a sensation one might go through when immersing themselves into a totally new environment.  

       Professors stoners work focuses on the role that new media plays into the study abroad process.  Is this constant connection to our world back home impede the true study abroad experience.  Culture shock is a process that starts with a honeymoon experience, then goes to the culture shock, and turns to adjustment and finally mastery after a number of months.  This is the natural progression of sensations that one may go through, it does vary case to case, however is our new era of being constantly connected destroying this experience.  I find this very interesting because I do believe our constant connection destroys the feeling of being in a totally different place away from everyone you know.  When you are constantly connected, you are still relying on your past environment, and not getting the true study abroad experience.  

        Adrienne described how important this culture shock is to the whole experience.  She explained that the severity of the shock is important in relation to how much we really learn about a culture.  This is so important because perception also relates to this idea.  How can we really take in another culture when we are still so intensely immersed in our own.  Cultural interpretation of an experience abroad is tied so closely to perception.  Our ability to perceive a culture is apart of the perception process, which is why completely immersing yourself is necessary.  Professors Stoners lecture was very interesting because I think that our constant connection and consumption of new media is destroying a number of things.  Not only do I agree that the study abroad experience is destroyed, however I think our ability to verbally communicate in general is effected.  We rely so much on Facebook and texting to communicate, that I think as generations progress our communication skills will deteriorate.