Aero: Gabrielle Johnson – France 2014 – My Expectations

Aero: Gabrielle Johnson – France 2014 – My Expectations
Creative Commons Image via The LEAF Project

Aero: Gabrielle Johnson – France 2014 – My Expectations

Being raised in a very diverse family has allowed me to be an extremely culturally aware individual.

Gabrielle Johnson

I come from a multi-cultural African-American family. I have always considered my multi ethnic background to be an asset. My diverse heritage has definitely shaped the way in which I view the world. I feel extremely lucky to be able to reap the benefits of more than one culture. I have noticed over the years that there are many very unique differences between my families humor, cooking, parenting and basic social behaviors.  Within the Africa side of my family I have surely noticed life tends to be more light hearted, (serious when needs be) but more than not they tend to find joy in all lives ups and downs. The family is the center piece of our lives. These qualities are priceless. This side of my family always made me feel like I was watching a Marx Brothers comedy, because of how they are so ridiculous and zany at times. While the American side was more like a John Wayne western, because of their ruggedness and tough independence exterior. This side of my family was very much standoffish. However, I have been able to take away many pros and cons from all sides. My biracial upbringing ultimately has given me an insight into the behaviors and cultural ways of different people. Hence, making me endlessly inquisitive about all cultures.

ML@FLCC France 2014 Flickr Gallery

My ultimate goal from studying abroad is to develop cultural awareness. Personally, I feel that from living in the United States for most of my life, I have taken the values, stories, and history and drawn from that in my writing. By living and studying abroad, I hope to take the positive aspects from that experience and integrate them into my life. As a student of writing, new people and surroundings will not only broaden my perspective of life, but enrich my future work.

I believe that experiences, lifestyles, and backgrounds create diversity. Diversity is important because it gives people the opportunity to reach their maximum potential; while promotes the transfer of ideas, which is ultimately what I hope to gain from this experience. The world is mine to explore. And I hope to do just that.

Learn More: Study abroad with Modern Languages @ FLCC: France!

– Gabrielle Johnson

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