As if I needed more proof that the world is moving at light speed, I’ve come to the realization that it has been ages since I have had a minute to reflect. How utterly fast time flies! Last semester, I studied abroad in Mexico (read a previous post on my experience here). All my women in communications back home were busy buzzing around and carrying on with their day-to-day life while I was still somewhat in the process of creating, situating and learning to love mine.
Looking back on my experience abroad, I can truly say that I have learned the poblano way of life. Less hustle-bustle, more what’s the rush? Less Internet frenzy, more pick-up basketball. So I have come to the conclusion that it’s true: disconnecting from electronics can be quite exhilarating and relieving. In fact, it has forced me to communicate in the oldest and truest way known to man, by speech.
Learning Spanish was always fun in high school. Yet learning Spanish in Mexico is more than just learning the language; it’s about learning tone and slang and puns. It’s about understanding the jokes and innuendos. Along with the sprinkling of history and artifacts, it’s learning about people and, in turn, more about myself. Meeting people is about the exchange of language, ideas, opinions, lifestyles – and not being scared to share and be proud of your own.
As relieved as I am to be back with the routine of ringing Blackberrys and the endless Facebook notifications, I’ve learned that being disconnected can be just as relieving. It can give you time to read, and explore, and smell those roses you’ve been saying you would go check out for a while now.
~Selena Shen
Communications, New York University ‘11
Happy New Year – and new semester! Welcome to nextBLOG!