Technology

Labas! Happy Friday!!

A few updates:

-I am feeling much better about this whole culture shock thing. It helps to talk to people here and get into the routine of school. This week flew by!

-Unfortunately, I am battling a pretty nasty cold that has been going around. All I want to do is lay in my bed in the dark. My sinuses are causing a lot of pressure. I don't know that I've ever been in this much pain before.

-My dream is coming true!! I have been give the opportunity to teach dance at an orphanage!! I go on Monday to find out more :) Overall, I'm a little nervous because I've never taught children and I don't speak their language. But God has a plan and I'm ready for the challenge!

I decided to switch things up this week and share a "journal entry" that I submitted for my cross-cultural class about the role of technology in my study abroad experience.

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After quickly completing our group work a few days ago, my partners and I were all on our phones passing time until class was dismissed.  Like many people, I pull out my phone to lessen my anxiety in awkward situations.  This time, my partners were chatting away in Lithuanian.  They paused, looked at me, and said, “We’re talking about you.  All Americans have iPhones.”

I immediately became defensive and replied that I’ve only had my phone for a month.  But when I think about it, I made the same generalization in my pre-iPhone days.  How great it would be to have an iPhone and be able to text anyone from anywhere, without needing Wi-Fi for my iPod, I used to think.  Since getting my phone, I realize just how hard it is to put it down.  What if I miss an email?  What if I miss a Facebook notification?  What if someone texts me? 

In reality, I am not using my phone for communication the majority of the time.  It often becomes a source of mindless entertainment at my fingertips through which I lose precious time that could be spent making memories with my family before I move out in eighteen months.

Granted, technology is not all bad.  A huge perk of getting an iPhone in December is that it greatly facilitates communication home while in Europe.  One of my biggest concerns about studying abroad was being away from home for four months.  I hate goodbyes and I tend to call my mom a lot during the beginning of any adventure.  With cell phone service out of the question, I was thankful for Skype.  I would often exclaim, “I have no idea how people survived years ago!  But if they did, I should be good.”

However, when I compare my various phone uses, the time spent communicating with friends and family in the States pales in comparison to the amount of time I spend mindlessly staring at a tiny screen, absorbing nothing of significance.  In a recent TEDx talk, Christina Crook (2013) describes technology and Internet as tools; they can be powerful when put to proper use.  But too often, I find myself turning to social networking sites for affirmation more than for communication.

Ultimately what made this study abroad experience possible was the incredible amount of support I received from everyone back home.  My friends showed love as they treated me every night over finals week.  My roommate attempted to write me a letter and allowed me to see her in an emotional state for the first time ever.  Professors were borderline jealous of my courses abroad.  I felt secure and well loved; I knew those relationships would still be present in September.  Technology played no role in this.

Everyone said I was going to have an amazing experience.  I eventually began to believe it in my heart.  It wasn’t all easy.  I encountered a rough patch in November when I dug deep and uncovered some fears in my heart.  But instead of turning to music or Internet entertainment to distract myself, I sat down with a mentor and worked through them, face-to-face, however difficult it was.  

This interactive (technology-free) method of dealing with emotions has equipped me for my time in Lithuania.  In an article detailing his time supervising volunteers abroad, Robert Huesca (2013) mentioned that the only girl who visibly showed distress over culture shock happened to also be the volunteer who brought the least amount of technology.  I recently began my battle with culture shock and am deliberately choosing to surround myself with people here rather than seeking the artificial comfort provided by Facebook.

Unfortunately, I cannot go completely technology-free during this adventure.  But I can choose people over Internet.  Numerous times in the last week I’ve accidentally left my phone in my room as I venture to the floor lounge to cook or do homework.  And I don’t miss it, whether I return 30 minutes or even 5 hours later.  I came for a cultural experience.  If I hide behind my comfortable technology, I’ll completely waste these incredible, precious four months!

 

References

Huesca, R. (2013, January 14). How Facebook can ruin study abroad. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/How-Facebook-Can-Ruin-Study/136633/

TEDxTalks. (2013, December 14). Letting go of technology: Christina Crook at TEDx TheAnnexWomen [video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g3rhVnaTy0