oh... what to say. I try to imagine the difficulty for students who want to study abroad. It depends on the experience and identity of the person however I think we are geared certain ways; collective and individual.

I can begin to understand the struggle some students may have trying to immerse themselves into a culture of individulism when I compare my struggle to empathize with the collective. Coming from a culture where the norm is to flow; be harmonious; and seek to blend an transition to a culture where you must develop a personality; promote a character; and depend on your own individuality to distinguish yourself. This can be a daunting task. I think so because I find that I can only bend my indidivuality so much to fit the collective. I find that I can only go so far until I feel I am betraying myself and my sense of reason.

To follow the group.... what does this mean? I struggle with the logic. To follow the group means to disconnect with your own sense of guidance and direction, no? How does a collective group flow? I think its always controlled by  strong or dominant member-- rarely is it a collective decison. There are those who influence the group's decisons, and those who follow them. I struggle with this. Sometimes I feel the collective is car without a driver, and we don't where its going, but we still decide to sit in the vehicle.

Traditionally a collective group follows the most experienced and the oldest, at leasr that is the Korean methodology. However, I have not experienced that within our group of U.S students. Technically I am a the oldest and most experienced, yet I am completely disregarded and ignored. For me I struggle with this also.... I feel out of place.

The feeling of being unable to relate and meet my needs is a real experience, and it can be experinced within a group not so different from your own. I wish those students the best of luck, I am with them.