International Connections

The International Summer School at the University of Oslo brought together students, young and old, from 87+ countries.  During a state of global crisis, there were young adults from Syria and Israel studying under one roof.  They were both able to stand on the stage on the night of our international cultural evening and not think about what was going on back at home. There was an entire group of students sponsored by the Rotary Club who were from the Baltic States.  They each came from countries that were once part of Croatia but due to war they grew up with different cultures and languages. When they all met for the first time they found out that they could understand each of their languages.  It was like listening to a different dialect or accent to them.  Students who were once citizens at war against each other were forming long-lasting friendships.

It was such a unique experience to find try and something in common with Punky from the country of Georgia and my home state of Georgia.  I am so grateful to have met such a true gentleman, Alejandro, from the country of Costa Rica.  In the beginning of the trip, it was comforting to find and meet people from the United States but, even after talking to them I learned that our states may as well be different countries.  Life in California is completely opposite to life in Georgia.  Yes there were some similarities but, there were so many more eye-opening differences.

Having spent the summer with all of these people makes me want to hold on to that summer of a lifetime so much more.  Abby, Alex, and I are fortunate to all live in the same state and we are constantly staying in touch. This weekend we were fortunate enough to all get together with Sophia. She is from Alaska and had never been to the South before.  We got her some sweet tea, threw her into a UGA football game, and introduced her to the Southern way of life. I am hoping to one day go and visit her and the friends I made from California, Chicago, Minnesota, etc.  There was a reason I met these wonderful people this summer and I think it's vital that I keep them in my life.  They won't just be a memory in my past but, friends I can count on in my future.