Celebration of Scholars
The Transformative Experience: Reflections from J-term study experiences in China and Costa Rica
Name:
Zachery Feldker
Major: Biology
Hometown: Bloomington,IL
Faculty Sponsor: Deanna Byrnes
Other Sponsors: Edward Montanaro
Type of research: Independent research
Abstract
The opportunity for short, yet immersive J-term study trip experiences while attending Carthage College allows students to encounter the ideals and practices of other countries. These encounters provide an opportunity to experience foreign practices that may be overlooked, criticized, or misunderstood when compared to a personal perception of the practices of one’s own nation and local culture. This project seeks to reflect on insights formed from personal J-term study trip experiences in China and Costa Rica. The focus of these insights examines some of the national ideals, both researched and personally observed, of the countries visited and considers how these ideals shape the national goals of a particular country, which affect the national polices enacted by a government. Additionally, this project seeks to reflect on the personal transformation experience that results from applying the insights formed from J-term immersive study trips to a renewed personal perception of one’s native country.Submit date: March 15, 2015, 12:38 p.m.