So many countries!

Several weeks ago, I signed on to a Zoom meeting with about 25 of my soon-to-be fellow students at Erasmus University.  Although I knew that the program attracted people from around the world (the promise of a diverse student body, with participants from various countries, helped to convince me to attend Erasmus), I admit I was unprepared for the variety of nations represented on that call: Palestine, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Rwanda, Paraguay and at least 10 more!  And the only other person on the call from the US was from???  You guessed it - Boston!

This adventure is already opening my eyes to the rest of the world.  Not only will I be going to another country to live and study, but I will also be spending time with fellow students from every corner of the globe.  I will be learning from them, about their home countries and lived experiences, their languages and customs.  I look forward to hearing their stories and sharing mine.  What path did they take to get themselves to Rotterdam and where do they expect to go from here?  What kind of life did they leave behind in their home country?  What are their views of the world?

I must admit that I have had some angst about being one of the oldest students (if not THE oldest student) in the class. Now that we have been introduced to each other, I am sure that will be the case - most of my colleagues are in their early 20's and 30's.  However, I am now convinced that my age will not be my defining attribute.  I think we will be more interested in what each of us brings to the table, in terms of life experiences, world views and plans for the future.  And that is a conversation I am looking forward to!

"Travel makes one modest.  You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." 

Gustave Flaubert