Submitted by Danielle Leppo on the 2016 spring semester program in Rome, Italy…
While studying abroad it is really interesting to learn about yourself and how you fit with other people who have different personalities and backgrounds. I have had issues with various people just because our personalities have not worked together or our opinions clashed. I have also discovered that being the same with people is not necessarily the answer either. One of my best friends I have made over here, and whom I have traveled with since the beginning, and I have gotten along so well. We both come from such different backgrounds and we were raised very differently, but we click so well. It is such an interesting journey together as we learn more and more about each other. We have discovered that though we agree on most political ideals, we still differ in party and candidates we are interested in for presidency this year. To me this is so interesting, considering we share many of the same opinions and ideals, yet we can still stand far apart on the political spectrum.
In regards to politics, we have found that as we travel and meet people from all over the world, so many people are well informed about the U.S. elections and they are always interested in our opinions on the subject. I don’t think more than a small number of Americans could ever discuss, in depth, the elections of another country. Europeans are so interested in American politics and it has been so fascinating to hear a completely different take on the matter that I would have never gotten in America.