So I'm late again this week, my apologies, but what I had to say for this blog took a lot of time to think through, and after writing a version of what I wanted to say on my personal blog, I decided I'd post a watered down* version here because even though I figured it wouldn't be important or no one would care, it doesn't matter. I care, and it's directly related to my growing experience here.
*I say watered down not because it's any less pertinent, but because I definitely use a bit more language in my personal blog, and because I took out a few extra things that would just muddle things up here.
Anyways, so, starting at the beginning.
I've never felt highly intelligent. That might sound like an odd thing coming from me, especially with how brash I seem to be, but it's the truth. I've always felt that I was not below average, but definitely barely average when it came to intelligence, and that everything that I was confident about knowing could be lumped into the category of, "useless trivia".
Being in Finland has taught me, however, that I'm a lot smarter than I ever let myself believe. As any student from the US knows, anytime you go to a foreign country you are automatically saddled with a plethora of stigmas: American's are fat, lazy, loud, and stupid. Ask anyone in the world, and those are the stereotypes you will probably hear. Of course, you'll also get nice ones like: helpful, friendly, creative, and others like that, but they'll rarely ever be the first thing that comes out of someone's mouth.
So how does my intelligence and Finland fit together you may ask? Well, since this is my blog and this is what this post is all about, of course I'll tell you, what point would there be if I didn't?
Finland hasn't so much taught me, as it has been a catalyst for me learning. I've given numerous crash courses on US history, politics, and geography, and I've been able to hold my own in explaining poverty, violence, racism, sustainable energy, and other topics. Not only that, but I've been able to speak about events outside of the United States, foreign affairs, the state of different countries affairs, and more 'blasé' things like art, culture, sexuality, and learning.
Being here has taught me that I'm not just a one trick pony. I'm a storyteller, always have been, but now I'm starting to see that the stories I'm telling aren't just my own, they're truth, they're history, they're opinions, and I've been able to teach and learn in turn. I'm not full of 'useless trivia', in actuality, the majority of the knowledge I know and have regurgitated to others has been not only extremely practical, but relatively important.
Now, I'm sure right now anyone from MC would say, "That's obviously your Maryville College education showing through," but I'd just like for you to take that comment and really think about what you're saying. Yes, the MC curriculum has allowed me to learn about some of these topics in depth, but there's no way you could ever possibly give the school the majority of the credit. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't get them to drink after all. Saying something like that also detracts from the empowerment I've felt through finding that hey, maybe I am actually kind of smart, maybe I can learn things even if I find it extremely difficult.
Anyways, what I'm trying to say is this:
Out of all the things Finland has taught me, the one lesson I am really going to take to heart is the simple fact that I need to listen to and praise myself more. As narcissistic as that sounds, it's true. I'm tired of living in a constant cycle of believing I'm not intelligent and that my intelligence or lack thereof is directly correlated to my worth.
Maybe it's a naive thing to say, maybe it's just optimistic thinking, but let me tell you something, I haven't felt better about myself in ages...
Until next week faithful readers.
Moi Moi~!
Brieana K.
*I say watered down not because it's any less pertinent, but because I definitely use a bit more language in my personal blog, and because I took out a few extra things that would just muddle things up here.
Anyways, so, starting at the beginning.
I've never felt highly intelligent. That might sound like an odd thing coming from me, especially with how brash I seem to be, but it's the truth. I've always felt that I was not below average, but definitely barely average when it came to intelligence, and that everything that I was confident about knowing could be lumped into the category of, "useless trivia".
Being in Finland has taught me, however, that I'm a lot smarter than I ever let myself believe. As any student from the US knows, anytime you go to a foreign country you are automatically saddled with a plethora of stigmas: American's are fat, lazy, loud, and stupid. Ask anyone in the world, and those are the stereotypes you will probably hear. Of course, you'll also get nice ones like: helpful, friendly, creative, and others like that, but they'll rarely ever be the first thing that comes out of someone's mouth.
So how does my intelligence and Finland fit together you may ask? Well, since this is my blog and this is what this post is all about, of course I'll tell you, what point would there be if I didn't?
Finland hasn't so much taught me, as it has been a catalyst for me learning. I've given numerous crash courses on US history, politics, and geography, and I've been able to hold my own in explaining poverty, violence, racism, sustainable energy, and other topics. Not only that, but I've been able to speak about events outside of the United States, foreign affairs, the state of different countries affairs, and more 'blasé' things like art, culture, sexuality, and learning.
Being here has taught me that I'm not just a one trick pony. I'm a storyteller, always have been, but now I'm starting to see that the stories I'm telling aren't just my own, they're truth, they're history, they're opinions, and I've been able to teach and learn in turn. I'm not full of 'useless trivia', in actuality, the majority of the knowledge I know and have regurgitated to others has been not only extremely practical, but relatively important.
Now, I'm sure right now anyone from MC would say, "That's obviously your Maryville College education showing through," but I'd just like for you to take that comment and really think about what you're saying. Yes, the MC curriculum has allowed me to learn about some of these topics in depth, but there's no way you could ever possibly give the school the majority of the credit. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't get them to drink after all. Saying something like that also detracts from the empowerment I've felt through finding that hey, maybe I am actually kind of smart, maybe I can learn things even if I find it extremely difficult.
Anyways, what I'm trying to say is this:
Out of all the things Finland has taught me, the one lesson I am really going to take to heart is the simple fact that I need to listen to and praise myself more. As narcissistic as that sounds, it's true. I'm tired of living in a constant cycle of believing I'm not intelligent and that my intelligence or lack thereof is directly correlated to my worth.
Maybe it's a naive thing to say, maybe it's just optimistic thinking, but let me tell you something, I haven't felt better about myself in ages...
Until next week faithful readers.
Moi Moi~!
Brieana K.