Why Study Abroad | Marina Meijer | TEDxDelftSalon

Summary

The speaker shares their journey from a Dutch upbringing to studying in the US, experiencing diverse cultures, and finding love in Tunisia. They emphasize the importance of studying abroad for experiential learning, challenging oneself, making diverse friends, and following one's heart, ultimately shaping one's identity and character.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of studying abroad, attributing their personal growth and current status to their international experiences.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker comes from an international family background, with parents who met in Hong Kong and later settled in the Netherlands, highlighting the influence of diverse cultural experiences on their identity.
• 🎓 The importance of education abroad is underscored, as the speaker pursued graduate studies in the United States, specifically Texas, which broadened their worldview and understanding of their own Dutch identity.
• 🤝 The value of making friends from diverse backgrounds is highlighted, as it fosters a deeper understanding of different perspectives and enriches personal growth.
• 🏫 The speaker's experience at the University of Texas illustrates the international environment's role in shaping their identity and challenging them to articulate their opinions clearly.
• 🧳 The decision to study or work abroad is portrayed as a significant life choice that can lead to personal and professional growth, as well as the discovery of one's true passion.
• 🇰🇷 The speaker's time in Korea as an intern provided a fresh perspective on their Asian heritage and the importance of adapting to different societal norms and expectations.
• 🏛️ The script touches on the hierarchical nature of workplaces in some cultures, as experienced by the speaker in Korea, and the need to navigate these systems to gain respect and recognition.
• 💑 The personal narrative includes following love to Tunisia and Yemen, which added to the speaker's rich tapestry of international experiences and life lessons.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Raising a family with diverse cultural influences and languages at home is presented as a continuation of the speaker's commitment to internationalism and experiential learning.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages others to seek out international experiences, to challenge themselves, make new friends, and follow their hearts, as these are the keys to personal development and finding one's destiny.

Q & A

What was the speaker's motivation for studying abroad?

The speaker was motivated to study abroad because they wanted more than a regular Dutch life and were seeking experiences that would shape their identity and personal growth.

How did the speaker's parents influence their decision to study abroad?

The speaker's parents, who had worked and studied abroad themselves and met in Hong Kong, influenced the speaker's decision by setting an example of an international lifestyle.

What was the speaker's experience like in Texas?

In Texas, the speaker attended the University of Texas, met many international students, and discovered their Dutch identity in the eyes of others. They also faced questions about Dutch societal norms and had to formulate their opinions clearly.

Why did the speaker choose to move to Asia after their time in the United States?

The speaker moved to Asia to gain another foreign experience and intern in Korea, which was a chance to reinvent themselves and confront their Asian background in a new context.

How did the speaker's perception of themselves change in Korea?

In Korea, the speaker was seen as a single, unmarried woman needing a husband, which was a stark contrast to their previous experiences. This led to a reevaluation of their identity and a confrontation with their Asian background.

What challenges did the speaker face while living with a Korean family?

The speaker faced language barriers as the Korean family spoke no English, and they had to adapt to the cultural norms and expectations, such as being the only woman in the office and having to socialize with colleagues after work.

How did the speaker gain respect in their workplace in Korea?

The speaker gained respect by teaching English as a second language to their boss and co-workers, which positioned them as a teacher and elevated their status in the office.

What decision did the speaker face after graduating in the United States?

The speaker had to decide between staying in the US to pursue a career in line with their studies or following their Yemeni love interest who was working in Tunisia.

How did the speaker's experiences abroad influence their personal life?

The speaker's experiences abroad led them to marry their Yemeni love interest, create an international family, and raise their children in a multilingual environment.

What advice does the speaker give to those considering studying abroad?

The speaker advises to embrace the experiential learning, challenge oneself, make new friends from diverse backgrounds, follow one's heart, and dive into life to develop personal character and skills.

What role does the speaker currently play in the field of education?

The speaker is an education consultant, working with young people who dream of studying in the United States and helping them with college placements.