Culture. Culture is what makes up homes in Morocco or in the United States. It’s how someone defines themselves, whether it’s how they celebrate a birthday or how they dress everyday. It brings them a sense of joy because it gives them something to be proud of. Amelia Stevens ’23, would love to experience that joy in a different settling than where she is now.

Stevens has made herself a hard worker in school to get where she is today. When speaking to her French teacher, Sydney MacDermott, thinks the world of Amelia because of her recent years of teaching her in French class. Sydney has taught Stevens from Northwest to now West. 

¨I see a lot of spunk, a lot of curiosity, and a desire to learn. She really likes to stretch herself and try and make things more challenging, even when it’s not required, ̈ MacDermott, French teacher said. 

In the past few years with starting to learn a language Stevens has taken a liking to what conceals behind every language. How culture and people from different parts of the world start their day sparks an ever loving curiosity in her heart. To further serve that curiosity she is taking steps to study abroad during her year as a sophomore. 

“I think what I want to get out of this is language skills, and also just a better understanding of other people’s culture. Like, everyone’s different and to be more accepting of that is important,” Stevens said. 

When learning a language, it’s important to not just focus on how to speak the tongue of those who you’re visiting in the country. Also take on the role of culture that surrounds them. When you absorb a different culture in a different country it may lead you to experience culture shock. Culture shock is simply experiencing something different in a country unlike your standard life style. 

When speaking to Stevens’ French teacher, Sydney, MacDermott, she had a few words to say about how we perceive Culture Shock; 

¨I think it’s just a gradual experience, you don’t experience it all at once. So the term culture shock makes you think that you’re going to notice all these differences between your culture and the one. Actually it doesn’t happen that way. It happens over a period of time and very gradually you start to get used to it and then start to appreciate and understand their perspective, ̈ MacDermott said. 

This all came to be when Stevens was browsing the internet and got the idea of looking up what it takes to study abroad. At first it was just simple research but then it accelerated to her finding government class that would take her overseas. This government class she is taking will be placed in the area Stevens will be studying abroad. For example, if she were to get into the Morocco trip, for the first month she will be taking a government ran program. This is simply just to help the students get the basics of the language and prepare them to give in homes of those provided.

¨The reason why I wanted to go to another country to study abroad was because of the learning experience of different cultures and also to try out something different than my daily routine here,̈ Amelia said. 

When she was complete with her research she forwarded the information to her father, Ben Stevens, to get a perspective from a guardian.  

¨I asked my dad, and he was like, he said, no, then he left the house, goes to work and when he came back from work. He was like, okay, so where’s the application? Let’s fill it out, ̈ said Stevens.  

Once her dad gave her the approval from then till now she had to fill out applications and can only tell what the future awaits for her.

 ̈At first my mind set was that I’ll miss having her around in the house because of the joy she brings, but then I need her to experience life more for herself and staying safe while doing so,” her father, Ben Stevens said. 

I looked up the program and felt more at ease to learn that it was from the state and everything would be alright, ̈ Ben Stevens says. 

When Amelia heard this news she was very excited to start the process of this new opportunity and can’t wait till she heads off to explore what the world waits. 

Overall, Amelia is very proud of her decision. Making this choice to better understand the people around us and to take the time and patience to learn a whole different language is inspiring. When you hear people being disrespectful to another part of a country it leaves a horrendous taste in your mouth. We have people like Stevens who are willing to pass through those dangerous stereotypes and fight to where people should be. Which is on the side where everyone is accepting of others no matter what culture or ethnicity. We are all made of flesh and blood, we all have emotions, and most importantly we all have value.  

¨We’re all so different and when we learn about other people’s culture and understanding it helps us bridge the gap.̈ Stevens said.