Monash and Melbourne Past Review

While forming relationships abroad, I began to initiate conversations about life outlook, especially because I was interested in the perspective of non-American students. I started to relate to others not based upon the similarities we share, but what we can teach each other about how the other lives and what the other plans for their future. I began to understand the future plans of other students as different, devoid from a hierarchical perspective of better and worse. This more inclusive understanding of others established less exclusivity in my attitude when working in group settings. I took differences in life outlook into account when collaborating, and soon, I began to incorporate these differences into what I wanted for myself. I met tour guides in the Outback, construction workers in the inner city of Sydney, and a 74 year old woman from Melbourne re-attending university for archeology after a successful career in acting. In each instance, I was taught a valuable lesson about myself and my desire to experience all of my interests and passions, rather than honing in on one career path and cutting myself off to other possibilities.