Blog Post #2 – Leah Burcham – Expanding Worldview

My worldview has been shaped by my cultural background, academic experiences, and the moments I have lived beyond the classroom. Of these influences, traveling abroad has probably challenged and expanded my worldview the most. I love learning new things, so I treat every trip not only as a chance to see a new place, but as an opportunity to experience new culture, history, and political and social forces which shape our globe. For these reasons, I am drawn to the unique opportunities study abroad programs provide. After all, not everyone gets to visit the EU or OPEC. Sometimes though, the most meaningful insights arise from something much simpler: observing people around me and, if I’m lucky, taking the time to speak with them.

The first time I left the United States was in 2023, when I went to France and Spain on a trip with my high school. Never having left the country before, this trip instilled a sense of personal responsibility and commitment to further expand my worldview. It made me much more aware of how much there is to learn about the world beyond our borders, and looking back, I can confidently say that trip sparked my passion for studying international affairs. Later trips to Nicaragua and Thailand broadened my perspective further. I think that, when it comes to foreign affairs and travel, Americans can be overly centered on Europe and North America. However, the world is so much wider than these two continents, and visiting them has cemented a more comprehensive outlook into my worldview. More than anything, all of these trips have put my own place into perspective. The world is much bigger than the United States, but by living there I am afforded opportunities which will make my life easier than otherwise. 

My worldview continues to be challenged as I continue my studies. In March, I studied abroad in North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Greece. This experience taught me how important regional and historical differences can be. From an outside perspective, the Balkans represent one cohesive region. However, through speaking to the people and studying these countries, it becomes apparant that the nation’s personal unique identities are the defining aspect of all social and political dynamics. Despite similar appearances, complex histories lie below. 

This trip continues to reshape how I see the world, specifically through speaking to people I meet along the way. For example, on the train from Zurich to Freiburg, I spoke to two Swiss women- one who has lived in Basel her entire life and another who moved from Canada. I learned a lot about Switzerland that I would not have understood without hearing their lived experiences. Notably, Switzerland is a very patriarchal country, making it extremely difficult for a single woman, especially mothers, to live in, due to the structure of its laws and school system. I never would have assumed that of the country. They joked about stereotypes of Swiss, German, and Italian people and, upon my confusion, explained the stereotypes and subsequent flaws in those views. Experiencing global travel is a great way to break incorrect stereotypes. As the trip continues, I aim to continue addressing general and personal biases on this trip through observing the world around me, speaking to people, and living intentionally in the moment.