The United States may be a melting pot of cultures, but it seems they expect only other cultures to assimilate. Not only are most of my family's multiracial traditions forgotten, but I am also ignorant of cultures outside of the United States. I have never been able to live or visit outside of my country. I don't want to see such a tiny view of the world. Even though I live in a Western culture, I don't know how other Western cultures live. As a country, it feels like the United States is too young to begin to understand global culture. By studying abroad, I hope I can begin to broaden my understanding of the world. I also want to discover my home country in a new light. I look forward to making new friends and hope that studying abroad will open my mind and deepen my desire to experience other cultures. This experience is one that will alleviate my narrow-minded cynicism. Studying abroad will ignite my independence, confidence and enthusiasm for life. For ten weeks I will attend the University of London. I'm going to sign up to take fifteen credits. I chose this program because I want to compare UK university terms to terms at my own college. I hope I can begin to recognize and respect cultural differences. I will have a travel pass with unlimited access to travel across London by bus and tube. I am fascinated by the concept of the London Tube. Thanks to my study abroad program, this is the first time I've heard about London's underground transportation system. When I arrive in London, I will meet with staff from the American Institute for Foreign Study. These advisors will be able to provide me with a lot of information and personalized advice. I will also participate in a workshop o...... middle of paper ...... the debt that weighs me down. Seeing the stress the bills put on my mother scares me because the stress is deteriorating her health. It always scares me that studying abroad might be a burden on my parents. To begin to solve this money problem, to continue to receive the financial aid that I receive at my community college, I need to maintain my GPA. Over the next few months, before traveling to London, I will be applying for full-time jobs and saving my income to pay for my own expenses. If I really want to realize my dream of studying abroad, I don't need to depend on my family's money and make these problems worse. Preparing to study abroad is already an experience that is waking me up to some of the realities of spending money. I will return from London with an even greater sense of responsibility. I will come home ready to help my family and myself overcome life's obstacles..