CAPS #4 Katie Hottovy

Sojourners

Migration can be long term, short term, involuntary or voluntary.  People who travel short term and voluntary are called sojourners (Martin & Nakayama, 2009).  This term is used a lot less then the more common term immigrant.  These two names for travelers both relate to voluntary travel but differ in the principle of long term versus short term.  Immigrants are long term and sojourners are short term.  The term of sojourners is a new term for me but the definition is not.  These type of travelers are something that many college students have dealt with or have been one themselves.  Many students came to UNL for college from another state which makes them sojourners.  Perhaps your parents often travel for work out of the country that also makes them sojourners. 

            Today, more and more students are choosing to study abroad, thus, being a sojourner is becoming more popular than ever in today’s society.   Between 2009-2010 270,604 American students studied abroad, that figure is almost triple of what it use to be in the past two decades (Mach, 2011).  Students are still traveling to the top destinations of Italy, Spain, France, China and Britain but they are also more likely today to venture to more advantageous countries like Brazil, New Zealand, Israel, and Egypt (Mach, 2011).  The exponential growth of Americans study abroad can mostly likely be explained by the seeking experiences abroad to expand opportunities at home.  In today’s globalized world having an understanding of other cultures and communicating with them is a critically important. By studying abroad students aren’t just looking to finish their degrees but rather to enhance their degrees by seeing different perspectives on the same topics taught in America (Mach, 2011). 

            Being a sojourner can be a insightful experience.  Traveling for a short term may not give us the complete experience of a culture but perhaps gives us insight into another world and opens our mind from the restrictions of our own comfortable society.  This summer I will traveling for two weeks in Europe, not for studying purposes, but rather with a friend for vacation.  In a sense, my two weeks traveling will make me a sojourner.   I realize what makes studying abroad such a rewarding experience is that you are able to live and immerse yourself in the culture.  Although, two weeks won’t make me a expert European understanding the importance of being a sojourner has made me rethink some of my plans.  I want to experience the culture although, visiting tourist landmarks is a check mark off the bucket list, I will try to eat local cuisine and talk to the locals.  I want to also try and find things to do that aren’t tourist traps but local fun that will make me understand the culture more. 

This video talks about studying abroad in Italy. There are lot's of videos on youtube if you are interested in becoming a sojourner and studying abroad!

Works Cited

Mach, A. (2011, November 14). Why Americans are choosing to study abroad in record numbers. Retrieved March 1, 2012, from The Christian Science Monitor: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2011/1114/Why-Americans-are-choosing-to-study-abroad-in-record-numbers

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2009). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (5th Edition ed.). New York, NY: McGraww-Hill.