Postcards from Abroad goes back to Europe to visit with junior Joey Goret of the Muhlenberg men's lacrosse team. Goret is a political science and business administration double major studying in Maastricht, Netherlands, this semester.
What is your coursework like in Maastricht?
This semester in Maastricht I am taking two courses, "Cultural Dimensions" and "Business and Politics of Europe." Cultural Dimensions is my favorite course thus far because it has been instrumental in helping me process the variety of different cultures and languages I have come into contact with here in Europe. This course has provided my classmates and I with a forum to discuss pertinent European issues and has challenged how we as Americans perceive and understand societal values that are inconsistent with our own. Additionally, the course is taught by Muhlenberg professor Jean Simonet, who as a Frenchman that has lived in both the United States and France brings a truly unique perspective that makes class both extremely enjoyable and culturally enlightening for us.
How have your travels been while abroad?
The advantageous geographic location of Maastricht, close to both the German and Belgium borders, has made traveling very easy. So far, my friends and I have visited Dutch cities like Amsterdam in addition to nearby cities like Brussels, Berlin and Munich. In the coming weeks and months I would really like to visit Barcelona, Florence, Copenhagen, Prague and Paris. I also hope to visit and or meet other Muhlenberg students in these cities and explore these cities with them.
What do you like most about study abroad?
My favorite aspect of my study abroad experience has been making friends from different countries. Throughout my time here, I have met and made lasting friendships from students around the globe including people from Peru, Italy, Poland, Columbia and Spain, just to name a few. These new friendships have helped me learn about specific issues facing individual countries from first hand accounts in addition to gaining general knowledge about the culture, language and cuisine of countries around the globe.
Any messages for the Mules back in Allentown?
My message to my teammates is to keep working hard and doing the little things right every day. I know they have likely been lost without me, but I want to assure them that I will be be back soon to make sure things are running smoothly.
Previous "Postcards":
Alyssa Curtis, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field (Rabat, Morocco)
Madeline Mullett, Women's Lacrosse (Maastricht, Netherlands)
