A New Way of Living

By Michelle Heims

Between FSU, Prague, and my hometown, I have built 3 environments for myself that share similarities and differences. I joined a new community when I started college and I’m going to join another new community when I am studying abroad. All of these groups have shaped my identity and my experiences, and I am grateful for each cultural environment and community that I belong to.

Firstly, my hometown. Where I am from my community is very strong. The culture consists of stereotypical middle class suburban living, sports, the beach, a passion for music, America, and the people in our lives. I grew up being taught that hard work is extremely important and that we should care for one another. Because of this, my sense of community at home is very tight and I know that people have my back. I take care of my community in many ways because I know that they will or have taken care of me. Additionally, although the US is so big, my community makes it feel smaller through our appreciation for veterans, active military, and the opportunities the US has given us.

Secondly, FSU. I just finished my first year at FSU and I started to develop my own cultural environment. FSU is driven my hard work, school spirit, togetherness, and enjoyable experiences. At FSU my community consists of many different groups, but I fit into each one based on interests and involvements. At FSU my circle makes such a big school feel smaller, and even though the school is so big, I have a tight community to turn to. In my community I am influenced to do well in school, participate in activities, and strive for the best.

Now, in a few days I will be joining a new community: Prague. This new cultural environment will expose me to new things and a new way of living. However, as part of my program I will learn more about a community that people don’t always interact with directly: the international community. Since my classes will discuss international affairs, it is important to dive into how we fit into the international community. This community can teach us new things about the world around us and those in it. We can learn to be accepting and open-minded, and we can think about things on a more global level with an international perspective. These two new communities will reshape my understanding of “community” because it will show where I and others can come together despite our differences. When I used to think of a community, I thought about very small groups, people that you interact with directly and frequently. However, this program will teach and show me that our community does not have to fall under these guidelines. Just being humans brings us all together, and we all have rights, opportunities, and feelings. With this in mind, community can be much more than just those you talk to or see around your area. Defining the international community and why we fit into it can be difficult, but I think this program will help me do just that.