<\/p>\n
In the past weeks, I’ve been binging Apple TV’s\u00a0Ted Lasso. <\/em>In many ways, it is a show that came to me at a perfect time. It follows the efforts of a happy-go-lucky American football coach with a southern twang as he ventures into the chaotic world of the British soccer– sorry, football– scene in London. While there are all sorts of messages to reap from the show, what stands out the most to me are its lessons on “expectations vs. reality.” Ted expects things to go his way through the sheer force of his optimism. He knows nothing about the rules of soccer and doesn’t look into them because he has the “right attitude.” And that’s enough, isn’t it?<\/p>\n I think I’m a lot like Ted. The obvious connection would be the fact that I am also an American who is flying off to London without many familiar faces by his side. However, I also share the spirit of Ted, for better or for worse. Last semester, Mrs. Kassuelke asked those of us who would be going abroad to fill out a “goals and expectations” sheet. It was at that point that I realized: I don’t really know what I expect. Sure, I want to go to London for broad reasons– to gain independence or a new perspective, to make new friends– but I never really thought about how that would realistically work out. I figured, the “right attitude” would get me through.<\/p>\n I came to understand the importance of specific and realistic goals for my trip. They will allow me to look back more objectively at the progress that I’ve made. For example, I know I want to hear the perspectives of people with different backgrounds than me, so I made a goal to meet five<\/strong> people, each from a different country, and hear their stories. To enrich my knowledge and understanding of these different cultures, I also made a goal to visit at least three<\/strong> countries outside of England. I’ve found it helps with motivation to have numerical goals, so that I made sure to do. I figured there\u00a0is nothing wrong with throwing a couple of fun, personal goals in there too. I hope to take a rowboat ride in Venice and to taste fresh Parisian bread!<\/p>\n Aside from positive expectations, this activity forced me to acknowledge fears I might have going in. I honestly didn’t think I had many until considering the possibilities. Also like Ted Lasso, I tend to be someone who doesn’t even consider the worst case (or even just a bad case) scenario, until it hits me in the face and I’m not sure how to handle it. I came to realize that it isn’t being negative to acknowledge possible troubles, but instead, it is safe and healthy, because it allows you to be mentally prepared to deal with it.<\/p>\n One of my biggest fears is that I will say or do something that is normal in America, but when said or done in England, is insensitive. I would hate to be viewed as a rude, or even prejudiced person. To avoid this happening, it will be important for me to tread carefully in cultural waters that I am unfamiliar with. In other words, I plan to get familiar with the environment before getting too comfortable with it. And if I do make a mistake, which is inevitable, I hope to acknowledge it right away and make proper amends.<\/p>\n With my fears sorted out and my goals ahead of me, I eagerly anticipate my arrival in London in just one week. Until then, it’s on to Ted Lasso,\u00a0<\/em>Season 2!<\/p>\n -Joe Cloute<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the past weeks, I’ve been binging Apple TV’s\u00a0Ted Lasso. In many ways, it is a show that came to me at a perfect time. 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