Life’s Defining Moments: Digital Shifts, Global Learning, and Survival
Life Before the Internet: A Personal Reflection
As a young man in my 20s, living in the 21st century, I didn’t have my first mobile phone or computer with internet access until I was 13 years old.
Childhood Without Digital Devices
During my childhood, I didn’t even know what the internet or Wi-Fi was. Instead, I spent my time playing with toys or practicing sports whenever I wasn’t at school. Furthermore, it was a time when my friends and I engaged in face-to-face conversations, a preferable alternative to communicating via apps like WhatsApp. We weren’t constantly attached to mobile screens every day, nor did we need to worry about the internet’s existence, as we didn’t even know about it.
The Digital Divide: Then vs. Now
Due to the arrival of the internet, 21st-century newborns will likely never experience a life without electronic devices. Even in schools, teachers have integrated computers alongside traditional books into education.
Studying Abroad: Benefits and Challenges
In today’s world, the idea of visiting another country to study is common among students. What are the reasons why these individuals choose to leave their home country? There are numerous advantages and disadvantages that every person in this situation should consider.
Advantages of International Education
- Language Skill Development: Continuing to develop language skills is crucial, as it can significantly aid future job applications. Not only is skill development important, but learning a new language also enhances one’s Curriculum Vitae. For instance, the three most spoken languages in the world nowadays are English, Chinese, and Spanish.
- Meeting New People: Another benefit is the possibility of meeting new people and making friends, which is always fulfilling. Beyond language proficiency, communication and personal skills are also enhanced.
Potential Drawbacks of Studying Overseas
- Emotional Stress: Some students feel stressed and devastated because they are far from their family and friends, which can lead to mental health issues.
- Financial Burden: Although there are grants for students with excellent marks, travel and accommodation are expensive, thus reducing opportunities for many.
- Limited Language Exposure: Moreover, if a person chooses not to study a language that isn’t used worldwide, opportunities to meet people who speak that idiom may also be fewer.
In conclusion, I believe that studying abroad is a great opportunity to expand your mind, to learn new cultures, religions, and languages, and to meet new people, whether they are natives or from other countries.
Survival Skills: Facing Extreme Conditions
Have you ever faced a dangerous natural disaster? Hazardous examples include earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Those who have faced such events often recount challenging survival situations.
Coping with Extreme Cold
Imagine being in a foreign country where temperatures consistently drop below 0ºC. The first problem you would have to deal with is the cold. To solve that problem, wearing warm clothes alone may not suffice. For instance, if it is raining or snowing, the cold can be dangerously severe. A solution in that case could be to light a fire. Not only does it prevent freezing, but it’s also useful for cooking and drying clothes.
Managing Extreme Heat
Conversely, consider the opposite: extreme heat. If someone vacations in a place where the lowest temperature exceeds 30ºC, the heat can be dangerously unhealthy. Firstly, secure water if you haven’t brought any. Once acquired, conserve it diligently. Moreover, extreme heat can cause dizziness and fainting, potentially leading to critical situations.
Essential Survival Tips
To sum up, these pieces of advice are merely basic ones. They proved invaluable when I faced life-threatening challenges. While they may seem like minor tips, even the smallest detail can be the most important.