Herbert Lynn will teach English in Indonesia this summer on a Fulbright scholarship. He said he¿s looking forward to meeting the people and experiencing their immensely different culture and lifestyle. (Kevin Allen/kevin.allen937@topper.wku.edu / June 5, 2011) |
Culture shock is a welcome challenge for Herbert Lynn.
He has received a Fulbright scholarship to go to Indonesia for an English teaching assistantship where he will teach high school students conversational English.
Indonesia is a southeastern Asian country that also has the most populous Muslim majority in the world, making it an ideal choice for Lynn, 21.
“What really excites me about it is just the radical cultural shift I’ll receive,” he said.
Lynn has never shied away from culture shock, preferring to immerse himself in new cultures and experiences.
He chose to attend Grinnell College in Iowa — where he graduated May 23 — without having toured the campus or knowing any other students. And he spent his junior year of college studying in Granada, Spain.
“I just really want to see how other people in this world live,” Lynn said.
He credits his attitude to his mother, Boyle County Treasurer Mary Conley, who took him to Democratic Women’s Club meetings that inspired him to be involved.
“I think having that awareness that there was something big out there gave me a lot of ground for my mind to roam,” Lynn said.
“It made me start thinking about what’s out there beyond the confines of Kentucky, beyond the confines of Boyle County.”
He tries not to form preconceptions about his destinations.
“(I) Just go in with no expectations and that’s why I’m neither disappointed nor overwhelmed,” Lynn said. “Things appear as they are, and I can deal with them as they come.”
Lynn started his ventures into the unknown with small excursions into nature.
He spent his childhood in the outdoors, tubing on Herrington Lake, camping and skiing.
As he got older, though, Lynn began to devote himself more to his studies. He hasn’t had much free time until recently.
“That’s what a lot of this summer is going to be,” Lynn said. “Camping, kind of reclaiming my outdoorsiness. I’ve gotten soft these past few years.”
But Lynn is nothing if not eclectic in his interests. One moment, he will discuss the ideas of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche; the next, he examines the merits of post-apocalyptic-themed movies such as “Road Warrior.”
For a man with such diverse pursuits, moving to Indonesia is par for the course.
“Oh well, Herbie is going to Indonesia,” Lynn said with a smile.
After he returns from Asia, he hopes to get a job with the State Department and work in a consulate either in the United States or, preferably, in Spain.
While overseas, he hopes to gain perspective on his life as a privileged American. Lynn expects to come face-to-face with poverty and things like having to conserve water and food.
“I’m very looking forward to the impact that this experience will have on my character and just my ability to know how other people live and think,” he said.
He has received a Fulbright scholarship to go to Indonesia for an English teaching assistantship where he will teach high school students conversational English.
Indonesia is a southeastern Asian country that also has the most populous Muslim majority in the world, making it an ideal choice for Lynn, 21.
“What really excites me about it is just the radical cultural shift I’ll receive,” he said.
Lynn has never shied away from culture shock, preferring to immerse himself in new cultures and experiences.
He chose to attend Grinnell College in Iowa — where he graduated May 23 — without having toured the campus or knowing any other students. And he spent his junior year of college studying in Granada, Spain.
“I just really want to see how other people in this world live,” Lynn said.
He credits his attitude to his mother, Boyle County Treasurer Mary Conley, who took him to Democratic Women’s Club meetings that inspired him to be involved.
“I think having that awareness that there was something big out there gave me a lot of ground for my mind to roam,” Lynn said.
“It made me start thinking about what’s out there beyond the confines of Kentucky, beyond the confines of Boyle County.”
He tries not to form preconceptions about his destinations.
“(I) Just go in with no expectations and that’s why I’m neither disappointed nor overwhelmed,” Lynn said. “Things appear as they are, and I can deal with them as they come.”
Lynn started his ventures into the unknown with small excursions into nature.
He spent his childhood in the outdoors, tubing on Herrington Lake, camping and skiing.
As he got older, though, Lynn began to devote himself more to his studies. He hasn’t had much free time until recently.
“That’s what a lot of this summer is going to be,” Lynn said. “Camping, kind of reclaiming my outdoorsiness. I’ve gotten soft these past few years.”
But Lynn is nothing if not eclectic in his interests. One moment, he will discuss the ideas of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche; the next, he examines the merits of post-apocalyptic-themed movies such as “Road Warrior.”
For a man with such diverse pursuits, moving to Indonesia is par for the course.
“Oh well, Herbie is going to Indonesia,” Lynn said with a smile.
After he returns from Asia, he hopes to get a job with the State Department and work in a consulate either in the United States or, preferably, in Spain.
While overseas, he hopes to gain perspective on his life as a privileged American. Lynn expects to come face-to-face with poverty and things like having to conserve water and food.
“I’m very looking forward to the impact that this experience will have on my character and just my ability to know how other people live and think,” he said.
