During my baccalaureate experience at Morehouse College, students were constantly advised to travel the world and become "global leaders," those who understand the many cultures that exist in our society and who are constantly educated in an exchange between others near and far. I believe I did just that during my university matriculation, having participated in studying, researching, volunteering and teaching abroad. Visiting countries like Brazil, Peru and Dominican Republic etc. it opened my eyes to the beauty of people, nature and cultures different from my own. Now, as I begin a new phase of my life, I am taking the opportunity to experience one of the richest cultures and learn some of its long history while doing something I truly love and that serves a community. From this opportunity with CIEE, I hope to see and experience more of the world around me as I gain a better understanding of its myriad societies. I want to experience life in Asia. I want to indulge in local food, listen and dance to music, and interact with people while studying and practicing unique languages, histories, and literatures. I hope to examine comparing aspects of my native Bahamian culture with that of my assigned institution. But most of all, I look forward to this experience sharpening my skills and teaching me more about the world I live in. I have read many books and seen many photographs of Asia. This only increased my desire to experience all of this for myself and to be the man behind the lens of a camera and the ink of a pen, however, one who is known for his work in society. Ever since I started considering the future and wondering who and what I would become, I have…half of paper…what the real purpose of being there is. I was also part of a group that traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to visit different religious denominations and learn more. It was customary to arrive early to create an opportunity to discuss some of the members' rules, beliefs, and practices. I realized that it was best to first listen and try to understand with a sense of openness and then gather more information through inquiry and research. My discovery skills and inquisitive nature have allowed me to be very successful in adapting to the many cultures I have been exposed to. Each challenge has an equally unique solution, and I promise that, as a teacher, it is my job to work to solve these problems. This opportunity helps me gain these real-world experiences that I believe can benefit me in achieving both my short- and long-term goals..