Strengths and Weaknesses of Communication

"My friend Nicole and I on New Years Eve 08'"

For this assignment I decided to interview my mom and one of my best friends Nicole. I have known Nicole for six years now, and my mom my whole life. I knew that these two people would be best to interview because they would be completely honest with me.

When I asked them about my strengths they both said that once I feel comfortable around people I am able to communicate well in different situations, such as group projects. I do really well communicating through technology, like texting or the internet, rather than face to face. I am also great at my job, which is waitressing. They both think that I am great talking to strangers because I know I will most likely not see them again, and you have to be good at communicating with the customers if you want a good tip.

For weaknesses they both said that I need to speak up. For example, if I have a question I tend to be nervous and shy to ask it, but I think I am getting better at that. They also said that public speaking was a weakness as I get very nervous for some reason. If I improve in those two areas I think I would be not as stressed.

I expected them to both say this. I have been trying to communicate with others better, but I feel like I am like my dad and get nervous. I am shy, until I feel comfortable, which isn't always good when it comes to being independent and meeting new people.

In the next few weeks I plan to speak up, and get to know the other students I am with so I will feel comfortable with them. I am glad that I already know a couple people going, but I will work hard to be able to communicate with everyone.

3 Blogs I Like

"While I was in LA, my mom re-arranged my bathroom"

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27612962&blogID=466034953

I chose this blog because I like to read about what the celebrities I follow are doing. By reading Taylor Swift's blogs I feel like I know her more personally. I have only met her once, and it makes me happy that she a huge Britney Spears fan just like me. :)

"Vienna Daily"

http://viennadaily.blogspot.com/

I really like this blog site because of all the pictures of Vienna. The author puts up pictures of Vienna everyday. I haven't really looked at many pictures, but it makes me more excited to go there!

"VIOLA DAVIS: WHAT’S THE BUZZ?"

http://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/2008/12/29/viola-davis-whats-the-buzz/

I searched for Viola Davis because I know she has recently been nominated for an Oscar. I personally know her because my mom works with her sister, and I did a phone interview with her last year for a paper I was writing. It is really exciting to know that more people are enjoying her performances and she is become famous!!

My Hopes for Vienna

Franklin Pierce University is considered to be a small school because of the amount of people that go there and the size of the campus. I know many students there in all different grades, but luckily by studying abroad this semester in Vienna I will become even closer to a small group of students that I am hoping to become good friends with. I want us to learn as much as possible, see a different way of living, and mature more as young adults together.

My hopes for the FPU faculty and staff that are traveling with us are that they can help us, the students, feel comfortable in a different country; teach us the language; and have a great time while learning new things too. I hope they can go back to the USA with a different point of view, and also say they were able to get closer to a group of students.

My hopes for myself would be to become even more independent than I already am. I want to be able to communicate with the Europeans. I want to do well with my classes, and at the same time learn about the country I am studying in. I hope that when I come back to the USA I can look back at this experience and say to myself that I was glad I did it.

I'm nervous about many things. I will feel nervous until I've been in Vienna for a couple days. I will miss my family, my dog, cat, friends, and my house. I also am nervous about the packing situation because I tend to overpack all the time. Even though I am nervous about going to Vienna, I am just as much excited to be going!!