UP Study Abroad Students Navigate Emotions and Voting During the 2024 Election
This article shares the experiences of UP students studying abroad amid the 2024 presidential election. They faced challenges in voting and understanding the election’s impact while feeling distanced from their home communities. Their reflections reveal a mix of emotions such as confusion and solidarity among fellow Americans abroad, highlighting the complexities of navigating this significant political landscape.
This article examines the experiences of University of Portland (UP) students studying abroad during the tumultuous 2024 presidential election. Residing far from their home communities, these students faced unique challenges in engaging with the election process and coping with the international ramifications of the results. Sophomore nursing majors Faith Zachariah and Camryn Hines, both in Salzburg, Austria, endeavored to vote absentee despite the complexities involved. Meanwhile, Casey James and Zora Richardson, junior theater students in London, processed the election’s implications on their marginalized communities. Each student reflects on the disconnection yet also solidarity found among fellow Americans abroad, as they navigate their emotions during this significant political event.
In the context of the 2024 presidential election, students from the University of Portland faced the dual challenge of physically being abroad while emotionally and politically engaging with developments back home. Their experience sheds light on the necessity of addressing both the logistical aspects of voting internationally and the emotional toll of political events perceived to have global repercussions. Furthermore, the reactions from their host countries underscore how American politics is viewed outside of the United States, fostering a unique perspective among these students.
The experiences of UP students studying abroad during the 2024 presidential election highlight the complexities and emotional challenges associated with voting and political engagement away from home. Their stories illustrate a blend of isolation and community support, shaped by international contexts and personal identities. As they navigate this pivotal moment in American history, the implications for their communities resonate deeply, reinforcing the need for connection and understanding across borders.
Original Source: www.upbeacon.com
