Comments on: Limiting students’ internet access abroad http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/limiting-students-internet-access-abroad/ travel culture worldwide Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary R http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/limiting-students-internet-access-abroad/#comment-38941 Mary R Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:57:39 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4899#comment-38941 As a reader, I did not find your article condescending as the previous commenter suggested. I understood your point about utilizing the internet abroad for its benefit of connecting with loved ones in effort to alleviate homesickness and so forth. I also recognize the tendency of young people to spend ungodly amounts of time in front of a computer, using it as a social outlet and perhaps letting other "outside" opportunities pass them by. What about restricted internet time, plenty of other activities and excursions to fill the time, and an open forum discussion about how best to enjoy the time there? As a reader, I did not find your article condescending as the previous commenter suggested. I understood your point about utilizing the internet abroad for its benefit of connecting with loved ones in effort to alleviate homesickness and so forth. I also recognize the tendency of young people to spend ungodly amounts of time in front of a computer, using it as a social outlet and perhaps letting other “outside” opportunities pass them by.

What about restricted internet time, plenty of other activities and excursions to fill the time, and an open forum discussion about how best to enjoy the time there?

]]> By: Radhika http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/limiting-students-internet-access-abroad/#comment-38934 Radhika Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:55:27 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=4899#comment-38934 There is a part of me that finds this post incredibly true as well as incredibly condescending. I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but to me this post comes across as expecting the developing world to remain "untouched" and "uncorrupted' by the technology/innovation of the West. I'm sure that the residents of the remote village in which John is doing research would love access to computers & the outside world if given the opportunity. Not having access to the internet & information shouldn't be romanticized as a part of the "developing world experience," since it is a legitimate issue that many developing countries are trying to correct. The beauty of the internet is that it connects us so easily & so beautifully. Times have changed & so has the study abroad experience. The very fact that they are in Nepal, taking classes & going on excursions (I assume) is already broadening their horizons. There is a part of me that finds this post incredibly true as well as incredibly condescending. I’m sure you didn’t mean it this way, but to me this post comes across as expecting the developing world to remain “untouched” and “uncorrupted’ by the technology/innovation of the West. I’m sure that the residents of the remote village in which John is doing research would love access to computers & the outside world if given the opportunity. Not having access to the internet & information shouldn’t be romanticized as a part of the “developing world experience,” since it is a legitimate issue that many developing countries are trying to correct.

The beauty of the internet is that it connects us so easily & so beautifully. Times have changed & so has the study abroad experience. The very fact that they are in Nepal, taking classes & going on excursions (I assume) is already broadening their horizons.

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