Allow Your Mind to Wander

Your letter will obviously focus on the the country you are visiting. But you're certainly not limited to writing about that country. The experiences you have will inevitably trigger a variety of thoughts and feelings. Don't be afraid to follow them wherever they may lead.

Here is a quick example:

In the town square there is a statue of Hassiba Boulmerka, the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Boulmerka won the gold in 1992 by running the 1,500-meter race in 3 minutes and 55.3 seconds. Isn't that amazing? I can't even run a mile in less than 10 minutes! I've decided that when I get back, I'm going to start running every day. Maybe I'll even join the track team. I know I'm not really fast, but I think that running is the best way to get back into shape. How about you? Are you planning to do any after-school sports this year?

See what I did? I allowed the statue of Boulmerka to trigger some thoughts about fitness. Does the second paragraph have anything to do with Algeria? No. Does it matter? No. I'm writing a letter, and in a letter it's perfectly natural to touch on a wide range of subjects.

For me, a statue of Boulmerka might prompt me to write a paragraph about the role that sports have played in my life. For you, it might trigger a rant about sexism and discrimination. Wherever your thoughts take you, that's okay. Allow your mind to wander!

Instructions for the Quiz

Answer the questions.

Quiz