One of the most challenging and equally rewarding aspects of studying abroad is that it challenged me to truly understand, and not just imagine, what it would be like to live in someone else’s shoes. In other words, to practice the art of empathy.
Last year, author Leslie Jamison came to Duke to talk about her about her book “The Empathy Exams.” The book is a collection of essays in which she recounts her experiences both receiving and giving empathy and the way in which it has impacted her interactions with others. Like many talks I have been to at Duke, I left inspired and motivated to be more intentional about empathizing over sympathizing with others.
