An American Disease I Was Unaware of

Here it is:

the “fully aware narcissism” of young Americans abroad. She meant the self-defeating inability to wean oneself from digital/social-media umbilical attachments to family and friends, abetted by helicopter parents no less addicted to Skype, Facebook, and texting.

“We tell students, ‘Get off your computers and experience the local culture,’” Clark said. “‘Absorb yourself in what Perugia or wherever you travel has to offer. If you do that, when you leave here you’re more likely to leave as a different person. You’ve reoriented your perspective. But to allow that to happen you have to break your frequent communication ties.’”

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