John, Freeny, Freenbean, John Tyler, Johnathan, Johnny, Josh, Jolly Green Giant, Johnifer, John Conery, John the Baptist, JT. The name I was given at birth was John Tyler Freeny but, as you can see, I have gone by many names over the past 19 years. Some of these names are more formal and some are more fun; some are more creative and some are more common; and some are more unique and some are more universal. No matter which nickname you choose, however, I will answer to it because every one of them describes me.
John
The name John is a family name; I was named after my grandpa on my dad’s side of the family, John William Freeny. I learned the importance of hard work, determination, and family from my Papa in the earlier years of my life. Now, I have many tangible items from him that I cherish closely, specifically his handmade cowboy belt, his neck ties, and his beautiful farm truck that I have named Debbie. These three things alone work together to keep me grounded by reminding me where my roots are. I was born in Oklahoma but quickly moved to Arkansas; therefore, I have grown up in the South and have hardly ever left it. I was motivated to apply for CR12 because of the opportunity it provides students to see the world through a different lens and truly experience other cultures and lifestyles. I have a curious heart that yearns for adventure, so, naturally, exploring foreign lands with 17 incredible people drew my attention (which is hard to do considering I have a short attention span).
Freenbean
Freenbean is an old, yet iconic, nickname that was given to me at a very young age, and it somehow stuck; it is even my instagram username (follow me @freen.bean – no shame for the self promo). I enjoy this name because it is unique and personalized for me. When applying for CR, I tried to highlight the qualities that make me unique. I emphasized my spontaneity and adventurous personality, but also how I work to balance this out with organization and intentionality. I also wanted to show my love for people and hearing their different backstories. People come from all kinds of different cultures, countries, cities, and households that work together to make them who they are and that is such a beautiful thing. I strived to be as open, transparent, and honest as possible because if I am wanting to hear other people’s stories, I must be willing to share mine as well.
Jolly Green Giant
Jolly Green Giant is a name that sporadically pops back into my life because for some reason I remind people of the guy on the can of vegetables. I believe it is mainly due to three of my most defining qualities. The first is my height: I am 6’3”. I have always been the kid in the back row, very middle slot in the group pictures and the one everyone assumed played basketball (I was a soccer player, actually). The second is the fact that I am always wearing the color green. It is my favorite color, and I think I look pretty good in it; therefore, I wear it all the time because it makes me happy and confident. The third quality, the quality that I work the hardest in, is my dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment wherever I go. I do my best to stay positive in my life because I believe the world has too much negativity at times, so why would I want to add to it? I remember trying to stay light-hearted and upbeat the day when the acceptance emails for CR12 went out; however, I was a hot mess. I woke up early that day and immediately was doing anything and everything I could think to keep me distracted from obsessively checking my inbox. I went for a 3 mile run, cleaned the entire house, painted a picture that is now hanging in the living room, and made a gourmet lunch all before 1:00 pm. Then, I received THE email. I was shocked. I didn’t believe it. I was so extremely joyful. I immediately told my parents and started working on flight arrangements. I was honestly ready to pack my bags too.
Freeny
Freeny is the name that carries the most weight to me because it is not just me who goes by Freeny; it is my entire family too. My wish is that these blogs do for other people what my family does for me every day. I want to inspire people to be comfortable in their skin but also not afraid to reach beyond their comfort zones. My parents have encouraged my curious and adventurous personality by pushing me to aim for the stars and by providing me with opportunities to explore. My grandparents continue to laugh, joke, and play around as if they are 6 year olds, which is why I am motivated to embolden others to never lose their 6 year old spirit. Lastly, I wish to encapsulate the emotions, history, and physical toll that comes with the experience that will be CR12. The biggest lesson that my family has taught me is the value of family because I know that my family will always be there for me. By encapsulating this experience, I will be doing my best to encapsulate the intentional relationships that are created across Europe, for this is what I believe to be the most valuable possession in life. I am honored to be welcomed into the familia that is CR.
Cultural Routes 12 