My Personal Fandom

I am a Middle East enthusiast. If you can be a fan of a region of the world, I definitely would qualify as one. But its not even so much the geographic region that I am a fan of, I am a fan of the culture, the politics and the rich history.

What fandom does for me:

• Like other fans, this slight obsession helps define my media diet. I take in media that deals with the ME, like the news. When I read the news, I have a tendency to jump directly to any article that refrences Jordan, Syria or the West Bank.
• My fandom has also inspired me to do new things. It has pushed me to apply to study abroad fall semester of next year (in the ME of course).
• My obsession/fandom has helped determine my career choice and friendships. One day I hope to live in the ME. I also encourage all of my friends to take in interest in my obsession. This has worked well since everytime something happens in the ME, my best friend calls and talks to me about the event.

I am not entirely sure if this counts as fandom, but it is the best way I know how to apply the principles we learned in class for the reasons fandom is healthy. (then again this could just me a way to justify my obsession!!)