Allegheny College Study Abroad Fall 2007

Slow down, relax, and enjoy life.

For me, the biggest lesson I have learned in Australia is that not everyone leads the crazy lifestyles we have in the US. In my last entry I wrote about a trip down the coast I was planning to take and although I had already begun to learn all about the more relaxed lifestyle here, an experience on the way home from this trip really stands out as the perfect example. We had just stopped at a petrol station and were in a big rush to get back to Townsville (although it was sometime after dark and we still had hours and hours to drive). I went into the servo to pay for the petrol on my credit card and the woman at the register was speaking to one of her employees. I waited for a few minutes and she continued talking and I must admit I started getting a little annoyed. Her obviously new employee was asking her about what time she could take a break etc. and the woman responded "oh no worries love, whenever you want, good on ya" She then finally said, (as it goes here) "How you going mate?" to me and I said something along the lines of pretty good, just a little tired from driving for the past 12 hours/kind of just want to get home. I wasn't rude-but she had to have been able to tell I just wanted to get back on the road. She then proceeded to ask me what seemed 25 questions about where I was from, what we had been doing etc. all the time while holding my credit card in her hand. At that point I just wanted to take the thing and run it through the machine myself. I was cranky and frustrated from driving all day and knowing that we were only about half way there, and although she was a very nice lady, I was in rush mode and didn't have the time for her questions.

When I got back in the car (which was the all American car in our convoy) I told them what had happened and we started talking about how the "no worries" mentality and lifestyle is really awesome but coming from the US...also hard to get used to sometimes. We were all a little cranky and continued himming and hawing about how when we got home it would be nice to be able to get things done the way we wanted. At home it is ok to be in a rush. It is accepted. People put up with rude people all the time who are in a rush and want it their way (I know-I work in a restaurant). Here that just does not happen. People don't act like that, and if you do you are labeled "that American"-or seppo (short for septic tank, because we are full of sh...(fill in the blank)) as they like to call us. I have never personally experienced this-but I have seen other Americans act this way and it is embarrassing. If your food is taking a long time in a restaurant you do not ask what the hold up is. If your food is not the way you wanted it-you do not send it back. If the woman in the servo (gas station) is taking too long for you, you are not rude and huff and puff and roll your eyes. You simply have "no worries" and just deal with it...because looking at the bigger picture it really isn't that big of a deal...is it?

About 20 minutes or so after leaving the servo we got pulled over for speeding, and the girl who was driving got a $350 fine. (The fines here are much bigger for speeding). We all agreed to help pay the fine and so our impatience and rush rush rush go go go mentality caused us to lose in the end. After it happened we all just sat there looking at each other and started laughing. After the conversation we had just finished having it was all we could do. It is pretty ironic and is all part of the lesson I have learned. Don't worry about it. When we get there, we get there. Relax. Breathe. Just...enjoy life.

Posted by Casey Pagano at 3:26 AM | Permalink

Just relax. That's my lesson.

Stop worrying that you're going to get sick, that you're going to get robbed, that you didn't pack the right clothes, that you're not takig enough pictures or that you won't have enough time to see EVERYTHING. No matter what you are going to get so much out of this experience, so just be here and soak everything in. You won't learn anything if you are running around frantic all the time, worrying about a million different imaginary dangers. The point is to take risks and expand your horizons!

You can even brush your teeth with tap water and order ice in drinks....you won't die, I promise.

Also...if you're coming to Quito, bring sweaters! Despite being less than an hour's drive from the equator, it's COLD here!

Posted by Nikki Cash at 9:53 AM | Permalink

Always remember who you are and why you chose to study abroad. This is important for me, because I tend to get sucked into the moment. When I'm feeling homesick and am wondering why I ever thought this was such a good idea, i think about why i was so motivated to come and study in Costa Rica, and it helps me realize that yes, this is where i need to be right now. Everything's so different here from what I'm used to. I'm around all these new people and new places and new culture, it's easy to get lost in it all. Sometimes it's pretty overwhelming, such as when you're trekking through the rain forest, or getting soaked under towering waterfalls, or watching Costa Ricans proudly celebrate their country in their Independence Day Parade. Among this, I have to remember who I am, what I stand for, and how I fit into this picture. Or late at night, when I get wrapped up in my schoolwork, and start overstressing about tests, or hours more worth of readings, then I take a step back, breathe, and realize that it's OK. I'm in Costa Rica, and when I'm old I'll always look back on this experience as one of the best most fulfilling times of my life.

Posted by Eliza Czolowski at 9:34 AM | Permalink

The main thing I've learned from being here is that the Australian lifestyle really is what the stereotypes say: it's laid-back and relaxed. However, what they neglect to mention is how tough is it to adjust to that lifestyle. Back at Allegheny, I was used to nonstop stress, working my butt off 24/7...and I'm really enjoying the relaxed environment and reduced courseload. I'm not saying we can always believe stereotypes, by any means, just that maybe sometimes they might actually be valid.

Posted by Rachel Clark at 12:45 AM | Permalink

After being in Australia for over two months now, the biggest lesson I've learned is about perspective. This part of Queensland is gorgeous - palm trees, beaches with blindingly white sand and azure water, and beautiful sunny weather 360 days a year. Plus, everyone speaks with the lovely Australian accent, and the whole world moves just a little bit slower. The result of this other-worldly feel caused my perspective about this trip vs. life in the states to take on a "vacation life"/"real life" element. I fell into the habit of viewing the friends I've made here, and my overall experience here, as part of a four-month-long vacation. I mentioned this feeling to one of my closest Australian friends, and he immediately set me straight. He told me how every semester, a new group of Americans arrives and they form close friendships with all of the Australians, only to fly back to the other side of the world four months later. So, every four months, the Australians bond with the Americans and form great friendships, knowing that the odds of them seeing us again are very slim. When he heard me refer to my time here as "vacation life," he told me not to think of it that way. This is his real life and the friendships and experiences here are true and real. He definitely helped me put my mind back into a real life perspective, and therefore helping me respect the friendships I've formed here even more.

Posted by Bethany Perkins at 5:19 PM | Permalink

There's nothing easy about pushing yourself outside of the environment you're familiar with, leaving behind everyone you know for a semester. When you finally arrive at the strange new place you're going to be living, it's guarenteed that you're going to have moments when you regret being there, at least at the beginning, when you're getting settled in. Or you'll wish you had a few of your best friends around you, because that would make everything so much better. Or you'll second guess the reasons that you chose to study there, and you'll ask yourself what you were thinking.
The transition to DC was rougher than I had expected. I honestly hadn't thought much about the people from school and home that I would miss, and who I took for granted as always being available when I needed them. And then I got here - and the first few nights was rough. During the day I'd be fine, I met a lot of people and started exploring the city. At night, when I wasn't being distracted by everything going on around me, I actually had the time to realize how much my life had changed in the last few days.
The lesson I learned after the first week or so of my "cultural entry" in DC was this: Practically everything about this city is still strange to me, my routine is completely shaken up, it seems like there's nothing here that connects me to the people I care about -- so get over it. I'm going to be here this entire semester, besides the three weeks in Europe, so I need to just accept that everything's going to be different. I'll have new friends, new places to hang out, a completely different routine and lifestyle - different, but not worse. I need to not compare things or people with how they are at Allegheny or home, but just enjoy the changes in my life.

Posted by Rachel Jurkowski at 4:23 PM | Permalink

The transition into England was bumpy, but not rough. Going to an English speaking country did make it much easier to move in and adjust to. I learned to look for trouser hangers instead of pant hangers, toilets instead of restrooms, order chips instead of fries, etc. I learned the the correct way to pronounce the names of the surrounding streets, how to address my professors, etc. What I took for granted was the fact that there are many other ways to communicate other than through speech. My one big lesson, after this morning, is LEARN WHAT SYMBOLS IN YOUR COUNTRY ACTUALLY STAND FOR. In the U.S. if a picture (usually universally symbolizing an object or action) is surrounded by a circle with a dash it is understood to be forbidden. If the dash isn't there then no problem, carrying on. This, however, is not necessarily the case everywhere. For example, a no bike zone in England is simply marked by a sign with a bike surrounded by a red circle. Don't wait until you are pulled over by a policeman and fined 30 pounds (roughly $63) to take the time to double check on the meaning of street signs and other symbols!

Posted by Katherine Bensel at 11:38 AM | Permalink

In Spain, I have had many Spanairds tell me, ¨americanos vivir para trabajar y los españoles trabajar para vivir¨ or in English, we live to work and they work to live. The more that I am here, the more I believe it. No matter what occupation people have, they spend their money on diversions, mostly wine and good food. Many of the people I know in Spain don´t have great jobs, but they never worry about money as long as they have thier ¨copa¨ and their friends around them. For me, I think it is a good lesson to take away from the Spaniards, why spend so much time at a job that you don´t like if you could be with the people that you love. To me the difference in attitude between a street in Manhattan and a street in Sevilla is worlds apart, here if you walk quickly everyone looks at you like your crazy. At first, it was odd to me to walk so slowly, but now I have just gained the insight of Spaniard and grown to realize that where I am going this teeny tiny moment in my life is not all that important, and seriously just this change alone has aleviated so much stress from my life. Its true that Spaniards smoke and drink a lot, but it also true that they live longer, and that is something to think about.

Posted by Jessica Johnson at 11:30 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "One Big Lesson: Time to Relax" »

Posted by Margaret Hiestand at 11:02 AM | Permalink

I’ve been in Germany for about a month now, and looking back at various papers and journal entries that I’ve written over the past few weeks, I can see how much my German has improved. It is true, that I’ve expanded my vocabulary and learned a few new grammatical tricks, but it is more than these things alone that have improved my language skills. For me, the one big lesson that has ultimately led to my increased communication ability has been learning to not fear mistakes. Learning to push through my doubts and uncertainties has paid off big time, not only in speaking German, but also in trying new things and making myself a more independent person. Although I am legally an adult and I have all of the rights in the United States accordingly, it has been very refreshing for me to live in another country, where I can exercise more control over what I can do. Whether it’s hopping on my bike to explore a different part of the city or searching for a new grocery store to buy a different kind of Kölsch, I am able to accomplish more, both linguistically and otherwise due to a growing sense of confidence in my abilities. Living in Germany has been a catalyst for me to learn a little bit more about myself, who I am and what I value.

Posted by Brandon Goeller at 8:50 AM | Permalink

I have learned that even though I may not notice race much, other people do. It is no big deal for me to meet someone who is black (I am in Africa after all) but many people are surprised when a mzungu walks up to them. But because of my color many people are surprised to see me (and don’t hide it). In the US people are taught to not comment on race, it is a subject that is taboo to talk about. But here is Kenya there are people who assume just because I am white I am rich (due to the stigma left by British colonialization) and little kids will come up to me to touch me because I am a different color and they don’t know any better. This is usually not meant in a derogatory way (especially by the little kids) but more of a curiosity of why I am different. I think the most important thing is to not be bothered by not being able to blend in. In order to be comfortable in a culture you have to be comfortable with who you are first. I can’t change how I look, so I might as well be comfortable with the fact that it is impossible to blend it and I will be noticed wherever I go. But I realize that probably one of the main reasons I can do this is that in two and a half months when I go back home I will be able to blend in again, I will be back in a culture where I can be understood wherever I go, and I will not have to concentrate to understand broken English or ask people to speak slower so I can understand their Kiswahili. One example of this is our field trip to a pineapple plantation to observe how native people are being hurt by foreign plantations on stolen land. On the way back we stopped by 14 falls in Thika. There were people there who helped the group across the river before the waterfalls to the other side. Before they starting helping anyone our professor gave them money. Once they had helped our group to cross back over the river and we were safely on solid ground, they started asking for money, saying that they hadn’t been paid. We knew this was obviously not true, but some people paid them anyways. Simply because of the color of my skin people will try and take advantage of me and charge me more. The lesson is just to be careful and try to remember sina mtalii, nina mwanafunzi (I am not a tourist, I am a student) so as to not fall into any traps meant for tourists.

Posted by Caroline Lewis at 7:45 AM | Permalink

We are not as different as we all seem, you just have to look for the connections. We have this intercambio program at school that forms connections with Spaniards who want to learn English and us students who want to practice our Spanish. My friend’s intercambio was having a birthday party. It was really unusual to be in a room packed with thirty people all of whom spoke another language. I am used to being with my American friends and our host families. This was the first time in a month my environment had solely native speakers and no Americans. Everyone was really outgoing and friendly. As I sat being overwhelmed in this room, we had to start picking topics that we could all relate too. I discovered after all of the differences our cultures have, how was it possible that we could connect? To my surprise it was not that hard. My one big lesson I would like to share with people at home is that even though you may feel very alone and scared about entering another country where you do not know the language, relax and realize we are all human beings in this world together. I found out they were learning languages like English, German and Italian. And my Spanish friend Angela wants to learn English for her career in the same way I want to learn Spanish.
Cultural differences may frighten us because we are so vulnerable during this time. But do your best to ignore them, you are creating your own connections here. Adapt, find the positive in the Siesta, in the slow pace of life here, there is no rush, love the importance of family; and accept that professions do not define who you are as a person. Embrace the culture because it is so different. Often times I think we complain a lot, but we need to realize that through all the rain and the fog there is this amazing sunrise of a culture that we are getting to experience. My three friends and I proved to this room of Spaniards that we are not your stereotypical Americans and we found out we liked a lot of the same bands and we all wanted to know what the same words meant. Understand that you will have good days and bad but also know what connects us is stronger than our differences.

Posted by Alexandra Papa at 6:59 AM | Permalink

I never realized how international Washington D.C. was until I came here. I meet, see, and hear so many foreigners in this city that sometimes I forget I am still living in the United States. What I love about Washington is that everyone is so accepting of other cultures. In my home town, foreigners simply stand out. When you hear a family speaking another language at a grocery store it is common for people to stop and stare at them—as if they are aliens or something. I for one hate this behavior because my family is German and often speaks German in public. But here in Washington, people do not think twice about the number of international families and people living here. People always say that America is one big melting pot. Well, Washington is the flame of that melting pot and is thriving with culture. Since 9/11 there has been a lot of discrimination against Middle Eastern ethnicities. Recently, I went to the Washington Islam Center, the largest mosque in Washington, to interview and Islamic scholar for an article I was writing. I will admit I was nervous at first because I did not know what to expect and was uncertain about common protocol. How much of my body was suppose to be covered? Was I supposed to take my shoes off when I entered the mosque? Despite my initial uncertainties, I ended up having a great interview with a man named Dallo, an Islamic scholar from Senegal, Africa. He talked a lot about how Islam is really a peaceful religion. It is the people, he says, that have abused their religion for political purposes. Although Islamic extremists have given the entire Islamic population a bad name, the average Muslim does not want to kill you. The Muslim population living in Washington simply wants to live a normal life, just like everyone else, and be accepted for who they are. To be respected in any country or city you have to adapt to that specific culture. Well in Washington, a city with a large ethnic and foreign population, you have to be willing to overcome your stereotypes and be open to other cultures, or you simply will not be able to enjoy yourself. For example, Washington has some great ethnic restaurants! The other day I ate at an Ethiopian restaurant and while I cannot say I loved it, I can say that it is an experience and taste I will never forget. So just be open to trying new things—it will make you better-rounded and more cultured!

Posted by Elizabeth Andrews at 10:20 PM | Permalink

One big lesson for me was something that I never thought would be a problem. This lesson is specifically applicable to those studying in a country where the primary language is not English. My lesson is be ready for misunderstandings, and be ready to be laugh about them. I've been here a month, and at times I feel like I've made every mistake in the book with my host family. The misunderstandings between us have been great. So far I have violated dinner rules, greetings, and I'm sure countless language/culture rules. Along with this I was unsure about asking my host family if I had done something wrong or if they understood exactly what I was trying to say. Also with a foreign language this can be a very difficult task. I guess I thought that good intent and smiles would get me by. Within the first two weeks my family and I most likely had very distorted views of each other.
With time though I realized what I had to do. Number 1 I had to stop taking myself seriously. Number two I had to admit that at many times I didn't know what to do, or how to act, and finally number 3, it's okay to ask. I guess that my advise is to not take things for granted. That the culture WILL be very different, and at times you WILL fall flat on your face. But all you can do is laugh and try again. The misunderstandings will end up being funny, and in my case now, you will have a better relationship with your family or friends.

Posted by Thomas Rodgers at 5:26 PM | Permalink

Something I have noticed more and more since studying abroad is how complaining could be America's national sport. Everyday at lunch I would find myself surrounded by Americans complaining about one thing or another. No matter what the food was, no matter how it was prepared, no matter what the quantity, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that they had to complain about something, so they complained about the food day in and day out. I can only imagine it is like this everywhere. Something I find rather ironic, is how France is supposed to be the gourmet capital of the world, right? Then why are these people constantly complaining about the food? I eat the food, and I have no problem with it. Occasionally there would be something not particularly appetizing, but I ate it anyways. What I do not understand is how students can make the decision to study abroad and then devote the time, energy, and money to get a passport, a visa, a plane ticket, then say goodbye to their country and loved ones, get on a plane, and finally reach foreign soil, if all they intended on doing was to complain.
Of all the people I have met so far at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest, I would have to say that I am most impressed with all the international students. They are very down to earth, polite, interesting, and I have never heard any of them complain about anything (especially the food!) My advice to anyone considering study abroad is to really make a genuine effort to adapt to their new environment, and to try new things as much as possible. Don’t be scared to taste new dishes, hear new sounds, or sniff new smells. The only way to truly experience a new country is to dive right in and not let anything hold you back (except of course if there is a safety issue). Give your new country a chance, and see what it has to offer.

Posted by Carolyn Kuzell at 10:57 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "One Big Lesson" »

Posted by Tiffany Truong at 2:06 AM | Permalink

The main difference between Duke Marine Lab and Allegheny, is that almost all of my classes focus more on making learning interesting instead of deadlines. At Allegheny I would study hours on end, saving relaxing time for the weekend. My life revolved around tests and assignments. Here, while the work can be rigorous, it is much more laid back. Yes I do go out in the field a lo,. sometimes until 12:30 in the morning but it's fun. It's fun to see what you're learning in the classroom applied to real life.
I have learned how to relax, how to learn the material and not memorize it. This is mostly because the work load isn't as heavy as Allegheny, but I think that a lot of the techniques I am learning here can be applied to use in Allegheny.
Even though DUML is in the United States and I am not abroad, it is a completely different atmosphere down here. Life is slowed down and time is taken to converse with other people. Even the staff down here takes the time to talk to you and hear about your day etc. I think the main lesson I will take back to PA with me, is to slow down a little, not stress too much about my grades, and enjoy learning. We will see how long that holds up when the assignments start to pile up! But I am sure I will find some time to relax.

Posted by Katherine Kump at 12:28 PM | Permalink

One lesson that I would like to share with everyone at home would be the issue of minorities. While this may not apply to those of you that are minorities in the States, it comes as a shock to me. I am a middle class white male American who never had to worry about people looking at me funny, or questioning my motives and or background based on the color of my skin. In coming here I knew that I would be a minority and was somewhat ready for this, or so I thought. I figured that I would be like an African American in the States, and there would be enough muzungus (white people) to relate to. I was completely wrong. In some of the touristy areas, they are used to white tourists, but I am not there often. In my host family’s neighborhood I am the only white kid, and this brings with it stares and comments every day as I walk to and from school, the store, or wherever else. My background at home never allowed me to experience the kind of paranoia or un-easiness that comes with being a minority. This feeling comes and goes and certain looks from locals can really rattle you. In a city like Nairobi that is extremely high in crime and violence, I find myself constantly watching who I talk to and where I go. This brings with it a feeling of obsession about who is following or looking at you. Up to this point, this is one thing that I wish to send home, being a minority is not easy, whether I like it or not my skin tone carries a connotation of money. Everyone thinks that because I am white I have money to give to them, and it also makes for an uncomfortable experience at points. One great example of this is when I was returning from white water rafting the Nile River in Uganda, I was crossing the Kenyan border and waiting for the bust to go through security. As I stood on the Kenyan side, street kids, older men, and vendors continually harassed me and called me “muzungu.” As many times as I tried to tell them in my broken Kiswahili, “mimi ni mwanafunzi,” I am a student, not a rich whiter person, they continued to ask for money and donations. I am trying to cope with this extreme difference, and the uncomfortable feeling that it carries is not necessarily a negative one because I am learning so much about myself and others from it, but it’s a challenge. Another example is on the way to Uganda, we stopped at a rest stop to use the bathroom, and I was off of the bus for about 3 to 5 minutes, and when I came back my camera had been stolen. At first you react with anger, but then you realize that when 10 white kids get off of a bus, a poor black guy sees this as an opportunity to improve his own situation. It is sad because no one here can help that guy, so this is what he resorts to. The sense of hopelessness within this country and third world nations like it personified through a feeling of paranoia that accompanies being a minority. I used to laugh at my friends at home who are black when they would say it is different for them because of skin color, now I get it.

Posted by Michael Rooney at 10:41 AM | Permalink

Bread. Bread, bread, and more bread. That’s what I eat here—white bread, nonetheless. The French love of baguettes is not an exaggeration. However, I’ve also tried many different meals—I’ve had black pasta from Italy made from squid ink (hence the black color). I’ve eaten from a fish plopped on the table, complete with skin and bones, eyes staring and mouth flopping open; I’ve tried pears from Anjou, grapes from Nantes, and even olives and mushrooms, two things I already know I detest. But I tried them, and that’s what counts. As much as I miss peanut butter and my Coldstone ice cream, I realize that this is not America. This is France. It’s a completely different country, on a completely different continent, with a completely different language and a completely different culture. I’ve found that my number one pet peeve is not about the French—it’s about other students in our program refusing to leave American food behind. They complain every day about what we eat/don’t get to eat, and insist on smothering everything in ketchup and salt. The people at my table don’t try anything we’re served until I try it first, waiting to see if it tastes okay. When you vacation to another land and refuse to eat the cuisine, you’re missing out on a large part of that culture and way of life. What’s the point in going to France if you want to eat McDonalds the entire time? You might as well just stay in the States and speak French to your dog.
Not only does complaining about the cuisine harm your experience, it harms how others (read: natives) view you. It’s rude to go to someone’s home and turn up your nose at what they offer you, thinking that because it’s not familiar, it’s not good enough. Same line of reasoning goes for traveling in another country. These people are being hospitable and trying their best to make this our new, albeit temporary, home. To refuse food or insist on changing it to eat it “your way” is doing nothing to help the conception of Americans as arrogant and rude. Quite frankly, it’s beginning to make ME detest Americans!
Bottom line: try new things. Don’t take America on vacation with you. Experience other cultures fully, and don’t be afraid. There’s a time to jump in with both feet and vacationing to another country is one of them.

Posted by Susannah Bender at 10:35 AM | Permalink

I was warned before I came to Australia that Americans have a special nickname: "Seppos." It's an abbreviation for septic tank, because when Americans open their mouths, nothing but septic matter spews out. Needless to say, I was a bit daunted to realize I would be entering a country with this preconceived attitude of Americans.
Now that I've been in Australia for over two months, I understand how we got this image. I've watched a lot of American students come to Australia, drink every other night, and cling to their fellow exchange students as if they are afraid to venture outside of their group. I confess, I have cringed more than once when I got on a bus and realized other American students were on board. A lesson I would like to pass on to future travelers is this: don't be a seppo. Don't visit a country and only talk of how things are different at home. Don't drink and make a fool of yourself because others do take note. I've been ashamed of the behavior I've witnessed in many Americans in Australia. Be brave - go out, meet people, and try to see and be seen as more than a stereotypical seppo.

Posted by Erin Horning at 10:44 PM | Permalink

As I was on a tour bus heading to see the beautiful Blue Mountains in Sydney, my big lesson appeared. As with any day tour group, the day begins by making stops at different pick-up points throughout the city. The last point we stopped at to pick up our last passenger was the Casino Hotel. We waited for about fifteen minutes when the disheveled woman finally appeared. She was ranting and raving for another ten minutes to our tour guide outside of the bus, while all of us were waiting on the bus now for about twenty-five minutes. When she finally got on the bus, I recognized her strong Long Island accent immediately, and so did the other passengers, instantly labeling her as an American. The woman proceeded for another ten minutes once on the bus to complain to the other passengers about her travel agent, tour buses not being on time, her schedule being messed up, not getting to see what she wanted to see, etc. And this is when it hit me: Americans are crazy. Our lives are so busy and caught up with schedules and meetings and being on time. We put ourselves first before others, and can turn what was supposed to be a relaxing day trip to the mountains, into a stressful personal problem. Living in Australia now for over two months, I have learned that the American mentality of work and stress is not how most people live. Australians are so relaxed and enjoy life at every minute. If they don’t want to do work, they don’t do it. If they have a footy game that they think will be more fun, they go to it instead. The stores are not open on Sunday and close every night by 5pm. People actually enjoy life. It was a huge lesson for me to see that life is not going to end if I don’t meet a deadline or get a perfect grade. When the woman on the bus finally stopped complaining, the Australian elder sitting next to her looked over and put her hand on the woman’s knee. She told her that we all go through hard times but she needed to sit back, relax, shut up and enjoy the day. The lesson is that we only have so much time to do the things we really love, and all that matters in the end is if we end up happy.

Posted by Theresa Clem at 9:58 PM | Permalink

I think that entering a foreign culture for the first time, and not as just a short-term visitor, is one of the most personally challenging experiences. The first few days I was here everything was completely overwhelming and exhausting. Even though I have been studying German since high school the language sounded completely foreign, I was afraid to make mistakes and didn’t talk very much, and everything surrounding me was so unknown. It took me several days to relax and really begin to enjoy the experience. I think the biggest lesson I have learned is to be open to new experiences. Living and traveling in a foreign country will never be as comfortable as home and things won’t always go perfectly. Every mistake I make when speaking and every time I get lost is a learning experience. This is something I still have to remind myself as I try to fully enjoy Germany and make the most of my time here. Studying abroad is something that many people never have the opportunity to do and it is certainly a once in a lifetime experience. That is why I think really trying to be open to the whole adventure is so important, because I know it is something I will never get to do again. Don’t stress about little things (at least try not to), don’t dwell on the bad stuff, look around and remember how lucky you are to have this chance!

Posted by Lauren W at 5:18 PM | Permalink

I think that before coming to France I knew that this experience would be really hard at first, and I thought that I had acturately predicted the difficultness of this transition. But I found that after the first 24 hours I was sorely mistaken, this was going to be much harder that I had ever imagined. I never imagined how hard it would be to try to understand directions from a frenchman on the street, or even try to explain to my host family what sledding is. I knew before this experience that the french in general arent huge fans of americans, but I never realized how some of them would be blatently rude to me. And while I have met many frenchmen that are very nice, it was still shocking to have people do that to me. Most french kids our age that I've met ask the same questions like, where are you from? do you like france? do you like Bush? did you vote for him? Its also hard to get used to people staring at you. In our culture that is considered rude, but apparently not here! Even if you don't speak english on the streets, somehow they know that you are american and will stare at you. It has been one of the most awkward cultural experiences to understand and accept. And the french 'bisous'!! The bisous is the french cheek kiss that they do to each other instead of hugging or shaking hands. It has been quite interesting trying to understand when it is acceptable to shake hands or when its acceptable to do the bisous!
I think that the biggest lesson I have learned so far is to try to just accept things in other cultures that are very different from your own culture. And just because its different doesnt necessarily means its bad either. As difficult as it may seem, I have learned to try to go along with the cultural differences and accept them instead of fighting them, even though they are most of the time very very odd to me. I think that the first big cultural shock that made me realize how different things would be here was when my host mom came to get me. She picked me up and I shakily said hello in french and tried to give her the bisous, but did not know how many bisous you normally give. Therefore I proceeded to give her three, when in Angers, one gives two bisous, not three....so I got a rather peculiar look from her. Then when we got home her 20 year old son, Adrien, said hello to me and gave me the bisous when I tried to shake his hand. This was very odd for me because in the US normally the first time you meet someone of your age, especially a guy, you do not kiss their cheeks, or ever get that close to them. I was very frustrated because this bisous was getting me very mixed up! I think that the french bisous was the first thing here that made me realize that I am going to have to take each cultural difference with a grain of salt and just go with the flow, because I know that Im not going to be able to change any of them.

Posted by Erin Geiser at 2:33 PM | Permalink

The biggest lesson I have learned here is not to be afraid of speaking. It really doesn't matter what you say, just as long as you say something. It almost seems as if they are waiting for a response from you, and it doesn't matter to them what your opinion is as long as you have an opinion and you can voice your opinion and back it up with factual evidence. This occurs most often with German in their discussions of politics. They have no qualms about asking you about your political affiliation and moral beliefs. Germans look for a good strong argument.

Arguments (or more accurately debates) occur most often at the dinner table. I was over at my German friend Tina's house one night when her dad started asking me all about the Iraq War and where I stood. We spent the next 3 hours talking about the way the US government is run and how it differs from that of the German government. It was a highly education conversation and I look forward to dining with her family once again.

My advice is that if you ever travel to Germany, know where you stand politically and be able to defend it.

Posted by Meghan Fatzinger at 1:18 PM | Permalink

Entering into a new and different culture can be difficult, although some are harder than others. I didn't think coming to England would bring much of a culture shock, and perhaps it wasn't as much as a shock for me as it was an awareness. Before coming here, I was told the British love Americans, and that I would have a very easy time fitting in and making friends. While becoming adjusted may not have been as hard as say, entering into Africa or France, it has been a little hard finding my place in this culture. There have been times when I have been in a store, restaurant, or bar and upon hearing my American accent the clerk, waitress, or bartender has gone from a cheerful smile asking "how may I help you?" to a blatant "what do you want?" While traveling on my break and meeting many new people in hostels I came to find that a lot of Europeans are not fond of Americans... I mean, this isn't news to me but even little comments here and there and generalizations about Americans made me realize the degree to which a lot of people do not agree with us or like us.
This definitely hindered me a bit at first, as I became apprehensive to talk or go up to people because I was afraid of their reaction to my American accent. The longer I've been here though, the more I have realized that I can't be held back or afraid, and that I was being a hippocrite in generalizing that anyone I would talk to would hate me because I was American.
True, not everyone will like you, but that goes for everyone everywhere. I think that the an important lesson is to remember that there will always be people who sterotype and make generalizations. But the most important thing to remember is that no matter where someone lives or what culture they are a part of, we are all humans and we were all put on this earth with no control over where we come from or what our background is. The only thing we control is how we react to situations and other people, and I think being aware of that is as essential skill in entering a new culture, and even just living in our own.

Posted by Ashton Kohler at 7:01 AM | Permalink

Image source: www.arthurdurkee.net/roadjournalarch13.html

One Big Lesson

If there is one big lesson that you would like to share with folks at home about cultural entry, what would that be? Use a personal example to make the point.

Pictures of your own are welcome, as always. Please size them down before you upload them. Pictures should be uploaded before you post your text.

DUE DATE: OCT. 04, 2007

Posted by Ishita Sinha Roy at 12:00 PM | Permalink