In completing this wonderful month abroad, I reflect on the knowledge that I have gained from these experiences. It has been apparent to me that the most meaningful knowledge has been learning how to interact with the people from these different cultures. It is fun and also intimidating at times. It has made me more conscience of how people from other cultures may interpret what we say and how we interpret what they say or do. Interacting with foreigners has been one of the best exercises for me. I feel it has helped in the process of really thinking before you speak. It is especially prominent that you do that in other countries, for what you say in America may not be very kosher in another place. In addition, the overall care you have for other cultures is essential. I do not believe I was ever disrespectful; however, I have been much more careful to be respectful while over here. It never hurts to be respectful, after all.
Knowing how to speak more delicately with others may have helped when meeting my friends from Italy. My friend's family was in town for a week before they headed back to Italy, when they invited me over to have a real "authentic" Italian dinner. The whole time I was so nervous. I felt so out of place and did not know how to properly respond to them when I did not understand what they were saying. Only my friend knew how to speak fluently in English; the rest of the family was kind of reliant on her to translate most of what I said, for they only knew broken English. It seemed like I was being rude when I just stared at them as they asked me a question, but I was unsure of anything else to do.
After having gone to these non-English speaking countries, I was once again flashed back to that great Italian dinner. I have realized, upon speaking with some Czechoslovakians, that you can communicate to people without fully knowing their language. We had a good conversation, a lot of smiling and pointing, but we made it through. I was forced to work on it because I did not have anyone to help me translate. If I were to go back to that dinner, I would probably try to pick up what they were saying without sitting in quietness. I do know some Spanish; which, when listening to my Italian friend is very similar to their language. So, if I had really tried, I may have been able to pick up on what they were saying to me. Of course, not fully. It would have been a much better experience, I am sure of that.
My new found care of other cultures will help me very much in the future. Now, everything I read, write, or do will most likely try be from a worldview rather than an American view. It seems to me that understanding other cultures will be important in the workforce. Especially if a company you work for is international. You never know who might be at your conference dinner or who your next boss might be. It is important to have an understanding of different cultures so that you can interact and collaborate with them in harmony. Cultures work best together if they understand the customs, ideals, and practices of each other. From learning to understand cultural differences, I have now been less quick to call judgments on people. Since America is considered the "melting pot", I believe this conclusion will help me a lot back in the States. There are so many different cultures around us and we have to be aware of them before we exclude those who seem different to us.
In the end, this overall experience has been so enlightening. I am so thankful for this trip and all that it has shown to me. It has given me knowledge that I can look back upon and, also, knowledge to share with others. Those who may not have the chance to come over here any experience the wonderfulness that is Europe. I will be able to continue my understanding of cultures by spreading the cultural awareness to those around me.
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