This past week I attended my first peer adviser meeting for the 2009-2010 school year. My peer adviser group works with the Study Abroad office to help students who are interested in studying abroad. (I did a Maymester abroad in the summer of '08 in Ghana.)
During our meeting, and in other sessions hosted by the study abroad advisers, we discussed "The Ugly American" moments and how to help other students prevent them. To explain, Americans, essentially, have a bad reputation abroad- we are loud, arrogant, unintelligent, spoiled, and obnoxious. Behaving in any such manner that reflects these stereotypes makes you, "The Ugly American."
Thus, we talked about how important it is to be truthful with other students about studying abroad, without scaring them away. For example, not every place in Ghana we went had a modern toilet. However, that did not mean that I was living in the bush, or that Ghanaians are uncivilized, only that I packed a travel roll of Charmin and did not drink much on long travel days.
Now, the fact that many Americans may be turning up their nose at this very moment probably means that they would have been "The Ugly American-" loudly exclaiming how grossed out they are, or demanding someone find them a real toilet. When the truth of the matter is that most people have had to relieve themselves without a pristine white toilet at some point or another, for whatever reason, (Ahem, drunk football fans).
I have to say, however, that students studying abroad tend to be looked at with a little less disdain. Yes, we are in the pursuit of knowledge, but we are also supposedly rich and gullible. For example, "The Ugly American" on my trip paid $50 for a $15 wood carving.
Really the bottom line is, have patience and do not be quick to judge. At least that is what I tell people about studying abroad. I honestly feel that that is the only way to experience a different culture and get all of the good out of it.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
GA vs. NY Part II
The largest part of any culture, I believe, is the language. The way people communicate with one another is key to understanding what their life is like.
In Georgia people communicate, but in an artificially polite kind of way. Growing up in the South you are taught "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all," as a matter of respect. Thus, you learn how to read between the lines, read facial expressions, and every other mode of silence that lets you know what the other person is really thinking.
In addition to politeness, most people in Georgia speak English. I have a few notions why:
1) Millions of foreigners are not looking at their map and saying Atlanta, GA is paved with gold. Or, I want to start my life over in Macon, GA.
2) Oftentimes non-English speakers do not exactly receive the 'Southern hospitality' they deserve.
On the other hand, when I was in New York City, I could not walk down the street without hearing at least two other foreign languages, and seldom did I even recognize what they were. New York is truly a melting pot, and that is the norm. There are immigrants, tourists, students, and business people from all over the world going about their daily lives. Thus, when New Yorkers communicate they speak their mind. New Yorkers are too busy, and a miscommunication could be too costly for them to get along any other way.
I understood. I thought it was refreshing. Personally, I haven't ever been the type to pretend that I like everyone. It is not possible, so why fake it? Of course I mind my manners, but down here, it's what people don't say that will kill you.
In Georgia people communicate, but in an artificially polite kind of way. Growing up in the South you are taught "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all," as a matter of respect. Thus, you learn how to read between the lines, read facial expressions, and every other mode of silence that lets you know what the other person is really thinking.
In addition to politeness, most people in Georgia speak English. I have a few notions why:
1) Millions of foreigners are not looking at their map and saying Atlanta, GA is paved with gold. Or, I want to start my life over in Macon, GA.
2) Oftentimes non-English speakers do not exactly receive the 'Southern hospitality' they deserve.
On the other hand, when I was in New York City, I could not walk down the street without hearing at least two other foreign languages, and seldom did I even recognize what they were. New York is truly a melting pot, and that is the norm. There are immigrants, tourists, students, and business people from all over the world going about their daily lives. Thus, when New Yorkers communicate they speak their mind. New Yorkers are too busy, and a miscommunication could be too costly for them to get along any other way.
I understood. I thought it was refreshing. Personally, I haven't ever been the type to pretend that I like everyone. It is not possible, so why fake it? Of course I mind my manners, but down here, it's what people don't say that will kill you.
Friday, August 21, 2009
GA vs. NY
This past summer I traveled outside of the Southeast, solo, for the first time in my life. My destination- New York City. As a native Southerner, I have heard the classic tales of rude New Yorkers and confusing subways. On the other side, I have been told about the people who have gone 'up North' and never looked back.
The ways of life are certainly different. Yes, there is a faster pace. No, New Yorkers are not smiling 'how do.' Yes, people will tell you how it is. However, none of these facts can be taken for face value. The truth is that every country, every region, and every community operates in a way that will protect and ensure the survival of the people in that area.
One of the definitions for culture as listed by Merriam-Webster is:
"the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time..."
Thus, when I am introduced to new things I simply "judge not, lest ye be judged," (which of course, does not mean that you are not entitled to a preference), just that the general statement of the "mean New Yorker," for example, is not entirely valid.
Imagine: You are riding the subway, and after several delays, (making you already late to work), the MTA conductor comes over the loud speaker and says that the train is going out of service and you have to catch another line, (completely out of your way to work). Would you honestly be inclined to help the next stranger you see who looks lost or is struggling with their bag? I also dare say that you would not even notice said person in your desperate attempt to get to work. Such is life in New York.
Imagine: You smile and say hello to a seemingly normal person on the street, and they proceed to expose themselves to you. (Granted this was not my personal experience, but there was a man who kept exposing himself on the subway while I was in New York this summer.) After such an encounter, or hearing about such an encounter, I am sure you would think twice before talking to strangers ever again.
In conclusion, I learned a lot while living in New York City. I began to fit in, as I would emerge out of the hot, muggy ground a tad bit grumpy. I understood the way of life.
Just the same, I appreciated the smiling faces that welcomed me when I returned. I missed the beautiful weather and landscape that is not consumed with people, trash, and everything else.
Neither culture is particularly better than the other, they are just different.
The ways of life are certainly different. Yes, there is a faster pace. No, New Yorkers are not smiling 'how do.' Yes, people will tell you how it is. However, none of these facts can be taken for face value. The truth is that every country, every region, and every community operates in a way that will protect and ensure the survival of the people in that area.
One of the definitions for culture as listed by Merriam-Webster is:
"the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time..."
Thus, when I am introduced to new things I simply "judge not, lest ye be judged," (which of course, does not mean that you are not entitled to a preference), just that the general statement of the "mean New Yorker," for example, is not entirely valid.
Imagine: You are riding the subway, and after several delays, (making you already late to work), the MTA conductor comes over the loud speaker and says that the train is going out of service and you have to catch another line, (completely out of your way to work). Would you honestly be inclined to help the next stranger you see who looks lost or is struggling with their bag? I also dare say that you would not even notice said person in your desperate attempt to get to work. Such is life in New York.
Imagine: You smile and say hello to a seemingly normal person on the street, and they proceed to expose themselves to you. (Granted this was not my personal experience, but there was a man who kept exposing himself on the subway while I was in New York this summer.) After such an encounter, or hearing about such an encounter, I am sure you would think twice before talking to strangers ever again.
In conclusion, I learned a lot while living in New York City. I began to fit in, as I would emerge out of the hot, muggy ground a tad bit grumpy. I understood the way of life.
Just the same, I appreciated the smiling faces that welcomed me when I returned. I missed the beautiful weather and landscape that is not consumed with people, trash, and everything else.
Neither culture is particularly better than the other, they are just different.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Welcome
As a Sociology and Telecommunication Arts double major at the University of Georgia, I am very interested in different cultures. I would like to travel the United States and the world. I believe that every group of people has something to offer, and that it is a great wonder- all the beliefs and different ways of life that make up humanity. Join me in my exploration of different communities, cities, and cultures. For the documentation of today's ways of life ensures future survival.
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