On page 75 of the textbook the author claims that "when we visit other countries for the first time, however, we notice details of the environment and behavior because they are not familiar or customary. We are strangers and suddenly aware of differences and similarities."
I directly relate this passage to my own life. Before moving to America, I visited it twice. I got to know the most famous tourist places in California, and I went back home assured that my life would completely change, given that everything was unfamiliar to me.
All of a sudden I realized that I would not be single anymore, and I would not be physically close to my family & relatives. In addition to that, I would need to get used to a new language, culture, food, friends, job, and so forth. Gee, my whole life would change! I finally moved to the U.S., and I do not have regrets. I would do all over again if necessary. It is amazing how much I grew with so many changes.
Moving to a foreign country is very exciting, but people always have lots of unanswered questions in their minds prior, during, and after the fact, due to everything they gain and lose along the process. At some point new circumstances create awareness and confirmation that human beings always take things for granted. "We suddenly see what we took for granted in a new light."
Garota de Ipanema
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2 comments:
Moving to a new country takes real commitment to learn and adapt to new norms and ways of doing things. Even when cultures are fairly similar, there are enough differences that can cause confusion. As you point out, though, we learn about our own culture when we're immersed in another one. When I was in southern Italy, I realized just how fast-paced life is in the U.S., especially in more urban environments. For example, at first I thought taking a nap in the afternoon was silly, but then I grew to look forward to it.
The experience you describe is the reason why traveling is such a great thing. Apart of discovering new places, it allows people to grow and learn about other way of living. I also agree with the statement from the professor "we learn about our own culture when we are immersed in another one". Physically distancing myself from my culture allowed me to look at it from a difference perspective. I could see the great things I like about it but also the not so great. It is like looking a huge painting from 2 inches away versus from 10 feet away. Once you see the whole picture you can go back to details and appreciate more each one of them.
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