I’ve gained new cultural perspectives from my international experiences.

 

During the study abroad trip, I learned more about the differences between daily life in Central Europe and the United States. All the countries we visited had more widespread, functional public transportation systems compared to the U.S. We were able to get from place to place easily using trains, buses, trams, or by walking. I also felt that more emphasis was placed on maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of streets and buildings in Europe. Many of the buildings we saw were much older (and had more ornate architecture) than most buildings in the U.S., but were still in very good condition. I noticed more wildflowers in the grass surrounding roads in Europe than in the U.S. I appreciated seeing the wildflowers in these areas because allowing for natural plant growth promotes biodiversity and helps maintain native insect populations. Regarding health, I noticed more people walking and riding bicycles, but I also noticed a lot more people smoking. I think it’s interesting that although the American culture places less emphasis on food quality and exercise, smoking is a highly discouraged activity. The cuisines in these countries included more fermented foods and vegetables, and Switzerland had a lot of dairy products. The clothing I saw people wearing seemed classier and more modest than in the U.S., where athleisure is common. Religion was more prevalent too, with many churches visible around the cities. Supermarkets, stores, and restaurants often closed around 8 p.m. This was an interesting contrast to the U.S., where we have a lot of 24-hour fast-food chains and where supermarkets and businesses open late. Price differences between the countries were also of note: Hungary was much more affordable than Switzerland. There were noticeable differences in the drinking culture of these countries, where the drinking age was often 16, compared to the United States’ 21. Many people were drinking beer for breakfast on my plane ride from Germany to Hungary!

 

Walking through historic areas during the trip made me think about who must’ve passed through the same place hundreds of years before, what they were doing and saying, and what events must’ve taken place. These moments allowed me to reflect on how the world has changed over time leading up to the present.

 

Through the Conversation Partners Program and Campus Life Events, I’ve learned more about different cultures from around the world. I’ve gained new insights into how education systems differ in South Korea and Colombia. I’ve also been able to try typical dishes from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. I believe that my exposure to different lifestyles and customs has made me a more well-rounded person and more capable of understanding people from different backgrounds.