Greetings from London! This semester I am studying abroad across the pond, and even though I have only been here for a little over a month, I have learned more than I ever could being in the United States. As much as I am learning about the different cultures from the different countries I have traveled to, I am also learning about different cultures within areas of the United States from my new friends at school! I am even more grateful than I was before about my diverse upbringing and attending a university in such a big city. It has helped me prepare in more ways than I could ever imagine, and it’s a great conversation starter when Europeans ask the most common question, “Where are you from?”
Last week, I stopped at a French cafe on my way to class to grab my favorite breakfast food: a pain au chocolat (a chocolate croissant). When ordering, I referred to the treat with its American name. The French lady then made me pronounce it as the correct term, which took me at least 5 tries (I wish I was joking). We both laughed as she handed me my food, and I went about my day. I realized after that moment how uncomfortable I was with trying to pronounce something so foreign to me, and then sparked the idea of this article. Traveling is so important because it puts us outside of our comfort zone. Being in America, we are so used to putting in minimal effort to get what we want, but Europeans expect (as they should) for us to learn and respect their culture, as they do for us. The idea of being uncomfortable while traveling sounds torturous, but that is part of the experience! If you aren’t constantly learning and applying yourself to different cultures then what is the point of traveling? Cool Instagram photos are a great outcome, but walking in to a local shop in a new country and chatting with the owner while you’re buying something is a much more rewarding experience (plus you now have a cool story to tell your friends and family when you return home!) You might completely butcher the name of something (like I did), but they will be much more appreciative of you trying!
So, next time you’re traveling somewhere outside of your hometown, do some research before-hand, and maybe learn a few new words to impress the locals. Americans already have a standoffish stereotype, so putting in that extra effort will only make your experience traveling more enjoyable!
