I would like to tell you that studying abroad is always an incredible and uplifting experience...and for the most part, that's absolutely true. However, one of the unavoidable side effects of traveling is comparing your own country to the one that you are in. Of course, making these comparisons isn't always a bad thing because it can make you more grateful for the freedoms and opportunities you're afforded in the United States, as that's where most of us studying here call home. Sometimes, though, visiting another country can make you doubt the practices and standards of your own. Now more than ever, travelers from the United States are met with an automatic disdain or at the very least, a detectable uneasiness because we now represent Trump's America...which is not commonly thought of as particularly welcoming or safe for many of those who reside in the countries we so love to explore. After voters declared Trump the 45th president of the United States in November 2016, many countries were in a collective shock. Even now, only 22 percent of 37 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center in 2017 expressed confidence in President Trump to do the right thing regarding international affairs. Mexico, in particular, has been a prominent and reoccurring topic discussed during President Trump's campaign, and the people of Mexico know it. During my time there, I made many lifetime friends who I begged to come and visit me once I left Merida and was disheartened to learn just how fearful they were of our president and our country in general. To be clear, I am not here to tell anyone who to vote for or how to think, but I am here to share some advice on how to handle the political differences and preconceptions you will face while studying abroad. It Starts With Language: Political intelligence is a valuable skill that becomes a necessity when living in another country and it starts with the language. Language is universal, but can also be exceedingly different depending on your geographic location. So, when you visit another country in which the chief language is not your own, don't assume you'll be able to find anyone that speaks it. You should prepare accordingly prior to your trip by studying commonly used phrases or at the very least equipping yourself with an English-Spanish dictionary. It's okay if you stumble on some words and it's understandable if you need a native speaker to slow down...but you must always try. Another important rule of thumb is avoiding the use of curse words in your new language...especially when talking about politics or other sensitive subjects. No matter how close you become with your host family, locals you've met or even with your own group of exchange students, these words should not be used. Unless you've been invited to speak on a political or controversial topic and are in a safe circle of friends, you've automatically forfeited your right to curse or speak crudely about politics or political figures by thrusting yourself into someone else's culture. That's not to say you cannot express your opinion, but rather being "politically correct" is no longer optional. Online Restraint: In today's world where a majority of political conversations occur online, it's important to remember that what's posted online carries a significant amount of weight. That weight increases when traveling in a different country where legislation regarding net neutrality and technological freedom is not akin to that of the US. Recently, The Department of Homeland Security reported that they will soon be collecting social media data from all immigrants entering the United States, so it's safe to assume your social media activity is being closely monitored in countries outside of the US. Practice discretion online as you would in person because seemingly innocent online activity can mean an entirely different thing in your host country and in some of those countries, they can jail you for it. Overcompensating: When you travel to a country like Mexico where many inhabitants have already determined your social status and political mindset, it's important to remember that you must allow your true ideals to become evident primarily through your actions. This sometimes means overcompensating. Be overly kind and overly courteous, and never assume that you are better off than someone just because they may not have the same luxuries that you do in the US. Be careful to not flash your wealth (an American dollar is worth about twenty of theirs) and tip well, but don't be ostentatious. During your time abroad, you may feel inspired to volunteer, donate or even purchase a special gift for a new friend you've made in your host country. While all of these are wonderful notions, they must be executed with finesse and tact. I was moved by the humble spirit of a local I met in Mexico and my classmates and I purchased him a brand new bicycle because it was one of his greatest desires. However, I made sure that it was something he would be comfortable accepting prior to my purchase. My classmates and I also volunteered during our time abroad in a section of a hospital in Mexico that housed relatives of the sick and injured with extended hospital stays. Ultimately, there were students that got more out of that experience because they made a conscious effort to relate to those they were serving. Never behave as if your presence is a privilege to those you are trying to help. Once these actions become habits, they don't feel like overcompensating...they feel like fulfillment. The Takeaway: Although I would hope the inkling to be sensitive to the political views and ideals of others would be ingrained into the minds of most Americans, that's simply not the reality. There's a reason that 54 percent of 16 countries also surveyed by the Pew Research Center in 2016 associated Americans with arrogance above all other traits. So, the takeaway is this-we need to do better, and we as a new generation have the power to influence that change. It's important to remember that we each represent our country whilst abroad and can alter false perceptions through our actions and words. Although changing the general mindset of an entire country is a dauntingly large task, changing the mind of an individual is sometimes as simple as making a new friend abroad.
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About the AuthorMoriah is an Arizona State University student with an innate passion for learning and travel. Archives
October 2017
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