Across the World and Back
A trip around the world changes the view of home
Sixteen: sixteen people, sixteen pictures, sixteen awkward smiles and almost unintelligible “thank you”’s. Sixteen: the number of times the tourist became the tourist attraction. As I smiled into the camera of another stranger begging to take a picture with me, I reflected on my slightly bizarre situation. To these citizens, it may have been their only chance to ever see a westerner in their entire lives. I was rare, an oddity, and unmistakably out of place. I was conspicuous, a novelty, and easily caught their curious eyes. I was strange, peculiar, and obviously foreign. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed alien had entered their midst, and whispers of “piào liang” or “beautiful” followed my every move. They stared, and I smiled, never before feeling so foreign and so famous.
Traveling across the world and back, I discovered the vast land of China and the fragments of Chinese culture. As I explored this remarkably different society, my view of America drastically changed. What started as a trip for a family member’s wedding in the beginning of October, led to so much more.
As the humans continue to improve and grow in technology and communication, the world continues to become more and more accessible and unrestricted. Cultures and countries that had once been completely distant and remote probe to be reachable. However, this does not prevent from a staggering sense of disorientation when the food, the language, the clothing, the music, the buildings, the lifestyle, and the people differ from home and normality. In fact, a traveler can drown in the exceedingly prevalent sensation of culture shock when entering into a community different from one’s own. Although culture shock overwhelms and daunts even the most daring adventurers, it also provides the traveler with an indescribable and incomparable opportunity to gain a more accurate perspective of the world.
Evan Munger, upper school physics and engineering teacher, lived in China for two years after falling in love with the culture on a previous visit. Like many who travel to other countries, both his values and view of the world shifted because of his experience of living and working in China.
“It made me realize that there are vastly different ways of communicating, living, and relating. My way is not necessarily the right way. People all over are the same but go about doing life differently. All people are looking for connection and love, but find it in different ways,” said Munger.
In a foreign country, every moment contains an opportunity for learning that empowers the traveler to gain a deeper perspective of the world by examining the values of other cultures. The observer can recognize the flaws and benefits of both ideals and acquire both an expanded mindset. Yet this also allows for a more sympathetic view because one can also see the similarities that appear in core mankind as a whole.
Although two distinctive countries can never accurately be compared due to the vast differences and diverse societies, diving into another culture provides a more precise view of the world itself. For instance, in China government propaganda is extremely prevalent in public areas. Enormous screens project scenes of military strength tower over Tianamen Square. Common media and communication websites are banned and blocked from the people. Fear of punishment for criticizing political leaders is instilled in the citizens’ minds. One might concur that the population dwells in a state of constant misery and unhappiness. Yet, the opposite proves true. Adoring their leaders and military, they take extreme pride in their country and what it has to offer. Despite the fact that only a scarce few are permitted to purchase cars in the city, despite the fact that property and wealth may be seized in a moment’s notice, and despite the fact that all information from the outside world is completely inaccessible, the people are genuinely joyful and appreciative of every blessing they receive.
In the United States and other western countries, many view the Chinese people as somewhat naive and ignorant about their homeland. As the crowds gather, eager to catch just one glimpse of a westerner, one may be tempted to believe these misconceptions. However, the United States is far from perfect. In fact, most other countries see Americans as greedy, ungrateful, meddling, and arrogant. This nation, as a whole, is believed to be a society of selfish consumers, caring only for wealth and luxury.
Yet by traveling to this foreign country, I witnessed countless examples that defied the stereotypes and realized that what I was taught to believe is not automatically correct. Many Americans wish to compare statistics of the United States to those of other countries and see where their country falls on the spectrum. It is just a competition. This society could learn an enormous amount from Chinese culture and vice versa. Yet, the United States is not necessarily better or worse than another country; it is just different offering separate ideals, food, music, language, geography, and opportunity. It is home, but a home more understood and examined.
