Thousands of students travel abroad each year. Many see the sites, drink the local spirits and take a lot of photos, but in the end they leave without a lot of knowledge about the host culture. On an ISEP program, you have the chance to have a completely different experience. ISEP is set up to give you the greatest opportunity to integrate into the host culture. All you need now are a few suggestions on what to do as you try to become a local:
- Research the culture and history before you go to have a better understand of your environment.
- Find out about current events of your host country and city. Read the newspaper, even if it is in your native language. Learn about your host's local, national, and international events, concerns, and news to better understand the lifestyle and opinions of the average citizen in your host country.
- Take advantage of opportunities to interact with a diverse group of locals. Get to know someone, young and old!
- Develop a repertoire of conversation topics (sports, films, politics, authors, music, popular figures, etc.) to enhance your interaction with the locals. Certain topics may not be considered appropriate for discussion in public or between genders, so be observant of these customs.
- Practice your foreign language skills or learn a brand new language. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because they are a great way to learn and can be funny, too!
- Form positive relationships with your hosts. Be courteous, respectful, and aware of cultural differences and taboos. Always remember that you are representing your nation and your university.
- Join a local group in your university or community such as a language conversation group, sports club, book club, cooking class, or church. Research these opportunities ahead of time so you can start when you arrive!
- Find a campus job, internship, or volunteer opportunity. This helps you learn about the culture, improve your language skills, and build your résumé all at the same time!
- Cooking is a great way to learn about cultures and traditions. Learn how to cook local recipes from your host family or a cooking class, and bring a recipe from home to share with your host family or new friends.
- Attend cultural events that are not typically for tourists, such as an elementary school dance or a high school football match. Ask your host family and friends what local events are of interest and importance to them.
- Besides special cultural and holiday events, find out what other interesting and unique activities your hosts engage in on a daily basis.
- Try to shy away from familiarity. Eat at local restaurants instead of cuisine from your country. Limit the time you spend with other international students and non-native speakers. Avoid locations heavily visited by tourists.
- Discourage yourself from negatively comparing your host country to your home country. Things will be different, which is why you came! Instead of looking at these new environments, customs, and behaviors with criticism, try to understand what makes your host country tick.
- Keep an open mind. Food, religion, thought patterns, and social habits will seem strange, but allow yourself to be open to not only understand them, but to participate and try new things.
- Spend time reflecting on your daily encounters in order to deepen your understanding of your experiences and host culture. A journal is a good way to do this.
- Above all, have fun! This is the experience of a lifetime. You are not a tourist, but a participant in a global encounter with the amazing opportunity to become part of another culture and another education system on the other side of the world.
© Joanne Kramb, 2002