Reflection 3

Sarah Roth
June 11, 2017

Thanks for everything, I had the time of my life.

Over the past two weeks I have had the opportunity to experience a culture that is nothing like my own.  Having spent a majority of our time in the small town of Grado, I was able to better understand and immerse myself fully into their culture.  One of the hardest adjustments was the difference in timeliness.  In the States, going out to lunch typically takes me 20 minutes but even a simple one-course meal in Grado usually took over an hour.  This has taught me to appreciate the small things in life; having more quality time with those around me and being able have the time to just enjoy the beauty of my surroundings.  I know when I go home it will be a huge shock having to be timely and rush through life, but this trip has taught me the importance of taking time for myself.  As soon as I get home I will be moving to a new city for 7 months and because of this trip, I hope to be able to learn the history and effect of the place I will soon call home.   

Yesterday I noticed more than ever the stigma that surrounds Americans.  At lunch when we attempted to order our food, the man working made it clear that he was not a fan of Americans when we told him that we spoke English.  I also saw this when we went out for drinks last night at the bar and were being watched by every person at the bar.  Our volume difference in the way we talk and laugh in every setting has also made me feel like an outsider.  However, I do appreciate the way that Europeans don’t put a stigma around open affection and enjoying the good things in life.  These two weeks have changed my life and have made me so much more open to new ideas and cultures and more able to articulate the problems with my own.

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