CLAUDIA VEN AQUI! My host mother screamed while I was eating
my tortilla for dinner (at 9:30pm as usual.)
One of the Italian girls had been showering for 8 minutes, and I had to
utilize my high school knowledge of Italian to tell the Italian girl to turn
off the water. Three minutes later the
water was back on and my host mother was yelling at the very top of her lungs. She stormed into the kitchen and lectured me
about how manners were free to blow off some steam.
I know that I already wrote a post about host family living,
but it is so important. If the Italian
girl had read my blog she wouldn’t have gotten scolded... maybe she would have
read my blog if I changed the title to Claudia’s Pizza or Pasta perhaps.
In order to prevent any miscommunication despite the
existence of a language barrier, one must exercise a high level of AWARENESS and
RESPECT.
Its simple…
Before traveling: Research etiquette, customs, and
traditions. Consult various sources
including the internet, program directors, abroad alumni, study abroad office,
friends, and family. Anyone who has
traveled to the country can offer you valuable insight that can save you a lot
of discomfort.
Upon Arrival: Directly ask host mother for her rules and
expectations, and FOLLOW them. If you
know the rules and don’t respect them you are just as guilty if not more than
people who are completely oblivious.
During: Observe and Adapt.
Be open to cultural differences; the way your host family lives their
lives is not stupid, its just different.
Break the American attitude that your way is always the best.
After: Share your experiences with others and break the “ignorant
American stereotype!”
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