This Semester

I have learned a great deal of information about German-speaking cultures in my German language class as well as my environmental classes. This year has changed my perspective on these cultures in many ways. A lot of Americans do not take the time to really learn about and explore other cultures. Studying German culture this semester has made Germans more approachable and has really strengthened my appreciation for the language. I would love to study in Germany now, so that I can learn more about its traditions and the German way of life. As we explored stereotypes in class, I learned a lot about my own culture in addition to German culture. I realize now that the stereotypes that we form about another culture say a lot about our own culture. For example, the fact that some Americans find Germans to be harsh and unapproachable reflects on our own culture. We see Germans as such because our own culture can be very superficial and a lot of people are overly friendly in many situations. I had never given much thought to how superficial our daily interaction with others really is until I learned about this stereotype. All semester we heard how studying abroad in another country can change your perspective completely and force you to grow as an individual. Today, I completely understand why this is true. When we grow up in our own culture, the simple actions that occur every day are never questioned or thought upon. Everything is seen as normal. Living in another country, however, will provide you with an outsider’s perspective which can help you to understand your own culture in a new way. I have a new respect for foreigners who come to live in America, as well as for foreign students who study at UNC. Each day they could be experiencing something completely different from what they were raised believing. They have sacrificed the familiarity and comfort of their own culture for this experience.