Excuuuuuse You!: Tips for Studying Abroad

Know before you go

The American writer, Robert Benchley, once sent a humorous telegram from Venice that said "Streets Flooded. Please Advise." Take a serious lesson from this — learn about your destination; don't assume you know.

Meet with students and scholars from the country who are on your campus; learn about social and behavioral norms. Most importantly, keep that inquiring mind while you are overseas; the love of learning should go beyond your academic reasons for venturing outside the U.S.

Be inquisitive but reserve judgment

To study in another country is to open yourself to different attitudes and customs: how do people relate to each other? how does a society make decisions, and explain traditions? Be ready to learn about these differences; don't be quick to criticize until you have heard another view.

Be understanding but curious

This does not mean accepting customs and opinions if you feel you cannot. You should remain curious about these differences, asking for reasons why things are they way they are. While it is important to understand a country's culture and traditions it is also possible to question these traditions in a manner that is positive and not offensive.

Remember that one day you will leave; those who have become your friends will remain.

Be a learner and a teacher

A student overseas has much to learn, but also much to teach. The interest in U.S. culture is global and questions about the U.S. are bound to be frequent. Accept that you may be seen as the spokesperson for all things American but do not shy away from this wonderful challenge to exchange views and ideas. President Eisenhower once said that as important as "summit" meetings were, even more important were the meetings at the base. This is where impressions, friendships, and learning about different cultures develop.

The Ugly American syndrome

This is a much-misunderstood phrase. In the book of the same name, the Ugly American was a quiet, well-intentioned man who contributed much to the society where he lived in Southeast Asia.

The term has since been applied to the concept of the all-knowing, and at times condescending, American abroad. Know about yourself and your country; be ready to explain U.S. politics and society in a context of global differences and others' perceptions. Expect to be misunderstood but be patient as you develop your friendships and conversations. A good traveler is one who is seen as an individual from a country not an embodiment of that country.

Finally, don't be afraid of being yourself, being from the U.S., and holding views dear. And don't worry about missing your home and your customs now and again. All students do. At times you may find yourself taking the advice of Christopher Fry when he wrote that the best thing we can do is to make wherever we're lost in look as much like Home as we can.

Sidebars

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Ten Tips for Cultural Sensitivity

1. Understand the role of the elderly in the society.

2. Understand how formal and informal address is used.

3. Don't assume everyone will speak English.

4. What are the norms for punctuality?

5. What are the social considerations for drinking?

6. Don't keep saying, "In the U.S. we do (this or that)."

7. Be yourself, but understand your role as an American.

8. Be patient with bureaucracy: every country has it.

9. Don't jump to conclusions — take time to listen and learn.

10. Remember: the laws of the country apply to you too.