5 Things to Know about Cross-Cultural Experiences
These 5 things are based on what I’ve learned personally but I wanted to share it if it’s helpful to those who are planning to do short-term or long-term missions, or just traveling to new places in general.
People are different from you.
Don’t expect to think that when you travel to a new country, people will act, think or talk the same way as you do. Some cultures are hot, other cultures are cold, but usually people are a mix of both. In my experience in India, people treated guests in a way that was honorable and incredibly hospitable. Their way of showing love is by giving you food, lots and lots of food! In some cultures, a kiss on the cheek is very common, in other cultures, it’s only done in a more intimate relationship. Some cultures have a more direct communications, other cultures communicate in a very indirect way. When you are a guest in a different country, be observant, respectful and willing to learn!
2. Try their food and don’t be picky.
It’s very common for individuals to be picky and complain about what they think is disgusting to eat. The first reaction could be “ew”. Instead of assuming something will taste bad, be willing to try, smile, and taste it. If you really didn’t like it, just be polite and thankful to your host or restaurant server. And remember to not talk bad about what you just ate in front of your host! Especially in countries like China or other countries in South East Asia. Food is so important in a person’s culture and people are always excited to share their traditional food! Food can have deep meanings like welcoming a stranger into a family. It’s more than just nutrition or eating out of hunger. Sharing meals is so meaningful in communities.
3. Be willing to learn and adapt.
Things like timing, language barriers, directions, sometimes can be very stressful when we don’t have the right attitude. Yep, you will get lost. Yep, you will be late. Yep, they are talking about you and you don’t understand a word they are saying. Yep, they want a selfie with you. Depending on the country you are going to, for some cultures like in Brazil, it’s actually polite to be late. For cultures in United States or South Korea, being on time is honorable to others. “If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late.” I’ve had experience in both extremes of respecting cultures by being late or being on time. I’m Chinese-Venezuelan, so whenever it’s convenient, I’ll be late or on time. Haha! Just kidding. Be adaptable!
4. Observe their way of dressing. Are you dressed appropriately?
For some cultures, women and men can expose more skin, in other cultures, it’s not appropriate. As missionaries, whether short-term or long-term, it can be easy to treat a mission trip like a normal vacation. There are times to have fun but the purpose is to connect with the people and learn about their culture! For example, there is a beach. Naturally, women would go for a bikini. Men would go shirtless. But depending of which countries you are in, exposing too much skin might mean something else. Or for other cultures, covering the whole body might mean something else. Just ask questions to the local people and your contact person. It’s very important to honor people in their cultures even with the way we dress, no matter what our personal opinion might be.
5. Enjoy your cross-cultural experience. Take advantage of all you can learn!
Ask a lot of questions! Initiate conversations. Listen to stories. Be open to learn new things or new words to say! Bow, shake hands, kiss cheeks, hug, or put your hands together — learn how to say hi, bye and thank you using your body motions and facial expressions like the locals. Try all the different food (bring your stomach medicine just in case and know where the nearest bathroom is, haha!). Learn about the history of the place and why people are the way they are. Make friends! Sometimes when we travel, we make it all about ourselves, but also ask yourself, how you can be a blessing to others! :) Sometimes it just takes a smile or a listening ear to change a person’s day!
