Culture

Joshua Mann
Contirbutor

ine, food, global fashion,

discos, beautiful landscapes,
diverse cultural immersion, and simple
adventures; all highlights for global-
travellers. These factors are particularly
attractive to broke university students
who are more used fo drinking in their
dorm rooms than dancing at clubs on
Friday nights. Travel is an opportunity
for students to apply the knowledge
and theories they have gained in
their education in a practical manner.
Exploration allows for personal
growth and dynamic experiences
that can shape the way students see
themselves in the world, as well as
creating opportunities for life-changing
stories. Although there are many
areas to examine regarding student
travel, this article will focus on the
different cultural contexts students may
encounter while traveling, and how to
respond to them in order to get the
most out of a globetrotter experience.

This past summer | had the great
opportunity to travel in the provinces of
Calabria and Puglia in southern Italy.
These two regions have breathtaking
landscapes of rolling hills shielded by
rows of vineyards, olive trees, fresh
fruit, and more. These landscapes
shield the outsider from being able to
immerse him or herself into legitimate
ltalian culture. Only when one is able to
break through to real ltaly does he or
she get to see the deeply entrenched
beliefs which shape Italian culture. |
was lucky enough to be able to, and
exposed myself to a country of love,
passion, secrets, and desire. This was
the first time | truly got to push past
the stereotypes, perceptions, and
imagined external identity of Italy. It
was humbling, since | was able to see
the beauty of Italy while experiencing
the living emotions of the people who
live there.

| soent most of my time in small villages,
connected only by narrow roads
which people sped through as though
they were eight-lane freeways. As |
grew more intimately connected to
the southern part of the boot, a new
concept emerged in my mind, that
“the west" we refer to in university

is not really all the same. By “the
west,” | mean Europe and North
America, the perceived developed
and civilized countries of the world;
the countries with supposed gender
equality, basic human rights, and
widespread wealth. This perception
for me has disappeared, as one of

the deepest issues lingering beneath
the surface of the Italian culture is that
of gender roles and equality. | had to
listen before | asked questions. | had
to watch before | could respond. | had
to analyze [internally and externally)
before | realized that my beliefs in
Canada regarding this contentious
topic differ greatly from that of this
other “western” nation. Whenever my
sister and | were walking around the
villages, people would speak fo me first
before engaging her in conversation.
They would make me sit while supper
was being made, but allowed her

to help. It was interesting to see such
specific gender roles in a country that

perceived, becuase respect can go
beyong the individual norms people
are use to.| The understanding of
respect comes down to basic, daily
functions and interactions which

are learned and experienced when
travelling.

Now, to food. While | was with my
family and new friends in Italy, |
quickly realized that the stereotypical
perception that Italians eat well (and
a lot) is true. It was amazing how

juicy and sweet the fruit was, and
how fresh the vegetables were. The
aroma of tomatoes, basil, parsley,
oregano, pears, prickly pears, grapes,

is considered
to be under
the “western”
umbrella.

Critical thinking
during social
interactions is
key to becoming
knowledgeable
about any
place. Realizing
that values

Joshua Mann | Contributor OTE

and beliefs are
NOT the same
everywhere

in the world

is arguably

the first rule in
travelling. Even
when travelling
to places that

are theoretically within a certain
cultural bubble, like “the west,” one
must understand that the differences
can be shocking. One must be sure
not to react negatively to a situation
when faced with something which
goes against specific identity or values.
| had many instances where | heard
negative and derogatory homophobic
comments, but | took the opportunity
to learn why these individuals felt this
way. | learned because | was able to
put aside my personal feelings, and
diversify my understanding of place.

| later took the time to reconcile with
my emotions, and to understand the
intricacies of the place | had already
fallen in love with.

Thinking critically is only part of
responding to cultural differences
while travelling; respect may be the
only value that one is able to bring

to another culture. Respect is also the
thing most likely understood cross-
culturally. However, be conscious of is
the different ways that respect will be

nectarines,
and more filled
my nostrils
wherever |
walked. | could
not enjoy
someone's
company in
their house
without

being poured
rich, bold,

homemade

red wines
which never
filled the glass,
as is custom in
southern ltaly.
They would

fill my plate
with antipasti
(appetizers) of
cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables
before the pasta. Then these would
follow with a serving or two of meats,
followed again by vegetables, salads,
and, finally, fruits, dolce (desserts), and
espresso. During that time, | learned
that it was completely disrespectful,
and almost shameful, fo not eat what
they gave you. | had to understand
that it was rude and impolite to not
eat everything that the host places

on your plate, even when you are ful.
Needless to say, my respect for Italian
culture had me gaining a little bit of
weight.

To some people, situations like these
would be offensive. They might feel
like their free will is being taken away.
These ideas, however, are meaningless
in southern Italy at meal time. It is due
to the strong ltalian values of food
and eating well that this divergence
of values arises. Through all the
eating, | realized that not all values

or morals are vocalized, and some
are simply expected. In Canada, it is

Immersed in a World of Cultures: Learning from Experience

acceptable to say no to food, but in
ltaly, it is grossly disrespectful. This also
explained why | feel offended when
people do not eat what | offer them in
my house.

Furthermore, through my journey |
learned that | have to surrender
some of my values at the border if |
am not to offend anyone. Although
there are some values or morals
that | will always keep close to me,
no matter the place | go, there are
others | believe to be more fluid. |
have learned that as long as | am
not being harmed, it is unnecessary
to argue and cause conflict. Allowing
oneself to be immersed in a culture
is the very essence of travelling and
experiencing new things. Every culture
functions in a specific way because
of historical influences that have
shaped “traditional” ways of life. The
contemporary culture will shift and
change through natural evolution
and absorption of the global culture.
Cultures shift, change, and grow from
forces that impact it and from the
people who allow their lifestyle to
evolve.

In aly, there is currently a big push
for increased gender equality. An
article in The Guardian reported that
the Italian government passed new
laws to protect women. At the same
time, a friend of mine living in southern
ltaly told me how many of the women
have emotionally and mentally started
to go backwards since the financial
crisis in 2008, and stopped fighting
for better rights and equality. Media
and education are only a small part
of the story. It is our responsibility, as
students of the world, to take the time
to explore, ask questions, listen, and
be respectful, in order to gather more
worldwide respect.

Travelling is an experience that all
students benefit from. It allows them
to see the world, explore different
cultures, and look at their own beliefs
from different angles, all the while
establishing social skills and abilities
they did not have before. University
gives students tools to think, theories
to consider, and the ability to critically
question. Travelling and real life
interactions allow students to apply
what they learn in school and build on
it through practical use. School is only
the concrete foundation; there is stil
the rest of a structure which rises far
above ground. As students, you must
design the experiences and decide
what you wish to learn.