It is so cool how we can all live on the same planet and yet live lives so drastically different from one another. We could be born to a wealthy or impoverished family. We could eat rice with every meal or enjoy pupusas every day. We could live in a warm, family environment or in a cold sterile home. Our Christmas traditions could consist of leaving your shoes outside, finding baby Jesus in a cake, or waking up Christmas morning to presents under the tree. No matter what cultural experiences we had growing up, we can't shun those of others but rather embrace the variety and richness that other cultures can provide in our lives.
I have had the opportunity to serve a church mission
for 18 months serving the Hispanic people in Houston, Tx. I had to learn the cultural differences between all of the various countries in South America, from their accents to the unique foods they ate. One could look at their traditions and think, "Woh, that is weird" and they could say the same about ours! OR my dad told me a saying he learned when he was serving a mission in Hong Kong, China. "It's not bad, just different."
Some of us are very comfortable not branching out and learning about the cultures of other countries. We prefer the food we have always had, the humor we grew up with, and the traditions we followed many years. Though we like to be comfortable, if we decide to learn from other people, our knowledge about the world around us will expand. We will be able to see our own culture for what it is, only ONE way of life.
In my time at BYU-Idaho, there have been people I have met from nearly every country in the world. The team I work with at my job are from the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Sweden, Russia, Canada, and Brazil. Learning about their cultures are fascinating and eye opening. I have had roommates from Tanzania, Africa and El Salvador. I would see my Tanzanian roommate making unique foods and wear cultural outfits. My friend Mandeep, from India, would tell me stories about her arranged marriage. All of these traditions defining who they are.
The more we learn about other countries, foods, societies, traditions, history, the more we can appreciate our own. In the world today we can meet people in the United States that are from all corners of the world. It is amazing how much we can learn from people and their cultural values. I invite you to think about your own culture and what makes it unique!
Challenge: Think of a friend you have that is from another country. Ask them questions about their culture and traditions growing up. Ask them if they can introduce to you a traditional dinner in their culture!
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