cultural adjustment – Page 29

Your study abroad preparation check list probably includes things like brushing up on the local language, deciding what to pack, where you will be staying when you arrive etc. One thing it probably does not include is what crossing the road might be like. In the U.S. we are used to a very (well..sometimes) organized system. It is so ingrained in us that we have an automatic reaction to green lights, cross-walk signals and blinkers. Often times when you step foot (get it?) in another country it’s the simple daily tasks that can really push us into culture shock!

My preconceived notions of crossing the street around the world were similar to this: How to Cross the street in Sweden.

In the spring of 2012, I was on Semester at Sea’s ship sailing to 11 different countries in 3.5 months. The opportunity to compare cultures, food and languages was incredible but even the occasion to discuss differences in crossing the road in each country was fascinating! The following countries were some of the most memorable:

India, was a constant cluster of cars incessantly honking because bumper stickers on every vehicle told them to do so! Literally every car said ‘HORN PLEASE’. No one could ever sleep on a bus in India with the high pierced (imagine a cat screaming) car horn that they use. While on a tour bus headed to a temple with our group we got stuck in the middle of an intersection because of construction and confusion among drivers. While getting stuck, we “supposedly” hit another van that had stopped as well. I don’t recall hitting anyone but my opinion did not matter at this point. Our bus driver and the other driver started to yell at each other and we all sat silently, watching, waiting…and then out of nowhere the other driver ran around to our driver’s window and stole the keys right out of the ignition! Suddenly we were not only not moving but now our engine was off and the air conditioning ceased. What happened after that is a blur but I think our driver had to pay the other driver to get our keys back. We never made it to the temple that day but we did experience an interesting local altercation. Tip: It’s best not to get involved in arguments when you’re in a new culture, what might seem appropriate or polite to you may not be in the local culture.

Singapore was very pleasant, while somewhat chaotic because of the amount of cars, it all felt under control because, of course, it was. The police have even created an English language website for assistance with crossing the street in Singapore.

Singapore-traffic — Traffic in Singapore

Viet Nam is a whole other story. Crossing the road in Viet Nam is like trying to cross a 4 lane high way in heavy traffic going 60 mph. The only trick to crossing the road in Viet Nam is to decide to go and walk at a slow and consistent pace so that the motorcycles and cars know how to maneuver around you. When you get to the curb you look at your friends and say ‘see ya on the other side!’ There’s also NO backing out once you commit to crossing the street, you have to go! I made that mistake once and almost got hit by a bus. My friend was smart and ran back, but it took me until I was in the middle of the intersection to realize I needed to NOT be there. Usually if a local was at the curb I’d stand beside them and follow their lead. Also, there are so many motorcycles in Viet Nam that it’s terrifying whether you are walking, in a bus or cab maneuvering through traffic. Everyone seems to think they have the right of way, yet somehow everyone moves around each other and makes it work…for the most part. I mostly just closed my eyes and prayed.

So, when we were preparing for China we were told that crossing the street is similar to Viet Nam but the traffic will not go around you, they will hit you. That was comforting. Some people make it their goal never to cross the road when they go to China. I understand why now. In Shanghai there were a lot of traffic lights and cross walks with the green or red person telling you when it was safe, however the taxis did not obey those rules. Turns out red is just a suggestion.

Crossing the street in China, be careful!

So, keep in mind that something as simple as crossing the street can become quite the adventure if you’re not careful! Learn the rules of the roads, what’s considered ‘normal’ like walking out into moving traffic in Viet Nam and use common sense!

– Kathleen Horn, Program Coordinator, Office of International Education at DU

When traveling abroad people will notice your “American-ness,” regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The simple fact is that this country leaves an indelible mark on you, from your sense of style, actions, mannerisms or political viewpoint that will be “tells” indicating your foreignness.

In no way am I trying to attack individuality, it has just been my experience that there are some things that stick out in me that indicate I am from the U.S. I have had the unique opportunity to travel to 18 different countries. My mother is Mexican-American and my father is Afro-Jamaican. I always thought that my racial ambiguity would be a sort of shield in traversing the globe; believing it protected me from American stereotypes, which can cause challenges or misunderstandings. In many respects, this has been the case. For instance, it is much easier for me to walk down the streets of Kingston, Jamaica as a “brown” male, regardless of my heritage, when compared to a “white” female.

However, this has not always been the case. One instance in particular, while traveling on a crowded bus through the Andes, let me know just how telling my “Americaness” was. I am very self-conscious about my Spanish; it is not very good and my accent is very noticeably American. As a result, I try never to speak too loudly in public settings, and limit how much I say so I don’t stand out. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I could easily be mistaken as a resident of any number of countries in the region. However, in this instance, I was called out by one of the traveling salesman that hop on and off the bus at every stop, as he referred to me as “Yankee” without me doing or saying anything.

This was not the first and probably won’t be the last time I will be viewed as an American without displaying any obvious indicators. But, I have found ways to limit the exposure of those “tells,” regardless of who you are:

Don’t bring white name-brand sneakers. Shoes are a luxury in much of the world. If you are lucky enough to have two pairs, one is designated for everyday living and the other for church or other formal engagements. Wearing nice white sneakers are a dead giveaway that you are a foreigner and have the means to afford a shoe that gets dirty quickly.
Keep your University of Denver shirts, hoodies and sweatpants at home-You are basically wearing a big sign on your chest that indicates where you are from, your age and why you are there. Also, this attire is informal, which is odd in much of the world.
Keep your voice down-Yes, it is true, Americans are loud and very opinionated. There’s nothing wrong with this fact, however, there is a time and place for everything and sitting on a quite bus is no place to complain about a lack of facilities, or being hungry, or feeling “gross.”
Walk upright and be confident-Of course you are unsure about where you are going and what you are doing. Who wouldn’t be in a foreign country with a foreign language? The point is that nobody else needs to know. Be confident in your direction and walk down the street with a sense of purpose. Aggressive vendors love tourists who have wandering eyes and walk a stop-and-go pace.

– Pablo Hester, DUSA Graduate Peer Advisor

Tag: cultural adjustment

Traffic Reports

Blending in while abroad