For any of you who have been out of the country, especially for a vacation you've probably seen the person I am about to describe. So you fly to some exotic location and you hail a taxi from the airport to your resort. Got it? Then your driver doesn't speak English because you are in Mexico, and the luggage carrier as well even though it's an “Americanized” resort town. Then you proceed to tip them but semi-blow them off and move on in your vacation. There it is. This sense of, "I deserve better because I am from America and you aren't," and that’s not right but it may not even be intentional. Here's why I think this happens so often. The first reason being the lack of understanding of the place. Secondly, the care for the people and culture of that location is minimal. Thirdly, being a part of the culture is often very hard if you even can.

First off, understanding or appreciating the culture is such a valuable gift. In order to make the most of an international trip, one must appreciate the destination. Whether that place is Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, India, China, Aruba, Jamaica, or Mozambique. Before you go I encourage you to look into the history, language and maybe even to go as far as to soak in some of that information. Believe me, the locals love it when an outsider especially an America actually knows about the nation they are visiting. That is key number one!

Secondly, actually try and care about more than just your vacation. I don't say that to imply we are just rude or self-focused on American’s on vacations, although, truly, many times we are. Rather, I am asking each of us to have more of an awareness of the culture around you while you're there in the country. Appreciate how they live, what they do for a living, appreciate how they treat you. Don’t be afraid to show love and legit compassion back to the people who are serving you. We need to remember they are human just like us. They have a family, and a house and a job. American citizenship doesn't mean you're better than the rest of the world's citizens.

Now my favorite thing of all. Be a part of the culture in which you're visiting. A key way to do this, speak the language! (I know this doesn't apply to some) But to all of you foreign language people and bilingual students or adults, use what you've been taught and what you learned. You all know that feeling when you hear someone speaking in another language and then they say something in English and you're relieved you can understand and relate. That is exactly what happens when you go somewhere like Mexico and use the Spanish you’ve gained to talk to those nearby. I've personally seen the incredible results of this as I travel. Many times, to the shock of the people, because seeing a white, male teen, from the U.S., speaking and laughing in Spanish appreciating them instead of expecting my ways to be theirs is mind boggling. The people instantly appreciate your ability to connect through their language and it allows for a more relatable and socially diverse conversation. So hey all you language lovers, lose the English for a week and use that education to the best of your ability.

The world is a vast and diverse place and everyone is special and so is every location. The key is as American's we are greatly blessed, and truly lucky to have all that we have here, but we can't put ourselves above the rest and assume they have to rise to meet us. Rather take some time on your next trip and appreciate, dissect, and involve yourself in the world that you visit. Find out what makes their lives go round. See what makes them happy. Get into the culture. Then, maybe just maybe you'll begin to see more of what this planet has to offer and you’ll even notice that this isn’t such a small world after all.