Hello from Germany, ladies and gentlemen. I'm currently here for a project for the Franke Global Leadership Initiative, studying social inequality and human rights in a town called Frankfurt an der Oder (not the big Frankfurt, this is the smaller one on a different river). I've been going around trying to gather thoughts about the European Union and investigate how Europe reflects what is currently going on globally. While I will report on that in due time, I just thought to share some things I had to learn about myself before I could actually bite down on the topic I'm researching here. So, here are thoughts gathered about the experience so far.
1. Culture shock can be very tough to deal with.
When I first arrived in Berlin and got screamed at by a Turkish bus driver who did not speak English, I got nervous to the point of being unable to speak German. I then got pushed off a bus later, and the driver took off, even though I told her in German that I was with a group and they'd have to get off too. Though this is an extreme example, it still reflects what many call "culture shock." Upon arrival in a country, one is thrown right into a situation where almost everyone expects you will know what to do. When this happened to me, I felt depressed and uncomfortable for the next couple of days, in addition to disappointed in my ability to speak German (still improving). All I could think was that I had another month and a half of this, and it would be no fun. Well, I was wrong. I have had a great experience so far. It took some getting used to, but I got past culture shock once I accepted that I could not just be passive and go through the motions to get by, especially when thrown in situations where I don't know what to do or where to go. I had to go through the introvert's nightmare - I had to ask people for help. I still have trouble with this, but when I accepted that I had to do it, it helped me adjust far faster.
2. It is overwhelmingly likely that you'll feel homesick at some point.
I never feel homesick when in Missoula, because I've essentially adopted it as my home. But halfway across the world, away from my brother and best friends back in Los Angeles, for the first time in my life, I can truly say I miss Los Angeles and wish everybody was here with me.
3. Pick your travel partner wisely.
It is ultimately your choice if you let a bad travel partner ruin a trip or something you are trying to accomplish on a trip. However, if your travel partner has no inherent sense of direction or needs wi-fi every 5 seconds to text or snapchat someone, it's pretty damn difficult.
4. Journaling may be the single most important thing you can do.
Souvenirs are good to bring back home for people. But if you want a better souvenir that'll make you laugh, cry, smile, while bettering your memory and storytelling ability, buy a journal (preferably one you can only get somewhere you travel) and use it. You don't have to be a perfect writer, and you have no audience but yourself, so no need to be shy. If you're trying to get anything out of traveling, or answer some heavy questions about yourself and the world, then journaling is the way to do so. Writing down thoughts about your place in the world and thoughts about a place will help you answer that old loaded question, "Who am I?"
4. Take. Pictures.
This will aid your ability to remember and tell a story. It will also give you some pretty good visuals.
5. You will be looked at as a representative for your culture.
It is not necessarily fair, but it is true. How you act will represent your culture for others. You can either embrace or defy stereotypes. It's up to you.
6. Throw stereotypes away. Your experience with cultures depends on what you make of it.
If you act serious with Germans, they will act serious with you. If you are approachable, amiable, and funny, Germans will be just as funny, approachable and amiable. The Scots smile if you smile at them. Londoners are extremely helpful and incredibly polite, so long as you are the same.
7. Traveling alone will make you a better leader.
When you are forced to learn cities like the back of your hand, point and gesture when you don't speak the language, or speak your own broken edition of local languages, you are forced to grow - especially when you don't have the help of a backup traveler. Lone traveling forces you to take the initiative, come out of your comfort zone, and learn how to communicate your needs directly to people, bringing out the leader, teacher, and citizen within you.
