One of the most important things I learned when I finally figured out what I wanted to do in my future was that I needed a very diverse and broad global perspective. As an aspiring anthropologist, viewing cultures with an open mind and without judgment is very important. By contributing different ideologies, viewpoints, and ways of thinking to my global perspective, it allowed me to expand this mindset. These are the top five ways that allowed me to do this:
1. Traveling the World
I know it may seem obvious, but traveling to different countries really changes your entire global perspective. The first time I traveled out of the United States, I had extreme culture shock. It amazed me that people lived a completely different lifestyle than I did. Most importantly, it fascinated me. I wanted to learn more about different cultures and different lifestyles and add to my now growing perspective.
2. Participating in Discussion
It may seem easy, maybe even too easy—but by simply participating in a discussion with people, who may have come from different backgrounds than you, new aspects are added to your mindset. By having an open mind and listening to how people view and interpret different situations, you can take bits and pieces and add them to your own mentality.
3. Attending Diverse Events
I have learned so much about other ideologies, mindsets, and religions by attending interfaith and intercultural events. Even though it usually feels out of my comfort zone, these events allow me to walk in with an open mind and take things as they come. Dialogue and discussion allow me to put into perspective other’s viewpoints and continue to add to this global thinking.
4. Reading
This probably sounds like another obvious matter, but I have learned so much that I would have never even known about if it weren’t for some of the texts I have read. Anthropological articles and other forms of literature have allowed me to dive deeply into other cultures and other mindsets, completely abandoning my own way of thinking. Looking at situations with a different set of eyes really allows you to pull aspects that you think would integrate well with your global perspective and build onto it.
5. The Liberal Arts
I’m not just being biased because I go to a liberal arts school, but I have greatly expanded by global perspective while being submerged in the liberal arts. The liberal arts give you the opportunity to look at a situation through multiple lenses, not just the one that you find most appealing. This opportunity allows a more diverse way of thinking instead of just addressing a problem within one discipline. Sometimes your area of study may not have the best answer, so you have to turn to another in order to address the situation at hand.
All in all, it is very important to have a very diverse and open minded global perspective. This perspective hopefully never stays the same throughout your entire life, as new experiences and knowledge change it.
