I was blessed this summer with the eye opening experience of international travel. As I frolicked through three different European countries, I absorbed the many different perspectives on life, culture, and most importantly food.
Most American college students were born and raised here and dang proud of it. We can settle into our lifestyles and become uninterested in the variations. After four years of Spanish, I couldn't understand a single word said by an Argentine player during his World Cup post-game interview. As diverse as our melting pot is, it doesn't compare to the culture found in other parts of the world. So much can be learned from traveling abroad, especially for us "kids" trying to find ourselves, our passion, and our place in the huge world.
I've never felt more ignorant than when I ordered French onion soup in France. With a roll of the waiter's eyes, he informed me that is was only call onion soup there. There wasn't a single employee at any of the restaurants we dined at (three meals a day for two weeks) that wasn't bilingual. To me, an America tourist spotted and labeled the instant I walked in, they spoke complete English and then bounced to the next table in a flawless French tongue. The acceptance and respect they have for other cultures isn't something you see among the "never left the Midwest" students on a college campus that are "yoloing" with "swag". This unique trait would be highly valuable to any workplace looking for perspective hires.
With a great language barrier comes great patience from the native speakers. They admire when you attempt their language. Even when I'd completely butcher my lunch order, the people in Switzerland would give me an English response with a smile of approval. I had never uttered a word of French in my life, but sometimes exposing a vulnerability allows for an open mind welcoming new experiences. In life, we're hesitant to try things when there's fear of embarrassing ourselves. People encourage and support people who are willing to try. No one will root for someone afraid of failure.
I wasn't a tad hesitant, however, to taste every food within ten feet of my plate when my journey took me to Italy. I indulged in pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, Nutella dough balls, tiramisu, and more. I repented my sin of gluttony the moment I stepped foot on American soil (and a scale). Work hard, but don't disregard time for yourself. You deserve to sit back and enjoy every once in a while. Love and food are found across countries and cultures, reminding us that everyone isn't so different. We all want the same things, like happiness and acceptance. Although I may be the only person who finds all of these things in a surf 'n' turf dinner.
