Having international friends is one of the many treasures that this beautiful world has to offer. Don't believe me? Interesting. Maybe I'll drop you off in the middle of a random country and pick you up in a few weeks. Let me know how it goes, but keep a few things in mind. When you have international friends, you will:
1. Learn about a new culture
Sure, you think you know a lot about somebody else's culture based on what you have learned in school, social media, and other things. However, now that you have international friends, you are getting a one on one tour from a local on what their culture actually consists of. Plus, I promise you that you will learn a heck of a lot more with your new friends and they'll be honest with you, hopefully. Sorry textbooks, but we can take it from here!
2. Be introduced to new foods
YES! Who doesn't like the idea of trying out new food and eating? Your international friends will take you out to their favorite restaurants or maybe even cook their favorite dishes for you. Then, you can take these recipes back home.
3. Learn about their traditions
How cool is it to learn about hundreds of maybe even thousands of years of history and tradition? Doesn't interest you? LAME!
4. Open up your horizons
I hope that when you meet your new friends, they will break every boundary that was keeping you from meeting them. I hope that the roof that was keeping you sheltered from the outside world has fallen.
5. Learn a new language
Okay, so you might not be fluent, but at least you are trying! How many people can say that they know more than one language? (Besides every other country in the world besides the US.) PLUS! They might even want to practice their English with you. If you keep in touch with one another, you can each continue to practice and one day you might be fluent. Hey, we can dream and try, can't we? I triple dog dare you try it. Sorry, no turning back now!
6. You'll have excuses to go visit them and they'll visit you of course
Who doesn't like the idea of a vacation? People who disagree with this article, that's who, but let's not let them kill our vibes. Anyway, when you have international friends, you have a place to stay and of course, you should give them the same option if they want to come visit your country. AND you can see them again!
Do you still don't believe me? I still have not influenced you? Hm, very well then. You're missing out. Don't say I didn't warn you.
So please, I insist. The next time you travel, I encourage you to break out of your shell and talk to the person sitting next to you on the train. Or, even ask someone to take a picture of you and your friends because you might even become best friends, but you'll never know unless you try, right Francesco?
To all my international friends, I thank you greatly from the bottom of my heart for becoming my friends and teaching me all about your country. Without you, I would continue to look at the world with one perspective, but because of you, I see more than one color now, and I greatly appreciate that. Thank you for keeping in contact with me after all of these years. And remember, when you're dying to come back to the US, hit me up. I would LOVE to see you again. My home is always welcomed to you.
