By spending my winter break studying in Oaxaca, Mexico, I
planned on gaining a better handle on the Spanish language, as well
as learning more about Oaxacan culture. What I hadn’t planned on
was learning as much as I did about my own culture.
The trip allowed me to acknowledge some aspects of society in
the United States that I never needed to before, or that had always
just seemed automatic to me. For example, one Mexican asked me why
Americans act so cold to one another. He noticed that when two
Americans greet each other, they seldom hug, and even more rarely
kiss one another. He wondered about the reason for this. Aren’t we
happy to see each other? I had no answer.
He had a point. I guess I had never really thought about how
overprotective North Americans are of their own personal space
because I had been so accustomed to this norm. I murmured something
about spreading germs, but told him that he was right and that I
actually preferred the greater amount affection in his culture.
From that point forward, each new aspect of Mexican culture that
I observed offset something different about the United States by
shedding it in a different light for me. So I began to soak up all
the idiosyncrasies of this culture that, in certain ways, seemed to
be so different, and somehow better, than my own. It was easy to
appreciate the relaxed schedule, the great food, and the friendly
demeanor.
However, after the novelty of all of this started to wear off
and I began to settle myself into Oaxacan life, I started to note
differences that I didn’t find as enjoyable.
At first they were small things, like not being able to rely on
running water. Later, though, I began to pinpoint deeper cultural
differences.
This will probably be only one of the few times that I will
actually admit this, but over break I started to miss discussing
politics, and pretty much anything, with people that respectfully
disagree with me. Of course, that is not because there was a lack
of liberals around me who didn’t share my opinions, but rather
because I was prevented from even mentioning certain subjects.
I quickly learned that there were two topics that were just not
good ideas to bring up for discussion: politics and soccer. I soon
realized that one’s favorite soccer team was something almost of
religion, and decided not to even approach this topic other than
the occasional “Yes, I like soccer.”
Still, being a political science student, I was particularly
eager to discuss certain topics with people who see them from a
completely different perspective. However, my political questions
were sometimes met with the sharp answer that such subjects were
not discussed socially.
Upon pressing the issue, I found out why. Although this is not
universally true for everyone who I met, I learned that many people
in Oaxaca avoided such topics because, many times, differences of
opinion became deeper than just differences. Sometimes they were
grounds for judging a person’s intrinsic qualities and
personality.
I had been so accustomed to discussing political issues and
sports in the United States and here on campus, where open dialogue
and disagreement are welcome. We are able to have long, drawn-out
discussions without our disputes ever becoming personal. So for
three weeks, I attempted, sometimes unsuccessfully, to hold my
tongue.
Overall, my experience abroad fulfilled my expectations: I
improved my Spanish-speaking skills (somewhat) and began to
appreciate and understand Mexican culture in a totally new way.
However, I feel that I somehow got even more than what I
expected, for I had the chance to learn more about my home by being
far away from it. There are many aspects of Oaxaca that I love and
miss, but there are also many additional characteristics of the
United States that I have just begun to really appreciate.
If you have the chance or have ever even thought about studying
abroad, do it. Not only are you certain to gain a completely new
appreciation and understanding for a different culture, but for
your own as well.
Nicole Marklein ([email protected]) is a junior
majoring in political science.