Ok, I am on the other side of the globe through a "cultural exchange" programme. And I started a blog. So you probably expect me to write a long story about all the differences I have encountered.
Sorry, I have to disappoint you. Of course there are lots of little tiny differences, but the people I had the privilige to get to know a little bit closer here are not from another planet than those back in Czech Rep. In fact I have lost a lot of misconceptions about different cultures and nations since I came here. Sometimes you get to read an article in newspapers of see a report on TV about a conflict between two countries which can't possibly ever be solved because "there are such a huge cultural differences, that these people will never agree on anything". For me this a poor excuse why not to put a bit more effort into the resolution of the problem.
Last week Institute of International Education (IIE) have sent me and other 153 fulbrighters to an "enrichment seminar" to Denver, Colorado. I would really have to think a lot to remember another equally valuable experience. Thank you IIE for giving me the opportunity to meet all these wonderfull people from Egypt, Tunisia, Mexico, Izrael, Palestine, New Zealand, Canada, Japan or Iraq, and so many other countries and to realize that we can sit and laugh together at the dinner, we can be equally amezed by an instalation or painting in Denver Art museum and that we all look the same bad at the breakfast after partying all night.
My french friend Natalie says that the more people from different countries and cultures you meet, the more you realize that everybody is the same. That we all share the same fears and worries, the same things are making us sad or happy.
Last week Institute of International Education (IIE) have sent me and other 153 fulbrighters to an "enrichment seminar" to Denver, Colorado. I would really have to think a lot to remember another equally valuable experience. Thank you IIE for giving me the opportunity to meet all these wonderfull people from Egypt, Tunisia, Mexico, Izrael, Palestine, New Zealand, Canada, Japan or Iraq, and so many other countries and to realize that we can sit and laugh together at the dinner, we can be equally amezed by an instalation or painting in Denver Art museum and that we all look the same bad at the breakfast after partying all night.
My french friend Natalie says that the more people from different countries and cultures you meet, the more you realize that everybody is the same. That we all share the same fears and worries, the same things are making us sad or happy.
I would sign my name under this.
Natalie for president!
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