Managing Differences

 

Managing Differences

England has my heart. My time abroad can be described in one simple word: amazing. I knew when I was beginning my college career that I wanted to do a study abroad. This time abroad has exceeded my expectations and has taught me a lot about British culture. England is a beautiful place to live with multiple aspects coming into play of how to adapt.

               When I first arrived at Harlaxton, it took me a little while to adjust. I was used to getting up and going in the morning at full speed. My friend and I wanted to go explore the beautiful manor and start our first morning by getting a warm, caffeinated, cup of coffee. So, we made our way downstairs and asked the receptionist if there was any coffee anywhere. He said no and that there would not be any until breakfast, with which we were okay. We stood near the reception debating on where we wanted to go first when an English lady walked up to the receptionist and told him that us Americans would figure it out that they do not do anything early in the morning. We kind of took offense to this thinking it was not a big deal to politely ask and then move on. Later that day in class, we were reminded that we should not ask for coffee at seven o’clock in the morning because of their work schedule. Work schedules and morning routines show a clear difference between English and American culture which I experienced firsthand.

               Adjusting to unfamiliar places can be difficult. Being away from home without any family for the first time can be difficult. There were so many adjustments I had to make when traveling to England. Luckily, it was a slow adjustment at first. I quickly learned not to show up too early to anything, politics are okay to talk about, and while we speak the same language, there are some differences. There were many times I was asked to wait in the “queue” having not heard that word many times in America. In England, queue means wait. Small adjustments and efforts to understand each other's differences in communication are important.

               There are some additional adjustments I would have to make to living in England for over a year. One mistake I made on this trip was not packing a raincoat or umbrella. England receives a lot of rain so making sure you stay dry is essential. Another thing to adjust to would be public transportation. I have not used public transportation frequently in the United States, so it would be an adjustment to drive less. They also celebrate different holidays that I would have to adjust to. Furthermore, I would have to adjust to their etiquette, politeness, and properness to fit in better.

These adjustments would not come without challenges. I am sure I could act like I am from England, but my American accent would give me away every time. So, I might not be treated like everyone else. Another challenge would be that I have prominent facial expressions while the British like to keep a subtle and simple facial expression. There would be giveaways that would prove I am not from England, but I would learn from my experiences. When I go back to England next, I will know what to expect. You should always research the country’s culture and stay connected to your own culture without thinking it is superior.

Travel can get your body on a different time schedule. On my way to England, I stayed awake on all my flights. This would have been equivalent to pulling an all-nighter at home. This led me to sleep twelve hours after my flight until I felt good again. Jet lag is real and many of us experience it when we get into a different time zone. It can take a while for our bodies to adjust, so it is important to give ourselves time to align with the new time zone and let our bodies rest. Returning to our regular routines can require significant adjustment. Diving back into relationships, family, work and more can come with a mental load. It is important to always give yourself time to adjust to your environment.

Intercultural ethics should be implemented when traveling. Respecting cultural differences is important. It is also helpful to find commonalities with people from various cultural backgrounds. On the other hand, it is also important to recognize and respect cultural differences too. Be self-aware of how you communicate with people of diverse backgrounds. When you mix these components together, it can help you communicate effectively with people of diverse cultures.

England has been a great adventure and learning experience. For my next adventure, I want to visit the rest of the United Kingdom. I want to go to Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. This allows me to compare how the cultures of different countries within the UK align with one another.

Overall, the world is filled with endless diverse cultures. England has been a wonderful country to explore. While I still have some learning to do, it has been an amazing experience, and I plan to return. I will implement intercultural ethics when traveling and be aware of the challenges and adjustments that come with that. I cannot wait for my next adventure. After all, the world needs exploring!

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