Growing up, children stare out the windows and envision a world of fantasy, going on adventures, and being embraced in something larger than themselves. Even in college, I stare out the windows and wished for a new perspective, an adventure that will change my thinking and push my comfort zone. I am thrilled to begin, what I consider, my first life altering journey with my study abroad to Iceland through SIT. Iceland became a backdrop to so many stories, so I am ecstatic to live in those scenes for a semester and witness new perspectives to heighten my cultural awareness.
Before going abroad, it is beneficial to first turn inwards in noticing the values and behaviors that you grew up with to better understand how your own culture impacts your actions and thoughts. Having lived in the United States, the “melting pot”, I have been fortunate to witness a plethora of cultures. A value that I believe runs deep in the United States culture is the mentality that ‘bigger is better’ and seeking instant or short-term gratification. I feel that these two things go hand-in-hand as they both contribute to one another. Neither good nor bad, the United States operates as a capitalistic society, so it runs on supply and demand that assists in pricing goods or services at market value to fulfill its citizens interests. This comes in the form of bulk and the idea of rewards. You can see this as you walk into a grocery store and see tons of similar items all grouped together. You can also see this in the food quantity at a restaurant or items in people’s homes. In trying to reach the ‘American dream’, the idea of products and the amount of goods or services available assist in showing their progress or status to fulfillment of individual goals.
I have grown up with this mindset and feel that there are many benefits to this mentality, however, I believe that there can be many drawbacks to this as well. In trying to fulfill our goals and reward ourselves, we push ourselves extensively in work, which makes us stressed, and we then allow ourselves to be compared to others that may have more than. It creates competition. The United States also has a large obesity rate which I believe plays with the idea of ‘more is better’ and short-term rewards. I enjoy having the options for more goods but feel that this behavior can be over the top. I feel that this helps push people to reach their potential and desire more but feel that they can be blinded by what’s in-front of them.
In looking from the outside, I can see that America is the land of opportunities and the land of pleasure with having so many options for goods and services. That being said, I feel that some would view this cultural aspect as overwhelming or confusing, especially in looking at the fast-food industry of grab-and-go. Moving from a capitalistic society to a socialist country will be very interesting and I am excited to see how it will change my perspective.
This exercise helps prepare myself to go abroad by considering the values I have grown up with and how they could differ when I go abroad. In looking at my own values and how I perceive what others may view from our behaviors, I can be more cognizant of how I should act in another country. It also allows me to wonder what they may value and how they view quantity. Iceland is a country that values entrepreneurialism and enjoys the small things in life. It will be interesting to gain a new perspective and push me out of my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to starting my adventure!
“The greatest tragedy for any human being is going through their entire lives believing the only perspective that matters is their own” – Dough Baldwin