How did you adapt to one cross-cultural situation? What specific challenges did you face concerning trust, confidence and integration?
At the time South America seemed foreign in every since of the word. In an attempt to remain calm about the trip or perhaps just youthful naivety, I boarded the plane non-expectant without detailed knowledge of the country. However, I understood that Ecuador was considered "developing;" fortunately I had known of the full definition of this word. I embarked with aspirations of continuing research to contribute to my senior thesis, "Sustainability in Marginal Communities: A Latin Experience." I sought this unprecedented route for my final semester to engage in tangible experiences would add to my otherwise ordinary social-theory paper. What became a four-month Ecuadorian adventure has been my most significant cross-cultural undertaking, in which I assimilated with foreign culture and processed the definition of sustainability, surprised and driven by openness.
I first worked as an intern in the capital city of Guayaquil. Living with a local family allowed me to embrace the Ecuadorian culture while immersed in the Spanish language. In my free time, I would ride the bus to the city periphery and just wander. I observed distinct class systems; comparing affluent neighborhoods to patchwork shantytowns. Most startling was the unrealistic embrace of American culture. Salvaged and hand-constructed "McDonald's" signs attracted patrons into local restaurants; neighborhoods were named "Disneyland" and "Hollywood." It became quickly apparent how influential the role of the United States is on the cultural, economic and environmental sustainability of this country.
Mid-trip, I refocused in BaĂąos, the "Gateway to the Amazon." A naturalist at heart, with research interest in the regional oil industry, I found this experience to be a thorough transition. Volunteering as a naturalist, I spent my time assisting tour guides on treks into the Amazon Region. Spellbound by native knowledge of plants and their medicinal uses, I dove into the native lifestyle. Amidst this untamed land, again, disparity glared. Showcased as the world of value, America's presence screamed from billboards and products. The quality of human character that I admired here contrasted with the glorification of the complex "developed" world seems an unbalanced duality. The cultural aspect of Ecuadorian sustainability was in jeopardy.
My biggest concern was that my presence would magnify inequality in worldwide wealth and opportunity. As a "privileged" foreigner, integration was challenging. Was my presence sparking a feeling of inferiority within a culture that I learned so much from? Attention from friends and co-workers, just for being American, made me uncomfortable. In time, I became proud of my contribution to society. The negligent presence of western culture exemplified economic polarization; once I distinguished myself from this, I saw positive influence and integrated more easily. Perhaps, I even lessened the misconception of America for Ecuadorians and myself.
These experiences proved influential lessons on flexibility, still driving my life choices and beliefs. I am forever aware that my influence, however small, does make an impact that matters in the world. I witnessed firsthand small choices affecting life in a great way. Allowing myself to actively assimilate to these cross-cultural experiences with openness, I learned invaluable lessons about the world and myself.
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where I got myself engaged and assimilated with foreign culture
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I livedLiving with a local family
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, whileimmersed in the study of theand support for learning the Spanish language.
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