EMBRACING NEW CULTURES WHILE

TRAVELLING ABROAD

Gummi Fridriksson

INTRODUCTION

Travelling to a new country presents countless opportunities to explore and embrace new cultures. However, travellers can easily miss out on the best that a location has to offer by frequenting only those resorts, museums, and other common tourist destinations that are found in their guidebooks. There are many simple ways to engage with a local culture in a meaningful way, and most require only a genuine interest in new cultures and an adventurous spirit.

Naturally, conversing with the locals is a wonderful way to become acquainted with a new culture. However, travellersshould undertake sufficient research beforehand to ensure that they understand the general social etiquette of their destination and can communicate both effectively and politely.

NEW CULTURES

In addition, you should make an effort to truly listen and learn from your conversation partners.

Your choice of accommodation can have a significant impact on how you experience a new culture. Staying in a short-term rental, or even organising a home stay with a local resident, will offer more opportunities to interact with and learn from locals than would a traditional hotel.

While you’ll likely have a checklist of landmarks that you are eager to visit, many travel experts advise taking a slower, more leisurely approach to travel.

CONCLUSION

Choosing to walk or take public transportation whenever possible can help you experience a culture more organically, allowing you to discover a city’s less obvious charms and attractions. Perusing a local supermarket or enjoying a leisurely breakfast at a local cafe can reveal more about everyday life in an unfamiliar location than a trip to typical tourist destinations.

In the same vein, food is an excellent way to explore and connect with new cultures. Eating at smaller, locally owned establishments, trying traditional dishes, visiting local farmers’ markets, and even fielding culinary recommendations from local acquaintances are all ways to delve into a culture’s culinary traditions.