Still restless over playing tourist and struggling to fit in with the culture, I reread Smith Carvill's observations. As a student studying abroad, and a follower of Christ, I am called to be a blessing to locals. Efforts such as attempting to speak German(no matter how stupid I sound) as much as possible, or attentively listening to their stories followed by asking good questions shows a visitor is learning from their surrounding by comparing and contrasting what is known with the unknown. While studying abroad is a privilege with it’s own beauty and mystery in cultural enrichment, there are difficulties being a stranger in foreign area. As a guest in another country, my values, tastes, and thoughts will be completely different to people of that region. I am surrounded by positive and negative stereotypes based on the limited information or excess information associated with an American. In my culture, I get through awkward situations or varying displays of conflict by injecting humor into the conversation. Unfortunately, very few people laugh at my jokes or get my humor, probably in English and especially in German.
What gives me comfort is my relationship with God “frees me from ultimate dependency on my location and culture.” How awesome is it that Christian strangers are already a part of a worldwide community of believers? With that comfort, I am trying to use every situation as a cultural illustration, which explores different values and behaviors within the area I am visiting while allowing me to reflect upon the country I call my own.
Beautifully spoken.
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