Sooo I just want to talk about something.
One of the most important things to do when you're an exchange student in another country is to learn.
Teaching isn't why I came here. I didn't come here to educate everyone on the way the U.S. does everything.
Some people might tend to forget that. Sometimes I do. But if people ask me about the U.S., I'll tell them and I'll explain, since they were curious.
But to constantly be telling these people how the U.S. does things can come off as condescending. It may not be on purpose. But people may feel offended, as if I'm saying "Hey, my country is better, so you should follow my way, because I'm just so cool"
Not what I want people to think about me. No thanks.
What Rotary explained to me very clearly before I left is that it's best for everyone's sake if I just keep my opinions on politics to myself. Totally understandable. Differences in opinions can sometimes set people apart. It can make or break you. It starts tensions when what you say isn't what they want.
So it's safe to stay clear from that.
I never knew how much of a challenge that would be for me.
I'm a vocal person. I'm stubborn, headstrong, loud, and opinionated. I come from a vocal family full of stubborn loud mouthed people who are just as headstrong and opinionated as I am. Together we're chaos. Back to my point though, keeping things to myself is a task I figured I could succeed in.
But it's a little different than how I had expected.
I figured people who ask me my opinion and explain their point and then move on. No big deal.
But what happens is that while I'm playing dumb like I have no opinion what-so-ever, everyone else sits there and talks about the U.S. in such a negative manner. They turn every deed that the U.S. has ever done into some kind of plan to take over the world.
That's how these people, who are not citizens on the U.S. see us. Power-hungry, money-thriving, weapon-filled country. We're monsters to them.
When it comes to our society and the way people live, they would do whatever to live like us.
But when it comes to any of our international affairs, they mock us, ridicule us, and criticize us.
It's strange because for me, whenever someone does something bad or rude and whatever, I ALWAYS make sure I look at it form both ways. I might be on the side that got hurt or was effected by this action, but that does not stop me from trying to see it from their side. There are two sides to every story. I do not believe there are bad people out in the world. There may be manipulated people who might be mentally unstable or mentally harmed. But everyone has a reason for what they're doing, and most people do things because they believe it's whats best.
So when I always take the time to see the good in people, there are people out there who love to see the bad.
Why? Beats me. But I guess it makes people feel better.
It's easier for some people to see the world as black and white, good and bad. That way, nothing has to be complicated. People chose to be naive because it's less scary.
I'm sorry, I tend to get side tracked and ramble about stuff. I'm bad at this.
MAIN POINTT!!
People see the U.S. as bad people who are trying to take over the world. And I'm not sure if or how I should defend my country. I'm not really a nationalist or patriotic person. But when you've been living in a foreign country for a while, you tend to have a little more pride for where you're from.
But everyone everywhere criticizes the U.S.. We're either gods, or monsters. Depends on the reporter and who took the pictures.
Changing the subject real quick before I end this.
This weekend I'm going to Salzberg (austria for those dumbasses)
I'm excited!!!
I'll update on how it is.
