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How To Do Cultural Exchange With Hilichurls

While traveling is always fun, doing so abroad can be way more expensive than staying at home or taking some time off. This is not only annoying for budget travelers, but it also cannot help but heighten the feeling of jealousy that other people seem to have enough money to travel. Luckily, these days there […]

By
LNGFRM Team
Published December 14, 2022

While traveling is always fun, doing so abroad can be way more expensive than staying at home or taking some time off. This is not only annoying for budget travelers, but it also cannot help but heighten the feeling of jealousy that other people seem to have enough money to travel.

Luckily, these days there are many ways to do cultural exchange through organized tours and programs. You pay an equal amount or even less than your normal tour group, and you get all of the same experiences as one would from going alone!

This article will talk about some easy ways to start practicing cultural exchanges via trips. We will go over how to choose which ones are best for you, and what to watch out for while preparing.

Do not try to speak with them immediately

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

A lot of people make the mistake of trying to talk to someone in their native language as soon as they meet them, which is totally unnecessary unless you have nothing better to do!

This can be very annoying for the other person, who may not understand your language or even recognize it as one.

Instead, start talking to them either in their language or yours, depending on what kind of conversation you want to have, and then switch over when you feel that they’re more comfortable.

Bring something for them to buy

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

Bringing something from your country is a great way to start cultural exchange! If you are visiting a new city, there’s probably an area that has some of the things that you like back home so why not get some snacks or drinks or whatever it is that makes you feel happy?

A great way to do this is by shopping at local stores. There may be a store in the area that carries items that matter to you – maybe they have merchandise with Chinese characters on it which means they cater to Asian customers.

By supporting these businesses through buying what they sell, people in their community will realize how much effort you appreciate their business! It’ll make them feel good about themselves and your friendship will grow as a result.

And don’t forget to spend money! When was the last time someone gave you discounts because you spent enough money at their restaurant/store? A few dollars more here and there really does add up and can leave them very grateful.

Try new foods

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

One of the things that many people get hung up on when trying to do cultural exchange is food. When you go into another country, their cuisine can be very different than what you are used to back home.

Try some of the local dishes! If you’re not sure if something looks or tastes good, ask someone else if it was good first before eating your own serving.

There are so many ways to enjoy delicious food, even if they are not your normal recipes. You could try making your own variations or buying similar recipes online or at a restaurant nearby.

Another way to make the most out of your trip is by asking about the area’s culture. What languages do they speak, what types of festivals and celebrations occur, and what are some important holidays?

You may find that there are some similarities in cultures that share the same major religions or symbols. For example, both Japan and Italy feature little children as the main characters for many stories. This is because both nations have a strong sense of family loyalty.

If you are ever stuck deciding what to eat, ask around how other people would recommend the food. There might be someone close to you who knows of the place and its products well.

Do not get too drunk

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

While drinking is an integral part of hilicho culture, doing so excessively can have disastrous effects on you both physically and emotionally. Drinking to excess will negatively affect your health by causing dehydration, alcohol poisoning, or alcoholic poisoning.

Drinking too much also raises your blood pressure and stress levels, which only adds to the already high level of stress that comes with traveling abroad. Both of these contribute to hardening of the arteries, which could lead to heart attacks and/or strokes.

Furthermore, because Chile has very strict laws pertaining to driving under the influence, it’ll be harder for you to get home once nightfall arrives. You may end up stranded somewhere out-of-the-way and expensive!

Lastly, if you overdo it then it’ll probably take longer to recover than expected. It’d be better to keep things moderate – even just a few drinks – rather than spending the rest of the day in bed due to illness or injury.

Do not do anything you would not normally do

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

This can be difficult when you are traveling abroad for the first time or even in your life, especially if you are coming from a very liberal society with lots of freedoms.

Culture is always going to have rules and regulations that go along with it. Following these rules is an important part of cultural immersion and understanding other people.

For example, eating meat like chicken or beef at a restaurant will not usually include the trimmings like fries or salad unless you really ask for them. If you are looking to eat healthier, this may be something to consider changing.

Dressing appropriately for different events is another thing that can get picked up quickly so don’t wear your normal clothes to a wedding ceremony!

There will probably be decorations and souvenirs you cannot use or keep home because they belong to someone else. Make sure to research what brands are popular around the world before buying anything.

Tell your friends

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

Doing things with people of different cultures is always a good way to learn! Getting to know someone from another country can be very educational, especially if you do it properly. When traveling, there’s no reason to keep yourself private unless you really have to.

By being open about what you like and don’t like, how much money you have, etc., you will start developing friendships that are rich in knowledge and understanding. Plus, it’ll help you connect more easily with other people.

It’s not only great for personal growth, but also professional development — our careers depend on relationships so this makes sense. And when you’re in a leadership position, cultural exchange can help you understand who your colleagues are and what strengths they have.

To avoid making assumptions, work hard to listen rather than talk. Ask questions and try to get some insights into their culture by observing and talking to them. Also, ask about similarities and differences, not just about politics or entertainment.

Tell your family

When you get back home, tell your loved ones about your experiences in Germany. They will be curious to know what you were doing during your trip!

Make sure to ask if they have any plans while you’re there so that you can avoid expensive surprises or wasted time.

And don’t forget to mention how much you enjoyed being in Europe! Most people enjoy traveling, and having others recognize this is an excellent way to boost their self-confidence.

Do not get involved with their culture

how to do cultural exchange with hilichurls

While it is very sweet to see how much your friends or family members admire the way you live, don’t fall in love with this life.

It can also sometimes feel like they are trying too hard to be like you.

This could easily push them into doing things that are socially accepted instead of what feels natural to them.

For example, maybe they will start eating meat every meal because they think it looks good like you do. Or perhaps they will try to keep up with your house hold by buying brands that are similar to yours.

These might seem nice at first, but eventually they will lose quality of life due to health issues or brand loyalty built on products that aren’t as healthy for you.

By being aware of these risks, you can still enjoy social exchanges while limiting potential damage to yourself and your long-term goals.

Author

  • LNGFRM Team

    Frank DiBernardo handles LNGFRM's Foodie and Miscellaneous writing tasks. He's always getting ideas from users, so don't be afraid to send an email to the editor.

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