Summer Language Abroad 2023

After having been back in the US for a week and a half, I already miss some aspects of the Italian culture in which I was participating and notice that, in the US, there are some aspects of life that are wildly different.

For example, I miss having dinner with my host family and talking for hours (literally) about the things we had done, experiences, and what we hope would happen in the future. I noticed that in the US, at least my family, does not eat dinner like this on a regular basis.

Maybe this could change in the near future if I were to suggest it, but with a college lifestyle it’s very unlikely that anything changes.

One thing I do miss most was not just eating with what I now consider family, but also seeing my Italian relatives who were happy to see that I had made the effort to learn the language and see them. Hopefully I return to Italy (with better Italian) and see them again for another trip!

The first aspects I noticed from the different ‘cultural dimensions’ between Italy and the United States was the differing levels of individuality and indulgence. In both scenarios, Italy has a lower score compared to the United States, and in terms of indulgence, the score is less than half of that of the United States. These scores were evident from Italy’s culture because, from what I was able to observe, I found Italy to be a more homogenous country with more simplistic and traditional values.

For example, in terms of indulgence, most Italians do not own an abundance of “things” as I have seen in the US, there are less houses and more apartments, which creates a more limited, simplistic, and routine lifestyle. Also, being that Italians are less inclined to indulge, I noticed that there were also some cultural ties that encouraged this self-control like some of the catholic-paganism ideology that existed and traditions that were generally enforced by families. Americans, on the contrary, seem to be more inclined to indulge with all of the innovation and production that goes on in the country. I am guilty of it as well, with conveniences like amazon and online shopping, it is almost encouraged and a part of our culture.

As for other aspects that seem to be a part of our culture, the idea of individualism seems to be one as well. It is evident that America prides itself on its individuality and the fact that anyone has the freedom to do almost anything that they choose in order to make a living. However, in Italy, most likely due to its more homogenous culture and tendencies, is less individualistic than the US. This was evident by how Italians would choose to spend their free time, and it was evident that there were always large groups of people doing the same activities and spending time together. It could also be seen by the lack of people in the city at times, because for the Palio, it was tradition for the losing ‘contrade’ to go on vacation afterwards.

Before diving into my critical incident analysis, here is a quick update on my travels. I’ve settled well into my homestay, and my classes in Spanish have been going really well. My conversation, reading, and listening skills have all improved already, and I’m excited to see where I’ll be at in another week! It’s rainy season here, so it’s hot and sunny with thunderstorms (las tormentas) in the afternoon. I’m establishing my daily routines walking to my classes, cooking my meals, and exploring the city. My first week here was at the height of Guelaguatza, a long festival with a history and meaning of inter-group sharing among Indigenous peoples of Mexico. The parades, performances, and cultural events have been an incredible experience of life here. It’s also interesting to see how life changes during and after the festival. 

I haven’t had any super notable critical incidents; but there is one recurring pattern that I think can still be analyzed through this framework. The way I dress, my mannerisms, and perhaps my features paint a picture that says “not local!” Because of this, occasionally people have quickly attempted to switch to English when I speak to them, in multiple settings, such as stores, restaurants, and events (such as art showings, poetry readings, concerts). As much as I appreciate people’s willingness to communicate with me in a way they think is easier (well, is easier) for me, I’m dedicated to speaking Spanish in my everyday life. In those moments, I feel a bit of shame for not speaking Spanish well enough for people to assume I can communicate on their terms. I’m working on overcoming the fear and awkwardness of the inevitable misunderstandings that come with crossing language ‘borders’ and barriers. What I’ve actually found, is that so much can be communicated and mutually understood /despite/ language barriers. Giving this pattern thought, it also might reflect broader patterns of power. In the U.S., many people think “if you move to my country, you should speak my language.” But when I, a person with the privilege of a U.S. passport and funds to learn Spanish, comes to a country whose peoples face language difficulties and discrimination in the U.S., I am met with an incredibly friendly and accommodating atmosphere, where people will connect with and help me in English or Spanish. I hope that when I return to the U.S., I can take this spirit of ‘meeting people where they’re at,’ and connect more with Spanish-speakers who may have difficulties with English; I’ve helped out elderly folks in places like Oakland before, but always wished my Spanish was better so I could do more. A really important part of this, in either side, setting, or situation, is for everyone to do their best to mutually understand each other’s language preferences and uplift each other while being conscious of power.