Some Thoughts From Living Abroad...
People love stereotypes, and I think it's because the less variety there is in the world the easier it is to understand. Or more so the easier it is in your false reality, which in fact lacks any kind of reality. I also think that many stereotypes individuals have of other people come from simply not knowing, but regardless, viewing humans through a narrow lens is really harmful and honestly really stupid. Because it's not difficult to educate yourself and it's not difficult to talk to people and it should not be difficult to be an open, loving person. And I believe that I am a very open, loving person, which is obviously why I wanted to do an exchange in the first place, so I think I have some good perspectives that I want to share.
Firstly, I, one thousand percent believe that being in a very diverse group of international people is the best thing that you could possibly do. And I can only advise that you find a way to surround yourself with more culture, and colour and languages, and -dare I say- religions. Because simply by existing, harmoniously, or controversially, with people who differ from you, that is protest. It shouldn’t be protest, in an ideal society existence should be the bare minimum, but it's not, and especially as an American, I know it is not. So basically I guess this is a political statement to support immigrants and that the more people I meet the more obvious it becomes that we’re all made of the same things, and that you are the same as the mexican family in your neighborhood. Everyone deserves stability where they choose to live, whether they be international students or immigrants, whether they need more paperwork or not, because paper is so worthless and we are all literally the same.
And thus I have a very difficult time representing the United States, as an exchange student. Because the United States is a very hot topic in international politics, and people always are yapping on about, and it's hard because I find that all global criticism is true… Many stereotypes people have of the United States are horribly true, like all those related to school shootings and gun violence. Like yes I have practiced school shooting drills multiple times every single year that I’ve been in school, and I think it’s normal to just randomly hear a loud bang and assume it’s a gun shot. And the healthcare system is f’ed up, and our government is sickeningly diabolical, but there is so much more than that too. So it’s hard to explain that all the best things in the United States are from immigrants, and a result of the immense diversity of culture we have in our cities, because people are less open to that perspective. People don’t like to hear that my favorite ‘American’ foods are Pad Thai, Tamales, and Falafel. But that is what we eat in America. People don’t like to hear that I’m already bilingual, that I’m in fact the daughter of an immigrant, or that I’m not a Christian, because all the ways that I’m American challenge global stereotypes of who Americans are. And that is the only cultural pride I have, that I am a ‘bad’ American. Because I hate so much of the United States in ways my international friends could not understand, because please, if you think the news is bad then try living there your whole life.
This now transitions into how jealous I am of all the exchange students who can happily wrap themselves in their country's flags and just go on with their lives. Or even have pride in their country, who want to represent their country. And like yes, I do want to represent the United States, but I can only assume that the United States would not be happy with the representation I’m giving it… But regardless I remain an unapologetic, albeit not so proud American. So that was kinda rambling and quite chaotic but I said what I wanted to say, and I’m sorry it’s not really about Argentina but all these thoughts are related to the exchange student experience I’m having so it feels appropriate. And I promise you’ll get a more Argentina oriented post very soon.
But in the meantime here are some Photos!
❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜❤️
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