Let's Fail, A Lot!
1. While studying abroad, I try not to draw attention to myself and to not be seen as the stereotypical American. In Italy, everyday is a new adventure. Eating is a big part of their culture and coffee is even bigger. Italians are very particular about their coffee. They have rules for it. You can't order at the bar and sit down, or they'll have to charge you, you can't take it to go, and most importantly you can't order a cappuccino past 11. Recently, I made the mistake of ordering the disgraceful cappuccino past the appropriate hour at the local coffee bar and was basically shunned by the entire store. I failed to conceal myself from the embarrassing stereotype we as Americans have while abroad.
2. While the whole ordeal was embarrassing, I did learn that it is okay to ask people things beforehand if you don't understand something. Culture is a learning process, it is not something that can be taught in school. One can be born into it, but another person has to be taught it.Living abroad allows you to make mistakes and learn from them because you're in an environment that is new and different to you.
3. I believe that if you look at failure as a bad thing you'll have a bad perspective on life. Failing is all about trying something new, not making mistakes. If you think about it in a different view you'll realize that you actually did something to step out of your comfort zone and tried it out. Focusing on the failure rather than the new experience you've gained will give it a negative aspect, but changing your perspective and thinking about it in a different light will actually help you not only feel better about yourself, but also on the concept of 'failure'.
2. While the whole ordeal was embarrassing, I did learn that it is okay to ask people things beforehand if you don't understand something. Culture is a learning process, it is not something that can be taught in school. One can be born into it, but another person has to be taught it.Living abroad allows you to make mistakes and learn from them because you're in an environment that is new and different to you.
3. I believe that if you look at failure as a bad thing you'll have a bad perspective on life. Failing is all about trying something new, not making mistakes. If you think about it in a different view you'll realize that you actually did something to step out of your comfort zone and tried it out. Focusing on the failure rather than the new experience you've gained will give it a negative aspect, but changing your perspective and thinking about it in a different light will actually help you not only feel better about yourself, but also on the concept of 'failure'.
Adi,
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting about all the rules Italians have about coffee! If I studied abroad there, I would most certainly make some of the same mistakes. Learning a new culture is a pretty scary thing, especially if you're doing it by yourself, so you're bound to "fail" every once in a while. You have a great attitude about it though, which means you won't be so hesitant about trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone.