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Making friends with men and women from other countries and cultures can change the way you view the world. Remember that time that Jay Z and Beyoncé met Prince William and Kate? Everyone flipped out. Why? Because when people from different ends of the world meet with the intention of camaraderie, it tends to be a phenomenal experience.
Are you considering finally take that trip to Europe or that gap year volunteering in South America? Here is a list of five reasons why it is highly beneficial to befriend as many people from around the world as possible.
When you meet people who were not raised with the same cultural background as you were, you begin to realize that what you know barely scratches the surface of the vast array of global cultural experiences. When you learn about regions around the globe from the people who actually live in them, you are given the opportunity to challenge any and all stereotypes of which you may not have been aware.
Different countries around the world all have certain days of the year dedicated to celebrating meaningful religious and cultural events. By making friends with people across the globe, you learn the significance of other holidays and traditions that are different from the ones you are familiar with. From the Christmas Markets that last the entire month of December in Vienna to the Hindu Festival of Lights in India, there are a vast array of vibrant celebrations to learn about!
Learning about traditional cuisine from the around the world is the absolute best. Befriending locals will help you taste new varieties of ingredients and flavors. Maybe you will learn to love Pho Ga in Vietnam, Windbeutel cream puffs in Germany, or maybe even Gallo Pinto in Costa Rica. The world is your oyster (which is an excellent staple of French cuisine, by the way).
It’s incredibly exciting to help friends learn how to pronounce words correctly in your native language, especially when you witness the lightbulb go off in their heads once they grasp the word’s true meaning. Learning a new language not only connects you to a wider expanse of people globally, but it gives you a deeper insight into how you can express yourself to the world through words. Once you realize this, you will never take your native language for granted again. Not to mention, you can totally flaunt your new linguistic prowess in front of your local buddies!
Before, you could only picture your life and the country in which you now live. Now, because of your new friends, you are constantly reminded that it’s a pretty big world out there. Whether it’s something tragic like the recent earthquake in Ecuador or something exciting like a soccer game between Argentina and Chile, the world will always feel as if it is right outside your front door.
