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Mentor Advice

Question

How did you interact with the locals and immerse yourself in another culture?

4 Replies from Mentors

  • mentor picture Ana Campos
     
    Ana Campos
    Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Student Housing
    University of Chicago
    I found the best ways to do this were to meet other students in the Universities that I attended,...
    I found the best ways to do this were to meet other students in the Universities that I attended, and to do what the locals do – which in my case meant spending the afternoons in various bars/cafes socializing and talking, and then going out dancing in the evenings. In addition, I also advertised that I would like to be a Language Buddy so that I could practice my foreign language with a local, and they could practice English with me. We would speak for 30 minutes in one language, and then 30 minutes in the other. This way I made new local friends, and was introduced to their circle of friends as well. Lastly, I spent a lot of time with my host families and tried to attend any of the familial activities to which I was invited. Meeting their extended family and friends always provided additional opportunities to learn about the culture of the country I was in, and make stronger connections with my host family.