Comments on: Would the world be different if more of us had traveled to Iran? http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/06/19/would-the-world-be-different-if-more-of-us-had-ever-traveled-to-iran/ thoughts on black women living globally through international travel Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:08:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/06/19/would-the-world-be-different-if-more-of-us-had-ever-traveled-to-iran/comment-page-1/#comment-110 urbantravelgirl Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:51:35 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=243#comment-110 Mary, you're SO right about how personal friendships can make us much more interested in learning about a culture. And seeking out and cultivating these friendships can be so rewarding. I know it's not possible for everyone, but those of us who live in diverse cities (as I do in Chicago) have the world outside our front doors, with people hailing from nearly every country and culture RIGHT HERE in the city. Of course, it may take a little more effort or work, but taking language classes at cultural institutions (such as the Alliance Francaise or Instituto Cervantes, for French speakers) or getting involved in more internationally focused organizations can help foster these relationships naturally. And what can be more important during changing world times like these? Can't wait to spend more time checking out YOUR blog about your lives in Okinawa! Mary, you’re SO right about how personal friendships can make us much more interested in learning about a culture. And seeking out and cultivating these friendships can be so rewarding. I know it’s not possible for everyone, but those of us who live in diverse cities (as I do in Chicago) have the world outside our front doors, with people hailing from nearly every country and culture RIGHT HERE in the city.

Of course, it may take a little more effort or work, but taking language classes at cultural institutions (such as the Alliance Francaise or Instituto Cervantes, for French speakers) or getting involved in more internationally focused organizations can help foster these relationships naturally. And what can be more important during changing world times like these?

Can’t wait to spend more time checking out YOUR blog about your lives in Okinawa!

]]> By: Mary R http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/06/19/would-the-world-be-different-if-more-of-us-had-ever-traveled-to-iran/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Mary R Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:01:37 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=243#comment-111 Travel has certainly opened my mind to different views of the world and life...I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia in the mid 1990's not long after its period of apartheid. As a caucasian and foreigner, I felt for the first time what it was like to be singled out because of being different...not a pleasant experience! I've also learned so much about the world by having friends from different countries. For me, I need the friendship first and then I get interested in visiting that country, and then I get interested in that country's politics and current events. Happened that way for so many places for me-- Turkey, Czech Republic, Japan. Travel has certainly opened my mind to different views of the world and life…I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia in the mid 1990’s not long after its period of apartheid. As a caucasian and foreigner, I felt for the first time what it was like to be singled out because of being different…not a pleasant experience!

I’ve also learned so much about the world by having friends from different countries. For me, I need the friendship first and then I get interested in visiting that country, and then I get interested in that country’s politics and current events. Happened that way for so many places for me– Turkey, Czech Republic, Japan.

]]> By: urbantravelgirl http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/06/19/would-the-world-be-different-if-more-of-us-had-ever-traveled-to-iran/comment-page-1/#comment-112 urbantravelgirl Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:44:27 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=243#comment-112 Hello there, Planet Nomad! You certainly have a fascinating -- and unique -- perspective, having spent significant time in the Muslim world. I'm hardly an idealist, but I SO strongly believe that the more we know about each other firsthand -- not just through the ridiculous, vapid pop culture America exports to the rest of the world, nor us from the stereotypes forced down our throats by war-hungry American politicians -- the better off we ALL will be. Glad you liked the post's title. I'm a journalist, but I struggled with what to call this. But essentially, that's my feeling: it's really hard to hate people once you get to know them. So as Rick Steves signs off at the end of his travel shows, we must "keep on traveling!" Maureen Hello there, Planet Nomad! You certainly have a fascinating — and unique — perspective, having spent significant time in the Muslim world. I’m hardly an idealist, but I SO strongly believe that the more we know about each other firsthand — not just through the ridiculous, vapid pop culture America exports to the rest of the world, nor us from the stereotypes forced down our throats by war-hungry American politicians — the better off we ALL will be.

Glad you liked the post’s title. I’m a journalist, but I struggled with what to call this. But essentially, that’s my feeling: it’s really hard to hate people once you get to know them. So as Rick Steves signs off at the end of his travel shows, we must “keep on traveling!”

Maureen

]]> By: planetnomad http://urbantravelgirl.com/2009/06/19/would-the-world-be-different-if-more-of-us-had-ever-traveled-to-iran/comment-page-1/#comment-113 planetnomad Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:28:04 +0000 http://urbantravelgirl.com/?p=243#comment-113 I think this is an excellent point and I'm going to have to look for that book. My family lived in Mauritania for 6 years. An isolated, poor, Muslim desert nation, Mauritanians have had little contact with the west. Honestly, living there was an eyeopener for us, but also for many of the friends we made there. They often told us, "You're not like other Americans," and then they'd quote us a list of stereotypes. Many people told us that knowing us had changed their views on Americans. Love the title of this post! I think this is an excellent point and I’m going to have to look for that book. My family lived in Mauritania for 6 years. An isolated, poor, Muslim desert nation, Mauritanians have had little contact with the west. Honestly, living there was an eyeopener for us, but also for many of the friends we made there. They often told us, “You’re not like other Americans,” and then they’d quote us a list of stereotypes. Many people told us that knowing us had changed their views on Americans.

Love the title of this post!

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