An Authentic Expierence

Written by: Ellie Heinz

Major: Advertising & Promotion

Location: Florence, Italy

As an American, what we believe, dress, and act comes natural to us and we don’t think twice about it. However, the rest of the world around us has preconceived notions of how we act and look. Throughout my first week and half in Italy, I have noticed unintentional communication through the eyes of natives abroad directed towards me. People say natives abroad can pick out Americans by their loudness, drinking, and white tennis shoes. And believe we have a lack of respect for that country’s expansive history and culture. For example, Americans unconsciously accept foreigners to assimilate to the American culture. Yet, in Italy I have experienced an Italian manager of a family owned restaurant is willing to come up to me and speak English even if it’s not great. That alone has taught me to understand that even though we both have prejudged assumptions about one another’s culture and people; that doesn’t define us. What defines us and who we are is how we act in that exact moment of communication exchangement. I don’t know a lot of Italian but I have made it a goal to know the basics such as thank you, goodbye, hello, etc. to show I want to communicate with the people in the host country I am living in. Being American will live and define me by the way I dress and look but how I act can change how the world looks at Americans. So, I remind you if you are abroad be courteous and learn the basics of the host country’s language. Your actions alone can change many people’s perceptions of Americans. In addition, you will learn and gain a more authentic experience when abroad.

Categories: Italy, Advertising, Culture