"Let's dispense with this absurd stereotypical notion that the French people are rude. The French are not rude. They just happen to hate you." ~Dave Barry, Only Travel Guide You'll Ever NeedI think it's obvious that a study abroad experience is designed to open your eyes to the diversity of the world. In taking classes, traveling between nations, and engaging in conversations with people from around the world, we get to see people in the best of times and worst of times. But the key to that is we get to see "people." The key isn't we get to see "Frenchmen" or see "Americans" or see "Czechs." We just see people.
And what a blessed opportunity to get to take classes with and from people from all over the world. It is an opportunity to hear how others understand the world and see current events, leadership strategies, and information through their eyes.
My friend Bryan sent me this video the other day. In it, Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie says, "...the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story." In the nine days that I have been in Prague, many of my stereotypes have been shattered.
Europeans are not the socialists I imagined them to be.
English language is not as prevalant as I'd thought it would be.
The French are not as snobby as we are lead to believe.
I wanted to share the video with everyone. I hope you get a chance to watch it, and I hope you see something that shatters your stereotypes today.
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