Learning a Language by Elissa

Learning a Language by Elissa - October 2018 Scholarship Essay

It has been a little over two months since I started practicing the Japanese language and culture in preparation for my trip to Japan this summer. In my efforts to learn how to use a mall toilet properly and figuring out why sticking your chopsticks upright into your rice is a bad idea, I came upon a sudden revelation. Many people who visit other countries research little to nothing on the fundamental aspects of their destination. There are many examples of tourists not knowing how to ask “Do you know English?” or “Where are the restrooms?”. It seems silly to me that the people who study about where they are going are so little in their amount. Taking that extra step to learn a new culture is an important and exhilarating experience. Those who think outside the box and take significant time in their indevours will know that parking between blue parking lines in Italy will get you fined and that hitchhiking in Mexico can be fatal. When you learn about the culture, not only will your trip be less dangerous but you will also be able to experience things that those less knowledgeable would disregard. In any ordeal, especially one involving traveling, taking the time to consider things that most people would ignore is essential in getting a unique experience. Thinking outside of the box is having the ability to take the time to appraise things that most people would overlook, and this is essential in getting a unique experience.