Final GL Blog: Being a Global Citizen

In chapter two of Gaudium et Spes the document states that, “man comes to a true and full humanity only through culture, that is through the cultivation of the goods and values of nature. Wherever human life is involved, therefore, nature and culture are quite intimately connected one with the other.” It goes on to explain the importance of understanding other cultures because this in turn helps to foster peace between diverse groups of people. The proper development of culture is emphasized throughout the document in order to increase love and understanding and diminish conflicts that come about as a result of ignorance.

One of the best ways to absorb another culture is to be fully immersed in it as much as possible. That is what we attempted to do on our eight week trip in Rome. We have explored numerous places and have eaten in more restaurants and cafes than I can count, and in those places we encountered a lot of Italians. Some spoke English very well and others only a few words at the most. We had to use and invent new skills when it came to ordering food and asking for directions. We had to learn how to navigate the public transportation system and be patient while we were squished inside of buses and metro trains. We learned how to spot suspicious people who may attempt to take our things, we even learned how to properly hold and guard our bags. We had to learn how to be Italian, specifically Roman.

All of the new skills that we learned have made us global citizens. One of the things that I was most nervous about before coming to Rome was figuring out transportation, not only around the city but also when we were allowed to travel to different places for our free weekends. It seemed like such a daunting thing, now it is no problem, even in other countries besides Italy. I have a greater understanding of how those types of things work over here, and a greater appreciation for the car I drive at home everyday. Navigating the transportation, along with other aspects of the trip, has in general increased my confidence in my own abilities to travel to new places. I am no longer nervous about trying to ask someone for directions, even if that person does not speak English. I have figured out ways to communicate with people that I would not have known before traveling here.

For one week we had the opportunity to stay with an Italian family in Rome. I was able to see how they lived their daily lives, what they did for meals, and how they spent their free time. It was similar and yet different from what many do at home. I felt that I learned the most about people from the homestay and from sitting down and watching people. Understanding different people can contribute to becoming a global citizen because we are able blend in better and not stick out so much as a tourist. This is good not only for safety reasons but I think it also shows respect for the host country. It shows that we are trying to understand and adopt their ways rather than staying persistently ignorant.