They say that you learn something new everyday. Whether it be a simple fact or a life lesson, we are always growing and learning. This past month for me has been full of lessons from other cultures, both during my stay in Mexico and my work with Japanese students. I couldn't have been happier with the lessons learned. Here is a short list of the many things I learned.
1. There is true kindness and it comes from the heart.
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Trust me, I've experienced this sort of kindness. The best example comes from my time in Cancun, Mexico, when it was pouring rain outside. We were about to leave the restaurant with no umbrella in sight but the waiter stopped us in our tracks. Soon he led us through the kitchen and some areas customers were definitely not meant to be in to get us to our destination without feeling a drop of rain. That, my friends, is what kindness looks like.
2. Manners are sometimes just a few magical words.
The amount of times I've heard "excuse me" and "thank you" the past few weeks astonished me, both from the people in Mexico and student's I've worked with from Japan. They are thankful for the smallest things and don't ever want to be perceived as rude. Sometimes I find myself forgetting to use these magical words, but they are helping me remember that a few words can change a person's day.
3. Common ground can be found across language barriers.
Nothing says this more than being able to enjoy something without any words said. In Mexico, it was snorkeling and with my Japanese students it was the open plains. Both times, they were things being said while looking without a sound. Body language says much more than any words could. Bright eyes and smiles tell you things that any single sentence could not. The language barrier may be there but those are easy to overcome with common ground.
4. What's so bad about learning a new language?
I mean, seriously? Wouldn't the world be a better place if we left the ignorance behind and moved forward? In America, we don't have a single national language. We shouldn't either. Language is such a beautiful thing. English has got to be one of the hardest languages, but so many learn it. The other cultures have no problem with learning our language; in Cancun, they even had a how to eat a taco sign in English. Why can't we start learning more of their language?
5. Patience is a virtue everyone else seems to have acquired.
English is my native language and I still struggle with it. Yet, with my Japanese students, they had the patience to sit and wait for me to explain things. Not only would they wait but their gratitude shined across their face after I had explained. Even in Cancun, they had patience to deal with our typical tourist ways.
6. Determination to go the distance.
Never in my life had I experienced middle school students with as much drive as my Japanese students. They put blood, sweat and tears into learning our language and culture. One of my students said, "My favorite quote is 'No pain, no gain'." The same goes for the Mexican culture. They work hard for us tourists to have a wonderful stay. There was flash flood waters during our visit and taxis were still going. It's those simple things like that.
7. Kids will be kids.
It's as simple as that. Boys will still try and sneak off with girls. Girls will still fall in love with musical artists. There may be many differences between all countries but there will always be a common ground. Children will be rambunctious and test the limits. That's what make kids, well, kids.
8. Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat.
It certainly did not kill my students this past week. In Japan, there is a lot of skyscrapers and not many trees. This week, I got many different questions about my life and American culture. One student walked up to an irrigation pivot and said, "so beautiful." It's those simple things and that spark of curiosity that lights a fire in their soul and mine as well.
9. Everyone loves Backstreet Boys.
This speaks for itself; after seeing all the Japanese students sing every single word of "I Want It That Way" in English, I'm convinced.
10. If they can find forgiveness within their hearts, we can as well.
Just a friendly reminder -- we dropped two atomic bombs on their country in the past. This wouldn't be a big deal if I knew that no one was still racist and prejudice about members of Japan. Their whole culture revolves around us as a country and not once was their ill feelings during the week. They were able to forgive and forget, we should as well.
11. We are all human.
No matter our nationality, we are all human. We all have feelings and bleed the same color of blood. We should put aside our differences and find our common ground. Even through it all, we should all just remember that we are all apart of the same planet and are all human beings.
