Suggestions for Enhancing Your
Appreciation of Differences
Now that you are
in another a country and considered to be the "foreigner," it is
important to step back and take a hard look at the differences
you may encounter. You are not in the United States anymore, and
things that you may consider strange are "normal" to
others. Here are a few things to consider when in another
country:
1
Concentrate on similarities.
2
Acknowledge differences. Consider how differences make each of
us unique. Reflecting
on how those differences can broaden your understanding about
life.
Consider what you can learn from those differences.
3
Withhold judgment about people who are different from you in
terms of backgrounds, habits, values, and appearances. Before
making a judgment or decision about someone, check out the
accuracy of your thoughts or opinions.
4
Ask
yourself why the other person is the way s/he is. Consider how
you might act, think, or feel if your life experiences were
similar to those of the other person.
5
Find
the part of you that can identify with what it is like to be
different.
6
Accept
people as they are rather than expecting them to be like you.
7
Stretch
to accept and appreciate the differences that you encounter.
8
Take
the risk of getting to know the people who are different from
you. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you reach
out, the more comfortable you are likely to be.
9
Challenge yourself. What are some things you can start to do now
to enhance your appreciation of differences? Set specific goals
and begin to work on them today. |
