Traveling Abroad: Things to Think About

Welcome back to the jungle! Instead of focusing on an aspect of Laos and the people who live there, I will be talking about us instead. While it’s a good thing to learn about people on the other side of the world, it’s important to examine ourselves and ask if we would be able to cope with the differences between our culture and theirs. Before you travel or take a job abroad, some self-reflection is in order. If you’ve read some of my other posts, you’re already familiar with the fact that Laotians think differently, act differently, and have different religious beliefs than we do. This post is my own reflection on my ability to get along in Laos. Let this serve as a template, so when you travel abroad you also have an idea of the types of questions you need to answer.  

Going to Laos for a week or two wouldn’t be difficult. Laotians are usually a very welcoming people and open to tourism. While you might experience some confusion during your short stay, there’s also the reassurance of a speedy return to your own home. Fortunately, English is fairly common in Laos, especially in high-traffic areas, which makes it a lot easier to get around.

If you were to stay longer, say for a year or more, it would be much more challenging. I would start to miss my food, my language, and my friends and family who aren’t there with me. Technology helps with staying connected, but it isn’t the same as being able to physically see and be with them. A lot more preparation goes into staying in a foreign land for a long time. Personally, I may struggle to be successful in Laos for a long time.

For example, Laotians are commonly late for things. As for myself and many other Americans, we run on the saying ‘time is money’. We work excruciatingly long hours, always paying attention to the time. In direct opposition, Laotians focus on the moment and the person they’re with. Another example is in how they approach medical care. While we look at it from a strictly scientific perspective, Laotians use a spiritual or holistic approach. To them, the entire being as a whole must be considered, instead of the one thing that appears to be wrong.

There are a few things you can do to make the adjustment to a new culture easier. You’re already doing one of those things, which is learning about key features of their culture. You can also make a plan for your time there, especially if you’re a tourist. Knowing where you’re going and how to get there can ease a lot of travel anxiety. Finally, it’s good to learn at least a little of their language. For short-term visits, a handful of useful phrases is sufficient, although the longer you’re there the more you should learn.

While we’re talking about the practicality of visiting Laos, it is worth mentioning ethics. One of the large barriers is ethnocentrism. Simply put, it is the belief that your culture’s beliefs and ways of doing things is better than anyone else’s. It seems obvious and easy to do, but sometimes it isn’t. In India, when daughters get married, they leave their family’s home and live with their husband’s family. They may never see their family again. To us this seems barbaric, but for them, it is their way of life. In Laos, you may seem some strange practices such as this that make you uncomfortable or seem immoral. However, it is best to keep in mind that they would think we are equally as strange if they came to America.

As of right now, I don’t have the means to travel to Laos. Some of you may be stuck stateside as well, but you still desire to travel abroad someday. Here are some things you can do to either get to your desired country, or to get to know people from there.

·       If you’re a student, try a study abroad program! Oftentimes there are a lot of scholarships available, which can help immensely.

·       Host an exchange student! Should you have the means and enjoy hosting young people, contact a local university or school district to find out how to house someone.

·       Volunteering! There are humanitarian organizations that look for volunteers to help out abroad. If you enjoy helping people and don’t mind hard work, this may be the perfect avenue for you

·       Finally, there is the internet. You can meet people through a variety of platforms online, so you can always try to get to know foreign people that way. However, do be careful with this one, as people are not always who they say they are.

Now that you know how to prepare and what to do until you can travel to the place of your choice, it is time to turn on your favorite music and get planning!