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| Mural Found strolling through Brussels one afternoon |
So now that I have been here for a while I have picked up on different social norms in the area. Overall, I think Europeans are much more accepting of different backgrounds. Maybe this is due to more exposure to different cultures and a more international environment. Regarding attitudes towards gender and sexuality, I have found that Europe is much more tolerant of these issues than America. In nearly every town I have been to I have seen a gay pride flag, which is something I cannot say for many American cities. There seems to be a large LGBT presence on campus as well. Being a part of a LGBT society here doesn't seem to come with many of the labels as it can at American Universities. Also, on the University and at most places in town there are gender neutral bathrooms. Which is another characteristic that is not common in many places in America. The impression I have gotten on my university is that people have the freedom to be whoever they want to. Everyone just minds their own business, and there tends to be a lot less judgement.
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| My house mates and I climbed Rivington Pike! |
Americans are all about the individual. We are celebrated by our differences. What makes us unique is what eventually identifies us. America is also very diverse as a country, and therefore we have a mix of cultures and nationalities. During my time here the locals that I interact with the most are my house mates. So these are who I am drawing most of my observations from. Here is a picture of me and my house mates last weekend when we went for a hike as a house. The university environment still focuses on the individual. Usually at one time in my townhouse we have a few British people, an Indian, a German, a few Americans, and the occasional Bulgarian all trying to agree on one movie to watch. A task that is easier said than done. Anyways, the university itself is so diverse, that the individual is very important. It is certainly an environment that celebrates everyone's' differences.
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| Post climb photo |
However, looking at the British people themselves, I believe they have a greater sense of community. Maybe this is because people here are very close together and live in a more concentrated area. The British seem to have a very strong sense of community and nationality. Where as I think Americans feel this connection more with their states than their country. The British seem to be more unified under their views as well. Maybe I am just noticing this because America is suffering from some major bipartisan attitudes right now. As a country, the British all agree that universal health care is nice, and that not everyone should own a gun, etc. etc. It may not appear to be that miraculous, but coming from America, this concept seems unbelievable. While it is good that America has differing views and offers so many ideas, I can see how having a more unified community has its benefits. Overall, I do not think one way is better than the other. Each system works for the country it is in. Could the USA use a little bit more unity? Yes, it wouldn't hurt. However, the fact that we always have opposing views that have the right to share their opinion, no matter their size, is beneficial to America.
In other news it is deadline week, so I am writing lots of papers and working on many presentations. However, after Friday we have 4 weeks off for Easter Break, so I have a lot of adventures ahead of me!
Until next time!
- Ellie Najewicz
It sounds like many of us are noticing differences in the focus on unity and community in our host destinations! It's interesting, too, that where you are there is more unity in the United States, while at the same time, you say everyone minds their own business. I feel as though where I am in France, unity is important, but is often achieved through conformity, so there is a greater pressure to be like everyone else. It's good to hear that you're in a place that you find less judgmental than the United States.
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