Sandy Beach - Culture Abundance

 

 

Culture Abundance

 

           “Culture shock” should be changed to “culture abundance” or “culture richness.” Most people who are faced with different cultures while living in different countries seem to accept the word “culture shock” in a negative way. We should acknowledge cultural affluence while developing our diverse life styles.

“Culture” means “the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought”. “It is made up of language, period of time, method of ｅxpression and belief of heart”. When we are living in different countries, in order to have a variety of cultures in a happy mode, we should look at the big picture in our lives to expand our abilities in several ways.

           First, learn the language of the country you live. Language is the most important way of understanding another culture. If you don’t know the language, you cannot communicate with other people. When we study the language, you begin to learn the history and the background of the country. You discover the ways of life with their perspective. once you become proficient in their language, you are able to mobilize yourself in different cultures.

           Second, keep up with new technologies in the rapidly developing world. It affects your daily lives, no matter where you live, especially when you live in a different culture and country. Through recent decades, many things have changed worldwide. Computers are a good example. If you don’t know how to use them, you cannot communicate with the new generations.   

Third, identify yourself in multi-cultural environments. Appreciate your valuable culture from your country. You have grown up with traditional life styles that have carried on your ancestors’ characters. If you recognize who you are and where you are coming from, you can respect other cultures as well. When you know yourself better, you are more likely to adapt other cultures in your life style.

           Finally, open your heart to others. When you understand others well, you can introduce your valuable culture to others. Everyone is part of a family of brothers and sisters living in a global village. You can fly everywhere you want to go within one day. You can communicate worldwide in a second. When you love another like loving yourself, you can harmonize with other cultures.

In conclusion, feel the love of a single family. When you look at the world as a big family, different cultures please your siblings in diverse ways, and your life is filled with cultural richness. Varied culture is not a shock, but enhances your daily life with spiritual abundance.

 

 

 

 

Revised on June 10, 2004

S. Rhee