Share a Story Gain a Plethora of Knowledge and Perspective
The Dialogue of Civilizations lasted around six weeks. It consisted of 80 hours of French language courses were we, the students, were able to take our understanding and fluency to a higher level. We were completely immersed in a country were the majority of people spoke only French and, as our confidence grew, even if they replied in English, we persisted in French. We also took part in culture courses were we were able to understand immigration that although centered around France, is now extremely relevant wherever you go. When the section of the trio in Lyon was over, we were able to experience a complete tour of one of the most amazing cities in the world. Paris. The history, culture, museums, castles and monuments are unparalleled; landmarks that detail hundreds of years of history superimposed on you to take and learn what you can.
For this I am extremely grateful, I come back a more learned and understanding person because of it. As incredible as it was, however, these were not the best part of the experience. The people were. The people we met, their stories and experiences, everything that was shared and debated through the perspective of someone who had an upbringing so different from any specific individual that the only commonality was being in that very moment when we met, in France having a conversation over a beer or coffee. The desire to meet new people commenced even before the dialogue did – the idea of being in a group of complete strangers for such a long time made day one of the dialogue a series of introductions and questions. Everyone feeling things out for new friends with whom they could feel comfortable in whilst in a foreign country. Within the first day sharing stories that we felt would help would answer the ‘who are you’ question on everyone’s mind. Despite our differences, everyone had something to teach and learn. From goals and past passions to hobbies and career experiences.
After the first week or so when everyone had a general idea of who others were, we started meeting other people taking classes in our University with us. These were people from all over the world – from Europe to Asia to South America. Abroad and with a friendly smile, friendships grew and stories became more interesting.
I learned about guilt through the perspective of someone who lived with it due to him being privileged enough to be in France while “everyone else in my country is going to shit”.
From someone else I learned how to appreciate modern art through their emotional experience and interpretations. I learned about the politics of other countries and of their perspective on the United States. I learned about what made people curious and want to travel, I experienced their passions on cooking, art, dancing, comedy, culture, art and everything fathomable that got them to take steps to be in a situation that they were in. I learned about Buddhism and tattoos and I gained a new perspective on religion and kindness. Not one religion but all of them and what they can offer.
Through the question ‘What is your greatest travel memory, a memory that made you feel so much emotion – wether positive or negative – that you instantly think of it when pondering on your travels’, the most notable and simple response that I got was:
“Falling in love. The intensity and happiness that something so finite can give you something that you know is bound to be over as soon as the traveling is.This is my greatest memory, an emotion that cannot be evoked in any other situation”
I fell in love too, not with a person but with a multitude of them, or perhaps their ideas which they so freely gave away and accepted in return. I fell in love with the experience, with the fact that 6 weeks ago I was not who I am today. The base is there, but it has grown through the presence and energy of others I have become a more understanding individual. As my travels continue, the thirst for new perspective grows and grows and it will remain there for as far as I can see into the future. All it takes is one journey, one experience out of your comfort zone, one person to open your mind to something you had no idea existed. I urge you and anyone reading this, take the step, work towards it and open your mind to the world.
