Managing Differences

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Here we are… my final blog post about Iceland. It has been an enjoyable journey exploring their culture. From the beginning, I was saying that Iceland is my dream destination, and after this detailed study of its culture, it remains on top of my bucket list. I believe I will have no problem adapting to their culture if I go there for a few weeks of vacation, as it does not vary much from Polish culture. However, if I were to move there for a longer period of time, I might struggle to understand some less common beliefs. For instance, traditional Icelandic beliefs, Huldufólk, or hidden people. It might be challenging for me to accept due to cultural differences.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Icelandic-Language-Class-Breaking-Down-The-Myth/d905-16823P7

Additionally, learning the language could be another obstacle to adapting to a new environment. Learning languages ​​does not come as easily to me compared to subjects like mathematics. On the other hand, maintaining personal space, and maintaining eye contact during conversations and the educational system would be quite normal for me and easy to apply in my daily life.

To adapt to cultural differences, the most important step is self-reflection.  Noticing the differences is key in this process. When it comes to language learning, I could, for example, create an account in the Duolingo app and take small steps toward achieving a communicative level in Icelandic. To understand their beliefs, I could start reading about them now so that it will not be a surprise to me when I am in the company of those who hold these beliefs. Familiarizing myself with these perspectives in advance, I can become more used to their existence and try to understand them from the perspective of the local inhabitants. It is not necessary to adopt these beliefs; what matters most is accepting the differences.

https://dex-art.com/blogs/blogs-1/art-teaches-us-to-respect-others

Intercultural ethics is crucial to realize and implement in our lives. I believe that respect for cultural differences is the most important element. Recognizing and accepting the differences in religion, lifestyle, beliefs, and other practices might be challenging however we should choose a curious approach. It is essential to be open-minded and eager to learn as much as possible. When we are surrounded by a different culture, adapting to local customs can be beneficial. It is also a great practice for getting to know yourself. Experiencing how people from other cultures live can broaden our worldview; we might even discover practices we admire and want to incorporate into our lives. To accomplish this, it is important to avoid judging based on what we see and hear from people who are not part of this group or culture but to create our own opinions through direct experiences.

While it may not be possible to visit Iceland, it is still possible to interact with people from there while remaining here in the US. Numerous online language courses are available, taught by native speakers. Interacting with them allows you to observe cultural differences during conversations, and you can turn to them for reliable information about customs and traditions. Moreover, you can find groups of emigrants from many countries throughout the United States. During larger holidays or festivals, they meet and celebrate with their compatriots. Contact with such a group would certainly be an interesting event. Additionally, you can sometimes find restaurants from different parts of the world. Thanks to this, you can try their cuisine. For a more hands-on experience, trying to cook traditional meals can be a rewarding challenge, though it might require more time and effort to source the necessary ingredients.


Icelandic population in the US in 2000
https://images.app.goo.gl/MqxYeakNotwdrcHM8

That's it for my adventure of exploring Iceland and documenting this blog. Thank you to everyone who joined me on this wonderful journey.

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