All of you have come from a different culture to the United States. Some of you have lived in or traveled to other countries besides the U.S. What are some things that have surprised you about cultures different from your own? What are some things you appreciate and wish your country or culture can learn? What are things that you have experienced that have disappointed you?
When I traveled to Hong Kong, Taiwan (Taipei), and Europe, I was very impressed with these countries' public transportation system. Their subways, buses, and taxis are clean, fast, safe, and efficient. I think Los Angeles still has a long way to go to improve its public transportation.
When I traveled to Europe recently, I was very surprised at how common it is for Europeans to know three or four different languages. The owner of an apartment we stayed in was fluent in French, Italian, and English. Many people from China have immigrated to Europe. At one restaurant, I noticed two Chinese girls working behind the counter. They spoke to each other in Chinese. Then they spoke to the manager in Italian. Then they turned around and spoke to me in English! In America, the minimum foreign language required in high school is two years. That is hardly enough to hold a conversation beyond, "How are you?" I think Americans should really learn more foreign languages to communicate with our neighbors around the world.
When I visited China and the Philippines, I was disappointed with their lack of regard for the environment. People threw trash everywhere and did not try to enforce pollution control. In America, many people are concerned about preserving the environment. We have regular smog checks for our cars and we set aside parks and green open spaces for people's physical and mental health. Hopefully, other countries can follow America's example in this area. :)
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