Experience Xchange
USA-Austausch 2005
"We're All the Same!"
Quick, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word America? Whatever you just thought of is more than likely a stereotype. Stereotypes are found all around us everyday. They can be found in magazines, on television, even coming out of our closest friends mouths. We've all seen the typical American movie; the group of popular cheerleaders and football players, the freaks and geeks, and who could forget the drama and television group. When we think of stereotypes we generally think of racism, or anything bad. In actuality a stereotype is just how a certain group is viewed, whether bad or good.
This exchange has been an amazing experience for everyone who participated. Prior to our German friends coming to America, everyone who was involved in anyway could not stop talking about what the people would be like. We said things to each other to try to better understand what the German participants would be like. For example, we would say things like, "I heard Germans drink a lot". "Don't they listen to nothing but dance and techno music?" The German participants also had a lot to say about what they thought we would be like. Most of them had heard "Americans don't know anything about politics", or "They don't know anything about a foreign country", or even that "All Americans are fat". But, the truth is, none of these stereotypes are true.
Although we all heard different stereotypes, our views after meeting one another were all the same! From the moment the German exchange students walked into the airport, there was an instant connection. We all became friends within minutes and learned that we all have a lot in common. Everyday during lunch we would have to pick a number, and sit with different participants in the exchange. We learned so much about each other, and really found out how many similarities we had.
One of the main things we had in common was music. Most of the Germans shared the same favorite bands as the Americans. Incubus, Blink182, and of course that famous Dancehall music! One of the best nights of the exchange was a cast party we had after the television show, Xperience Change, was finished. The night focused around music. The whole night we alternated between American music and German music and we danced the night away and had a great evening! Another thing we had in common was food. Considering the fact that we ate so much while the Germans were here, we learned a lot about what each other's favorite foods were. Pizza, and of course that famous Memphis Barbeque were some of the most popular. Rather it be music or food, the biggest similarity we shared was laughter. There was not a moment where you would catch someone without a big smile on their face.
Something that amazes us is the fact that despite living across the ocean, and despite different cultures, once you strip away all the nonsense everyone really is the same. Everyone experiences the same emotions, everyone laughs the same, everyone cries the same, and everyone has the capability to feel. We are all people, and that is really important to remember! People tend to forget what is really important. You can't judge a book by its cover, and that is something that you can really learn after meeting different people.
The last day of the Germans trip to America still remains in everyone's mind. When it was time to leave, most felt as if they were losing a family member. We had met some of the best friends in our lives, and only over an eleven-day period. It was an amazing experience for all who participated, and a stereotype can't break the long-lasting friendships that were made and the millions of things we learned after meeting one another! We miss you all!
Ich liebe dich!
Gina Micheletti & Danny Gomez