EXPERT OPINION: International travel, with Cori Filson
What’s the value of experiencing different cultures? You often learn that you’re stronger
and more tolerant than you thought. I’m not an outdoorsy type, and I went on a site visit to Kenya and Tanzania, to expe- rience what the students do in this pro- gram. We stayed basically in tents with no electricity or running water, and with baboons in the trees above us, and I was scared to death. But I did great, and it was amazing! It reminded me of why this is such an important experience for students and why I do what I do.
How should travelers prepare? Lonely Planet is a great place to start.
To dig deeper, I read international news sources, like the BBC World News. The Department of State website is a great resource on safety issues, and the CDC on health concerns. When packing, remember that your lug- gage becomes very heavy very quickly. I try to travel with just a carry-on. I also bring a tiny bag that unfolds into a duffel bag for when I find things I want to bring home. On the way home I’m not that worried about checking my baggage.
Should travelers try not to appear American? With the world market and the Internet
and the influence of American culture on the rest of the world, it’s more dif- ficult to determine who is an Ameri- can. As long as you’re not obvious —don’t wear baseball caps and
sweatshirts. I end up wearing a lot of neutral clothes, and I don’t wear sneakers.
What about re-entry culture shock? If you’re abroad for a longer time, be
ready for a slow realization of how it’s changed you. The impact of something like being in India for three months is going to take a while to sink in. When you come home you’ll be ex - cited to be back, to know what to do cul- turally, to have the things you’ve missed. But understand that while you’ve changed, the people around you haven’t neces- sarily. When I got back from Kenya
and Tanzania, I was annoyed at how much water everybody was using, be- cause there you see families literally walking for days to get water—not fresh water, not clean water, just water. You might be annoyed with your family when you return—but you might be annoying to them as well! Be patient.
Where are your favorite places? Spain is my home away from home. I also loved Amman, Jordan, where even though it is a very guarded society, people were friendly and open. But if I could get on a plane tomorrow, I’d go back to Cuba. There’s a beautiful decay about Havana that’s so time- less, and I fear it will change a lot once it really opens up and developers get in. My advice: Go now.
Cori Filson is
Skidmore’s director of off-campus study
and exchanges, coordinat- ing domestic and international semesters, short seminars, and other experiences. She has vis- ited 31 countries.
10 SCOPE SPRING 2015
MARK BOLLES
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