How do I learn more about other parts of the world?

Question

People say Americans don't know anything about other parts of the world, like they don't teach it in schools. How can I self-teach myself about other parts of the world? Like, I don't understand what we don't know, but I want to know. Do I do research on the history, economy, geography, etc...etc.. on other parts of the world? Or do I keep up with foreign affairs? I genuinely want to be less ignorant!

Answer 1

Having been fortunate enough to have traveled to many places in the world for extended visits I am partial to travel.  It is however expensive.  

The thing that some possess who have not traveled is a parochial attitude.  They feel that what they have known is the only way things can be or it is the best that there is.  But they are making their choice with a very small sampling.  Anything that you can do to increase your "sampling" will increase your "wisdom of the world."

Samuel Clemens is reported to have said that he "never let his schooling interfere with his education."  Schooling can teach you facts.  More often now it mearly attempts to teach you a trade.  What is much more difficult is to learn context.  You can learn "facts" about a country and be quite ignorant of its people.  You need to have something of different places "soak" into you.  You don't even do that by going there and doing the tour, hitting the highlights for 3 days and moving on to the next place.  You have to listen.  Sometimes it takes time to listen.  You might have to come to appreciate a foreign perspective as if it might be your own.  You have to go to foreign places and be humbled by them.  

But that foreign place need not be ½ way around the world.  It could be only as close as the nearest library.  The book I would suggest you start with is a book on listening to people who may have lived in the past called "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer J. Adler.  In some ways I think this book is the basis of many speed reading courses.  It provides a framework for understanding.  From there you may sample classic thinkers some of whom you might not normally visit.

Remember that you don't have to conduct your explorations sequentially.  You can read histories concurrently with current events, biographies, novels, travel books, essays, and the like.  

Living in a city is an advantage on such a journey. It is easier to meet people from around the world. If you are fortunate to spend time with them, you can, through their stories, travel to different lifetimes and different parts of the world.  Learning at least one other language can be a benefit. You begin to realize that there are other ways to express yourself.

Ben Franklin in his Autobiography spoke of humility as one of the most difficult attributes to attain.  He said, "As soon as I think that I am getting close to achieving it, I realize that I have become proud of my humility."  I suspect something like this can be said of ignorance.  "The more you learn the more you realize how little you know."  But for some it is the pursuit that counts.  

And if at some point you find yourself both humbled and grateful at the knowledge you have tasted, you most likely would not be able to share it as you may find few have any interest in walking the same path.  So for those few the pursuit alone must count.  

Knowledge, however, is only one road to a similar goal.  A friend worked for JAL and though he was not traveling to Japan learned the language, and developed a great sympathy for all things Japanese.  His life has always been one of working.  

Another person I know has organized trips overseas.  She never seemed to have a chance to talk to anyone there, but her dedication is overwhelming.  

I have met people who have never gone anywhere or really listened to anyone, but are still devoid of a parochial nature and have a peace about them.  They may have sat in a chair and watched the world go by or simply worked in their garden.  While these may not be a formal meditation practice the results seem similar.

Answer 2

As a scotsman recentley moved to america i would agree with your statement about americans not knowing much about other country's. The internet is a wonderful thing and i myself would stay away from economy's and foreign affairs. if you really want to know how the rest of the word lives then look on sites that describe the culture , weather , inventions , inventors , foods , exports , sports and languages , you will find everything you need to know with these type of questions.

Answer 3

I would stay up to date on World News. You don't have to read every article, but at least know about the things that happen daily.

Also, take a look at this site if you are interested in learning more about specific countries:  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications...

Answer 4

best advice i can give you is GO TO THOSE PLACES AND TRAVEL!