What would you gain from immersing yourself in a different culture?

Question

What would you gain from immersing yourself in a different culture?

Answer 1

knowledge and understanding, empathy.

Answer 2

You would learn to speak another language (in most cases) or another dialect. And you would gain the true understanding of how another culture works.

Answer 3

It's a great experience, and I encourage people to do it.  However, you have to be flexible as you understand why people are doing what they are doing.  I lived in Holland for 6 months, and it was great and I also leraned that the Dutch are not as they might seem (in both good and not so good ways).  Immersion is the only way to really find that out.  Go for it if you can!  

Answer 4

Better understanding of similarities of humanity! Its a great experience!

Answer 5

It can help you see life from all angles, not just how you were raised. Other cultures have great ideas that you may have never considered.

Answer 6

Learning how another culture thinks and behaves would give you a better understanding of who they are and why they do the things they do.

Answer 7

Often times, Americans (i'm assuming you're american) see their way of life as the world's standard, assuming most people live like they do and not considering it a "culture."  Learning about other cultures, however, brings you out of that limited view of the world, and helps you better understand the misconceptions that has led to so much hatred and separation in the world.  sorry if it sounds like i'm trying to verbally attack you, but i've had to deal with many ignorant people in my life, which has made my manner of speaking a little defensive.  

Answer 8

You would get to know the language from inside, and be able to speak it fluently.

You would get to know another perspective on life, one that is probably different on almost all counts, at least in nuance. This will broaden your horizon and could potentially make you more tolerant and open to other ways of living in the world.

It will also give you another perspective on yourself, and will probably help bring out and mature other sides of your personality, than would otherwise have been engaged. You will get an outside perspective on your own culture, and can probably see through national glamour and illusion a lot easier afterwards, etc.

Depending on the culture, you could learn something very unique and worthwhile, perhaps emotionally, perhaps spiritually, that you would be able to take with you further on in your life.

You'd shed a lot of expectations, a lot of preconcieved notions, a lot of poor habits, a lot baggage.

Likely, you would also gain some new ones - depending one who you are :)

Answer 9

I already do everytime I go downtown. This is why I need a shower when I get home.