Happy 4th of July!

If you’re abroad today, realize that this is a day that can trigger homesickness. This is normal. Make sure you take some time to call home or talk to a friend or plan your own small celebration in your host country.

It’s also a great day to reflect on what it means to be an American abroad.

If you’ve seen the Buzzfeed article “25 Dead Giveaways That Someone is an American Tourist, as Described by Non-Americans”, this might not come as a surprise, but it is easy to stand out as an American without realizing it when you study abroad.

Here are a handful of the stereotypes (some good, some not so good) that were mentioned in the article. According to Buzzfeed’s sources, Americans are easily spotted abroad because they are…

• Extroverted and talk to everyone

• Always asking for re-fills on drinks

• Loud and enthusiastic

• Friendly and polite

• Wearing t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, baseball caps, or socks with sandals

• Infatuated by accents of locals

• Often eating or drinking coffee on the go, while walking

• Overconfident

Being American abroad is not a bad thing, of course, and it doesn’t mean you should stop doing these things - especially being polite and friendly. But being American abroad carries certain responsibilities. Whether any or all of these are true of you or not, it’s important to think about how we’re representing our country, simply by being there, and to be aware of what does mark us as tourists - and the times we might not want to do the things that do.

Sometimes this is for practical reasons such as it’s better to blend in for safety, so as not to draw attention to ourselves and become targets of petty crimes.

As guests in another country, we’re being observed. The way we behave and interact is building perceptions of Americans generally. We become unofficial cultural ambassadors. It’s our job to put our best face forward.

We can do this in a few ways:

• Be respectful and considerate of the local culture, even if their beliefs are opposite to ours. This might include adapting to norms like what is considered appropriate dress (especially in religious sites) and behaviors in different situations.

• Be humble.

• Spend time learning about the local culture in advance. This is especially true if there’s another language involved. Be sure to learn the basics before you go.

• Travel with an open mind.

• Travel responsibly. Leave your host destination in a better way than you found it. Respect the environment. Be mindful of waste. Support the local businesses where you can.

• Connect with locals and really get to know them if you can. This includes being a good listener and trying to understand local perspectives.

• Be inquisitive and genuinely curious. Ask questions. Never assume you know the answer.

• Never compare the host culture to American culture in a way that could offend a local. 

Locals are often as curious about American culture as we are about theirs. You may come across questions or misconceptions. You can probably expect this, in fact. If asked, you can take this as an opportunity to kindly and gently educate. This is how we learn about one another and start to bridge the gaps that travel so beautifully affords us the opportunities to bridge.