Understanding other cultures and people around the world is one of the best ways to expand your horizons, and gain empathy that can make you a more compassionate person and help you to contribute to society in a more meaningful way.
And the best way to understand other people is simply by talking to them. That might leave you asking the question, what’s the best way to interact with people around the world? Here are a few things that you can do.
MAKING CONNECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD
Use Social Media
We live in an era where we are now able to communicate with each other across countries, continents — and even languages. And we can do so instantly, without ever leaving our homes. This allows you to connect with other people regardless of your respective places of residence. Your level of communication depends on what you feel comfortable with. You might be a casual user who follows a few popular travel accounts to view photos, ‘meet’ people, learn facts and read articles; or maybe you choose to get more involved in a specific online community and meet and talk to people that way. It’s really up to you!
Follow GlobalCitizenYear to begin making connections
Find a Penpal
Perhaps a more personal way to connect with people around the world would be to find a penpal. Whether this means email or traditional handwritten letters, the long-form style allows for you each to share your stories more comprehensively. You might find a penpal through someone you have previously met while traveling, on social media, or through an online service. This can be a great option for kids, and even better if you can organize it through your school.
Learn a Language
Another way to interact with people around the world is to learn a new language. Learning a language can make it easier to speak to people from other countries and connect to other cultures, even from afar.
Teach your first language as a second language
Similarly, signing up to teach English online or in-person can also be a great way to connect with other people from different countries and cultures. You will probably have to get certified first, but there are plenty of online services that allow you to see the faces of people you teach, and vice versa.
If you want to go one step further, discover how our apprenticeships can provide opportunities to support children’s literacy, numeracy, and social development. Kickstart your teaching experience here.
Take a Gap Year/ Semester
Of course, the best way to interact with people around the world is to actually go out and meet them! And if you are new to travel, you may not know the best way to do something like this. That is where something like a gap year program can help you out. By providing you with the means to have a fully immersive experience in another country, a gap year allows you to not only interact with other cultures, but to learn from each other in a fun and sometimes life-changing way.
Rather than simply learning about other countries in history or geography classes, why not go out and experience them for real? Traveling is the best way to experience new cultures and connect with people from around the world. The learning possibilities are endless when you are able to immerse yourself in a new culture. This opportunity will allow you to develop cross cultural skills, expand your mind, and possibly practice a new language. Look into where you might want to go for your gap year and start expanding your horizons in no time.
Discover if taking a gap semester is right for you.
