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Last week we went around the room shedding light on each person’s experiences with cultural change. And personally, I was shocked at how much cultural diversity could really exist within one small classroom. Everyone had a significantly different story to tell. I was oddly intrigued by the different cultural expectations regarding physical contact. Some people’s families expect each member to kiss on both cheeks, some expect hugs to show their affection, and others refrain from physical contact all together. It’s incredible how something so seemingly insignificant could help shape one’s view of their own world, and how strange any other custom would seem to them.

I remember when I went to Romania for the first time to meet my extended family. I’ve lived in Washington D.C. my whole life, and upon arrival to Romania, I had quite the culture shock. All of my relatives were so hospitable, to an extent I have never previously or since experienced. They welcomed us warmly into their homes, made lavish dinners when food there is so scarce, and literally insisted that we eat three times as much as physically possible. They opened bottle after bottle of wine and chatted with us like we were old friends, when in reality this was the first time most of my American family had ever met them. Their eagerness to show us how wonderful Romanian culture is, despite their hard economic and political times, was truly impactful for me. It’s instances like this that make me realize quite how important it is to be exposed to—and learn about—other cultures.