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Imittleman's picture

 I love talking about

 I love talking about cultures and how they differ from each other.  One of the most interesting things about traveling to a different country was not only to witness their culture, but to how they saw my own through their own eyes.  I think it's easy to believe you don't have much of a culture when you are immersed in it (we've talked about this in classes before) but in reality, everyone has a culture and every place has a culture of varying sense.  It's impossible not to.  So America has a culture, and your state has one and your town and your school and in an odd sense, I think even the smallest circles of people, such as you and your group of friends have their own "culture".  When groups of people get together, they form an identity.  Something that binds them together, and gives them a sense of belonging.  Any kind of community has it.  

When we went around and shared each other's cultures, I was thinking of talking about the Red Sox.  That is truly a part of Boston culture that you don't get to experience until you really go to the games.  While it's around on the streets from time to time, it comes out in full force at Fenway.  It felt like I got to experience a part of my "culture" I didn't know existed.  While I'm sure plenty of other states have sports team and pride, there's something distinctly Boston about going to a Red Sox game.  

Then, hearing what Mattie had to say about high school was really interesting.  I think my high school, too, had its own identity and culture.  What's interesting is when you get so engrossed in it you begin to believe that the rest of the world feels similarly to the way people in your own community did.  I didn't think I'd have much culture shock coming to Bryn Mawr, and honestly I don't think my experience has been too bad, but I've been slightly surprised to discover people who don't necessarily always agree with me, politically, culturally, etc.  People in my high school generally had a lot the same opinions and ideas, so I think I began to assume all people my age thought similarly to how I did.  Finding people who disagreed was a bit surprising as I never came across that before.  But then again, it's also a good thing, I think.  In a way, I think I've been a little sheltered by my environment.

Anyway, that's all for now.  I'm looking forward to discussing this further.  

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