Neglect for Multicultural and International Diversity

[JohnBM01]

This thread was created in an effort to talk about this big Earth. I've never traveled outside of Texas, and the farthest I've ever been was Houston -> San Antonio. And with hope, Kerryville will be the farthest I've gone, if my college dreams come true. But this question is raised because I don't think a lot of people understand that we live in a big world, and that many people come from many places. When you log on to GTPlanet, you know you're in a vast place. GTPlanet has many people from many nations. Examples include (besides America and Canada): Mexico, Brazil, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Croatia, Greece, Spain, Hong Kong, Japan, China, and Australia to name a few. I'm actually quite honored to be a representative of this big world. And as one, I have a chance to learn about my world. In fact, I consider geography as one of my strengths. About the most exotic nation I've read about was the island nation of Tuvalu. The islands look like strips of land connected together. Either that, or a big island with some of the land flooded. And by taking a look at pictures of Tuvalu, I seen incredible Internet pictures of the Pacific Ocean. I've seen just how beautiful Japan is. When I seen pictures of Miyagi Prefecture, Saporro, Yokohama, Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Osaka (among others), it's a wonderful land. And I think it's Sakura season, so those Sakura trees should be spectacular to gaze at.

I actually feel as if sometimes, some people often neglect other nations and other cultures. This being in mispronounciation, false information about cultures, mockery, and such. I think we take this world for granted. But when I'm on GTPlanet, I know I represent my planet- Earth. Question is, how can we teach people that we live in such a big earth and, how can we raise awareness of learning about other cultures and cities and nations? Reply now if you have anything to share.

 

[DQuaN]

It seems people that live in massive countries, i.e. the US or Aus, don't get to travel much as their country is so big, and so far from anything else. People in Europe on the other hand are much better travelled. I for example have been to less places than alot of people I know, even though I have been to:

France*
Spain
Italy
Grecce*
Cyprus
The Netherlands
The US*
Australia
Thailand

* More than once.

Take a year out of college dude. Save up and see the world. You will regret it if you don't.

 

[Danoff]

Take a year out of college dude. Save up and see the world. You will regret it if you don't.

I didn't and I don't regret it.

Concetrate on college and get a good job. You can travel on your vacation time - try to keep in mind what's important... eating and having a place to live.

 

[DQuaN]

I didn't say quit college, I said take a year out. He can still carry on afterwards and get a good job.

 

[Danoff]

I didn't say quit college, I said take a year out. He can still carry on afterwards and get a good job.

What could he make in a year of working? 40k? Depends a lot on what he's doing and where he's working.

Is it worth 40k to take a trip?

 

[JohnBM01]

My only job is a prospective student and a GTPlanet member. And I make... no money.

Anyhow, I've known people of many cultures and nationalities. I can honestly say that it is great to know people from all over the world even if I've never travelled outside of Texas. People who come into America are all welcome here. I often feel that people who downtalk immigrators are some of the most uncaring people on Mother Earth. I know when I did Chatting on AOL in the Japanese chats, it would p*ss me off about these American thugs (the majority of the ones hating on the country and its people within the Chat) that love hating and bashing on Japan like Japan have no place here. And worst of all, I keep hearing all these Godzilla and World War 2 references. When it got to get old, I basically went back into my forum days. Yeah, I'm not Japanese, but at least I'm kind of learning the language, the people, the culture, the cities, and all that. So I honestly think some people like to neglect other nations because... no one really cares.

International in America doesn't mean America and Canada, or even Mexico. Instead, look at England, France, Italy, Greece, Vietnam, China, Australia... I mean, many of us don't like to consider what big world we live in. And I know someone is going to tell me to shut up about all of this, but it's the truth. I wouldn't go into an American Chat Room and say it's better in Canada. I wouldn't go into a British chat saying that America is better. If I enter something international, I want to learn more about that country and its people. Recently, I had a chance to look up where Croatia is, and learned that it's east of the Italian city of Venice. And Zagreb is the capital (where Amar212 is from). For those involved, how do we raise awareness of the world in which we can all understand what a country is REALLY like, unlike what we see in Hollywood-style media?

 

[Mike Rotch]

Take a year out of college dude. Save up and see the world. You will regret it if you don't.

Concetrate on college and get a good job. You can travel on your vacation time - try to keep in mind what's important... eating and having a place to live.

My parents and friends are bugging me to "go see the world whilst I am young". Thats all well and good for my friends as they have mommy and daddy to bankroll their jaunts, whereas I would be expected to pay my own way.

As much as the idea of travelling whilst young interests me, I am with danoff on this one. A year spent travelling is a year lost in money earned (not forgetting about a year of expenses). My philosophy is to travel when i am older. That way I dont have to do "the tours", but can rather go where I want to go, in my own time.

 

[HareTurtle]

What could he make in a year of working? 40k? Depends a lot on what he's doing and where he's working.

Is it worth 40k to take a trip?

Take the trip!! Ten or fifteen years from now, that 40k more or less won't matter a bit, but the friends, the memories, and the broadened perspective will be with you for a lifetime.

 

[Arwin]

You don't even have to go travelling for a whole year and it doesn't have to be expensive either. I'm sure that if we board members work together, we can show each other some parts of the world very cheaply. Flights are getting cheaper by the day and for instance, if someone wanted to see Amsterdam, I could definitely help out.

Just through iLink parties alone I have met people from the U.K., Germany, Denmark, Switserland, Belgium, and France. Some guys from Italy are currently looking into coming over for the next one. I myself went to Germany and France for iLink parties, as well as visited many European countries for my holidays. Of course I'm not suggesting anyone should come here just for iLink racing, but we can work things out. People know places to stay, or have spare bedrooms.

My philosophy is to try at least a little bit of everything (except death) while I'm still young (well, I'm 30 now) because there unfortunately just isn't any guarantee you will actually get much older.

I'm planning to go see some of the U.S. myself next year in May (among others I intend to visit E3, so you can guess where I'm going ). I have met so many nice people online and in real life that I intend to go look some of them up. I'm sure it will be a good time (though I hope by that time the U.S. government doesn't want my credit card number and everything, otherwise I'll just bring travelers checks ... )

 

[Mike Rotch]

The thing is for someone in Europe, that is very easy to do. Get a Euro passport (if one already doesnt already have one), hire a car, or hop on a bus and away you go. Depending on your wallet, you can stay at a backpackers or in a hotel. Happy days.

For me, staying the equivalent of a 12 hour flight from London, and not having a strong currency it is a different story. An example: A work colleague of mine recently went on a contiki to Europe - 8 countries in 12 days. No fancy accommodation, a reasonable amount of shopping and extra-sight seeing not included in the package, and it came to over R25000, or 3275 Euro. Bear in mind, for someone now living on the Continent, travel isnt a cheap experience.

 

[Arwin]

The thing is for someone in Europe, that is very easy to do. Get a Euro passport (if one already doesnt already have one), hire a car, or hop on a bus and away you go. Depending on your wallet, you can stay at a backpackers or in a hotel. Happy days.

For me, staying the equivalent of a 12 hour flight from London, and not having a strong currency it is a different story. An example: A work colleague of mine recently went on a contiki to Europe - 8 countries in 12 days. No fancy accommodation, a reasonable amount of shopping and extra-sight seeing not included in the package, and it came to over R25000, or 3275 Euro. Bear in mind, for someone now living on the Continent, travel isnt a cheap experience.

Well, travel can be expensive in Europe, especially if you want to hurry like that - 8 countries in 12 days is not something I can heartily recommend - all you do is see the pictures you already know in better resolution and 3D vision, and you spend most of your valuable time there travelling. Definitely not worth that kind of cash if you're not ostensibly rich (and even then I think it's not worth your time like that). I would spend those twelve days in two countries tops, better still just one. Visit the next one next year. Plane tickets get cheaper every year. My rule for the last 10 years has been to go on holidays never as a tourist, but as a guest.

R25000, that's what, South African Rand? I looked at the Air France site (not necessarily the cheapest) and it had these offers:

Internet fares...
Low season fares, taxes excluded
Paris R5,390
Brussels R5,390
Milan R5,390
Lisbonne R5,390
Geneva R5,390
Nice R6,100

From Brussels to Amsterdam by train is about 3 hours and 40 euro, depending on when you travel and when you book, bus fares are lower.

 

[Mike Rotch]

R25000, that's what, South African Rand?

Most correct 👍

I fully agree with you. I personally think contiki's - 8 countries in 12 days or something similar - is a total waste of time as a holiday. A case of "If its Tuesday, it must be Belgium".

I agree that spending that time in 1 or 2 countries at most is more intelligent an option. Whether I could afford, say, R15000 (for one country) once a year is another story. Just for interests sake, an economy class ticket to London costs about R8000-R9000 here. Thats just over a 1000 euros.

Internet fares...

The problem comes in getting a Visa. You need to state how much you are taking to get the blasted thing. So add, say another R5000 - R6000 to handle money needed for travelling and sundries and all of a sudden one is sitting at R10000 - R11000 excl hotels.

 

[Arwin]

Well, certainly it's a matter of deciding if the money is worth it. But if you do, I for one may well be willing to help out. I have a room to spare, for instance. And I know GT3 people all over the place who are always willing to help a fellow GT-fan out.

Seriously, just decide what kind of money it would be worth you and if the money couldn't be much better spent on something else (it's often like that). Then if you decide you want to do it, tell the board and see who will help out.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Thanks for the offer Arwin - my suspicions that you were a top notch member are confirmed

I definitely want to travel in the next 18 months or so. Whether it is to Australia (where I have some family) or to Europe (where Arwin is my "family" ) has yet to be decided upon.

Seriously, just decide what kind of money it would be worth you and if the money couldn't be much better spent on something else (it's often like that)

That, is great debate 👍

 

[JohnBM01]

I've seen some nice posts here, but I kind of feel that one issue is missing. That issue relates to educating people that we do live in a big world, and that a person's nation isn't the only one in the world. For example, there was this RARE time that I seen "Hot Rod TV" with that comparison between the Ford Mustang and the Subaru Impreza WRX. What one of the editors said was that "some people don't even want to know the cars [like the WRX] exist." Well, guess what? America's not the only nation in the world. And the basis of my argument is on just that. Some people are ethnocentric, as I learned in Sociology. Being ethnocentric means that you think your nationality and people are more superior than anyone else's. A big example of what I'm talking about can be found at this website below:

(1) http://www.humiliateamerica.com/modules.php?name=Surveys&op=results&pollID=2&mode=&order=&thold=
(2)
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0209/ethnocentrism.shtml

The first site above asked a poll question. And that question was, "Is America a terrorist state?" Out of 2,768 voters, 47.29% said yes, 50.65 said no, and 2.06 wasn't sure. Some of the replies made are so arrogant that I'm not going to stoop to their level by trying to use their comments in this reply. The second focuses on ethnocentricism in America. I'm proud to say that I often enjoy learning about other people and other nations. Just because I'm into Japan doesn't mean I hate America- I'm just being culturally sound and don't want to be monoculturistic.

 

[ledhed]

Ask yourself this. Is a site that calls itself "humiliate America " going to have a poll that is accurate or biased ? would you then think that maybe the information I got from here may be a tad bit screwy ?
here's an example of the rapier wit from that site;

Re: Is America a terrorist state? (Score: 0)by Anonymous on Friday, April 23 @ 12:17:12 EDT

you love america? well heres an idea.... get off this ****ing website, moron.

While I'm editing i'd like to ask how exactly do Americans become "ethnocentric" we are a country founded by immigrants , built by immigrants and run by the descendants of immigrants. What we have in common is the desire to live free ,and that most of our ancestors came "here" to escape from "there" for either political, religiouse or economic reasons. we here in the US may "celibrate our ethnicity, but we do it along with , and alongside others celibrating thier own.

 

[Vince_Fiero]

Accidentally stumbled on this thread, liked the idea:

I learned most about culture working in other countries (Thailand, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Italy, ...) and while on holidays avoiding hotels, but doing B&B lodging, with eating with the family in the evening if possible. Visiting just makes you miss out on some things, you need to live culture.

Oh yes and marrying a person from another country.

 

[Dennisch]

Ah yes, multiculture, it gives us fine women.

 

[Keef]

Take a year out of college dude. Save up and see the world. You will regret it if you don't.

That's a good way to kill your school routine and motivation. How about a person wait until they're through with college, get a decent-paying job, work for a year or two and then dole out the vacation benefits.

Nevertheless, I hope I'll be able to travel one day. The job I'm looking forward to might give me that opportunity eventually, but then again there's a whole lot more to the world than what you can see in an airport lobby! I'll just pray for bad weather and layovers.

 

[MikeTheHockeyFan]

What could he make in a year of working? 40k? Depends a lot on what he's doing and where he's working.

Is it worth 40k to take a trip?

Having the time and lack of big commitments and responsibilities is a huge asset when you're young. May as well use that to your advantage.

I think it's better to take a year off to travel when your earning potential is significantly lower than it will be later in life.

There is a huge difference between the life experience you get from s year or travel and what you get out of two weeks of work vacation.

This guy's young, don't take a big s**t on him 👍

 

[fld200]

You could kill two birds with one stone, and become a truck driver, get to travel around your country, and get paid for doing it.

 

[Pupik]

Travel experiences are irreplaceable, money can be replaced. What's the harm if you can afford it?

It's probably not so easy if you can't afford it, but I suppose there's plenty of worldly-wise people who have never left their state.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I managed to spend £2500 on a camping holiday in my own country once. I drove around the entire coastline of the mainland Great Britain, so I've seen a pretty huge part of my own country, but it was pretty much a one off for me, I don't normally do holidays. I would love to travel more though, but there is a cost involved and it's not normally one I can afford!

 

[CMvan46]

What could he make in a year of working? 40k? Depends a lot on what he's doing and where he's working.

Is it worth 40k to take a trip?

First off....yes, yes it is. Or take a semester off.

Live just outside Vancouver. Done many trips around BC and Alberta for hockey.

Did a huge long camping trip around the south and mid regions of both provinces one summer as well and one trip 8 hours north by car. I'd imagine those trips alone would have covered a large portion of Europe.

I've been to Colorado once....again for hockey. Fantastic state although we did have to go by Columbine high school. That was kind of weird.

Been to Seattle numerous times and Hawaii twice. Just last year my girlfriend and I went to Mexico for a week as well.

When I finish university in a couple years I've got paid airfare to Australia to visit my Uncle and Aunt who I haven't seen in 7 years since they moved so therefore a place to stay as well.

 

[Danoff]

Having the time and lack of big commitments and responsibilities is a huge asset when you're young. May as well use that to your advantage.

I think it's better to take a year off to travel when your earning potential is significantly lower than it will be later in life.

There is a huge difference between the life experience you get from s year or travel and what you get out of two weeks of work vacation.

This guy's young, don't take a big s**t on him 👍

Young people should work hard - not goof off. Old people goof off. While you're young, you get your career underway, get your finances under control, get yourself situated and stable.

Goof off when you've earned it.

 

[Omnis]

Your earning potential only increases if you're working, not spending all your time backpacking across the globe. It's not like you're going to come back home and be making six figures right away. It's also much harder to get a job when you're older. There are young guns out there who would be just as qualified, minus the decade of globetrotting.

 

[Danoff]

Let's say you were going to start out making 40k and get a 5% raise each year for 10 years. That's

40 vs 0
42 vs 40
44.1 vs 42
46.3 vs 44.1
48.6 vs 46.3
51.1 vs 48.6
53.6 vs 51.1
56.3 vs 53.6
59.1 vs 56.3
62.1 vs 59.1

So you lose the last year's worth of salary plus interest on the delayed initial salary. I'd estimate that after 10 years (starting at 40k) you'd lose about $80k on that trip (not including the cost of the trip).

If you were going to get an entry level position paying $80k instead of $40k, you're talking about $160k lost to the trip after 10 years. After 20 years that would be more like $320k. So which would you rather do? Backpack across Europe for a year or buy a supercar?

(...or more realistically, give up years of retirement)

 

[Coxis]

Many of my workmates, like, -a lot- have countless stories about their many travels, back-packing and schools abroad. I would've liked to travel myself, but my family was never that sound economically speaking. The only places I've been to apart from my nation, is as far north as LA in CA, and as far north as San Antonio in TX. Beautiful places, San Antonio particularly.

If you can, and you have a wallet that can support it, have at it. I do feel a little bit down when people talk about the great stuff they've gotten to see in nations like Germany, Holland and Sweden, when all I've seen is the crude reality of a third world country.

 

[Ibonibo]

Or he could sign up for charity work in some other country.

There you killed a bunch of flies with one stone.

Get to take a semester off.
Get to visit a place you would not do otherwise.
Get to get involved in domestic customs in that country.
You have something worthwhile in you CV.
You can sign up for a charity for in lign with you futur career.
Unforegettable memories for live. Priceless. Mastercard

 

[Dapper]

Let's say you were going to start out making 40k and get a 5% raise each year for 10 years. That's

40 vs 0
42 vs 40
44.1 vs 42
46.3 vs 44.1
48.6 vs 46.3
51.1 vs 48.6
53.6 vs 51.1
56.3 vs 53.6
59.1 vs 56.3
62.1 vs 59.1

So you lose the last year's worth of salary plus interest on the delayed initial salary. I'd estimate that after 10 years (starting at 40k) you'd lose about $80k on that trip (not including the cost of the trip).

If you were going to get an entry level position paying $80k instead of $40k, you're talking about $160k lost to the trip after 10 years. After 20 years that would be more like $320k. So which would you rather do? Backpack across Europe for a year or buy a supercar?

(...or more realistically, give up years of retirement)

The part highlighted is right. One year lost, or behind, nothing more.

Another example, a lily doubles in size each week and it takes 30 weeks to cover a pond. Two lilies would take how long? 29 weeks, of course.