In the United States, there are many things that you can only witness within the bounds of its 50 wondrous states and just like back home, Malaysia has MANY unique characteristics that set it apart from all other places in the world!
In Malaysia, some of the many unique aspects are the culture and the people. First and foremost, people in Malaysia live and breathe in hot weather. On average, it is between 80 and 90 degrees here (HOLY COW- I'm hot all the time!) while Minnesota is mostly cool year round (besides the 6 months of snow) Secondly, food is VALUED here! This is not to say that that food isn't valued back home, but food is treated differently. Americans eat food to survive, but Malaysians eat food for goodness and cultural understanding -food is a delicacy here. In addition, "eating out" is incomparable to the "eating out" in the states. In Malaysia, everyone goes out for EVERY meal, but thats good here! The food system in Malaysia encourages individuals to eat out because it is the same price as food you'd make at home (not like in the United States). Plus, the food you pick up is freshly cooked (NOT PROCESSED like the United States). So basically, eating out is both cheap and healthy in Malaysia!
In Malaysia there are other things that set it apart from the United States including the lack of lines of any fashion. For example, you could be in line waiting to order and from out of the blue, someone could come in and order before you.The same goes for the bus; you literally have to barge your way through people because no one forms any proper lines. So basically, I have adopted the cultural disregard of "waiting my turn." I have acquired the art of ordering fast and efficiently and even getting onto crowded buses without getting trampled.
Over the past couple of decades, the role of women has drastically changed in the United States. Women's roles continue to build substance and generate change. In Malaysia women's roles are something that I have attempted to compare and contrast to that of American women. In Malaysia the role of women is a bit confusing. Women are highly encouraged to pursue education and attain the highest academic achievements one can, but they are ultimately submissive to males. In fact, some women have attended grad school, graduated from medical school and settled down (into domestic housewives) before even beginning their career - I find that baffling. In a way, Malaysian women's roles are conflicting. The culture inspires women to educate themselves, but also to remain within the bounds of their gender roles.
Lastly, the idea of exercise in Malaysia is drastically different than that of Americans (well most Americans - Gusties more so). In America, and at Gustavus in particular, Exercise is deemed necessary. You can go into Lund just about any time of the day and find men and women getting their fitness on. In Malaysia, exercise is not as highly regarded. The exercise facilities have small amounts of people occupying them. Ultimately, I believe this difference is heavily contributed to Malaysian culture and religious practices. Many Malaysians are incredibly modest, and thus there aren't many inclinations to have an "appealing body" like in the United States.
Other random cultural adjustments:
- People take pictures of us here (they must be fond of us Americans!)
- The Gutters are massive and i've almost fell into them a few times
- USM is HUGE (comparable to the U of M) and we walk EVERYWHERE
Since my time in Malaysia, I have learned a lot about the culture practices and the people that make up this great island! I have attempted to compare and contrast the cultural differences of Malaysia and the United States, but I have only begun to fully grasp the complexities of Malaysia and its people.
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Hales
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou
 |
| MONKEY! |
 |
| Chillin' with the Monkey's |
 |
| Beauty :) |
 |
| Captured the Magnificence of this Giant Leaf |
No comments:
Post a Comment