America vs. The Rest of the World

Being a missionary kid, I have had the opportunity to see the world. In such a position, I feel that I have been able to pick up on things that most people haven't been able to. I can understand perspectives of people from different cultures, and I have a worldview. Note: I did not say I had a broad worldview--that's unnecessary to say when most Americans don't have a view beyond their hometown, let alone their country... So my point here is that I have a worldview.

Anyhow, so I was talking with one of my fellow RAs--who is half American, half Cameroonian--and we were discussing the various communities that we have experienced during our lives. (I also grew up overseas in Africa.) For her, she never felt that she belonged. When in America, she was seen as the "other" from Africa, but when she lived in Cameroon she experienced the same reaction and was seen as the American. Frustrating that she can't just be accepted as who she is.

Another thing that we discussed was that in international settings, you can learn so much more from other people because of their perspectives, morals, and cultures. What's funny to me about that is that in other cultures people are really more individual than in America. The ironic thing about that is how overseas, a person is seen in the context of their community. They are a part of the whole--community is valued much more. However, in the US, people are encouraged to think of themselves as individuals and community is disregarded. Ironically, the mindset is much more of a herd mindset. Who would have thunk...