UCLA is a unique place; there’s no denying it. The chatter in Kerckhoff Coffee house, overeager students fliering on Bruin Walk, and the stream of 6-foot-5-inch athletes exiting Acosta are all things we become accustomed to as UCLA students. Though for me, after studying for a semester in Germany, the sounds of prosting songs in beer halls and the sight of old women biking home with groceries seem more familiar. Coming back to UCLA after a semester abroad feels a little strange.
Reverse culture shock ““ I’ve always known it existed, but I could not fathom how coming home from my studies in Germany would feel so foreign. Being able to overhear the details in students’ conversations and know exactly what I’m ordering for lunch are benefits from speaking in my native language again, but the journey to adjusting back in America isn’t only advantages. It’s strange to be in a place where going a few miles from home requires a car, beer isn’t the same price as soda, and people can be seen at the grocery store chatting on Bluetooth. I feel out of place but at home at the same time. Running into old friends and wondering what they’ve been up to last quarter, or discovering the existence of new relationships and the termination of others is all a part of realizing life went on while you were gone. While some things have changed, like the political atmosphere, and others have not ““ California is still in a budget crisis ““ it is a strange realization that your life continued without you. I’m struggling to jump right back into things at UCLA but still keep my newfound foreign self intact. This integration might be a little more complicated than vowing to maintain your all black euro-chic style.
The jump from traveling around the globe to a world that revolves around Westwood is a big one. Our lives are completely contained here with class, work, entertainment and activities all readily available. Students easily fall victim to the habit of spending all their time at school, which unknowingly becomes draining. Perhaps this is why studying abroad is so appealing.
Los Angeles is an overwhelming place. The pace of life is extremely accelerated and the student body at UCLA is hardworking and typically terribly busy. Studying abroad didn’t just teach me about German culture, it also clarified American culture. I had so much free time abroad because I didn’t have my usual lineup of commitments. This transition was both uncomfortable and liberating. I did feel lazy, but I also had so much more time to enjoy everyday living and the people I met along the way. The friendships I made were incredibly memorable.
I don’t mean to exaggerate the slower pace of life in Germany. Much of my free time in Germany could be attributed to the “study abroad” lifestyle. I also don’t mean to say friendships are not enjoyed at UCLA. It is true though that life in Los Angeles can be draining. The opportunities UCLA provides are so extensive, and the student body so eager to take part, that it’s easy to miss the chance to truly experience people and activities here. UCLA has so many cultural perspectives from diverse ethnic backgrounds. There are definitely grounds for slowing down the pace of life to enjoy the different types of people in Westwood.
Not only does UCLA have an international student body, but it also has specialized regional classes ““ just browse through URSA and you’ll find a plethora of specialized classes like “Californian Indian Strategies for Contemporary Challenges.” In Europe you have plenty of microcultures at a close proximity, like the differences in dialect throughout Germany. But at UCLA you can learn about cultures from all over. There may not be cigarette vending machines, and you can’t stroll down the street with a beer in your hand, but you will get free refills of soda and cold water at restaurants. Just be careful to not stock up on too much Starbucks caffeine before heading to campus with your iPod on. Americans have a habit of being too busy. We should take note of the Germans who meander down main shopping streets even when stores are closed on Sunday. Slowing down and taking time to enjoy things is a part of European culture I hope stays with me.
Days before I left Germany I thought coming back to America meant leaving an idyllic town for the big city, leaving new friends to see old ones, and expanding my diet from beer and pork to a broader variety of delicacies. But since returning home I’ve developed a new outlook on cross cultural connections that I hope to maintain despite my reentrance into a busy routine. Whether you’ve studied abroad, plan on studying abroad, or have decided to stay in Westwood for your college career, slowing down to enjoy the differences between people will be much more rewarding than rushing from one thing to the next or sticking to your typical routine.
If you’d rather watch German music videos with exchange students than be co-president of three UCLA clubs, then e-mail Mier at smier@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.