Alien Culture Assessment
Exploring another different culture, going through the alien experiences, I was able to learn that every person holds a piece of a common truth, a part of universal wisdom, and a great cultural heritage. What seemed to be totally bewildering and confusing to me in my personal perceptions appeared to be totally different and much more in common with my own beliefs and values.
As a Muslim with a middle-eastern background, I did not know what to expect and what to be aware of when my American friends have invited me to my first American football game between the Pennsylvania State and the Ohio State. What has surprised me the most is that people instantly felt the environment of holiday and joy, as they were getting ready for the game. There was relaxation and an equal attitude to everyone, as both young and old spoke of the past games and shared their expectations for the evening. I did not feel any hostility, which made me feel confident to ask questions about the rules. All of my friends took my questions with heart-warming smiles and passion, as they patiently explained the core aspects of the game to me.
Nevertheless, when I saw the number of people attending the game, I could not believe my eyes. It felt like a true national holiday to me, and was nothing I could compare it to. Contrary to my false belief, there were both men and women enjoying the game in a same way, cheering, commenting on the players, and laughing their hearts out. Our team won in the end, which has only fueled the celebration. People were embracing each other, singing along with the crowd, as they celebrated, passing on food and sharing jokes, most of which I could not understand. Nevertheless, there was no anger, not to count the Ohio State supporters, who were clearly disappointed with the result. Honestly, I could not imagine anything like that in my home country where sport events are not that large and where women do not have the same rights and privileges. My American friends made me feel like home, guiding me through the game, making sure that I am enjoying the time to the fullest. I have learned an importance of gender equity and equality in the society, and a way how sport events can unite people of different age, race, beliefs, and socio-cultural backgrounds. Additionally, kindness and an attitude of my American friends showed me how important it is to remain unbiased and to approach new experiences with an open mind and heart. There were several moments during the game that I will always cherish. An old lady in her seventies smiled to me, as she realized that it was the first American football game in my life. She started telling me about the game rules, slowly and carefully forming her sentences, making sure that I follow her English and the game's progress. Another moment happened when I did not understand why …
