The most recent census recently found that the United States is far more racially and ethnically diverse than it was a decade ago. One of the benefits of living in this country is the melding of various cultures to create entirely distinct, diverse communities. However, there’s a drawback too.
Because the US is a bit of a melting pot, it can often be a challenge for children of immigrants to learn and share their culture.
If you feel out of touch with your parent’s or grandparent’s home country, don’t be ashamed. There are a variety of ways to learn more about your culture, which we’ll cover in this guide.
1. Explore the Food
Every culture has a different approach to the cuisine they cook. And, while there are a lot of overlaps with certain countries, it’s important to explore the unique way your culture approaches traditional foods.
One way you can do this is by visiting authentic restaurants in your area. Or, if you’re having trouble finding them, consider getting a cookbook and ordering hard-to-find ingredients online.
2. Learn the Language
Many 2nd and 3rd-generation immigrants grew up in the United States and don’t speak their parent’s language. This is a shame because language is one of the most important tools for fully immersing yourself in another culture.
Instead of trying to learn a new language right away, consider doing the silent period in second language acquisition first. This is when you absorb the language of others in your culture without speaking.
Go to a family party, a cultural business, or watch a television show in your culture’s language. Once you absorb the cadence of how people speak, you’ll be much more successful at learning how to speak the language.
3. Read Books by Authors in Your Culture
Reading books from your culture’s authors (whether they’re native or immigrants) is another great way of learning about the intricacies of your identity. It doesn’t matter what book you read.
Maybe it’s a history book about your country. Or it could be a fictional book that shares stories with a similar cultural character.
4. Travel to Your Culture’s Origin Country
This option might not be available to everyone. If you don’t have the funds to travel, or your family’s country is experiencing political strife, you might need to hold off on your trip.
However, if you’re able to, traveling is the number one way of exploring both your culture and the language.
5. Share What You Learned
Once you’ve learned more about your culture, it’s time to share it with your community. This can be done on both a small or large scale. If you want to start small, talk about your culture or cook a dish for your friends.
Or, if you want to dive into a big project, organize cultural exchange clubs or international festivals to instill a sense of cultural pride in your community.
Appreciate Learning How to Foster Diverse Communities? Keep Exploring
We hope this guide has helped you learn more about how to explore and share your culture. Remember that diverse communities are always something to be celebrated.
So don’t be afraid to share your newfound cultural love with the world. Want more lifestyle advice like this? We’ve got plenty of similar topics on our website so keep exploring to find them all.
