I think Marco get the point for Phils: Tagalog is a key, maybe the key.

I speack tagalog and that’s a huge help each time i go back there. My feeling and experiences tells me that english is only a way to communicate with foreigners. As in other countries though… with that difference that people are better at it in Philippines hehe
I had the feeling, rite or wrong, that, if some pinoy’s really like to converse in sheakspeares language, most of them dont really appreciate to talk english.
Tagalog is the native language (at least in the luzon part where i stayed, although the local dialect might be the first language), the one that identifies them as filipino, the one that makes them proud when non filipino speack it. I could see on their faces surprise and kinda happiness and pride when a foreigner talks tagalog.

Each time i converse in tagalog, the poeple are pleased and comes along with “hey, good you know tagalog because other foreigners never learn it” or “its good to talk tagalog with you so my nose dont bleed of english”.

It wont protect from plastic smilers and users but i believe that it gives you a different status toward non tagalog speacking foreigners.

These are the impressions i have but, as i didnt stay long enough in Phils (2 month), i don’t know if, “in fine”, it really helps you to be a part of the community and to achieve full integration.

Mabuhay!

Fred

Thanks again for taking the time to leave a comment

The Philippines is also quite western in one sense. Certainly more so than the rest of Asia. So yes, a cultural thing it is more over than the physical. A shopping mall, fast food, big cars and a common language does not make it the same as any other.

What’s interesting is that both Brazil and Canada are huge countries. I wonder if you moved to another town in Brazil where you did not grow up, would you still feel the same? And the same for a Canadian? Is it home that makes Social Integration possible, or is it the Country?

As for me, I will not be returning to where I grew up. That is part of my journey, as noted in the book

Thanks again for your thoughts!

Thanks for subscribing, hope you enjoy; feel free to comment any time!

Thanks for your kind words! I think you touch on a really interesting point about being born into a place yet being brought up in another cultural environment. Or at least close to one (Slovenia). I’ts unique and veritable point you raise about being closer to the Slovenian people.

And yes, you are what you are. Not only are cultural aspects an important part of integration, but at the end of the day we are all individual personalities too!

Thanks again!

-Ling- I think you have a valid point. Cultural presets do indeed need to be adapted to the culture you are asking to be a apart of.

-Linda- Thank you for stopping by. I hope you get a chance to some back when you’re not at work! For me I actually hope home is not one of many places. I’m really looking for only one. It’s a learning process though, so who knows. Either way, I’m glad my reflections resonates with your own experiences.

-Anil-

I think the goal is to become familiar but not part of the local culture

This is very true. You bring up some very valid points in your comment! And yes fitting in can indeed be made all the easier by the subtle things.

-Amber Hayes- Hi Amber, glad you enjoyed. The Ukraine was actually on my list of countries. Unfortunately it never happened. I wrote about it here.

I think you are on the right track if you are already talking and making friends with people using social websites, and skype etc. Things and people can be quite different in person though, so I wouldn’t depend too much on them. However, they are still great for breaking the ice so to speak, and to get some momentum into building friendships for the future. Nothing will beat face to face communication though. The atmosphere, culture, linguistics, food and daily life. I certainly wish you the best.

-jennifer- Your very welcome. Sometimes it doesn’t matter about the size of the country. Even in small countries people are often different from one state to another. Someone from Milan may always be the person from ‘Milan’ even if they’ve live in Rome all there lives. That said, coming from a big country made of a lot of different states, one is still classed as American. And will often have generalizations to deal with when trying to integrate. Throw in personality and/or local pride, and things can get complicated after that

On top of that it’s important to take the time to study the culture as well, so much about ‘fitting in’ is in the subtle details.