Comments on: Do I Have “Study Abroad” Tattooed On My Forehead?

By: Duke It Out: Study Abroad : College Candy

Duke It Out: Study Abroad : College Candy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:49:10 +0000

[...] The time has come once again to start picking classes for spring semester (really? didn’t we just do this?) and my mind turns to places that won’t be covered in grey slush come January. Places with warm, sunny vistas and boys with sexy accents. In other words, places abroad. [...]

By: Lucy

Lucy — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:42:45 +0000

I think this article has great advice and is not condescending at all. A LOT OF PEOPLE HATE AMERICA! It’s a fact, and we need to be told it. I can only hope that we will slowly get a better image to the rest of the world!

By: Mari

Mari — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:18:12 +0000

The tone of this article was totally condescending. Geeeese, lay off a bit. Americans are known for many things, but I felt like I should somehow be ashamed of my supposed accent and the stereotypes that come with being an American citizen. I’d like to point out that America has many different accents as well. Coming from Hawaii and going to school in Kentucky has shown me just that. Its just all about respect, I get it. But when I finally go abroad I am going to take as many irritating, cliched, and “unnecessary” as I please.

By: Jess

Jess — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:15:33 +0000

Thank you so much for posting this article.

I’ve travelled a lot and wherever I went I tried to blend into the culture for the experience and when I got to know locals they would tell me about the bad(rude) impressions americans had made in their cities/countries.

I’m Canadian. When I was in Italy, on several occasions I had been shoved, pinched and harassed for being a supposed american. I was shocked at how negatively americans are viewed by the rest of the world.

Travelling is about learning about other cultures…not trying to spread your own. If they want to see our culture they will come over here.

and for the record, I have nothing against americans my best friend lives in the states!

By: Jacks

Jacks — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:10 +0000

Haha Belle, I get what you are saying. I agree, they shouldn’t have to speak differently because I’m in their country. Just to clarify, I’ve never asked them to. I also don’t have a problem with English PEOPLE, or their country. I would never turn away from someone because of their accent. It’s just not pleasant to my ear. Love Australian accents, love South African accents, ADORE Irish accents, just not a big fan of English ones.

Perhaps I should have added that the fact that I don’t understand them is my problem, not theirs.

I guess the only issue I have with this article is the author makes it sound a bit like we should be embarrassed about being an American. I agree that anyone, from anywhere, should make concessions to the local culture they are traveling to, but don’t be ashamed of where you come from.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:37:58 +0000

Having lived in Germany for the last 4 years (since I was 18yrs old) I can totally see where this author is coming from. A lot of the American tourists I see on holiday are just plain annoying. Case in point – I’ve heard Americans tell a Scot that they hate the “Brits” when they meant the English. Uh… Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. And I agree with Rebecca, the only time I got complimented on my accent was while in the UK. Otherwise, it’s not inviting. My advice is to learn how to say “Do you speak English” in the native language of the country you’re in. It’s just polite, instead of just immediately speaking English assuming the person will understand you. I agree with the majority of this author’s viewpoints. Safe travels!

By: belle

belle — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:39:59 +0000

jacks i like how you say “if someone is going to dislike you on site b/c you are american, that’s their problem not yours” and then say you developed hatred for english accents b/c it was hard for you to understand them. you’re in their country! they shouldn’t have to speak differently for you to understand them. way to not generalize and be open-minded.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:22:08 +0000

WOW.

I cannot believe you said Africa was a country.

Not to offend you personally but that is an ignorrant statement.

By: Jacks

Jacks — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:27:24 +0000

Heh Rebecca I’m not talking about the posh crap..who knows what ones I was hearing, but when I was in London I couldn’t understand a soul, which is why I developed a hatred for accents coming out of England overall

And I agree-if someone is going to dislike you on site because you are an American, that’s their problem, not yours! Although non-native English speakers have a harder time differentiating between English, American, South African accents, etc..the same way non-native Spanish speakers might have trouble differentiating between Spanish, Mexican and Puerto Rican accents, etc.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:51:45 +0000

Australians and others may love American accents, but other countries, such as many in mainland Europe, do not. Many people will instantly dislike you because it’s obvious that you’re American. That said, there isn’t really any point disguising it, just be polite and it’ll turn their narrow-minded view of Americans around!

And at Jacks, it’s fine to hate the ‘English accent’, Britain has over 100 accents and around 15 ‘main’ ones. There IS no English accent. If you mean that stereotypical posh crap, I would hazard a guess that around 0.2% of the population, or most likely a lesser pecentage, speak like that. And the rougher ‘London cockney’ accent that you sometimes hear in movies is in fact confined to a certain, relatively small part of London.

Sorry, but it bugs me when people think that English people actually speak like the queen or something! No one does!

Nice article by the way