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Travel is a fun way to learn about the world. It can give us an appreciation for nature, and allow us to connect with people who are different from us. But did you know that traveling during holidays is a great way to experience new cultures? And it’s easy too. Here are 4 simple ways to learn cultural lessons from holiday travel.
1. Travel During Worldwide Holidays
Traveling during major worldwide holidays will give you a glimpse into how other people celebrate these familiar holidays. Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter are perfect times to teach you, and your children, about other cultures and beliefs. And you don’t have to travel to other countries to learn these valuable lessons. Spending Christmas in Hawaii can teach you a tremendous amount about the Hawaiian culture. Taking a day trip to an ethnic neighborhood in your own city can show you a lot about how they celebrate the holidays differently.
Flag Day in American Samoa
2. Travel During Local Holidays
Another great way to learn about other cultures is to take a trip during local holidays. Now, when I say “local holidays,” I mean holidays that are unique to your destination or that area of the world. These local holidays will give you a glimpse into that culture’s history, traditions, and values. For instance, by spending time in American Samoa during Flag Day, we learned how much the locals value being a part of the United States. Samoans are so proud to be Americans.
We were also fortunate to be able to celebrate White Sunday in American Samoa. White Sunday is a Samoan holiday that celebrates children. It is the child equivalent of Mother’s Day. Being able to experience this local holiday taught us about the Samoan belief that children are a blessing from God.
3. Attend Holiday Events
To further learn cultural lessons from holiday travel, attend special holiday events during your trip. These could include parades, festivals, or other community events. Typically, these events will showcase traditional music, dress, and food that are unique to the local culture. The venues that host these celebrations are usually decked out in special decorations as well. This is an easy way to get a firsthand look at the traditions and customs unique to the local culture.
A traditional performance during a Flag Day celebration in American Samoa.
4. Sample Holiday Foods
While you are attending those holiday events, be sure to sample some of the holiday foods. Most of the time, the foods offered at these celebrations are traditional cultural favorites which have been enjoyed by the locals for many years. Some of these may only be available during the holiday, but they will give you a good look into the ingredients and cooking methods used by the native people.
Conclusion
Most people who love to travel want to learn about the different cultures of the world. A great and easy way to do this is to travel during holidays. By traveling during local holidays, attending holiday events, and sampling some of the food offered during these special times, you will be able to learn a lot of cultural lessons from holiday travel. I hope these easy tips help you become more knowledgeable about culture during your next trip. Happy travels!
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