I thought I was going to have a reverse culture shock when I came back to the US. I wouldn't describe my experience as that at all. I would say that I'm getting the chance to experience California (particularly my hometown, Davis) through a completely different lens. I've never had an "eye changer" quite like this before. I'm ashamed and almost a little embarassed -- I didn't realize how good I actually had things at home until now.
First off -- holy crap, am I American. And I never considered myself that American until now. I think I'm so American that it blinds me from understanding what's 'acceptable' and 'not acceptable' in Korea. It's no wonder I have such a hard time understanding Korean culture. I've been judging what's right and wrong -- good and bad -- in an American context, which simply doesn't make sense. I used to think I could completely accept a different culture other than my own, but now I see that crumbling.
Which leads me to a fundamental question: can one fully embrace (i.e., assimilate into) a different culture other than their own? For me, it doesn't seem possible anymore. I can try really hard. I can even pretend and appear to blend in. But in the end, I think there are too many traditions, values, and mannerisms from my culture that have shaped who I am, psychologically. I believe when we become adults, our native culture makes it all but impossible to become completely accustomed to others.
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