YOUPOST 2

Stereotypes about Americans

Every country in this world has its own stereotypes. Germans are punctual and Brazilians always late. People who reside in other countries than the United States have formed opinions about the Americans. Have you ever wondered what the world thinks about Americans? Here are two stereotypes about them. Americans are uneducated and violent. 

The first stereotype I would like to respond to is that Americans are uneducated. A few years ago, the European Journal of Communication surveyed people in the United states, Britain, Denmark and Finland about international affairs. Let's just say that Americans didn't fare as wells as Europeans when it came to world knowledge. This drawing shows the geographical knowledge of Americans about the rest of the world. Well I think this drawing shows how people from other countries think about the geographical knowledge of Americans. However, I think this stereotype is only that current because Americans are more interested in their own country. Most of the Americans never leave their country, that's why they're not that interested in other countries. Furthermore, the USA is the most powerful and important state in the world. Maybe this idea leads people to be only interested in itself.

The second stereotype is: Americans are violent. 
Almost everyday we hear about new violence in the United States. Gun rampage in a school, shooting in public places or a father who killed his whole 

family because of jealousy. In 2012, the Washington Post reported that the United States has more shooting deaths than anywhere else in the developed world. Americans are proud of their right to bear arms, however, it has caused plenty of devastation and destruction on American soil. Though plenty of Americans do not own guns and want tougher gun control laws enforced in their nation. We must keep in mind that America is a huge country with many different cultures compared to other countries in the world. 

All in all most of the stereotypes are based on the truth. They don't apply to individuals but rather to a group. In any case you shouldn't take them too seriously. You should rather get to know the country and its people on your own and afterwards you will see that not every stereotype applies to every person in this country.

1) http://www.iupui.edu/~anthkb/a104/international/worldofamerica.gif

2) http://www.transcend.org/tms/2012/11/the-united-states-of-america-a-culture-of-violence/

FREE POST 1

Beautiful New Zealand!

In 2012 I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand, after I had finished school. I planned to do a farmstay which means working on a farm for food and accommodation. But as usual my plan didn't work out well, so I decided to travel around the country for three weeks. This was one of the best decisions in my life. 

I think many of you know that New Zealand is such a beautiful country. My first stop was Cape Reinga. It's the northernmost point of New Zealand. The forecast was overwhelming.

I've never seen such a beautiful country  before. After 2 beautiful days in Pahia, the journey went on heading south. In three weeks I saw every important and beautiful place from Cape Reinga to Wellington. Arrived in Wellington I had to say good bye to the people I travelled with.

While I've travelled, my organization called saying that they had found a farm for me. So my journey went on to a place called Te Awamutu also on the north island of New Zealand. The family I lived with was really nice to me and I felt at home immediately. I started milking the cows at 5o'clock in the morning and took care of the children. After 7 weeks on that farm, I had to say good bye to this lovely family and also to my new favorite land: New Zealand.

In all the time, there was only one disgusting experience: I had to inseminate a cow! :D

YOUPOST 1

Pumpkins and scary outfits - it's Halloween!

These days nearly everybody celebrates Halloween. They dress up, look scary, go trick or treating and have much fun. But most of them don't know what they are celebrating.

Honestly, before I read the texts and watched the videos I also had no idea what Halloween really is about. I never celebrated Halloween and wasn't interested in it. Of course I'm still going to Halloween parties but only to have fun with my friends. When I was little I have never been trick or treating. I thought Halloween came from America to us because they're all so crazy about it. But after reading all the information on the internet I found out much about the "real" Halloween.

Originally Halloween is a Celtic festival which started about 2000 years ago. They celebrated "Samhain" at the 1st of November each year. This date marked the end of harvest season and the begin of the winter. They called the night before "Samhain" "All hallows' eve" which was the 31st of October. The Celtic believed that on this day the dead would rise as ghosts. That's why they left food and wine in front of their doors and dressed up as ghosts to be mistaken as a fellow ghost. Throughout the years the name "All hallow's eve" changed to "Halloween". 

As we know now Halloween is not originally American instead the first Irish immigrants brought their traditions to America. It's also interesting how different other countries are celebrating this day. Compared to the Celtics the Spanish or Mexican people are not afraid of the dead. They honor them when they return on Halloween.

Now, after all this information I know how Halloween came into it's existence and I will remember this when I am at my next Halloween Party.