Some people question the importance of travelling to other countries when it comes to learning about culture as it can now be done by using other sources such as films, books, or the Internet. While travelling abroad equips people with real life experience, I believe that more can be leant about any culture through the other materials.
First-hand experience is, in fact, needed to a deeper understanding of a new culture. It is possible to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and physical environment in a way that books, films, or the internet cannot fully reflect, through direct experience. Take Turkish cuisine as an example. In order to feel the world-famous tastes of dishes in Turkish culture, just reading a magazine or watching a documentary may not be enough. That’s why, the role of travelling to other places so as to explore their culture is undeniable.
Despite the benefits of real experience, books, films, and the internet make learning about different cultures more accessible to a wide audience. Since, not everyone has the time, money, or physical ability to travel, so these mediums provide an inclusive way to explore diverse perspectives and experiences. Thus, it would be great to provide more and affordable sources about diverse cultures to those who are not able to travel themselves.
The access to the insights of historians, local voices, or even those who have lived through historical moments is another advantage of the internet, films, and books. These materials can give a well-rounded view of a culture, allowing people to compare multiple perspectives from different authors, documentaries, or even online discussions. Sometimes, it is also possible to learn more about a culture’s history and context from these resources than what might be experienced during a short visit to a place.
In conclusion, although travelling in-person to other countries offers a number of upsides like first-hand experience of foreign cultures, which is impossible through other ways, the wider accessibility and deeper insights into the context of different cultures obtained by books, documentaries and the internet are of great importance.