In today’s revolutionized society, travelling to other countries to learn different cultures has become irrelevant, with books, films, and the internet allowing people to do so. I strongly agree with this viewpoint, as such entertainment options at their fingertips can equip people with cultural details of various foreign countries.
Books, movies, and the internet serve as cornerstones of understanding foreign cultures and traditions. They can help people get as much information as travelling can about various cultures. For example, there are several documentary movies on the YouTube platform specifically made to show one particular country’s cultural characteristics. Not only does the internet play a crucial role, but also international film industries contribute to educating people about various traditions and cultures across the world. One of my friends from Australia said that he learned about our national wedding rituals by watching the movie “CHimildik,” which can be a striking example of the fact that cultural education can be obtained through movies. In such a context, I do believe that entertainment facilities such as the internet and movies are equally beneficial in terms of learning other cultures.
However, some critics argue that learning about cultures through books, films, and the internet is nowhere near as effective as learning foreign traditions by visiting the country in person. They suggest that exploring different cultures would bring unparalleled benefits, such as breaking cultural stereotypes and interacting with the native population, leading to building international relationships. While this viewpoint sounds good, people no longer need to visit abroad to observe international cultures and traditions. They can expand their knowledge with the help of social media sites, movies, and books, which are accessible at any place and time for a fraction of the money.
Additionally, learning about the cultures of other countries on the internet, in books, and in movies prevents people from wasting money, since arranging overseas travel to learn about cultures costs a fortune. Movies and books dedicated to giving information about foreign traditions allow people to save money for other necessary needs, such as buying a house, paying tuition fees, and receiving medical care. Thus, there is no point in flying across borders to acquire knowledge about other cultures, as one can do so with the help of traveling documentaries and books.
In conclusion, while physical travel seems highly beneficial, I totally advocate the idea that one can obtain information about foreign cultures through some modern and conventional media sources, including the internet, movies, and books.