Witnessing the biggest plot twist of all time unfold through COVID-19, it is relatively accurate to say that all of our worlds have gotten remarkably smaller. Our most recent travel is restricted to the journey between our beds to our work-from-home setup.
Despite our circumstances and observing that we have A LOT of time on our hands, now is a perfect time to practice learning and experiencing different cultures.
It’s time to get creative with cultural immersion activities.
Are you wondering how it’s possible to experience other cultures when just going to the grocery store feels risky right now? We'll get to that later, but if you’re wondering why you should still try—it’s because learning about the world around us makes our experiences better and richer; seeing the world is only half of it!
For instance, what fun would it be to visit the greatest museum in the world and not know the context or heritage of its contents? Learning diverse cultures exposes you to something bigger than yourself, and enables you to see the value in all ways of life.
Not to mention that this knowledge can win you friends who are seas away (and who doesn't love the idea of more friends?). Broadening your perspective and embracing cultural immersion activities is the ultimate level-up—and something that you will never regret.
Is experiencing different cultures even possible right now?
As the world remains in multiple phases of lockdown, a direct path to how to experience other cultures may feel grey and potentially unsafe. With our limited interactions with others outside of our homes, it would seem that experiencing different cultures would be impossible.
But surprise! Despite the odds and the rules keeping you and your love for the world apart, there are plenty of cultural immersion activities ready for you to experience. And while you will be doing these experiences at home, the takeaways are no less than what you would have experienced physically being abroad.
So you can’t get on an airplane right now—but you CAN still experience different cultures!
With many travel-based organizations planning and creating experiences for travelers and students of culture online, there are always new daily opportunities to explore. So take a seat at your makeshift home desk and see how to experience other cultures from the comfort of your own home. No masks required.
WATCH: How to Plan Your Meaningful Travel Post Coronavirus
9 at-home cultural immersion activities
1. Expand your palette
While the language is the first thing that we notice about different cultures, language barriers can present a bit of a learning curve. On the other hand, food is universal. Grab a specialty cookbook or find restaurants locally to experience every ingredient, spice, and flavor unique to your country of interest.
Transport yourself to Greece as you perfect a delicious serving of Spanakopita or leave for Germany and try the summer-ready dessert Rote Grütze (red grits.) Learn the traditions behind the recipes and step into a portal of their culture. Share with family and friends and enjoy. Explore your palette and explore the globe...bon appetit!
2. Watch movies and TV
You’ve caught up on all of your favorite sitcoms and guilty-pleasure reality TV in quarantine. Now it's time to create a new watch list: International Edition.
Get all of Britain's finest entertainment by getting a subscription to BBC's BritBox. Or search your Netflix account and look for the latest Nollywood films from Nigeria. Watch for yourself and gain an appreciation for the humor or visualize a day in the life if you prefer documentaries.
See culture through film and get a glimpse of how others see the world.
3. Get moving! Learn a traditional dance
Another universal language you can learn? The language of dance! And these are not just trendy TikTok dances we’re talking about here. There are so many forms of dancing to choose from!
Dancing is so closely intertwined with culture...plus, it’s fun!
Step out of your comfort zone and move your feet to learn the Cuban salsa, Polka, or Bollywood dance styles. Spend some time learning from the free tutorials around the web and let the beauty of culture and tradition move you! No rhythm required.
4. Take a (virtual) museum tour
Just like culture, museums are different everywhere you go. The halls of culture have been less accessible lately, but a trip to the museum has never been easier.
Thankfully, Google Arts and Culture have saved the day, giving you access to 2500 museums and galleries around the world for you to explore at home.
Learn the history of Scottish painting at The Scottish National Gallery or see the famous Batliner Collection at The Albertina, a palace-turned-museum in Austria. Learn how to experience other cultures through their art...without waiting in line. Sounds like a masterpiece to us!
5. Make a playlist
Don't just limit your music to the pop top 100; make a new playlist, and dance your way around the world.
Hear and learn the meaning behind Irish folk music or listen to Gagaku, the oldest form of music in Japan.
Learn history and language as you press play for music past and present as you immerse yourself through culture and song.
6. Learn a new language
School may be out, but class can still be in session. Embrace the lifelong learner in you and enroll in a language class at your local university or begin to learn online.
Duolingo and Memrise are great apps to start if you’re a beginner or want to brush up on your skills. Learning a language can open many doors in terms of cultural connections, and learning a native tongue will strengthen your love for your admired culture and country even further.
Learn with a friend, have patience, and make it fun!
7. Open a book
Buy a book and journey into a brand new world. You can venture into the informational side and read up on customs, traditions, landmarks, and history.
Pick up a book, relax, immerse.
But if you want to go further, seek out classic literature from your country of interest. If it's still not immersive enough for you, try reading a few novels in their native language.
Why not share your favorite culture with others and make it an international book club?
8. Listen to a podcast
If books aren't your thing, trade them in for an immersive podcast. Hear real stories from other travelers sharing their experiences or listen to different languages to sharpen your fluency.
Stamp your passport and listen to podcasts about Latin America or as far as Vietnam. Interesting podcasts include NPR's Latino USA, The Renovation Generation, or Duolingo's Spanish Podcast.
9. Get a pen pal
Break out your stationery (or buy some) and sign up for an international pen pal. While connecting with a new person, having a pen pal presents a unique opportunity to perhaps hone your written language skills and/or forge a deep connection with someone who may have wildly different perspectives. Global PenPal Friends and PenPal World are great places to start.
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Until you can travel again, keep finding ways to experience different cultures!
Don’t stop here! Enjoy culture from afar for now—and keep dreaming of your future travels.
While there is no accurate prediction as to when we will be able to jump on our next flight to Destination Anywhere, these cultural immersion activities will make you feel as if you are always traveling—even if you’re not.
In fact, all of your experiences at home may also inspire your post-COVID-19 travel journeys ahead. The globe is on pause for now, but don't worry; it will all be waiting for you when things get back to normal.
So learn a language, listen to music, delight in a new dish, and check out these articles to keep the adventurer in you alive! Happy (distant) exploring!
Keep reading → Explore more COVID-19 travel articles on GoAbroad.com
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