Do you think people should adapt and accept the culture of the country they visit? | Band 8 IELTS essay sample
It is often said “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Do you think people should adapt and accept the culture of the country they visit? Do you think it is possible to learn a culture without learning the language?
Here is a band 8 essay on this topic submitted by one of our students. Send us your writing samples for a free band score estimate or get a detailed analysis of your writing for a fee.
Band 8 IELTS essay sample
Some people believe that tourists visiting another country ought to adapt to its local culture. I certainly agree with this view as following local culture shows respect towards it. Also, I believe that people can’t gain deeper understanding of foreign cultures without learning the native languages.
International tourists must accustom themselves to the culture of the country which they are visiting. When tourists adapt to the local culture of a country, it shows their respect towards that culture and the people. If local customs and traditions are not followed and adopted by overseas tourists, it can lead to friction between the tourists and locals. For instance, overseas women visiting Saudi Arabia are necessarily required to wear “Abaya”, a traditional costume for Muslim women. Women tourists can land themselves in difficulty if they do not adhere to this custom in Saudi Arabia. In short, when visitors honour the local traditions of the place they visit, they are actually saving themselves a lot of trouble.
As for the importance of learning the local language, in my opinion, it is impossible to gain deeper understanding of any culture without learning the native language. Language is not only a means of communication; it is also deeply related to the culture. In other words, language is a fundamental element of any culture. If a person lacks knowledge of a language they will be not be able to access the folklore and literature available in that language. This, in turn, will hinder their understanding of that culture. Furthermore, people are the representatives of a culture and it is impossible to understand a culture without interacting with the locals. For this purpose also a foreigner has to learn the local language. Therefore, language plays a crucial role in promoting cultural understanding.
In conclusion, foreign tourists must accept and follow the native culture of the country they visit as it is an act of paying respect to their culture. Regarding language, it is deeply connected to the culture and should definitely be learned in order to understand the culture.
Here is another essay on this topic written by another student.
Band 7.5 IELTS essay sample
According to some people, foreigners should embrace the local culture and learn the local language of the country they visit. I fully agree with this view as it makes the travel experience more pleasant for the visitor. Even so, in my opinion, it is not necessary to learn the local language if we are there for a short term visit. Having said that, there is no harm in learning the local language.
To commence with, the first and foremost reason for accepting / adopting the local culture is that it prevents conflicts with the locals. Culture and custom refer to dressing styles, religious practices and food habits etc. For example, Hindus take off their shoes before entering temples. Western tourists are expected to do this when they are in India. Accepting the local culture when you are abroad will prevent conflicts with locals and make your tour safer and more memorable.
As for learning the language of the foreign country, I personally believe that adopting a foreign culture without learning the Nation’s language is possible in a few cases such as for short term visit or if you are accompanied by an interpreter. Nevertheless, it would be better to have a good command over the foreign language if you are staying there for a long-term or even permanently. Otherwise, you might feel frustrated when you are not able to express yourself before native people.
In conclusion, respecting the local culture and learning the local language make traveling hassle free for the traveler by reducing chances of conflicts with local people.
