Cultural exchange

Half a world away, Cape Girardeau residents discovered life is a little different and put to rest some disturbing myths about how cultures relate.

Lori Lynn, director of campus life at Southeast Missouri State University, and Dustin Michael, a journalist working with Southeast, jumped at the chance to spend 30 days in Italy when Rotary District 6060 group began taking applications for its the outreach program "Lend A Hand."

The Rotary uses programs like "Lend A Hand" to help advance international understanding, goodwill and peace throughout the world.

The trip offered Lynn, Michael, and their team members -- Mary Furfuro, Michael Gaines and Larry Jackson -- the chance to discover the history and lifestyle of the Italian people.

"I like the sense of adventure that comes along with seeing new things and meeting new people," Lynn said. "And I believe it is important to be introduced to new cultures. It helps all of us be more sensitive to others."

In their month abroad, the group made many presentations, formal visits, cultural and site tours and spent time with several different host families.

Michael was impressed by the attitudes of the Italians the group met during the trip.

"People who have so much are just so humble," Michael said.

That group also got a chance to participate in an Italian festival. Every year, the town of Larino holds the Festi di San Pardo, in honor of the town's patron saint, Saint Pardo. The festival began hundreds of years ago to transport the relic of the saint. Area families have participated in the event for generations.

"Beautiful wagons are adorned with flowers, olive branches, and ribbon," Lynn said. "And the oldest cart is the one that gets to transport the relic. People come from all over the region to watch and participate."

The culture of Italy is very much theirs, Lynn said. The group didn't see a lot of things Americanized or drawn from surrounding countries, like she had on vacations to London and Paris.

Michael enjoyed these times when the group could pause for a few minutes and spend time with local citizens or the group's host families.

"For all the running around we did," Michael said, "my favorite parts were when we were just hanging around and talking to the Italians. The churches blend together but the faces stand out."

The host families gave the group a glimpse into the lives of an Italian family, Lynn said. She was most impressed by the way as many as three generations of a family will continue to live together in one home.

"You would think there would be space issues and some tension," Lynn said, "but they're very respectful. We could learn some lessons from them in being respectful in what everyone brings to the table."

One of the most important things Michael believes he gained from the trip is the knowledge that the rest of the world still welcomes Americans.

"It's a myth that everybody hates Americans," Michael said. "It was refreshing for me to know most people are able to distinguish between the actions of the American government and those of the American people."

The team members came home with a better understanding of Italian life, enough of the language to hold a conversation on a train, and many wonderful memories.

"The people were so incredibly nice to us," Lynn said. "We made some wonderful friends in almost every town we visited. I don't know how they could have treated us better."

dfarley@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 226