| One of the most rewarding aspects of being able to | | | | Eastern countries. In fact, people who are not raised in |
| teach English abroad is that you will have the | | | | countries with a large Hindu, Buddhist, or Muslim |
| opportunity to learn about a previously unknown culture | | | | presence will find many major cultural differences. |
| on a level that would otherwise not be possible. | | | | For instance, many Muslims observe the five daily |
| Learning the cultural norms and traditions of another | | | | formal prayers called Fajr, Dhuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, and |
| culture is a great way to expand your understanding | | | | 'Isha. In many Muslim countries, the Adhan, or call to |
| of the world, and it affords you the rare opportunity to | | | | prayer, is called out publicly and the prayers are recited |
| get a glimpse of what its like to be "in another person's | | | | in public. This can seem very unusual to someone who |
| shoes." | | | | is from a country where religion is a predominantly |
| Among the most memorable types of cultural | | | | private matter that remains mostly out of the public |
| experiences are festivals and celebrations. The types | | | | arena. |
| of things that a culture deems worthy to celebrate can | | | | In contrast to these types of public celebrations and |
| say a lot about that country's people. For instance, | | | | observances, a person living in a foreign country may |
| during Mexico's Day of the Dead (El Dia de los | | | | also have a chance to experience the private |
| Muertos also known as "All Souls' Day") an American | | | | customs its people. For example, ESL teachers in |
| may be surprised to find icons of death such as | | | | many Arab countries may find that the experience of |
| skeletons and graves are decorated in many different | | | | "going out for coffee" is quite different from a typical |
| colors and incorporated into festivities and celebrations. | | | | visit to a western cafe. |
| Experiencing the Day of the Dead in Mexico will give | | | | Arab coffee (also called Turkish coffee) is prepared |
| you an insight into that culture's attitudes on death and | | | | and enjoyed in a fashion that can seem quite alien to |
| the afterlife that you would not have otherwise been | | | | most native English speakers. In fact, anyone teaching |
| able to experience. | | | | English abroad who is familiar with the phrase "good to |
| Westerners may also be surprised to see how the | | | | the last drop" in reference to coffee will find |
| traditionally Christian holidays that are observed | | | | themselves with a mouthful of soggy grounds if they |
| throughout American and Europe have a much lower | | | | consume an entire cup of Arab coffee. |
| profile (or no profile at all) in many Asian and Middle | | | | |