Cultura de Fumar

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Joy Bernal

<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hola <i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> University of South Carolina <i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2023 <i>Destination city & country:</i> Barcelona, Spain <i>Program provider:</i> Institute of American Universities <i>Major/minor:</i> Chemistry & Criminology / Spanish <i>Future career aspirations:</i> Trauma surgery and Doctors Without Borders

Smoking culture. You stand out more here if you donโ€™t smoke. Itโ€™s a part of the cultureโ€ฆ which I acknowledge. My former host mother of a whopping 48 hours also smokes. However, she smokes in the kitchen, two doors down from my former bedroom. The house wreaks. I can understand that you are a smoker. But when you have guests as well as a contract forbidding smoking inside, have enough respect to smoke outside. When she continued to smoke inside after being reminded by her employer (my homestay program) it was not allowed, I moved homestays. The interesting part was the laughs and slightly judgmental looks I received from every local I explained the situation to. They didnโ€™t get it. But they didnโ€™t need to. My monies pay for college. My monies pay for the homestay.

Where is the line you draw between cultural appreciation and non-negotiables? I vote youโ€™re allowed to have some non-negotiables. Just because youโ€™re not willing to participate or endure some things doesnโ€™t mean you donโ€™t understand their culture. It just means you know yourself enough to know what you can and cannot handle. Science says smoking is unhealthy. Thatโ€™s good enough for me. Had I been in a smoke-wreaking home for three months, I would never be able to relax, study, or enjoy the rest of what the vibrant city has to offer. When you know better, you do better. I knew better, so despite my unpopular opinion, I stood my ground.