Editor’s Note: Derek Lactaoen is and HSU junior studying abroad in Chile. He worked for the Lumberjack for three semesters.
As Americans, we’re privileged. We get to assume things. Look at that. “Americans.”
Ask a Chilean to point out an “American,” and they’ll first point to themselves. Then they’ll point to Argentina, Perú, maybe Bolivia, and the United States of “America,” comes further down the list.
Having spent the last four months searching for a social niche during my study abroad trip in Chile, I can say with some degree of certainty that all those terrible things you’ve heard about the strong opinions other countries have of the United States are probably true.
My education in USA’s international image began with my friend Felipe Navarrete, an environmental lawyer and admitted leftist, over coffee in a Starbucks. Thoughts of dirty capitalists from Seattle leapt through my mind.
The air-conditioned cafe was a brilliant contrast to the dripping heat outside in the Santiago sun where little kids sat on sidewalks trying to eat their ice-cream before it all melted down their hands. It was on the posh couches of the place that I learned quickly of the ingrained superiority complex that he and many other Chileans see in people from the United States.
“I always get the feeling that they feel like they’re superior,” he said between sips of tea. “I think most Chileans think that.”
I expected to get a lashing for being guilty by association during our talk, but I never thought he’d call me out. It was a piece of humble pie instead of coffee cake that really got me to wake up.
“When we first met, I had to ask someone where you were from,” Felipe told me. “You said you were from America, and I had no idea where in America you meant.”
“It’s obvious. I’m from the States. Duh,” I said, peering timidly over the lid of my drink as I sipped.
“But what states? Where are you talking about?” asked Felipe, more out of wanting to illustrate his point than out of honest curiosity.
I twirled this year’s holiday-cup in my hand, admiring Starbuck’s ability to whimsically capture an entire holiday, tradition and religion in a paper cup. My frustration with Felipe’s lesson in humility calmed after a few sips of mocha.
Thinking of the cup and the Starbucks image, I asked him about the image of United States products. Besides international products like Nike or Starbucks, Chile doesn’t seem to value the U.S. imports unless they come with luscious blonde hair and curvy hips.
“What we do have,” said Felipe, “is the bad habit of using some English words to raise our status. It’s absurd.”
It’s interesting to look at yourself. To really step back and think about how other people might see you because of where you’re from, whether or not their impressions are accurate.
It’s also interesting to look at how the image of the Red White and Blue has changed over the past few years. Felipe, who proudly tells of his Obama campaign poster in his room, might not be the most objective source, but he said that within the past year, Chile and South America have seen a change as the United States leaves its previous role as a “paternalistic” empire to being a legitimately respected world leader.
“I want the United States to be the world leader,” said Felipe flatly.
Flabbergasted, I responded, “Why?!”
“Ok, if it were China, we’d be all live in communism. If it were India, who knows. At least I know the United States is about freedom,” he said, sinking a little into the sofa cushions, obviously satisfied with the point he had just made.
Ultimately, as the coffee cooled and the conversation turned elsewhere, I was able to reflect on the fact that our United States culture isn’t the only one that is globally engaged. As college courses increasingly emphasize, we cannot help but to consider ourselves as global citizens capable of impacting individuals thousands of miles away.
It is the consciousness of that fact, I believe, that can help to change our image of “superiority” to one of understanding and global engagement rather than standing outside the lives and difficulties of fellow earthlings.
And so, I tell you this: I’ve had the uncomfortable experience of being caught in my own flawed, “better-than-you” way of thinking, and I’ve had the difficult privilege of being able to dispel myths and stereotypes about “America.” But either way, my Chilean friends have opened my eyes to a way of viewing the United States and its people that I haven’t experienced before. And at the end of the day, that’s what studying abroad is really about.
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