Becoming a Cultural Learner, Not a Tourist
Dec 24, 2025Living in another country doesn’t automatically make you culturally fluent. Sometimes it only amplifies your assumptions. In this episode, Dr. Sylvia Nemmers reminds us that transformation begins not when we travel, but when we learn to listen.
Her story begins with falling in love across cultures—a relationship that introduced her to new expectations, new languages, and new ways of understanding family. But the most profound moment happened far from Pakistan: standing in St. Peter’s Basilica, where she unexpectedly recognized her faith in a way she had never felt before. It wasn’t conversion through argument or pressure; it was recognition through resonance.
Once she began life in Pakistan, the learning deepened. As a blind woman in a country where disability is often stigmatized, Sylvia encountered unfamiliar norms—“Don’t act blind; no one will respect you.” But instead of recoiling, she adapted with curiosity. What does respect mean in this culture? How do people define independence? What assumptions am I bringing?
What Sylvia discovered is a lesson for educators, leaders, and every global citizen: humility is the engine of learning. When we stop assuming our lens is universal, our capacity for connection expands. When we stop telling people who they are, we begin to hear who they have always been.
Weekly practice: Approach one cultural, generational, or interpersonal misunderstanding with curiosity instead of certainty. Ask one question you’ve never asked before.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Don't worry, your information will not be shared.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
