Know the Lingo: 5 Words to Avoid when You Travel Abroad

As you prepare for your service learning adventure, you’re probably anticipating some culture shock. What you might be less prepared for is the fact that you could shock the culture. It definitely goes both ways. Though probably not intentional, you could create shockwaves by using offensive American terminology.

Keep international communication clear and friendly by avoiding these five words:

Cool

Seems harmless, right? In some countries, “coolie” is an insult used to label an uneducated blue collar worker.  Because “cool” sounds dangerously  similar to “coolie,” it’s best to avoid using this favorite American term.

America

Speaking of America, that’s another word you’ll want to avoid in your volunteer abroad adventures. No matter which GLA destination you choose, the word “America” is not a good choice when referring to your homeland. Because “America” can be used to describe three regions of the word (North, Central and South America), using it to describe your geographic origin sounds arrogant and can create confusion. Instead, refer to home as “U.S.” or “the States.”

Backward

Even if you are visiting rural areas during your high school volunteer abroad program, don’t refer to the area as “backward.” You will probably experience cultures that are very different from your own when you travel with GLA. However, just because a country is different, doesn’t mean it is “backward.” Referring to an area or people as “backward” implies that they have failed to progress and innovate.

Overseas

This word may not be so much offensive as it is inaccurate. You don’t necessarily have to travel “over” an ocean in order to travel internationally. Give yourself grammatical credibility and use “abroad” instead.

Foreign

When you refer to someone from another region or culture, never refer to them as “foreign” or a “foreigner.” The term implies that someone or something is out of place or strange. You probably would prefer not to be called a “foreigner” when visiting another culture, so apply the golden rule and refrain from using it to describe the people you meet internationally.

Now that you have a “do not say” list, note these other travel tips to keep international communication clear.

• Keep your voice down. Some cultures are offended by loud noises or talking.

• Don’t smile all the time. Though being polite is certainly encouraged, smiling too much can flag you as a tourist and set you up for scams. It can also be viewed as propositioning in some countries.

• Learn courtesy essentials. Get up to speed on “please,” “thank you” and other polite terminology to ensure that you leave a good impression.