I grew up in the Canal Zone and spent a lot of time in Berlin. It was valuable to me. Gave me perspectives I wouldn’t otherwise have. There are downsides. C

I grew up in the Canal Zone and spent a lot of time in Berlin. It was valuable to me. Gave me perspectives I wouldn’t otherwise have. There are downsides. Coming to the U.S. from the Canal Zone took a lot of getting used to. Going in the reverse direction is no different. However, English is widely spoken and American movies and TV are ubiquitous and this helps with coping to a new place. Every place has its nuances. In Berlin if you walk on the sidewalk and 4 people are walking abreast toward you they will not make way for you. On whatever side you are walking the person closest to you will do a half turn and it’s expected you do the same. I met a German in Turkey once who lived in a village for 20 years. He said he will always be an outsider there. Depending on where you go you may not ever feel part of the society.