The term “tourist” was always odd to me. With how negative of a connotation that word has garnered over time in the States, you’d think American travelers are verbally berated with it every time they step foot outside in a foreign country, that it is used with the same level of malicious intent that motivates every other horrible name or slur that the human race has thought up. However, in my experience and the relayed experiences of my peers, I find this to hardly ever be the case. Most cultures, especially ones that are relatively accustomed to tourists, are perfectly welcoming to and unjudgmental of American visitors. So, evidently, most of this insecurity is self-inflicted by American travelers themselves. While this insecurity can stem from a good place, one that is cognizant of American history and the ethical responsibility to respect others especially when in their domain, it seems the primary incentive for not wanting to be perceived as a tourist has steadily become skewed. Today, the primary incentive that appears to trump all others is a fear of ineptitude.

During my first week or two in Florence, I suffered from this fear of making mistakes and somehow “giving away” that I was a tourist as well, and it manifested as complacency for me. Without realizing, I was using tools like Google Maps as a crutch for navigating the city and opting for the English menus in most restaurants I went to, never really challenging myself as a result. But, as my study abroad experience progressed, I began to challenge myself more and eventually recognized that being a tourist is nothing to be ashamed of.

Being a tourist is synonymous with being a novice at piano or being a beginner soccer player, it simply exists to describe someone that is new to something and hasn’t yet mastered that thing. With that in mind, same as with piano or soccer, practice and embracing ineptitude to a certain degree are the only ways to get better. If you are new to a culture and therefore a tourist, you can’t expect to exhibit the same level of competence as a local right away; but as long as you remain respectful, be kind to all those around you, and maintain a general willingness to learn, there is nothing wrong with that. The competence will come later. I plan to carry this sentiment with me throughout the rest of my academic career at Pitt and even beyond as it has already driven me to try new things and get to know myself better thanks to open-mindedness and enthusiasm. Study abroad in Italy was one of the best experiences of my life and I want to continue to approach my life like I approached my time there: as a flawed, curious, and compassionate tourist.