Abby Day
EDF 505
November 12, 2011
My Cultural Autobiography
When entering Yellowstone National Park from Gardiner, Montana, tourists pass through
Roosevelt Arch. Yellowstone has a unique history. There is a misconception that Theodore
Roosevelt, president from 1901 to 1909, created Yellowstone. However, almost thirty years
before, in 1872, Ulysses S. Grant signed Yellowstone into law. It was during my course, The
History of the U.S. West, that I learned about the formation of Yellowstone and soon realized I
wanted to revisit the park. As the oldest national park in the United States, I found Yellowstone
intriguing and (after applying for a job) decided to work in one of the lodges over the summer.
With graduation a month away, and no ideas on possible careers, traveling to Wyoming seemed
like a good idea. My various travels and history knowledge help prepare me for the cultural
experience that awaited.
One of my fondest memories from my summer in Yellowstone is a birthday party we had
for one of our Vietnamese workers. David (we used his English name) had never traveled
outside of Vietnam. He and his friend, Tuan, came from Hanoi. At the party table, I was one of
two who spoke English fluently. We had several people from Taiwan and China. When we sang
“Happy Birthday,” each of us sang in our native language.
Over the summer David and Tuan tried to teach me Vietnamese, how to properly use
chop sticks (which I still have not mastered), and explain the differences between their culture
and mine. In getting to know them, I realized that Americans have a stigma against northern
Vietnamese. Considering what happened during the Vietnam War, I can understand.
Fortunately, I had taken a course on the Korean and Vietnam Wars and remembered enough
information to have an intelligent discussion with my Vietnamese friends.
During one of our conversation, Tuan asked me if America had any museums dedicated
to the Vietnam War. I told him about the Vietnam Memorial, but mentioned we had no
designated national Vietnam War museum. He informed me that in Hanoi, there are many
museums about the war. Tuan tried to describe the immense fear he felt during each visit. While
the Vietnam War tends to be a barrier between the United States and northern Vietnam, Tuan
mentioned many Vietnamese want Americans to visit and hope good relations will follow.
Before I left Yellowstone to return to Alabama for graduate school, Tuan and David
came to say goodbye. They told me I was one of the only American workers at Lake Lodge that
took time to get to know them. Most had found the language barrier too difficult. It took time,
patience, and understanding to communicate with them, but I enjoyed seeing how their English
improved. As a going away present, Tuan and David gave me a notebook. On the first page,
each had written, in English, parting words of wisdom and gratitude.
Overall, my time in Yellowstone proved to be a wonderful learning experience. I truly
believe my background in history helped me to converse more readily with those from different
countries. Not only did my knowledge of Vietnam help me bridge the cultural barrier between
David and Tuan, but my travels to Europe also aided me in assisting foreign guests. Many times
guests from France or Italy spoke very little English and I found alternative ways to
communicate with them. The world is becoming smaller. Technology has provided easier
access to countries once too isolated or far to visit. What I have found, in my travels and
continuous study of history, is that understanding and respect are key to foreign relations. I think
every American should travel abroad in order to fully appreciate our way of life.