During the past five years, fortunately, I have met many different types of people from different countries because I traveled around to quite a few countries. Through these valuable opportunities, I met many friends and enjoyed having relationships with them very much. Because of these experiences, having friends from different countries has become one of the biggest pleasures in my life. Now, I'd like to tell you three important ways to get along with people from different countries.

First, I recommend you get basic information about languages, culture, and customs of other counties before you go there, This will help you to break the ice; that is, to make you feel free to talk to them easily. For example, if you know "Kimuchi", typical Korean food and talk to Korean people about that, they will feel familiar with you. Generally speaking, if visitors from different countries know your culture and customs, you will be proudly happy. In this sense, getting information about other counties will be useful way to become familiar with people from different countries. In addition, knowing your own culture and customs helps you get along with them because you can share and exchange those each other. As a result, you could develop the relationships with them more and more.

Second, being a good listener is a successful way to get along with people from different countries. It sounds easy to do it ; however, it means not only to listen to them but also to fit into the diversity and accept it. You shouldn't impose your ideas or have prejudices. If you are proud of the culture, customs and identity of your country, you should equally treat those of different countries. You can't determine which is right or wrong because each country has its own culture and customs. You shouldn't think either culture is inferior or superior. If you have this skill, you could surely develop the relationships with people from different countries much stronger.

Lastly, speaking your own opinions clearly is one of the important ways to build and develop the relationships with people from different countries. Because of cultural differences, sometimes you will have some problems and solve them. At the time, if you don't speak your opinions clearly, it transmits nothing to people. Actually, you might need to compromise them sometimes. But, if you don't want to give a way to them, you should make yourself understood in your words. Y ou shouldn't hesitate to clearly explain your ideas. Moreover, the point I want to stress is that a real firm relationship will not be built with in peace. If you can't argue with your friend, it's not strong enough to be called a friendship but just an acquaintance. So, speaking your ideas honestly is an essential way to develop the relationships with people from different countries.

To summarize, getting along with people from different countries is not very easy. But, if you have these three skills, getting basic information about other countries, to be a good listener and speaking your ideas clearly, you could build wonderful relationships with them even if you are not very good at speaking their languages. Wherever you go, all you have to do is to handle and strongly believe in yourself.