This is why it is very important to be open-minded when learning about and experiencing different cultures -- you might be very surprised by what you find!
I knew a fair amount about the political climate and history in Colombia before arriving, but I have learned so much more since I arrived. While I learned that the Colombian government is corrupt in my classes in college, coming here, I realized just how outraged Colombians are by this. I quickly learned how politically aware and active most Colombians are, especially university students. I found this to be very different from the U.S., where college students have very low voter turnout rates. There are often paros (strikes), where students and other people go to the streets and protest against government injustices. Just last week, there was a national strike against the current government. The reason for this strike was because the government has been neglecting the needs and rights of the people and taking money away from public education. While the government doesn't always listen to these complaints, sometimes they do, and they make positive changes. Either way, they are important because they draw international attention to important issues.
It is very important to remember that all countries have positive aspects, as well as negative ones, just like the U.S. Instead of believing stereotypes, it is better to do research for yourself, talk to people from that country, or even visit, if possible, to form your own opinion. Always keep an open mind. Just like we would feel bad if someone stereotyped all people from the U.S. as wild, sloppy, hamburger-eating monsters, people from other countries feel bad when we stereotype them, too.
