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Nowadays, there are a number of ways to learn about foreign cultures through secondary resources including books and films. In my opinion, people can learn about foreign cultures partially, which should be complemented by real visits to target cultures.
To begin with, secondary resources can provide the public with opportunities to learn diverse cultures with ease. Regardless of temporal and physical restrictions, people can gain information about cultures on the other side of the world. Also, different kinds of information from a range of resources can help people understand target cultures from different perspectives and widen their worldviews. For example, according to the survey, more than 70% of people reported that they learned about new cultures through books and youtube videos. Therefore, it is clear that secondary resources have become vital in understanding foreign cultures.
However, there are certain things which secondary resources cannot do. As books and films contain edited information, people can only have an indirect impression on target cultures. Instead, by visiting foreign countries, people can experience cultures from their own perspective, which allows them to have raw feelings not filtered through by others. For instance, when I visited china for the first time, I was surprised that the country was far more lively and energetic than I had expected. Likewise, people can experience diverse cultures in their own way through real visits to foreign countries.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that prevalent secondary resources make it possible for people to learn about new cultures without limitations. However, it should be noted that this indirect experience cannot replace feelings and impressions gained through real visits to target cultures.
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