The Facade of Social Media and film and why so many Spaniards dream of New York, by Audrey Bauer

One of my favorite questions to ask Spaniards is which state in the U.S. they would like to visit.
Since my time abroad I have probably asked this question to around 30 people and the majority
all say the same thing, “New York City.” I usually follow up this question with why New York?
Why not Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, or Hawaii? I usually receive the same sort of answer,
because I’ve seen it in movies and it looks magical. As someone who has been to New York it is
definitely a magical place, but it is nothing like the movies, and I think it's extremely interesting
how Spaniards and Europeans have a preconceived notion of New York as seen from film and
social media. Like we talked about in class, in order to break stereotypes and preconceived
notions of cultures it is necessary to travel and immerse yourself in the specific culture and talk
with the locals there about their perspectives and experiences, rather than base understandings
off social media, film, and literature. Through my time abroad immersing myself in Spanish
culture, with a Spanish host mom, and local friends I have gained a much better insight into the
Spanish culture, lifestyle and values that I wouldn't have been able to fully grasp without this
experience. I am aware that most people don't have the means to travel extensively and immerse
themselves into new cultures, but I am planning to share my knowledge and insight with my
American friends and family in order to spread facts and not spread stereotypes and common
misconceptions about Spanish culture. In terms of social media and film, I think it's important for
people to understand that social media and media in general is nothing more than a facade, and
the best way to fully understand and grasp cultural concepts is through taking yourself out of
your own cultural understanding, talking with real people and experiencing the real thing.

For further reading on the topic of social media across cultures:

https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1230&context=srhonorsprog“New York Ranks as Number One Tourist Destination This Holiday Season”

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/travel/nyc-ranks-no-1-tourist-hotspot-this-holiday-season-for-1st-time-since-pandemic/3427750/