Travelling is not a need for people to have an understanding of a culture, according to those who prefer acquiring knowledge through forms of reading or watching. However, I strongly oppose this way of thinking, as I reckon that direct immersion provides the greatest benefits.
On the one hand, those who concur with the statement believe that books, movies, and websites allow people to have access to a vast array of information about a certain culture directly from the comfort of their homes. These forms are available everywhere and everytime with just an Internet connection, making them incredibly convenient: unveiling the traditions of the Indigenous tribes from Africa right inside a block of flat in Beijing, discovering the habits of the people halfway across the world within a small phone screen. Additionally, thanks to the introduction of books and the Internet, people can save their time learning a new culture by reading an article or watching a travel recap from their mobile devices. It may take a lot of time to travel to those places, which is not suitable for those who are busy with their daily work; instead, they can just sit on the couch acquiring cultural knowledge through an informative book or a TV screen.
On the other hand, I, as well as many others, still advocate travelling as it is the best way to understand a culture. Travelling directly to the place of interest encourages people to engage with its culture in a physical and empirical way. It also offers an immersive experience that is significant to have an in-depth comprehension of the culture, unlike indirect forms which lack tangible interaction. Going to a pottery village and learning how to make pottery are always more experiential and practical than just skimming through online making steps. Moreover, travelling also enhances verification in a digital society where truth is often distorted. Gaining cultural understanding by one’s own eyes is more personally accurate than indirectly acquiring it through the Internet. This not only helps people to validate the information by themselves, but also avoids false data spreading all over cyberspace.
In conclusion, while acknowledging the convenience and time-saving aspect that books, movies and the Internet provide to benefit people from learning a new culture, I still think that going straight to the places is more immersive and verifiable.