When studying abroad, go with the local culture or stick with how you were raised?

Gabbie

New member
Hi, I am a sophomore in college and a french major. I am doing a study abroad this semester in St Martin (in the carribean). Its the first time I have ever really been away from home, and I am enjoying the different culture as well as it being summer. The beach is particularly great :)

My question is this. The beaches are topless here, and I'm getting alot of peer pressure to relax and go topless. This seems so foreign to me, and it is both scary and I am worried its kind of slutty. On the other hand, it would be nice to have even tan lines, it is culturally acceptable here (and hence I probably wouldn't be ogled), and part of me says I'm just being typical american all super modest. I just don't know. I've had to take a communal shower before, so I am not like SUPER modest, but this is in public and both genders. Meanwhile, one of my BIGGEST goals was to join the local culture in every way I could, to "live" local more or less.

Do I need to grow up, get overmyself, and dive into the local way of doing things? Or best to keep my American modesty?
 
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