A Lesson in Perspective — From Mercedes to Mindsets

A Lesson in Perspective — From Mercedes to Mindsets

At the beginning of my master’s, I attended a scholarship event in Germany — my first visit to this fascinating country.
And immediately, I experienced a culture shock.

Back in Bangladesh, the impression was that Mercedes-Benz was the car of the elite — a symbol of power and wealth.
You’d think of the Prime Minister’s bulletproof Mercedes or a celebrity’s shiny luxury ride.

But in Germany, the home of Mercedes, things looked very different.
I saw old, dented taxis that were Mercedes. Buses were Mercedes. Trucks were Mercedes. Even the garbage collection vehicles proudly carried the Mercedes logo.

What was a status symbol in Bangladesh was just another everyday vehicle in Germany.
That’s when I realised — perspective depends so much on where we stand.

Mercedes still makes luxury cars, of course, but they also make vehicles for everyone.
That contrast taught me something deeper: our worldviews are shaped by our surroundings.
When we expose ourselves to new environments, our perspectives evolve.

Travel is one of the best ways to break these lenses — but even if we can’t travel, reading books, watching documentaries, and learning about other cultures can open our minds in similar ways.

“Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
— Surah Al-‘Ankabut (29:20)