I have already studied abroad with different University of Washington programs, and a few times during the summer when I was in high school. I primarily studied Mandarin language and Chinese culture in China, although in the summer of 2016 I traveled to Greece to learn about immigration, migration, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the perception of the Roma people in Greece. In December 2017, I traveled to China for a couple weeks to study how the people and city of Beijing approach sustainability, in terms of infrastructure and individual actions.
From these experiences, I learned not only about the places and cultures I traveled to, but also about myself. In Greece, I learned about the different reasons why some individuals were opposed to the admittance of Syrian refugees into Greece and I was able to learn about concepts of poverty, immigration, ethnic-group relations, nationalism, and other topics from another nation and culture's lens. On a personal note, I was able to spend a lot of time travelling alone while in Greece and I gained a real sense of independence and accomplishment travelling alone in a foreign country and learning to navigate a different city and country by myself. In China while in college, I learned about different and similar approaches China takes towards increasing sustainability and reducing pollution, particularly air pollution, which is a major issue in many mega-cities like Beijing. Previous study abroad experiences with China, I mostly learned and improved my Chinese verbal and written skills. Yet, regardless of the primary reason for my study abroad in China, whenever I went it was always very interesting to observe cultural differences in between China and the United States. Not only were there supposed fundamental cultural differences, but it was interesting to observe how the political differences between China and the US affected other aspects of daily life. Personally, learning about the culture of China has always been especially interesting because my parents grew up in Hong Kong. In the United States, most of the media coverage of China is primarily political or economic, and much of the remaining conversation regarding China is dominated by stereotypical cultural tropes such as Chinese food, kung fu, and other forms of art. It is always refreshing to see and experience the everyday culture and life of a place and talk to everyday people about everyday things. Some of the most meaningful conversations I have had with others in foreign countries are about topics which are very relatable--such as parental expectations of their child, or the admiration of a friend. I think these conversations remind us that just as much unites everyone as separates us, and makes me wonder if media's focus on only big, broad topics sometimes ends up unintentionally distancing us from other everyday people across the world who are just like us.
From these experiences, I learned not only about the places and cultures I traveled to, but also about myself. In Greece, I learned about the different reasons why some individuals were opposed to the admittance of Syrian refugees into Greece and I was able to learn about concepts of poverty, immigration, ethnic-group relations, nationalism, and other topics from another nation and culture's lens. On a personal note, I was able to spend a lot of time travelling alone while in Greece and I gained a real sense of independence and accomplishment travelling alone in a foreign country and learning to navigate a different city and country by myself. In China while in college, I learned about different and similar approaches China takes towards increasing sustainability and reducing pollution, particularly air pollution, which is a major issue in many mega-cities like Beijing. Previous study abroad experiences with China, I mostly learned and improved my Chinese verbal and written skills. Yet, regardless of the primary reason for my study abroad in China, whenever I went it was always very interesting to observe cultural differences in between China and the United States. Not only were there supposed fundamental cultural differences, but it was interesting to observe how the political differences between China and the US affected other aspects of daily life. Personally, learning about the culture of China has always been especially interesting because my parents grew up in Hong Kong. In the United States, most of the media coverage of China is primarily political or economic, and much of the remaining conversation regarding China is dominated by stereotypical cultural tropes such as Chinese food, kung fu, and other forms of art. It is always refreshing to see and experience the everyday culture and life of a place and talk to everyday people about everyday things. Some of the most meaningful conversations I have had with others in foreign countries are about topics which are very relatable--such as parental expectations of their child, or the admiration of a friend. I think these conversations remind us that just as much unites everyone as separates us, and makes me wonder if media's focus on only big, broad topics sometimes ends up unintentionally distancing us from other everyday people across the world who are just like us.
ChinaApril 2018 - Hong Kong (香港)
Personal Travel December 2017 - Beijing (北京) Program Organizer: University of Washington, Program of the Environment Focus on Sustainability comparisons between Seattle and Beijing Summer 2015 - Changzhou (常州), Suzhou (苏州) Program Organizer: Affiliate Organization: American Field Service (AFS) Focus on Mandarin Language acquisition and cultural knowledge Summer 2014 - Beijing (北京) Program Organizer: Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA) Focus on Mandarin Language acquisition and cultural knowledge Summer 2012 - Beijing (北京), Chongqing (重庆) Program Organizer: OneWorld Now! (OWN) Focus on Mandarin Language acquisition and cultural knowledge |
GreeceSummer 2017 - Athens (Αθήνα), Napflion (ναύπλιο)
Program Organizer: University of Washington, Jackson School of International Studies Focus on immigration issues and perception of immigrants and migrants in Greece, with particular interest in the modern context of the Syrian refugee crisis and the Greek Roma |