My international experience to date is:
I have only been out of the country two times before. In the summer of 2006, I traveled with my family to Denmark to visit some of my family members that live there. We were there for two weeks and visited Copenhagen and a village called Marstal on the island of Ærø. The other time I have left the country was this past Halloween with Pitt Band to Toronto, Canada. We were there for two days.
I want to go to China because:
I would like to take advantage of the opportunity that I have to go to China because I don’t know if I will get the opportunity to go to China again, and China is a country that I really want to see. I have always been intrigued by the Chinese culture and their historical sites, and would relish the opportunity to get to see them.
I think the main professional work differences I will experience will be:
I think that the Chinese workers will be very work-oriented at the companies we visit and will maintain themselves very professionally. I expect that there will be a bigger disparity between the average worker and the managers than there is in the United States. I’m sure when I actually arrive at one of the companies we visit, I will experience more professional work differences than I expect.
I think the main cultural differences I will experience will be:
The Chinese culture is very different from the culture of the United States. I am not entirely sure what to expect from the differences in culture. I think the main differences will be meal time etiquette and being polite to other people. There are different rules that must be followed when eating to show respect to your hosts that are different than in the United States. There are also some differences in showing the proper people respect when meeting with them.
I think the main political differences I will experience will be:
Political differences between the United States and China have caused a strain between the two countries for many generations. The only things I know about the Chinese government are things that I have been taught, having never been to China myself. I don’t know how government elections take place in China and how positions of power are achieved. I think the main political differences will be a more restricted lifestyle caused by government censorship. The government must approve any and all publications to make sure there are no anti-government sentiments, whereas the United States Bill of Rights guarantees that no one can be punished for any opinions they might have, for or against the government.
I think the students I meet in my country will be:
I think the students we meet in China will be very polite and helpful. I think they will take us to the popular places that other students our age go. I think we will hang around the students we meet, and learn the culture and things that they do. They will show us around the city and make sure we don’t get into any trouble we shouldn’t due to cultural ignorance.
I predict that I will be surprised to find:
I think I will be surprised to find the large amount of people in the city of Beijing. I will be surprised by the markets in China: how many open shops are there and all of the street vendors that will try to get me to buy something. I think it will be like other major cities like New York, but with an entirely different culture and way of doing things.
I think the major differences in living conditions will be:
I think the differences in living conditions will not be too many. I think Beijing is a very westernized city, and many of the living accommodations will be much the same as here in the United States. I don’t think it will be much like the stereotypical mat and sliding door that are seen in movies.
Anything else I want to add:
I am very excited to go on this trip to China. I am looking forward to meeting Chinese students our own age, visiting the many historical sites in and around Beijing, as well as getting to visit the Chinese companies. Only a month and two weeks!
pedersenplus3china2012 