1. My international experience to date is:
I have had the opportunity of going to a few places including Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. My family and I took a short bus trip from California that went to a few cities including Tijuana in Mexico. I have also been to Banff, Jasper, and Niagara Falls in Canada, all of which were beautiful. Most recently, I traveled to the Dominican Republic. I could not get enough of the crystal clear water and beaches there.
2. I want to go to China because:
Though I plan to do a lot of traveling in my future, I am not sure if I would ever have the chance of going to East Asia. I think China will provide me with great experience in a completely new culture. They are currently rising as an economic power in the world, and I think gaining insight into how companies are run there will be beneficial.
3. I think the main professional work differences I will experience will be:
I think there will be differences in the work place when it comes to policies. I imagine that there are more strict rules for workers to follow to accomplish their tasks, and I think the businessmen will be much more formal. Also, I feel that emphasis will be placed on group effort, as opposed to individual efforts.
4. I think the main cultural differences I will experience will be:
One of the biggest cultural differences I expect to experience is food. I have a feeling it may be hard to find food that I am used to eating, and that I will be trying some unique things. The language is also going to be a large barrier to overcome in certain circumstances. In addition, I think that when it comes to shopping, prices will not be set in stone as much as they are in the United States.
5. I think the main political differences I will experience will be:
Obviously the governments of China and the United States are very different, as China is a communist state. I feel that this won’t be completely evident on a day to day basis, but there might be more censorship with certain things. I am anxious to see what some news broadcasts are like and to ask people how they feel about their government.
6. I think the students in China will be:
I think students in China will be surprising similar to those in the United States, but they may have a more set path for their future. I feel like they have less freedom to decide on majors and that they will be slightly more studious than Americans with more focus on their education. Though, I also think they can take breaks from work and enjoy life as a college student like those here.
7. I predict I will be surprised to find:
I think I may be surprised to find how different the daily lives of those in China are compared to my own. I’m not exactly sure how common it is for families to have cars, while I cannot imagine living without one. I’m also unsure of how crowded the city may be. I could be in for a shock with the amount of traffic on the streets.
8. I think the major differences in living conditions will be:
I think the majority of people living in China do not have the same privileged living conditions as I do. I’ve already heard that hot water is only available a few hours a day at the University. I think houses will probably be smaller and will have fewer amenities. I am looking forward to experiencing something new and seeing how different living there really is.
9. Anything else you want to say:
I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to go to China! I can't wait to meet new people, visit famous historic sites, and gain experience through the company tours.