As I'm writing this first post, I am sitting in my favorite chair at home, by the Christmas tree, and thinking about what awaits me when I arrive in China. I've been planning on this study abroad trip for so long, it's hard to believe it's finally almost here. It was so easy to say "I'm going abroad next year," or "I'm going abroad next semester." Now, I'm not so far away from saying I'll be leaving next week.
I still have a lot left to do before I leave, like getting my last vaccinations. I'll be spending the next few weeks working a few hours at my part-time job between packing and spending time with friends and family. Before I leave, I thought I'd give an overview of why I chose to go to Chengdu and some of my goals.
About Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan province in China. The typical study abroad destinations in China are Beijing and Shanghai. While Chengdu isn't the biggest city, it does have very rich culture and history, as well as being famous for its giant panda research center. One of the reasons I chose Chengdu is for it's culture, since that is what I have focused on as an Asian Studies major at MC.
I'll be studying through the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) at the Southwest University for Nationalities. My studies will focus on Chinese language, which is another reason why I chose my program. Here is a picture of the university:
My Goals
- Get to know Chengdu: From what I've heard, Chengdu is a lively city, and was named the fourth-most livable city in China. I want to explore the city every chance I can.
- Get out of my comfort zone: SWUN has a student population of over 29,000 - drastically different from MC's 1300 or so students. While I will have the comfort of my small USAC group, I hope to put myself out there and experience new things.
- Try everything at least once: This goal is mostly in reference to food, but can be applied to all sorts of things. I'm sure I'm going to accidentally eat something I know I hate at least once, so I'm going to use blissful ignorance as a tool and take things for what they are. Who knows, maybe I'll come back as a mushroom-lover (I sincerely doubt it though, I loathe mushrooms).
- Journal: One of my best friends got me a wonderfully punny journal for Christmas, so I'm going to use it to document my experience, along with this blog. In my journal, I'll keep some of my more personal thoughts and feelings, which will hopefully help me reflect on the experience as a whole when the time comes.
That's all I have to say, for now. I'll hopefully be able to update again when I arrive in Hong Kong for some traveling before I head to Chengdu.
Thanks for reading,
Kayleigh
凯丽
Thank you for this pre-departure post. Very thoughtful! The LEAD 203 classes will begin tomorrow, so students will start visiting your blog site later this week. I'm looking forward to reading their questions, your comments, their comments to your comments, etc. It's going to be a wonderful exchange. Thank you so much for serving as one of this year's McDonough Worldwide Bloggers.
ReplyDeleteKayleigh, I hope you are enjoying your time in China! I remember hearing about your passion for Asian studies during our art history class with Chaya and it's great to hear you are pursuing your desire to study abroad! How is studying at SWUN? You mentioned the student population difference between that and Marietta and I can imagine the structure of classes/teaching styles would be a little different.
ReplyDeleteIn our global leadership class we have mentioned Fred Fiedler who theorizes that there is not a single "best" leadership style. His research further goes on to discuss three different variables: leader-follower relationship, ability to clarify tasks and power, which help define a leader's effectiveness in that particular situation. With this being said, I was curious as to how the study of leadership is communicated in China? For example, have the leaders you witnessed in China believe in or follow their idea of a "best" style of leadership? Or, do they take a "best-fit" approach where they take into account different situations and or cultural norms?
Enjoy your weekend and I look forward to hearing from you!
Thanks,
Ryan Eberle
Ryan,
DeleteThanks for your well wishes! The student population difference is actually not two noticeable - there are two campuses and I live on the older, less populated one. My classes are only with USAC students, so they're just as small as my classes at MC. I have only had experience with a few leaders here, mostly in my program. I'm not sure what they're personal philosophies on leadership are, but I have made some observations. One leader I've witnessed having trouble saying no to followers. I think this has to do with her personal demeanor - she is basically our mother while we're here and is very kind and generous. Sometimes she says "I hope ____ doesn't ask for _____ because I won't be able to say no." This is just one specific example though, I don't think it speaks for all Chinese leaders.
Thanks for the question!
Kayleigh
Hi Kayleigh,
ReplyDeleteIn class we read about and then studied Geert Hofsteed's cross cultural model which ranked countries on characteristics such as individualism, power distance, which is how much the people question authority, long term view, which is how we see the future, and indulgence, which is how we control our desires and impulses. When we looked at China compared to United States, they were basically opposites on everything. The U.S. was high in individualism, China was low. The U.S. was low in power distance, China was extremely high. Have you noticed this to be true? And if so, Do these extreme opposites in culture every make you feel uncomfortable or did you kind of expect it going in?
Also, We looked at the Lewis Model of Cultural Classification in which countries are labeled between between linear active, multi-avtive, and reactive. The U.S. is labeled as Linear-active which means we are very task-oriented. China is labeled as reactive which means they wait to see what their partner does. In class we talked about how while the countries may be labeled this way, there may be individuals who don't follow the stereotype. Have you met anyone who doesn't follow the reactive stereotype?
Michael Undersander
Michael,
DeleteSomething I was expecting when coming into this experience was seeing the power distance difference, especially in class. In reality though, my classes are actually quite Western in nature, and I've never been afraid to address my professors. I do, however, teach a 12 year-old girl English once a week in her home. My student watches a lot of Western media and acts more casually with me (the way I like it), but when I speak with her mother in Chinese, she refers to me as 老师 (teacher). At first it made me uncomfortable, but she is paying me to a be a teacher, after all, and it's the title that comes with the job.
As for your second question, there are definitely Chinese people that don't act very Chinese. A lot of my Chinese friends would actually fit this description. Chinese people that hang out with foreigners usually speak English fluently and are very familiar with Western culture in general. They're seen as very trendy because they have foreign friends, go to foreign clubs, etc. They also tend to have a similar (linear-active) thought process.
Thanks for the questions!
Kayleigh
Hey Kayleigh,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you're having a great time in Chengdu and those pandas are adorable! We have been discussing leadership styles within different cultures in class, and most recently we have been discussing Buddhist leadership. I was curious to know how much Buddhist influence you have seen throughout your travels? Also, how has the leadership styles differed from the States to Chinese leadership, not just in political leadership but also just with ordinary leadership? Buddhist leadership is heavily focused on a personal journey and the relationship between the leader and follower resembles that of teacher and student. Have you seen anything resembling this within your classes or other organizations? What is the main religious or ideological practice that you have seen, or if you haven't seen any at all, that would be interesting too. I know those were a lot, but I hope to hear from you and I hope everything continues to go well!
Best,
Kenzi
Kenzi,
DeleteThanks for the well wishes! My university is actually in a Tibetan neighborhood, so I see Buddhism in action all the time. I haven't seen a lot of leadership that I would describe as Buddhist though. More than anything, I've actually seen a lot of Daoist ideas come through. For example, sometimes on the subway, a message will play that says something like "in order to maintain a harmonious society, please do ..... to make everyone's travel experience pleasurable." I honesly wish I had more experiences to use to answer your question, but it's not something I've come across yet. Hopefully as I get to know more people I will be able to provide ore insight.
Thanks for the questions!
Kayleigh
Hi Kayleigh,
ReplyDeleteWe have been studying leadership in a buddhist culture in class. We talked the other day about how ironic it was that the Buddhist culture is so focused on the group, yet the path to enlightenment is a personal journey. We discussed how this sort of paradox is normal in asian culture. Do you see this to be true in China? If so has it affected you personally and how did you deal with it? Or is it just an observation you have made?
-Michael Undersander
Michael,
DeleteOverall, I'd say I've witnessed more collectivist behavior so far. The leadership I've witnessed has been much more focused on group progress/success above anything else. Sometimes this can mean a leader giving into a whim of a follower, but if it leads to the success of the whole group then it's worth it.
I hope this answered your question!
Kayleigh
Hi Kayleigh,
ReplyDeleteI hope you've been having a great time over seas- and from what I've read you have been! We, as you've read, have been studying leadership in a Buddhist culture. We have learned that it is a very peaceful and group oriented culture. My dad has also traveled to different parts of China and has spoke of their generosity! I was wondering if you, having experienced this, would say it is a norm there, or if it was something that occurred because you are a visitor?
I look forward to hearing from you, enjoy the rest of your trip!!
Mandi Medykowski
Mandi,
DeleteI do think that a lot of what I've experienced has been because I am a foreigner. Sometimes people will laugh with us/at us (even when they're laughing at us we laugh along), or try to practice their English, or ask for a selfie because we are foreigners. On the other hand, I do live here and there are places that are used to us and treat us like regular customers. At a bakery the other night, the baker gave me some freebies because we visit often and always chat with him. Tibetan restaurant owners treat us like family and are very kind whenever we're there. Overall, people have been patient and understanding of any language barriers, and any frustrating experiences have been caused by my already stressed state.
Thanks for the interesting question!
Kayleigh