For my STEP Signature Project, I chose to participate in a semester exchange program in Beijing, China through the Fisher College of Business. This project entailed the exciting and challenging experiences of adapting to a foreign country, learning new customs, engaging in courses taught by Chinese professors, and integrated into a new society.
2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
Prior to my education abroad experience, I had a rather narrow view of the world. I have lived in the United States for the entirety of my lifetime. Though I have traveled to different countries, China included, several times, I have never spent enough time in these countries to learn and understand the culture and foundations of the respective countries. Beforehand, I had always seen the world as “the USA… and then some.” My view of the world entirely revolved around the USA. I had this view that the world revolved around my own country, and the countries surrounding had only a minute impact on the globe. Gaining a more open minded view of the interconnections of the world certainly was not born overnight.
To begin with, the courses I took at Peking University allowed me to gain a more educated understanding of the history of China. I had previously never stopped to think about why China has become such a revolutionized country that experiences incredible amount of growth. I always knew China was a competing country with the USA, but I never stopped to think why. Having taken classes and gained a better understanding, I have come to admire the effectiveness of the country. It was a poor stricken, impoverish country only 40 years ago. With strong leadership and revolution, China has come such a long way. I have come to realize that have a thorough understanding of the history of a country plays a significant role in understanding the country at present; after all, the events of its past is precisely what shapes its future.
Living in China for six months has truly allowed me to widen my view of the world tremendously. I am able to apply a global consideration in even the most common activities. As an example, I am much more aware of my surroundings when working in groups or teams. My experience in China and with the people I have met has allowed me to realize that the background, cultures, and experiences of others creates for a vastly diverse dynamic. Taking these unique things into consideration has allowed me to prepare myself better for adversity. It has allowed me to see just how streamlined my prior thinking had been. There are so many factors that can affect an individual’s way of thinking, and my experience abroad has allowed me to better prepare myself for many more variables.
The people I met throughout my experience also played a significant role in my shift of mindset. While I was abroad, an student in the Masters’ program who was also an exchange student from Nigeria became a mentor to me. He has previously worked at a public accounting firm, Pricewaterhousecoopers, which is also a firm that I have spent time working for through an internship in Columbus. Through conversation and sharing of experiences, I was able to see what a corporate setting looks like in his own country compared to mine. It really broadened my views of the corporate structure. I was truly amazed to find so many similarities between an office in Nigeria and an office in Columbus, OH for the same company. It was quite astonishing to see how well the same values translate in different cultures, while still maintaining a unique twist to the firm. Having this mentor-mentee relationship has been so valuable to me. I have been able to heighten my own understanding of what it means to work for a global firm.
I have also had the opportunity to expand my network with several professionals while in China. These professional relationships I have developed allowed me to have a focused perspective of business in China. I was able to witness the key attributes that define the economy and engagements of China and compare that to my knowledge of business in America. It was interesting to see how many Chinese businesses and the Chinese economy is affected by the United States; however, I had already known beforehand that the USA is a key player in the business functions of global economies. What I did learn was the many ways the Chinese business functions and economy affects the American economy in major ways.
My exchange program was made up of scholars from every corner of the globe. The relationships I have come to form with my fellow peers allowed me to expand my view of the world further than I could have imagined. For instance, I learned about countries I had actually never heard of prior to. However, I can now tell you about roles these countries hold and its significance in the global network. My peers proved to have a strong impact on my understanding of the world.
This change in my view of the world holds a heavy significance for my life. As I look back at the experience I had abroad, I realize much more connected I feel to the world than I had before. I am able to see past the country I live in and see the importance of the countries surrounding us. More specifically, I see now the reason why China has risen and closed in on the gap between itself and the USA. This development within myself will prove to be most significant in my professional goals for myself. In my career, I plan to continue to pursue a path that will allow me to continue to pursue my fascination with the world surrounding us. My more open understanding of the world will allow me to be a more empathetic and counsel to my future team members and potential clients.
In all, I strongly recommend anyone get out of their comfort zone and go experience the world in a different pair of shoes. It has been incredibly transforming to see the world through an additional set of lenses.