Last Thursday, I had the first class of capstone, the very last course of the program. It is really hard to believe that it has been two years and I am going to finish up my master degree. In these days, I always know that I have been changed, but cannot pinpoint specific changes. However, there was one moment in the class that reminded me that the changes are primarily in the ways I see, interpret and react to the world.
During the class, we were asked to write down our biggest wish for this class. The one that immediately came to my mind was to overcome any issues emerging in our teamwork and to maintain our friendship. To my surprise, I was the only one who considered this as the biggest wish. Most of the classmates were thinking about how to fulfill the task successfully, to efficiently help our clients and to build up to one's resume. At that moment, I realize that the difference between their wishes and mine roots in our cultural backgrounds. With western culture that values pragmatism, typical Americans prioritize the efficiency in fulfill specific tasks and reach goals. Therefore, my classmates' wishes are more task-orientated. In contrast, my wish is very relationship-oriented, which represent a striking characteristic of eastern culture.
Not only did I saw the cultural differences, I was also able to think deeper about it. I don't think I was this cultural-sensitive two years ago, but I am now. I owe this improvement to the cross-cultural learning experience I have gained in America. In this environment, cultural diversity is recognized and celebrated. Plus, in my classes, cultural differences in a variety of levels, including individual, team, organization and nations, are often discussed. Without such a learning experience, I won't be able to gain the cultural awareness I have now. It may not have a direct impact on my behavior, but it has provided me a new lens to understand the world. It helps pull me out of selfishness, and teach me to welcome differences and always consider for others. Despite how it may contribute to my career, the cultural awareness and the new lens have already made me feel better about myself. This is one of the reasons why I want to pursue further education.
Another thing I have learned from this class activity is that although I have changed in many ways, the most deeply rooted culture and believes in my mind are still very eastern. I have heard many times, especially during my visit back home this winter, that I have been Americanized and become a "banana" (yellow outside, white inside). This was even what I believed. However, the comparison of the wishes we made in class show me that the eastern culture has such a fundamental influence on my thinking habit that it is still the dominant philosophy in my mind. It is just too deep-root for me to detect it easily, so that I have been taken it for granted. But it is traceable if I think through my decisions.
What I have written in this post may make no sense to most people, but it is so important to me, especially when I am in my early twenties, the critical period to understand and construct the "self". From the experience and the reflection on it, I just learned more about who I am and how I really think. Also, being able to reflect on experiences allows me to see the progress I have made in years. It is just so wonderful.
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