Take a moment and imagine yourself in a new country. You are away from everything that was once familiar to you. Your relationships and social cognition no longer exist. You do not know your way around. Yet you are there to stay. Will you sit at the bus stop with your head in your hands, crying in despair? Or, will you go back to when you were a toddler; when everyday was new and wonderful for you? How do you feel now? That was me when I was sixteen. I decided to participate in the student exchange program and go to Italy for one year. I was young and adventurous and did not know what this decision entailed or what is waiting for me out there… was it a Pandora’s Box or a Magi’s gift?
Adapting was initially difficult. It was the first time …show more content…
We began conducting conversations in basic Italian to help me understand and catch up with the lessons. This gave me the skills and confidence to share my exchange experience in Italian during a student meeting, which received much commendation. I was more proud of myself than the Italians were of me. Instead of sitting in my room and staring at my phone all day, I began exploring the city. The art, culture, and romance of the country, the things I had lost sight of that attracted me there were restored once again in my …show more content…
After dinner, I learned to thank my host in Italian but it was so poor that I had to repeat myself three times before she understood what I was trying to say. She smiled and hugged me; my heart melted into hers, which spoke louder and clearer than any words could. At that moment I realized the value of non-verbal communication across cultures and that I was not as alone as I had thought. I also cooked the traditional Chinese food - Jiaozi for them in an effort to share my culture. I also shared stories about different dynasties in my country and even performed for them the Kun Opera (one of the oldest extant Chinese opera). On one occasion when I was homesick, they bought me desserts and a panda toy with a note saying: To keep China next to you! I was grateful to be surrounded by people who were encouraging me to relax and enjoy myself. I felt like I was part of the family and I cherish every moment I was with
Adapting was initially difficult. It was the first time …show more content…
We began conducting conversations in basic Italian to help me understand and catch up with the lessons. This gave me the skills and confidence to share my exchange experience in Italian during a student meeting, which received much commendation. I was more proud of myself than the Italians were of me. Instead of sitting in my room and staring at my phone all day, I began exploring the city. The art, culture, and romance of the country, the things I had lost sight of that attracted me there were restored once again in my …show more content…
After dinner, I learned to thank my host in Italian but it was so poor that I had to repeat myself three times before she understood what I was trying to say. She smiled and hugged me; my heart melted into hers, which spoke louder and clearer than any words could. At that moment I realized the value of non-verbal communication across cultures and that I was not as alone as I had thought. I also cooked the traditional Chinese food - Jiaozi for them in an effort to share my culture. I also shared stories about different dynasties in my country and even performed for them the Kun Opera (one of the oldest extant Chinese opera). On one occasion when I was homesick, they bought me desserts and a panda toy with a note saying: To keep China next to you! I was grateful to be surrounded by people who were encouraging me to relax and enjoy myself. I felt like I was part of the family and I cherish every moment I was with