Tag: Baruch College Study Abroad

06/26/12

Baodao 報道: Dispatches from China (Cultural Differences: Appearance)

A fellow classmate recently came to me very upset after being called “too chubby” by a Chinese native. Long story short, the value of physical appearance is very much rooted into the Chinese culture. While the younger generations in China are trying to overcome the existing biases permeating throughout the society, others may still hold appearance in high regards.

Aside from weight, Chinese will sometimes judge a person based on the clothing that he or she might wear. Some Chinese may look down upon those wearing clothes that are ripped or have holes (the torn jean look is not very popular in China!) and favor those who wear scholarly or business attire (a suit and a pair of glasses wouldn’t hurt!).

Appearance expectations for women is particularly strict. Some Chinese women feel that they must maintain white colored skin (an outlook that likely diffused into China from western culture). Thus, women often wear layers or long pants and shirts even in scorching summer weather. Some women also tote umbrellas and parasols to block out the harsh rays of the sun, a personal choice which they believe will keep their skin young and free from blemishes. The desire to appear ‘pale’ has also spawned a fad of using a myriad of beauty products such as skin whitening creams.

Generally speaking, Chinese in larger cities are usually more tolerant of ‘foreign’ dress styles, while those who live in villages outside the city may have more conservative expectations. That said, one will not have to change their sense of style to survive in China. However, if blending in better is a goal, utilize the wisdom of the ancients: “when in Rome do as the Romans do” or as the Chinese expression goes “rùxiāngsuísú”. Something that tends to work for me is to first research what the policies and customs are for the places that I will visit to ensure smooth sailing. Also, it should go without saying that one should try to respect and understand the social environment.

As for the rare rude remark you get from the occasional native speaker, one should also pay note to the tone of the comment. Sometimes, comments about appearance are used to tease and poke fun, or may be an unfortunate communication gaffe.

Anyway, I hope this sheds light on the issue of appearance. See you next time! 再見!

06/20/12

Baodao 報道: Dispatches from China (Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Wuzhen: Top 5)

The Chinese have a saying: 上有天堂，下有苏杭. The saying translates as “Heaven is the paradise above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou are the paradises on Earth.”

The quote may sound a bit like an exaggeration at first, but after visiting both places, I think that there is definitely some truth to the saying. Hangzhou and Suzhou are quite beautiful, and much of the natural landscape has been carefully preserved.

This top 5 list of sites is arranged in no particular order, as I believe that all the sites are worth seeing.

1) Xi Hu (West Lake, Hangzhou)

Xi Hu is known for its picturesque aura, and is notably the location which is most closely associated with Hangzhou. Known to inspire painters and poets throughout the ages, the lake is now also a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 2011. Much of the natural area surrounding the lake has been preserved, and essentially untouched by modernization. The best time to visit is in the spring, when much of the flora found near the lake is in bloom. Economical boat tours that cross Xi Hu can also be arranged if one would like a better view of the surrounding temples and landscape.

2) Shizi Yuanlin (Lion Grove Garden, Suzhou)

Along with various other classical gardens in Suzhou, Shizi Yuanlin is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The classical gardens are often regarded as the finest examples of Chinese garden design. Shizi Yuanlin includes many pavilions and halls, all exemplary of Chinese architecture. Each pavilion and hall also has interesting names. My favorites are “Standing in Snow Hall” and “Pavilion for Greeting Plum Blossoms.”

3) Yunyansi Pagoda (Tiger Hill Pagoda, Suzhou)

China’s “leaning tower of Pisa” was completed in the second year of the Song Dynasty, thus predating the tower in Italy. Rising to a height of roughly 154 feet, the seven story tower has gradually tilted to one side due to natural reasons. Although it is presently forbidden for people to enter the pagoda, the surrounding garden is equally majestic, with various bridges, halls, and religious rooms for one to enjoy.

4) Wuzhen

Wuzhen is a bit like the Chinese version of Venice. Having roughly only 60,000 residents, Wuzhen would otherwise be a quaint and quiet scenic town – except for the fact that tons of tourists pour in when the weather is nice, as Wuzhen is relatively close in proximity to Hangzhou. Wuzhen has a rich craftsmanship culture, and one can buy or admire the sculptures or artwork from the various stands sprinkled throughout the town. Many stone bridges link the pathways of Wuzhen together, much in the same way that stone bridges link pathways in Venice. Also, one can pay for a short boat ride down Wuzhen’s Canal. It may not be as romantic as being in a gondola, but it’s still a relaxing way to see Wuzhen.

5) Song Cheng (Hangzhou)

For those wondering what sort of theme parks China has, you may like to visit Song Cheng, a east-meets-west type of amusement park. Everything in Song Cheng looks “real” (as in looks ancient) at first glance, but is essentially “artificial” – constructed for the enjoyment of the modern person. There are no roller-coasters or rides of any sort, but you will find live performances (some require an extra fee aside from the entrance fee), a haunted house, a street full of stalls that contain optical illusions for photo ops, a house of mirrors, a Buddhist cave-like area (“Buddha Mountain”) where one can experience ‘mental illusions’, and lots of overpriced food. Some consider Song Cheng to be an eyesore, but others find it to be wholesome family fun – it all depends on perspective.

That’s all for now! I hope you look forward to the next article in my series! 再見!

05/30/12

Baodao 報道: Dispatches from China (First Impressions)

Greetings from Nanjing!  It’s a pleasure to be reporting from China, while I am studying abroad here.

It didn’t take too long to adjust to the new environment upon arrival in China, but this is likely because I have had some instruction in Mandarin back in the States and and travel experience from my study abroad in Italy.  However, I noticed that a few of my program-mates have gone through periods of culture shock and homesickness, which is completely understandable (as China’s culture is in some respects quite different than that of the United States).

One thing that I did have to get accustomed to was to be constantly alert when crossing busy streets.  There is a constant flow of motorists and a lack of traffic lights in Nanjing, and motorists aren’t afraid to honk at you if you are perceived as “being in the way”.  I don’t know how many times an overzealous motorist has attempted to run me over even though I had the right of way.

Another topic of note is that the Chinese perception of politeness differs from that in America.  We are used to saying ‘please’ (qǐng) and ‘thank you’ (xièxie) for daily interactions.  In China, these phrases are often reserved for times when very strong displays of politeness and emotion are required.  Saying “thank you” to a cashier when you are getting your change may sometimes result in a strange look from the opposite end – somewhere between a look of disbelief and a look of discomfort.  (In China, the common outlook is that customers “give” their patronage and money to a store, so there is no need for the customer to say thank you in such transactions.)

Likewise, the term ‘sorry (duìbuqǐ)’ is usually also reserved for extremely impolite situations.  Thus, if someone bumps into you on a crowded subway (and this is bound to happen every time one takes the subway), one learns that an apology from the offending party is a rare occurrence indeed.

Nonetheless, China is changing everyday.  In particular, the youth generation in China is picking up more western habits, and starting to incorporate more polite colloquialisms into daily speech.  Thus, if inclined to do so, one should feel free to use qǐng, xièxie, and duìbuqǐ.

Anyway, these cultural differences allow one to gain perspective whilst being in a new land and do not hold one back from the study abroad experience.  There are seemingly countless sights, eats, and experiences available in China.  I’ll update with more cultural tidbits and interesting places to visit in China within the next few weeks or so.  I hope you’ll look forward to my column!

Until then – zai4jian4 (再見)!

Johnson is currently studying Chinese at Nanjing University through CSI’s intensive Chinese language program.  His studies are generously funded by the CV Starr fellowship.  He is pleased to serve as WCIB’s first overseas Foreign Affairs Correspondent.

 

03/1/12

Studying Abroad in Berlin, Germany


By Einat Semel

I remember I was torn between studying abroad in Germany and staying in New York City. I was struggling with the decision for a few months. I wanted to welcome a change of pace and countries that are a little bit more pleasing to the eye. I needed to figure out a career path for myself in the long run. I wanted to broaden my experience abroad and more than anything I wanted to learn. There were definitely more pros than cons but I never traveled to unfamiliar countries on my own. I was born in Israel and I am currently studying in New York City.  I was really scared to travel independently and be away from everyone in New York City. I was worried that the change would have been too drastic for me and beyond my comfort zone since I was not sure about my ability to be self-reliant for those couple of months. There was a little voice inside me that told me that I shouldn’t travel to Germany and instead invest my time in applying for jobs in New York City. However, the other tiny voice told me to go.  Even though my parents had always supported me in every decision, they are getting older and I needed to learn to be more independent. I was truly scared.

And here I am back in the States, seven months after my journey abroad. Time just flies. I honestly can say that studying abroad in Germany was one of the best journeys I have ever taken in my life. People were very welcoming and I got to travel every other weekend. I constantly met a lot of interesting people everywhere and had some fascinating conversations with extraordinary people whom I didn’t know existed. It is quite hard to describe it, but when you travel, and often alone you learn so much about yourself.  Throughout that adventure I felt that I was a witness to my own behavior and feelings, and learned on my own what is good and what is not good for me. I have learned that we move and change along with people. I have grown and I am much more focused now than ever. This is the best gift I could ever have gotten during my bachelor at Baruch College and I strongly recommend each and every student to do this.

02/3/12

Andiamo! Dispatches from Abroad, Part 5

Surviving on a Budget

Believe it or not, obtaining scholarships and financial aid is the easy part of the study abroad process.  Budgeting available funds while overseas is a completely different story.  You may feel the urge to try every Michelin 5-star restaurant or buy large quantities of knick-knacks.   However, giving in to every temptation may mean the difference between having an enjoyable out of the country journey and starving the last few days.

Perhaps the starvation analogy is a hyperbole (but trust me, it is not entirely farfetched). Here are a few tips to keep you on track:

1) Find the Local Markets and Haggle

In my opinion, wandering through marketplaces is one of the best ways of experiencing a culture.  This provides the opportunity to observe the people and their mannerisms.  Some markets may offer free samples of their wares (so be sure to shop around).  Relatively inexpensive fresh produce and meats can be bought to create hearty meals, or, if cooking is not your forte, marketplaces are often sites where you can buy a cooked meal or snack.  Markets are also great places to test your language skills and places to ask the locals what their favorite foods and activities are.

You may also like to try your hand at haggling – the art of bargaining down the price of a good.  Of course, it is of utmost importance to observe the local customs.  If haggling is perceived as impolite within the culture, it would not be wise to do so.  Additionally, maintaining proper etiquette is equally important – don’t overstep your welcome.

2) Spend Sparingly on Souvenirs (SSS)

Purchasing a few well-selected pieces to bring home with you will help keep you on target budget wise.  Decide upon a reasonable souvenir budget before shopping, and don’t exceed the limit you set.  (Besides, what were you planning to do after buying a gazillion paperweights anyway?)

Also, be on the lookout for free souvenir opportunities.  Why not bring home a few seashells from your day-trip to the beach, as opposed to lugging home that 38 pound ceramic vase?  When souvenir shopping, it may also be helpful to ask yourself whether you will need or want the souvenir in question in a few years’ time.

3) Comparison Shopping

Always hunt down the local supermarkets near your living quarters and compare the deals.  For supermarkets to attract and retain customers, it is not uncommon to see rotating weekly deals on circulars.  Compare the prices at different stores to get the most for your money.  Also, don’t be coerced into buying only the most expensive ‘name brand’ goods – nine times out of ten, the ‘store brand’ is of a comparable quality.  Some supermarkets may even have member reward systems to get even more discounts on food.  Don’t be shy to ask store employees about the weekly deals and their personal product preferences – they may very well provide you with invaluable information and you get to practice your language skills too.

Sometimes, it may help to stock up on the necessities.  In Venice, the bottled water was always more inexpensive if it was bought in bulk.  I would bring a bottle of water with me so that I would not have to buy it at a restaurant, which could charge as much as seven times more for the same quality water.

4) Research Online Deals

The Internet can be an invaluable resource to help you locate the best deals, whether it is for train tickets, events, food, or any other thing you may need to buy while overseas.  If the site is in a language you are not fluent in, plug the URL into a translation service (I personally like Google Translate) to get the gist of the webpage.

5) But Don’t Forget to Live a Little!

Hopefully, reading this article hasn’t overwhelmed you.  Long story short, budgeting involves a bit of careful planning and restraint.

That said, it never hurts to indulge a bit while abroad.  If you stayed on budget, and were able to cut a few corners here and there, go for it.  Your entire study abroad experience should not be based solely on calculated planning – if you have enough assets remaining, try that nice restaurant everyone’s been raving about or treat yourself to that pricier item you have been eyeing.  You only live once, so why not?

Please tune in next time, where I will be sharing more photos from my study abroad experience in Venice.

A presto!

Looking for a prior article in this series?  Look no further:

Part I: La Mia Estate a Venezia
Part II: Financing Your Experience
Part III: The Big Five
Part IV: Safety

01/11/12

Studying Abroad in Salamanca

Going abroad to Spain was truly an incredible experience.  I had an opportunity to explore Spanish culture while taking language classes in Salamanca – a very beautiful city rich with history and traditions. Traveling to a different country was not something new for me, but I’ve never done it completely on my own.  Now looking back at the whole experience, I’m glad that it actually turned out the way it did because I do believe that traveling on your own gives you the benefit of being more proactive in terms of connecting with people and pushes you to interact even more actively.

During my stay in Salamanca, I met other students from different parts of the world. I found it interesting that lots of them had been traveling around a lot and completed other study abroad programs. Most of the people I met were extremely sociable and friendly and it was very easy to establish connections. During the summer there are lots of activities going on in the city. I was lucky to be there during the “arts and culture week” – a time of numerous outdoor performances, concerts, movies, and activities. Aside from that the school also organized different events and activities to introduce students to each other in the beginning of the term and to familiarize them with the city.

Salamanca is a beautiful city with striking architecture, distinct culture, and long-dated traditions, and I felt that from the very first moment I got there. It is also a student city where you can meet lots of interesting people and that makes the experience especially meaningful and memorable.  Looking back at my study abroad experience, I can tell that this program definitely enriched my life, it gave me an opportunity to travel around Spain, socialize, network, meet new people, and make new friends.

 Find out more information about the Spanish Language & Civilization program and Baruch’s many other study abroad options here.