Hi everyone! Today is another busy day in Hangzhou, as this morning we had our official Opening Ceremony for the international students at Zhejiang University. It is amazing to see so many different people from all over the world in one room sharing a similar goal: to learn more about the Chinese language and culture. Everyone here comes from different backgrounds and unique cultures. It really reminds you just how large the world is, and the endless variations of people you still have yet to meet. And while this idea may excite some people, it might be intimidating to others. That is why I believe it is important to be very mindful of  cultural differences that you may encounter when studying abroad.
During our time here in China, there have been many occasions in which every member of the group (excluding myself) has been stopped in the middle of the street by a local asking for them a picture. While this would be considered not only rude, but extremely strange in America, the Chinese who do this act like it is completely normal. And if there are none who are bold enough to ask for a picture, there are definitely a good amount of Chinese who blatantly stare at anyone who has different physical features than what they are used to seeing. At first, all the attention was sort of intimidating to the group, but now it has almost become second nature to our group.


Likewise, some things that we as Americans do are confusing to the Chinese. In China, there is no tipping. You can try to tip, but it is most likely that whoever you are tipping will reject your money, or even chase back after you to return the money. Don’t tip at restaurants, don’t tip the cab driver, etc. Speaking of restaurants, there quite a few items on the menu that may startle a Westerner’s appetite. Don’t be surprised if you see a chicken served with its head still on, or if you are served a fish whose eyeballs haven’t been removed from the face. While it might seem grotesque to some of us, to many Chinese, those are the most delicious and vital parts of the meal! (there is superstition that eating eyeball can improve your eyesight, eating brain can make you smarter, etc.) To those of you who are adventurous enough to try such cuisine, do so! (with care) For the rest of us who aren’t quite ready to take that step, I would just order anything else that looks delicious to you. (trust me, it is definitely possible—China has some delicious food!)


These are just a few of the cultural differences I have noticed so far. Some are greatly different than American practices, but as long as you keep a positive attitude and open mind, you will find yourself easing into your surroundings. If you are planning to study abroad, I would suggest attending some of VU’s cultural events that  they hold right here on campus. For example, if you are interested in studying abroad in China, attend the local Chinese New Year celebration in VU.  It is a great way to slowly integrate into the culture, step by step. This way, you won’t be as flustered once you arrive in a country that are you not yet familiar with.

By: Gloria Llenos, more blogs to come soon!