A Chinese Cultural Exchange: Traveling East to Find Myself

Chinese culture…actually, all Asian culture…has fascinated me for the majority of my life. I grew up watching Bruce Lee, trained and taught in Tae Kwon Do for 13 years, and am obsessed with any thing martial arts. Like a kid, you can plop me down in front of a good anime flick or action movie and I’m occupied for hours. I have a special love for Japanese cherry blossoms and don’t get me started on Chinese food…

When I was enrolled in my first Masters Degree program, the opportunity arose for me to travel to China for a tourism and Chinese immersion trip. I was able to get a scholarship to go study at a local university and flew to the other side of the world to visit a location that I longed to experience.

Chinese Immersion

The best part of traveling to China was the food. Growing up a Navy brat, I lived in many exotic locations around the world. I made sure that I experienced everything that I could and China was no different. Duck was a main staple of our diet and I enjoyed it in every form possible. While classmates often opted for Americanized cuisine, I vowed to eat only local cuisine. This led me to experience shark and donkey, in addition to the duck.

Yes, donkey.

No, it does not taste like chicken.

I was so immersed in the culture that I learned how to use chopsticks to pick up fruit and a single grain of rice. I also learned that it’s incredibly rude and disrespectful to point with your chopsticks and you will be given a death glare if caught doing it.

Ask me how I know…

Chinese Exploration

As part of our trip, we were able to visit 6 different cities and be true tourists. Our professor and tour guide is a descendent of Confucius, so we were treated to a uniquely authentic experience. We landed in Beijing and toured the Badaling section of the Great Wall. We drove past the National Aquatics Center at the Olympic complex, and enjoyed a dumpling dinner at the Beijing Opera. Beijing also allowed us to explore the Forbidden City. We visited the Tomb of the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an; two different universities in Wuhan, studying there for 5 days. We saw the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou and a silk factory in Hangzhou; we eventually departed from Shanghai. There was so much more to the trip, but it would take days to recount it all and that’s not why you’re here.

A True Cultural Exchange Program

In addition to all of the food that I was able to enjoy, a big part of the program was being a student at Wuhan University. We spent almost a week there, learning about Chinese history, culture, and educational system. We paired with Chinese students who were majoring in English and they gleefully taught us Chinese. I still remember how to say Hello, Thank You, and Happy New Year!

Through all of the fun and immersion, I learned a lot of things about myself…

I love authentic cuisine!

I like to eat and know the value of people coming together around a good meal. Cultural barriers are overcome around a table; to this day, getting to know people will involve a meal.

I was already in love with my husband {then friend} and he’d become quite attached to me.

Though we hadn’t known each other for long, we were quite attached to each other. It was a little rocky at the beginning of our friendship, but we both knew we didn’t want to be apart from one other. When I returned to the States, he wouldn’t let me leave his side for days!

I love to meet new people!

When I went to China, I left with a group of 20 strangers. I came back with great friendships, some of which are still strong almost 10 years later. My husband learned that this was a part of my personality; he had to work to accept it before he could marry me.

I discovered a courage to try new things.

Although I traveled with a group, I really didn’t know these people. I enjoyed the excitement and challenges that came with being in a foreign country where I had to learn someone else’s way of life. China is so far away and foreign to most of us. Sight unseen, I jumped at the opportunity to be able to experience something new. I’ve come to learn that this is a big part of who I am. Call it FOMO, but I don’t want to miss a single opportunity to try something new while I’m alive.

What Solo Travel Means for Marriage Prep

Solo travel is an important part of learning who you are and what you want out of life. It’s often a heartbreaking life when you yoke yourself to someone who doesn’t have the same expectations as yourself. How can you begin to explain to your partner what you want…if you haven’t discovered it for yourself? Traveling to the other side of the world may not be high on your list, but go somewhere. Even if it’s just to a movie, it’s important to spend time alone, getting to know who you are and what you desire out of life.

As much as I adore my husband, we are two individuals in our covenant yoke. Know who you are before you go into a marriage with another person. Explore your mind and your heart, together and individually.

Have you gone to a far away destination to explore on your own? Let me know in the comments below!