Exploring the Environment of China 2011

Qinling Mountains

by Alexander Barrette

As a political science major on a trip that consisted mainly of science students, my experience had perhaps had a more cultural focus than that of the other students. My curiosity with China is rooted in the intercultural relations that America has with them. Our media would suggest that we should fear China, as our economy is largely supported by theirs. The general American attitude towards the Chinese seems to be one of fear. It may be one of the greatest misunderstandings in our culture today.

In Xi'an, after knowing the Chinese students for a couple of days, we went to spend the night in the Qinling Mountains at the Xin He Du Jia Shan Zhuang hotel. This was when we really got to interact with the Chinese in a social environment. Many of the American students were given Chinese names, as the Chinese students had English names for the most part. The hotel was set along a twisty ribbon of road along a river in the mountain, and it made for an environment the likes of which I had never experienced. The evening after we arrived, the Chinese held a bonfire with music for everybody involved on the trip. The music was mainly American music that the Chinese had adopted as their own. Quite comically, the music was indeed popular and American, but it was from the early to mid 90s. Interestingly enough, many of the Chinese and Americans did not seem comfortable in the environment as we did not believe we understood each other. However, many of the students began to interact, and before long everyone was having a great time.

We saw many of the shy Chinese students come out of their shells, as they were somewhat confused by the social culture of the Americans. The students exchanged things like tai chi and dance moves as the night progressed. It was here that I came to a realization. Out of all the magnificent and breathtaking things I had seen in China, I learned something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Despite all of the dramatic differences between our culture and the Chinese, we really were not too different. At first, I was hesitant to believe that we could be so similar. It was obvious after that night that there is no good reason to fear the Chinese as a people. Much of their culture is influenced by American culture. Both sides were legitimately interested with the other, and the amount genuine respect was unlike anything I had previously experienced. American thought of China should be a one of mutual respect, and should be looked at as more of a friendship, for both sides sake.