A part of the admissions process for Semester at Sea is writing an essay about my personal global perspective. At first I thought this would be easy with my interests in other cultures. It proved harder to write than I thought it would be. There is so much I would like to say on how Semester at Sea could broaden my view on the world! But with 300-500 words, it's hard to fit it all in there. Hopefully Spring 2011 will be a reality. Here it goes:
The experience of traveling to countries unique from my own will expand the way in which I understand the world. As an American who has never before traveled outside the borders of my country, I feel that I have a rather skewed view of the world. Semester at Sea is personally an important opportunity for me in that I will have the opportunity to see and experience the world through a hands-on learning environment, rather than merely through the words of a college textbook. Visiting different nations, such as China, will enhance my knowledge of cultures different from America’s, and enable me to become a more culturally aware business student.
Family history is a large part of who I am, and by visiting China, I hope to become familiar with the sights and places my ancestors visited, and cities they lived in, as merchants in the China Trade in the early 1800’s. Knowing the past history of my family, and linking it to the places they traveled to in a much different time, will help me to better understand my place in the world. I must first know about the people and places I come from before I can understand the world itself. Exploring China will allow me to do just that.
Being immersed into cultures overseas will broaden my perspective on the world by enhancing my knowledge of other countries through interaction, observation, and critical thinking. It will be interesting to learn about the vast history and way of life in China while also linking it to my family’s past. Thinking about the ways in which Chinese culture, or any society for that matter, differs from, yet impacts, American culture, will allow me to better connect and understand the lives of people abroad and at home. It will be a fascinating experience to observe first hand how people in other countries react and interact with those not native to their own. Through my own experience, I will learn how Americans are viewed abroad, which will enhance how I, as an American, view the world. Living and interacting daily with peoples of other countries will expand my world perspective through a personal journey, rather than through the words and stories of others.
For today’s business student, it has become more important than ever to understand how countries of the world engage in commerce. Our world is more globalized than ever before, driving a need to understand our world neighbors so that we may appropriately and mutually address the issues we now face, with the understanding that our different cultures provide varied perspectives. China is now the third largest economy in the world and an important hub in the business world. Learning what the Chinese value and how they conduct business will become part of my multi cultural experience, which will serve me well in future business endeavors. Businesses touch the lives of people everywhere, and through the greater understanding of cultures and value systems around the world that the Semester at Sea program enables, upon arrival back in the United States, I know I will find myself a changed individual; one who is more culturally aware, well rounded and open minded. I can think of no better way to enhance my personal global perspective than by developing it through travel around the world as a Semester at Sea participant.
