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Chee Xiong
Chee Xiong is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Japan.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
I made Japan fun for my friends and me by going out to see new places. This one time I decided to go on this hiking trip to see the top of Mt. Takao. However to get there on the top we had to either hike up there, ride a ski lift, or else take the bus. The one that my friends and I decided to go on was the ski lift. It was an interesting experience to ride the lift up there. Then later we hiked up the mountain slopes to see many temples and statues. Afterwards I ran down the curve slope to the bottom, but not before I took lots of group photos with my friends. This made a long lasting impression on me because it was something new, exciting and adventurous. It was something I didn't expect because I thought that when one gets to the destination, which is the highest point then that it would be it. However, the journey there, not the destination was what made it the most fun part. While climbing up I learned about the different gods that were enshrine there and many other things related to the Japanese culture and religion. It taught me new things about Japan that I didn't know about before like the types of gods they once worship, or are still worshiping.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
Remember the time when you were a child and you heard people traveling to new places outside of the United States, tasting new food and meeting new people. That's exactly what's exciting about study abroad and one of the main reason why I wanted to go study abroad. It's for the experience that you won't get anywhere else. Sure, you can travel after you graduate, but it won't be the same because for two reasons. One, you are going by yourself or with only a couple of people at most so that means there's not many who you can build new relations with. Two, you are going there as a tourist and not as a student, which is not the same experience.
I chose to go to Japan because it has been my life time goal and dream to travel there ever since I was a kid. I read and learned many things relating to the Japanese culture, which I found to be interesting. For example when I read these books, I'll find it fun to contrast similarities and differences between their culture and my own. I saw many Japanese movies, which also peak my interest in going to Japan to learn more about their culture and other things related to Japan.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
Japan was a fascinating and exciting experience. I would recommend trying new things out and enjoying yourself. Don't turn down new things without trying it first. When I went to Japan there was a lot of hand gesture used when talking with my elementary level Japanese. This was how I usually communicated with the Japanese people. However, there were many signs that were in the English language, so there was not too much to worry about. Along with that one should be aware of the climate before going to Japan. The weather in Japan is usually warm, even in the winter it gets pretty cold, but not as much as in Minnesota. Beware of rainy seasons, because when I was in Japan there was one time when it rained for a whole week. Bring rain boots because it would come in handy along with a coat. Now, that was something new to me besides the insane heat that I experience when I first got off the plane. Besides the weather, the transportation is different in that not many people travel by car, but by foot or else the subway station which was new and convenient for me.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
The trip had showed me that there's so much out there in the world that I do not know about. The different experiences and points of view one has will be different from that of others. The trip helped me become more mature because while I was in Japan I had to be responsible and take care of myself. Also this trip made me a more well round person by meeting many new people from a different culture. I've begin to understand more that culture differences is something that many think they understand, but it's only after they go thru an experience such as study abroad that they begin to think differently. For me, I thought I understood what accepting cultural differences was, but the culture shock is something that helps one learn and understand how people from around the world are much more different than what we think it was. It's my own experience that helps me keep shaping, improving, and defining this view of being more involve in others' culture.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
The advice I have for future Study Abroad students is to make sure you have fun. Life is short and so is your moment abroad so you should enjoy yourself. Sometimes it's hard for someone when they are homesick, but that's what the internet is for. Contacting family thru the internet would be ideal. It's good to know if one knew more about the place before one goes there by researching what kinds of things they would like to do there so one wouldn't be so clueless. However, at the same time be adventurous when one gets to the country that one wants go out to explore and try new things. Also if a student is mailing things home, it would be nice to know that one should buy insurance for their things, or else there would be regrets later on.