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Post by Sensei on Feb 5, 2006 3:57:27 GMT -5
Wow! Interesting! So it seems a lot of the people that have moved away from Asia when they were younger, feel a nostalgic longing to reconnect with that Asian culture they were so familiar with during their childhood!
Yet, I'll bet, like Helen said, that most people will begin missing the Western country they lived in, upon returning to Asia.
So, it basically boils down to what Jenming said about a place not existing that is the perfect blend of Western and Asian culture. So... maybe Jenming has the right idea by living in Asia some of the year, and back in the US the rest of the time.
But! I bet living in a really multicultural city like Vancouver or Singapore probably hits pretty close to the whole idea of blending east and west.
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Post by jefe on Feb 5, 2006 12:21:50 GMT -5
Yet, I'll bet, like Helen said, that most people will begin missing the Western country they lived in, upon returning to Asia. Not me. I don't miss the USA at all. Well, I miss NYC a *little* bit, but not enough to move back there. I can visit once every 2 years. I think I would feel that way in mainland china -- I would feel more frustrated there. But in HK there are hundreds of thousands of returnees from overseas, most from US and Canada. So, I find them to be close to the right mix of culture for me, esp. those who have work experience in North America or who still have relatives there. Many Asian cities seem to have absorbed a lot of Western Culture to me, esp. in Malaysia, Philippines, and in Macau / HK, not to mention Singapore. I feel like I am in a mixed culture in those places already. I do not feel that way in Mainland China or Japan. I guess I could find it in SF, Sydney and New York, or even Honolulu, but I don't feel comfortable when the Anglo culture is more dominant than the Asian Cultures. Australia esp. feels very Anglo and white to me despite all its first and second generation immigrants.
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Post by Sensei on Feb 8, 2006 2:36:42 GMT -5
I guess I could find it in SF, Sydney and New York, or even Honolulu, but I don't feel comfortable when the Anglo culture is more dominant than the Asian Cultures. Interesting. I think I'd feel less comfortable if the dominant culture was Asian, which is ironic on so many levels.
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Post by etudes on Feb 8, 2006 4:20:11 GMT -5
lol this thread's a bit funny, every1 being 'lost' and all... (life story below, watch out!) ....but i feel lost cuz even tho i'm full korean, no korean friends ( ) and a few asian friends (cuz nearly all the 1s at my old school were d!cks)... but i didn't feel 'sorry' or nething for myself... most of the koreans here are what you americans call 'fob' (lol) basically fresh immigrants that duno how to speak english (i duno korean) ) . fair enuf. i was considerably happy with my friends (mixture of races) and that was all that counted. BUT THINGS CHANGED SINCE I MOVED SCHOOL (since last friday)... CHANGES. A PHENOMINAL 'CULTURAL SHIFT' the new school's like basically 1/2 asians 1/2 whities and so far it hasn't been easy making new friends ( ) but the chinese fellas in my tutor are apparently the friendliest ppl i know in the school. Yeah so i got chinese friends now. Um these new dudes are cool cuz they're friendly, and they don't chuck orange peels at each other like my old friends (or was that fun?... meh... CHANGES), but F*CK it's so annoying when they start blasting chinese at each other... the new boys, (singaporian, somethingian, me) are like, 'WTF... meh, this sucks' etc. etc. But neways, I got more asian friends than other race friends in the school so far (even tho they're not the closest friends in the school)... A PHENOMINAL 'CULTURAL SHIFT'
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Post by dave on Feb 8, 2006 11:16:16 GMT -5
oh oh bit off topic but I found out I can do my elective (in just over a year) in Japan! I'm so chuffed! ;D ;D ;D At least I can experience what being a doctor would be like in Japan, which I guess isn't the same thing as working there but at least I know what it'd be like. I dunno! For the time being I find it really settling and it's something to work towards now! And anything more long term than that doesn't really bother me too much, you just never know what's going to happen anyway!
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Post by halfy on Feb 8, 2006 11:40:15 GMT -5
Congrats Dave.
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Post by jefe on Feb 9, 2006 4:28:56 GMT -5
Interesting. I think I'd feel less comfortable if the dominant culture was Asian, which is ironic on so many levels. Simon, Before I went to Asia, I was also concerned about that. I guess there is trepidation over the situation of being around Asians, whom you are used to being the minority sub-culture, to become not only the majority numerically, but also dominate the government and the culture. In fact, when I first went to Asia at age 19, this was a trepidation I wanted to confront. I had expected the worst. I am glad that my first experience was Taiwan. Like you, I had studied some Mandarin for a few years before going. Besides, I traveled with a group of overseas Chinese (or part-Chinese) and 80-85% DID NOT know Mandarin, or very little. I often became the spokesman for the group. The majority of people were actually much more receptive than I ever could have hoped for. They were even happy to help me learn more Taiwanese too. In fact, it was this experience that further spurred me to consider leaving North America altogether. After putting off for a while, going through my parents' divorce and getting out on my own for a while, and several failed attempts of relocating overseas, I finally did that. In HK (as in some other parts in Asia), there are many non-local cultural influences here, including Japanese and Anglo / other western, not to mention some Muslim and SE Asian pockets. And INTERNATIONAL business in HK is still dominated to some extent by non-locals, or westernized locals. As I mentioned, I know many people who have some education / work experience in western countries. So most of my encounters here are in a somewhat mixed cultural environment. Now, it ain't all peaches and cream. I feel constantly challenged all the time about what I am and what I can do and how I think and etc. etc. You will be categorized, stereotyped, treated as a fake or an outsider and so forth. But, for me, it is not really worse than what I faced in the USA. I felt quite alienated in that society, so I was already mentally prepared to be alienated here. So when I am not treated like a curiosity, it is a welcome surprise.
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Post by Sensei on Feb 9, 2006 5:04:59 GMT -5
Interesting. I think I'd feel less comfortable if the dominant culture was Asian, which is ironic on so many levels. Simon, Before I went to Asia, I was also concerned about that. I guess there is trepidation over the situation of being around Asians, whom you are used to being the minority sub-culture, to become not only the majority numerically, but also dominate the government and the culture. In fact, when I first went to Asia at age 19, this was a trepidation I wanted to confront. I had expected the worst. I am glad that my first experience was Taiwan. Like you, I had studied some Mandarin for a few years before going. Besides, I traveled with a group of overseas Chinese (or part-Chinese) and 80-85% DID NOT know Mandarin, or very little. I often became the spokesman for the group. The majority of people were actually much more receptive than I ever could have hoped for. They were even happy to help me learn more Taiwanese too. In fact, it was this experience that further spurred me to consider leaving North America altogether. After putting off for a while, going through my parents' divorce and getting out on my own for a while, and several failed attempts of relocating overseas, I finally did that. In HK (as in some other parts in Asia), there are many non-local cultural influences here, including Japanese and Anglo / other western, not to mention some Muslim and SE Asian pockets. And INTERNATIONAL business in HK is still dominated to some extent by non-locals, or westernized locals. As I mentioned, I know many people who have some education / work experience in western countries. So most of my encounters here are in a somewhat mixed cultural environment. Now, it ain't all peaches and cream. I feel constantly challenged all the time about what I am and what I can do and how I think and etc. etc. You will be categorized, stereotyped, treated as a fake or an outsider and so forth. But, for me, it is not really worse than what I faced in the USA. I felt quite alienated in that society, so I was already mentally prepared to be alienated here. So when I am not treated like a curiosity, it is a welcome surprise. Jefe, I'm extremely frightened to tell you the truth. Before I was just riding a wave of enthusiasm, with the idea of going to Asia to improve my Mandarin, learning more about my culture, etc. Now, after having gone through the process of submitting my applications to ECNU (still waiting on them) and NSYU (been accepted by them), everything seems a lot more serious and just an arm's stretch away. It has forced me to confront my own fears about going to Asia, which apparently are many. Argh, and I know Taiwan is supposed to be more friendly of foreigners--but I might end up in Shanghai. Either way, I'm going to feel like an outsider. And it'll probably take me a long time to get over that. If I go to Taiwan, I will not have the company of any other students from my university. It'll be myself by my lonesome. 1.) I've never lived on my own or away from my family 2.) I rarely ever travel--ie little contact with foreign countries 3.) I lead a very comfortable life in a small city, full of kind-hearted retirees, renowned for its beautiful flowers!!! I know once I arrive in Asia, I will have a breakdown. lol. Okay, w/e. Can you be my adopted uncle, Jefe, since I have no relatives in Asia? lol ;D
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Post by jenming on Feb 9, 2006 5:53:10 GMT -5
Yeah, it might be tough. I definitely went through a period where I was going a little nutz. Trying to realign my expectations with the reality of the situation was hard. I'm not sure i've done a complete job of it yet, but i've reached some kind of balance.
Don't get to despondent, though. If you're not happy, you don't *have* to stay. You can learn what you need, grow through the experience and move on. Nothing says you have to accomplish X, Y, and Z. Well, maybe only you yourself. But as long as you stay flexible, and aren't too hard on yourself when things don't work out as well as you'd hope, you'll gain a lot from the experience.
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Post by Uncle Hank on Feb 9, 2006 9:15:15 GMT -5
I too had some fears about coming out here to Hong Kong, but mostly related to language barriers and communication (which is not really that much of a problem), and housing issues. I started with the idea, "yeah, I'm so sick of people here in the US, I just wanna get the hell outta here and work somewhere like in Hong Kong." Then I got the offer. Then I got the emails of my job description. Then I was notified my work visa was in process. Then I was notified my work visa was completed. Then I said, "holy sh*t, what the f*ck am I doing?!!!" Then I got a hold my mind (somewhat), bitched, stressed, stressed some more, and finally just did it.
This is my first time really living on my own with almost no safety net. College in Virginia (3.5hrs from mommy) was spoon feeding. I can't just say "hey mom, I need..." when I'm on the other side of the world. This is probably one of the best things I've done so far in my life for my own good.
Definitely recommend taking the leap, Sensei.
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Post by z. on Feb 9, 2006 9:28:21 GMT -5
But! I bet living in a really multicultural city like Vancouver or Singapore probably hits pretty close to the whole idea of blending east and west. ooo, lets add Melbourne. ;D
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Post by jefe on Feb 9, 2006 10:52:28 GMT -5
Simon,
I was scared to death the first time I went to Taiwan. But it turned out to be an exciting experience. Look for the exciting aspects and the other non-exciting stuff won't seem important.
AT least at first. After you are in a new place for a few months, the non-exciting stuff turns annoying.
Also, my first trip to Taiwan at age 19 was with an "Overseas Chinese" group, so I travelled around with 300+ noisy university students / fresh grads. About 10-15 were hapas (I have to scan and put my picture with them up), but there was no real discrimination against them. What happened is that many of the "full" Chinese got asked if they were mixed. it is funny.
When I went to Mainland China for the first time a few years later, I went with a Chinese American group -- my ABC cousin organized a basketball tour (and I SUCK at basketball) to travel around China. In fact, i got injured a few times. In Shanghai, i sat in the stands in the sports stadium as I had twisted my knee and could not walk. Well, in about 15 mins., I was "discovered", and dozens of young Chinese guys bombarded me with questions (in Putonghua) and asked all sorts of opinions (How do Chinese in the USA view China, etc.) and asked me to sign my autograph -- it was hilarious. Then they dropped their jaws when i spoke English to the other team members (ni3 gen1 ta1 men jiang3 ying1 wen2 ma, bu jiang3 zhong1 wen2? etc.)
I went 450 miles (730 km) away to university near Boston when I was 16. I did not know a soul there. And I was the youngest male in my whole university. I was scared to death, but after coming home for the first Thanksgiving, I never felt homesick again. So, I had been away from home for 3 years before going to Taiwan. Getting away is scary, but exciting.
I really think you will be fine. Actually going in a school setting will make it easier. There will be other students from overseas.
After a while, I am hardly fazed any more. The more is getting more and more alike anyhow. I don't see much difference between Canada, Malaysia, Brazil and Belgium, even China any more.
There is a phase process: Phase 1 - scarry Phase 2 - excited Phase 3 - more relaxed Phase 4 - annoyed and peeved (this might not totally go away) Phase 5 - homesick Phase 6 - adjust and make peace
Excuse my ignorance, what does ECNU and NSYU stand for?
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Post by Sensei on Feb 10, 2006 3:49:05 GMT -5
Yeah, I started another thread in the Globetrotter forum. I got this thread side-tracked. anyway, I think I'll probably change a lot culturally when I go to asia. either I'll cling to my western culture or I will embrace my asian culture. hmm we'll see
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frogg
Junior Member
The frog
Posts: 161
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Post by frogg on Aug 29, 2006 11:24:22 GMT -5
^Just press the button that reads "East" on your back. Then you will act like asian. And "West" for European. You didn't notice there was the button?
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Post by Jonathan on Aug 29, 2006 14:39:57 GMT -5
I've posted my experience about culture shift in this thread which saves me lots of typing!
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