Initial Thoughts on The Value of Traditional Culture
As a perpetual traveler in this wonderful wide world, I love visiting places where it seems that time stopped long ago. These places make me feel like I have traveled back in time to an era when Western influences had not yet appeared, giving me a sense that I can experience a culture that is somehow "pure," primal" and "authentic." This is of course very romantic, and makes me a perfect target for the tourism industries of many countries, who's primary concern is to sell exactly this kind of romance to potential tourists like me.

We travelers are often drawn to the ancient, the traditional and what, to our minds, is the exotic. As a tourist, I tend to head for the "old" parts of a town, search for the "original" version of a piece of art or music, or try to meet an "authentic" member of an ethnic group.

Until last Thursday, it seemed like the trip to China was a long way off, then I realized that I will be in China in less than a month. Scary. I have never traveled to a foreign country with people that I don't know very well and I am a little nervous. It is going to be very interesting to watch the dynamic of our group change as we get to know each other better.

One stereotype of Chinese people that I have heard is that they are very family oriented and look out for each other. I have also heard that they place a lot of emphasis on education as a means of success. I think that the American stereotype of Chinese people is that they are all very intelligent and determined. I think that as I travel in China and learn more about the people and their culture, I will realize more stereotypes that I have and see that they are not true of the whole Chinese population.

There has been no time to daydream about China for me. Asia will be my fourth continent in a year's time. Stay tuned for response to the "What values seem important to people in your host culture" question.

Hello,
I am so excited about going to China. I can't wait.

Right now it is impossible for me to answer this question without basing my opinion on stereotypes. Until I am actually arrive in China any view that I have on their culture is only based on what I have seen in the media. However I am very excited to get the chance to travel to China and see what their society is like and how much their values mirror ours in the US.

I'm going to be in China tomorrow, and I think my first question of values is how much do people value art in China, and how do people view its place in society? I think being in the audience of artistic events in China where you are able to see the patronage, and their level of involvement, will help to answers these questions.

I have never been much for writing in a journal, but I figure I might as well give this a try =)……. I don’t know if anyone else in my class fells as I do right now, but I am only now starting to realize that I am going to leave the country yet again. I am sitting at my friend’s (who is taking me to the airport) house watching Moulin Rouge (which I have to admit that for a chick flick it’s a damn good movie) and I am starting to actually worry about this trip. Its not that I am scared about something happening to me, I am just scared that I am unprepared. I was lucky to get the opportunity last J-term to travel to Ecuador for a biology class, and had an amazing time.

It often feels that people in China are working so hard (heroically hard!) to improve their own lives and those of their families that they do not have the luxury of the time or the headspace for altruistic behavior. Despite the best intentions of Buddhism and Marxism towards compassion and altruism, individuals often seem narrowly focused on their own goals in the highly competitive world of a developing economy.

There are many rather negative stereotypes of asian culture. Many westerners regard them as bad drivers, wild about westerners, and humerously bad at english. Our perception of them is so because of a massive cultural difference, we just dont have anywhere near the same roots as them or vice versa. The communication barrier that exists continues to perpetuate asain-english language complexities that are flashed all over the place in movies, tv shows, etc. When it comes to any stereotypes they hold of us, as far as I can tell our presence hasn't dwindled them at all.