Learning from the opposite end of the Earth.

In 2017, I found myself on the opposite end of the Earth. I found myself in Beijing, China. This was one of the most impactful adventures of my life and a time I will never forget. My intention for the trip was to visit a close college friend, but what I found was so much more. I found a culture that was completely different from my own, a culture that was disciplined, unselfish, and more generous than I could have ever imagined. I really did not know what to expect, but when my plane touched down in Beijing I was in for the adventure of my life. I was about to meet a culture completely contrary to my own. I was awakened to a whole new perspective. Here is my story, my story of traveling to the other end of the Earth.

As my plane touched down, I was in for quite the culture shock. I had no idea how to speak the language or how to get around in a totally unfamiliar country. Luckily, I was welcomed by my good friend Jeff who was a native of the Chinese culture. Jeff and I were college fraternity brothers at Kansas State University where we had become close friends. At the time of his graduation, I had made a promise to him that I would meet him in his home country of China, so I decided to fulfill that promise and go on an adventure. If I had not had Jeff by my side when I arrived, I would have been lost and would have had no idea where to go. Thankfully, I had his guidance to get me back to his place where I would be staying for the next week.

Throughout my week in China, I had traveled to famous cultural landmarks such as The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the more modern 2008 site for the Summer Olympics. I had experienced some of the more culturally shocking foods that included, duck intestines, cow stomach, pig’s throat, duck blood, and all the finely roasted insects found on the street markets. However, what I found most interesting was the people. Jeff was kind enough to introduce me to his friends and the people closest to them. I felt more welcomed than I have ever felt by complete strangers than I ever have before. Jeff explained to me that the Chinese people treat their foreign guests to the highest level and insist on serving them whether they like it or not. I was eternally grateful! What I found was different. It was a new perspective of the world. I realized that my culture in the United States was not the only way to live out a good life. In fact, what I respected the most on my trip were the people. Here is what I learned………

I learned that the Chinese culture was disciplined, unselfish, had a high respect for honor, and one of the most generous groups of people I have met. In a lot of ways, it was relatively similar to my home state of Kansas as well. During my time there, it was never about them, it was always about serving me and making sure I was treated in their highest regard. It was about serving others and putting their own needs aside to enhance the life of others. They set an example for me to live a life of service, to lead in a way that would bring others up, instead of enhancing their own selfish ambitions. It was a perspective that I knew that I was guilty of not fulfilling in my own life but continued to see no complaints from them. I began to realize, maybe my way is not always the best way. Maybe I can learn from this culture. What if I took what I learned from China and applied it to enhance the lives of others? My life was changed, I gained a new perspective. I can choose to be generous and serve others instead of myself. I can be disciplined in my life and choose not to complain. I can find a new way to do things that honors and respects others. I am grateful for the example that Jeff and his friends gave me. China has given me understanding, a new perspective, a way to lead that puts others first. I am thankful for what I learned and excited for the next time I get to visit.

With thankfulness,

Carl

P.S. If you would like to know a few more things I learned on my trip, here are a few I’ll mention:

A sit-down toilet is not a common occurrence in public places, and make sure to bring your own toilet paper.

Tea is served with every meal.

Ice water is virtually nonexistent.

Chinese culture seemed to be much more conservative than the culture in the United States.

Jade, silk, dragons, umbrella’s, fans, and duck were items of high value or interest.

Salesmen and marketers are very persistent and will bargain with you until you get down to at least a fourth of the original cost.

McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks are just as common in China if not more common than the United States.

Most people use Alipay or WeChat pay to purchase goods (an app on your phone that allows you to scan a bar code.) They rarely use cards. This seemed much more advanced than the U.S at the time.

Most of their meals that involved meat had much more bones left in it compared to the U.S. where we love having boneless everything.