MBA Wilson Language Grants: John Curry, China 2017

My experience going to The People's Republic to China was truly one to remember. My trip consisted of going to Beijing, Jinan, and lastly Shanghai in that order. In Beijing, I enjoyed seeing the wide mixture of modern malls and shops along with ancient temples and relics. I first discovered that my teacher, Zhang Laoshi, trained me in so that my proficiency would help me communicated. Despite this, I realized that, like Americans, they have accents. This was one my most fun times hearing these and finding out that I have so much to learn. Their way of life is compared to the American is truly humble. They would never brag or dress to impress others and are always there to help (I got lost at night and people alll around came to help). Their language is a great example. When someone says "thank you", they say 不用谢 which means "I do not use/ need thanks". One sight that sticks with me is seeing a man living in a "house" the literal size of a closet. Everyone I saw did their job to the best of their ability no matter what it was. While I was wandering around in a cultural spot, I found myself in a dual shop selling calligraphy paper and rubber ducks. The shop owner, like everyone, noticed the 6 foot black guy and immediately tried to make a sale for calligraphy paper. The man ran up to me with his face lighted up with a smile asking if I wanted to buy his paper. However, I neither did not want to buy his expensive paper nor had the money to. I politely said I did not have enough money, but he then asked me how much I had. I responded with "not enough" and slowly headed toward the exit. All was soon to be over until his partner blocked the exit and tried to sell me rubber ducks saying I could give one to my girlfriend. This experience made me see how much effort they put into anything they do.
The next city I went to was Jinan. In Jinan, I met people more of my age who were so nice that it was weird. One of the mothers gave me two 2 liter soft drinks, a watermelon slice, a cup of watermelon juice, a whole bag of chocolate, 2 Popsicles, and another watermelon slice all in a two minute period. She was the nicest person I have ever met to this day. We went to a pottery studio full of hundreds of pieces all made by two deaf teenagers. The best part of my trip was my last night in Jinan. When I was going to my final host, everyone became apprehensive. Going to my last family's apartment, I met a 22 year girl who turned out to be my host's sister. While in the car to the home, the sister told me that they were a Christian family. I come from a very Christian background and she gave me insight on the life of being a Christian in a communist country. In my 16 years of life, she easily is one of the strongest believers I have met. Their apartment did not have running water, electricity, and was dilapidated, but I loved staying there more than anywhere else. Christianity held that family together and made them such nice people and a true joy to be around. Jinan was a wonderful to spend time in and I loved every second of it.
If you are still reading this reflection, I laud you. My final city was Shanghai. This cosmopolitan was a place where I could truly become a tourist. Skyscrapers, malls, and tourist strips everywhere. I was met with the same lovely, caring demeanor by everyone. The last family I stayed with was well to do and had something I had not seen in a long time: a bathtub. Many cannot afford one or exactly want one. Seeing the enormous financial district (the main skyline) and going to one of the tallest buildings in the world was quite an experience. In my time in China, I tried duck brain, duck lung, blood, tongue, sheep, and riding a moped.This journey will stick with me for the rest of my life and I thank the Wilson family, Zhang Laoshi. Senor Paolicchi, Headmaster Gioia, and my family for making a dream a reality.