SDLC 105 Learning Journal #5

[Hongzhen Chen]

The video "Culture Shock" reminded me of many things that happened at the beginning of my college life. It is common that international students who study aboard will encounter “cultural shock” and have to step out of their comfort zone. For me, there are no exceptions. I am an international student from China, hanging out with my Chinese friends for eighteen years before I decide to start my undergraduate study in the U.S. When I was in orientation, I found that all other freshman were talking, laughing, icebreaking, only I was left and had no clue what they were talking about. The language barrier was certainly an issue to me, and I was afraid to speak in front of the class. However, all the professors and students were friendly to me, they encouraged me to express myself and gave me confidence. Then I realized that I came to the U.S wanting to embrace, not escape from the cultural difference.  As it is mentioned by the students in the video, I also participated in a lot of clubs on campus such as Peer Advisor and Mentor, Eight Left Feet Dancing Club and Sophomore Scholars in Residence. By participating in these activities, I gained life-long friends from Vietnam, France, England, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Those are the people who have the same interests as me, and they helped me went through the cultural shock.