An uncanny kindred connection between the snowy bylanes of Saint-Paul, Minnesota, and distant street markets of Beijing, China, may seem unlikely at first glance. Yet, as a woman with a degree in Political Science and Chinese—with a calcined passion fueling my exploration of cultures—I set out on a journey that transformed my life both academically and personally.
Nurturing the Seed: An Early Affection for Cultures
Growing up in Saint Paul, Minnesota, laid the foundation for my global pursuits. Much like its blustery winters, Saint Paul’s cultural life fosters warmth, with a depth underpinning its commitment to diversity. Exploring the communities in Saint Paul, I truly saw global stories playing out in local theatres, interfusions of multiple cultures in local eateries. This fueled my passion to ‘globalize locally,’ and led to my decision to delve into Political Science and Chinese at Macalester College.
It was not as simple as it sounds. The ability to juggle the stern rigidity of political science and the fluid subtleties of Chinese, while also balancing my love for baking, sailing, and crafting, offered both challenges and rewards. The struggle, however, unlocked the importance of balance, sustainability, and holistic well-being for me.
Eastward Bound: Initial Experiences in China
My first encounter with China came during a student exchange program—a splash of color, flavor, and unfamiliarity that stirred me from academic notions into experiential realities. Overcoming language barriers, understanding native customs, and being welcomed into Chinese homes allowed me to interact with the culture on a deeper level. China, with its rich political history and societal conundrums, offered an invigorating narrative for a mind earnest in political inquiries.
While living in Beijing, I was moved by their dedication to merging traditional values with modern globalization. This experience stoked my interest in reproductive rights—a field critical to understanding the intersection of personal and political territories, particularly significant in China’s changing socio-political landscape.
Focus on Reproductive Rights: Bridging Cultures Academically
My multi-dimensional journey also trickled into my academic pursuits, leading to my PhD research. The focus of this work was reproductive policies and their global complexities, with particular attention to China’s notorious One-Child Policy and its subsequent modifications.
Reproductive rights, I believe, serve as a compelling medium to bridge cultures, given their universal relevance and local peculiarities. Through understanding the contours of these rights across differing social settings, I found myself equipped with a deeper knowledge of socio-political structures beyond textbooks.
From Baking to Crafting: Connecting Cultures Personally
My expedition expanded beyond academia and into the kitchen and crafting table. In China, from light flaky mooncakes to ornate silk embroidery, I found numerous avenues for passionate creativity serving as a bridge between my home in Saint Paul and Beijing.
The art of baking, imbued with love and patience, spoke to me in universal tones. Be it a pecan pie for Thanksgiving in Minnesota or mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, cultural understanding enlarged its charm. Likewise, crafting, though different in texture, color, and style in both cultures, presented significant parallels.
In potential, each hobby comes across as singular—distinctly American or emphatically Chinese. But in practice, they blend elements from both cultures, reinforcing the unity of human experience across geographical boundaries.
The journey from Minnesota to China was marked by academic exploration, cultural partnership, and personal metamorphosis. It reiterated the relevance of passion intertwined with diversity and underscored the beauty of bridging cultures, academically and personally. As a global citizen, it’s not always about how different we are, but about how much we can learn from each other. Bridging cultures, like bridging hearts, is all about fostering understanding and acceptance.