TJEF Worldwide
Make a Difference and Enjoy Every Minute!
TJEF is proud to make a positive impact on the community. Enjoy some of our finest moments captured on paper.
"My Trip to China" by Fred Stahl (fall 2008)
Not until half way across the Pacific Ocean and 35 000 feet above sea level did the enormity of what I was about to do hit me. I was about to travel literally around the world to a country whose language, traditions, and customs are nothing like those in America. Before going to China, my goals seemed simple and doable. While in China wanted to improve my Chinese, and Chinese history, traditions, and culture. Half way to China in a plane high above the Pacific Ocean, I realized exactly how impossibly high I had set my goals. To try to learn the history, traditions, and culture of a 5000-year-old nation in 18 days seemed an impossible feat. Upon arriving in China, a few things stood out in comparison to America. First were the many skyscrapers that rose up from all sides, even in the countryside. The odd thing about these skyscrapers was that unlike their counterparts in America, these skyscrapers were not built for commercial purposes. Instead they housed hundreds of Chinese citizens in each building. This lead to the second shock. The large amounts of residential skyscrapers resulted in the heavy concentration of people in small areas resulting in overcrowding. The sidewalks lining many streets were overflowing with people and the roads were a constant traffic jam of bikes, cars, and buses. This over crowdedness resulted in aggressiveness. When I use the term aggressiveness it is not in the American way where aggressive people are often labeled as rude and inconsiderate to others because that is not the case. While in China many people on the streets were kind and helpful. The reason for the aggression in China is that there are so many people concentrated in small areas and all of who are competing for the same resources. This makes aggressiveness not, like in America, rude, but just a necessity and a way of life in large Chinese cities. While in China I did learn bits and pieces of China’s long and confusing history. I visited historical sites such as the Nanjing Wall, Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s mausoleum, and the Tomb of Ming emperors.
"The American Culture I Experienced" by Dora Liu (10.16.2008)
Before I went to the United States, I thought there were so many things surrounded me which was related to American culture. I knew so many things about the U.S. — from Hollywood movies to Mcdonald’s, from famous Universities like Harvard, Yale and Stanford, to those well-known names such as Lincoln, Michael Jordan and Bill Gates. Those were so American I thought, and I believed they were enough for me to have a whole view of the culture on the other side of the ocean, until one day when I passed the border and began my several days living in this country. To my surprise, the country I faced at this time was not as familiar as I expected, which gradually made me realize that I knew so little about it. Something new about American culture came to me since that day.
1. Encouragement
As the plane landed at San Francisco, my mother and I came out with the crowd and began going through the complex procedures at the airport. It was not my first time being abroad, every time my parents helped me taking care of all those issues. This time I insisted to do all these by myself, for I thought I had already grown up.
However, I soon found I was in trouble asking questions because I did not have much idea on what to do. Looking at the people standing in a long line waiting for me, I was even more nervous. I could not say anything to the service person. At that moment, the kind eyes of the service person encouraged me. After a long and complex procedure of asking and correcting, I finally finished it and passed the gate. I apologized sincerely to the man behind and the service person for wasting their time. Amazingly, they all said considerately: “You’ve already done very well since this is your first time here, and your English is good”. I just could not believe it. Maybe they were satirizing me? Otherwise why did they do so as I had wasted their time? From their patient attitude and tolerant eyes, I felt their praise was sincere. Actually, I received a lot of praise after that. Though some of them were a little bit exaggerated, I still thought they were kind and sincere. I realized that encouraging the others is a characteristic part of American culture. They respect others with nice words and leave a cheerful impression on them.
2. Nature
My destination was a peaceful and beautiful town called Palo Alto. It is half an hour drive from San Francisco. It had no skyscrapers and no neon light, which was very different from my hometown Shanghai. There were few people on the road and few shops and restaurants. And it was also different from my imagination. I was so surprised that I even doubted about the modernization of the U.S. After communicated with local people, I realized that hanker for natural and convenient life was just a part of American culture. Different from our Chinese, American like the city with beautiful view and little disturbance more than the city with skyscrapers and crowded streets. The local told me that peaceful environment helps people to relax after a whole day’s hard work. Palo Alto must be a lot of American’s choice, and I became like it too.
3. Passion and manners
I lived in a German doctor Johannes Zwick’s home when I was in Palo Alto. His daughter Koralinne was very passionate and friendly. She told me a lot about American, especially the things I concerned about such as the middle schools and universities. Also she introduced to me the history, society, security, food and tour of the U.S. Johannes’ son was also a preparation student of The University of Colorado. He was not as verbal as his sister, but his gentle manner gave me a deep impression. Those two opposite characteristics made me realize another American culture — passion and manners.
American’s manners show in everywhere of daily life: greeting others no matter whether you know them, chatting warmly, nodding in the public, looking at people’s eyes when talking with them. I did not use to greet strangers at first because it was abnormal in China. But I soon got used to it as I often received smiling greeting. And I believed it was a kind of courtesy.
Another courtesy in America is saying sorry when you disturb some one. It was even considered not polite when you pass by somebody in front of you without greeting. When you get into someone's way in a supermarket, it is appropriate to say sorry.
These American-style courtesies do not look matching with the impression of the free American life style. I thought that American’s manners can even compare with the manners in the U. K. which is noted for their tradition of gentle behavior.
4. Do not care about details
Though American’s manners gave me a deep impression, their free behavior have ever made me embarrass.
As the person who joined in our exchange activity this summer, Fred Stahl had already arrived Palo Alto before me did. His parents invited my mother and me for supper. In order to show my respect, I took a whole day on considering what to be wear and what to say just as I always did in China. Finally, I chose ceremonious dress and high-heel shoes, and also a present to Fred. I could not keep balance when I walked on high-heel shoes.
However, I found I looked odd when the others appeared only to be T-shirts and jeans at the party. Luckily the hostess’s warmness saved me and made me not lonely. I concluded that American mind etiquette on social situation and take easy in home party. Maybe it is also a part of American culture.
The chairman Kenneth Kaufman noted all these at that night. He kindly awaked me to ware loose suit when he organized another supper. I accepted the advice and enjoyed a nice night, that made me unforgettable.
This American travel leaves me a lot of good memories. The peaceful street, beautiful Stanford campus, spectacular San Francisco bridge, blue sky, golden beach, squirrels and flowers, and most of all, friendly Americans and their unique culture, all made me reluctant to leave.
More treasured TJEF memoirs coming soon...
Social Networking & Blogs. TJEF is now on facebook (causes and groups) and has a blog where ideas and solutions can be discussed live. Please visit today!
Travel for TJEF. TJEF is auctioning unbelievable guided trips for extraordinarily low prices. Submit your bid before the deadline! Get detailed info and enter bids @ the new Auction Page.
Donate. Give today to help us push the TJEF mission onward. Sign up for a special vacation trip and proceeds benefit charity!
