I am a U4 student majoring in Philosophy and Political Science and minoring in Religious Studies, and my research was focused on the phenomenology of culture. Specifically, I was interested in the way in which the Chaoshan region’s unique history of migration manifests itself in its distinct cultural identity and using this as a case study to shed light on the concept of “worldhood” in phenomenology.
Though, conducting research for this project was not my only goal. As a Canadian-born Chinese person with a complicated relationship with my Chinese identity, I wanted to take this opportunity to rekindle with and immerse myself in my culture as well. Finally, I equally hoped to improve my language skills, for although I am fluent enough to get by, I wanted to develop myself in a setting where I had no choice but to speak, listen, write, and read in my second language.
Was I able to fulfill these goals?
I fulfilled these goals to their greatest extent, exceeding my expectations completely. Studying in Shantou completely re-shaped my knowledge and interest in the history, politics, philosophy, sociology, and language in the area. I now feel very deeply reconnected with my culture, and I have cultivated a sense of belonging in it.
Highlights and examples
Challenges and how to overcome them
For me, the greatest challenge came in the linguistic form. As a very expressive person who values precise explanations when communicating with others, I sometimes found myself grasping at straws as I tried to express the full scope of my ideas or emotions with students and professors. This problem was much more intense anytime I wanted to strike up a conversation with locals, because the Chaoshan dialect is nearly impossible to decipher, even for fluent speakers of Mandarin. Nevertheless, it is through this process that I learned the full breadth of cross-cultural communication and the various ways in which it manifests. Discourse occurs beyond mere speech, but also in facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, pace, customs, and shared inferences.
A different (though equally, if not more, challenging) obstacle was climate related. Not only did the heat and humidity get overwhelming at times—especially during weekend excursions where plenty of walking is involved—but the mosquitoes were a nuisance due to my extreme allergic reactions to their bites. To overcome these issues, it was simply a matter of acclimating and adapting. Over time, I became accustomed to wearing long shirts and pants even in the heat as a protective measure against bug bites. Coming prepared with necessary treatments like bug spray and Cortisone can mitigate these issues.
Suggestions for future participants
For future participants, I would suggest keeping a diary throughout the month. Every day is packed with activities and new experiences, and I truly feel like a different person since the first day of the program. This program was so meaningful to me that I don’t want to forget a single detail, and luckily, I have a few journal entries that I can reflect on. Furthermore, taking a moment every night to debrief the day for yourself can be a calming and meditative practice that might ease any overwhelming feelings or homesickness. It is important to reserve time for yourself to unwind and practice self-care, since the days can be long and overstimulating.
Feedback
This was a once in a lifetime experience that I truly will never forget. I want to extend a massive thank you to Léa, 王老师, and Professor Buckley for all their efforts on this program.