OUT from the comfort zone

Blog post one

At college, I develop my advantages and cultivate my other abilities so as to lay a solid foundation for integrating myself into society in the future. After joining CSA publicity department character team, I often interviewed professors and societies in UCSB. I love making contact with various people, because everyone is an independent individual from whom I can learn much. Therefore, during the period when I was working in CSA, I always listened to each member’s unique story and began to reflect on what I did previously. I realized that in my freshman year I excessively engaged in comparing myself with others and imitated others. When interviewing Mr. Junichi Shimaoka in UCSB Counseling & Psychological Services, I was deeply moved by him. Even though I have deficiencies, I never suffer from low self-esteem, because Mr. Junichi Shimaoka has his belief and original intention. After coming back home that night, I thought a lot and also wrote much. What’s more, I further listed the reasons why I wish to study abroad a few years ago. The world is so big; I want to do my best to enrich myself and live a distinctive life.

Afterwards, I also joined in UCSB American Marketing Association. In every weekly meeting, I admired everyone’s quick thinking and sensitivity. Whenever there was an activity, all members fell over each other to share their opinions. After realizing the gap between myself and others, I felt depressed though, I was still conscious of my own deficiencies. Therefore, I set my mind on catching up with them. In the subsequent regular meetings, I always participated in actively. In my opinion, having the courage in expressing opinions is also a kind of victory.

I fairy enjoy making contact with other, so I join in not only Chinese student union, but also UCSB international student union where I get acquainted with exchange students from Britain, Japan, Spain, France and Vietnam. As the article “The Beneficial and Consequential Effects of Study Abroad Programs” by the author Brittany Smith states, “The goal is to create a “cultural bridge” that will link together native cultures and foreign ones, so that students have a greater sense of their own beliefs and see both themselves and society in a new light.” When getting along with them, I increasingly find that the way to contact with others is different. We should not only learn various cultures and etiquette, but also know how to integrate them with our own culture so as to create a unique one.