The Omnibus

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: In the Spotlight

Media Credit: Matthew Parrot Sophomore Sara Weldy (right) and her Russian roomate pose for a picture. Weldy spent nearly two months living and experiencing city life and culture in Khabarousk, Russia this summer.

While many Southwest Baptist University students spend their few short summer months away from school working, taking summer classes or just relaxing, a few spent the summer traveling across the globe, experiencing culture as never before.
Sophomore Becca Koe traveled to China with her family to learn more about her family's history and culture. Koe, who is half Chinese, had never been to Asia before. She and her family got around using various modes of transport,
"A lot of places we walked, especially in the city," said Koe. "A few times we flew to the next city on really small planes. We even spent four days on the Yangtze River on a boat. We stopped at the Temple of the Judge of Hell. That was really interesting. It was so cool to be absorbed in the culture."
She was surprised by how similar many of the places she visited are to the United States,
"The economic status in some cities like Beijing and Shanghai is similar to ours," saaid Koe. "Their architecture and their way of living are very similar. They seem to sort of imitate us. But when you get into the rural areas, you really see the economic differences."
She says the cultural differences between Western and Asian culture seem to be blurring for the younger generation of Chinese,
"The cultural differences kind of depend on age," said Koe. "The older people have a lot more honor and respect toward their family. The younger generation is so apathetic. They're just focused on getting a good job and going to America."
Another surprising thing she noticed was a shift in traditionally held values.
"One thing that really surprised me was the slack in the traditional, one child per family policy," said Koe. "Now they're creating loopholes because there's a dwindling workforce, so that part of the culture is disappearing."
Koe encourages everyone to take any availiable opportunity to take a cross-cultural trip,
"It's a cultural experience that everyone needs to have," said Koe. "It really changes your perspective, to get into the people's minds, to learn about their lives. You're not just on a shopping trip. It was so interesting to see how America is viewed with such hope and aspirations."
Sophomore Sara Weldy experienced living in Khabarousk, Russia for a month. Weldy was a member of the SBU mission team to Russia for the first two weeks of her journey, but arranged to stay longer after the group left.
"I really just wanted to stay there and soak up the culture and just help out the missionaries as much as I could," said Weldy.
Using her traveler's visa, Weldy lived in the city for the next thirty days doing work for the missionaries and spending time with young women in the city.
"Basically, I just hung out with some girls who are university students in the city," said Weldy. "Each day we'd take walks, that's a huge thing in Russia, eat lunch and just fellowship together. I also taught an English club and did some Bible studies."

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