To commence my travels in November, I traveled as a selected guest to a summit in Wuzhen, China discussing climate change—from American and Chinese perspectives, with eleven of my university mates and twelve university students from China’s Fudan University. Exploring one of China’s most beautiful water towns, interacting with fellow students cultured through Chinese values, and discussing a topic greatly shifting the way the world interacts with us and the way we interact with the world proved profound in leading a [GRAYT] life.
The Wuzhen Place: Preserve what makes you special.
Wuzhen is one of China’s most beautiful water towns and, at night, the town fulfills such title—culminating an “old town” environment. From canal rides, to town restaurants, to small town stores, museums, and lodging options, Wuzhen engages each visitor with countless opportunities to snap a picture of the town’s scenery. With a few participants in the Listening Summit, I had the joy of traveling the canals, late night strolls to find an open restaurant, and sprinting across the town to make our bus departure after getting Chinese souvenirs. The Wuzhen Water town exclaims, “The ancient Grand Canal nurtured the splendid culture of Wuzhen, and a long historic accumulation endowed Wuzhen with deep cultural deposits.”
The Wuzhen People & Chinese University Culture: Courage, commitment, and consistency are key values in embracing knowledge.
There is a fee to enter into the town, so those who visit this destination are more dominated by tourists. As I am not a local, my observation is simply an assumption; nevertheless, traveling with my program partners and Chinese university partners taught me more about myself than I would have learned without this opportunity.
When interacting with those from a different culture than what we have continuously identified with our whole life, we tend to grow. My fellow Chinese participants-turned-to-friends demonstrate the capacity and nonexistent bounds of learning as we presented and research topics in total English—our minds have a knack for learning what we tend to teach our mind. Courage, commitment, and consistency are key values in embracing knowledge. What is it that you want to learn?
Climate Change & Our Responsibility: Help change the world before the world changes you.
The topic of “climate change” assembled my program partners with my Chinese University partners and esteemed speakers. Concerning climate change, I’ve admittedly been a skeptic, but as months and years progress, climate change is an evident, impeding issue—nevertheless, we all have a part in stunting its growth. Quick estimates regarding climate change:
- According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, May 2014 was the historically the hottest may ever.
- From a 2014 report, if ocean levels were to continue to rise at their current rates, by 2050, the sea levels in New York would rise by 27-49cm and by 64-128cm in 2100
- Exxon Mobil estimates, “Global population is projected to rise to 9 billion in 2040, compared to about 7 billion in 2010.”
- In regards to energy demand, Exxon Mobil further estimates, “Global energy consumption is expected to increase about 35 percent from 2010 to 2040.”
Improvements are being made. However, there is still things we need to do stunt the growth of climate change, whether it involves: using less water, replacing the light bulbs we use in our homes, or raising awareness about the impeding issue of climate change. Visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency to learn more on what we can do to help change the world before the world changes us.
Lessons to Make Your Life GRAYT:
- Preserve what makes you special.
- Courage, commitment, and consistency are key values in embracing knowledge.
- Help change the world before the world changes you.
