Click on the Junk to see a map of China

When we live abroad, we often live on the surface of life; more than an observer, but never truly part of the myriad interactions swirling around us. Sometimes, it is almost as if we have ‘double vision’ -- one part of us perceives with the eye of our adopted culture, while the other eye interprets based upon the experiences and memories of our dominant culture.

At home, it’s not so difficult. We learn to perceive reality as the “American” point of view. But, when we live abroad, we are faced with ‘multiple realities’, potentially conflicting social and political points of view which provide diverse interpretations of knowledge. And, if we suddenly find our national interests at odds with the interests of our host country, we are forced to look closely at the people and culture around us and to seek recognition of what has created our different patterns of behavior, our differing strategies and rationales.

When we enter the life-world of another culture, we step into a world of ongoing exchanges which require constant interpretation and re-interpretation of daily events. We are confronted by an overwhelming possible combinations of meaning, as we watch, listen and explore life in a new land.

As an American student living and studying in Hong Kong, Andrew Herman was able to explore the culture of China and learn to perceive himself and his native country from A Different Point of View.

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