Bonnie Zhao
Q&A
"Because I grew up in a predominantly Asian community, I was not prepared to be a minority while abroad. I encountered a few instances of racism towards myself and my friends in the form of microaggressions and straight-out verbal ignorance while abroad. I once spoke up to someone and asked them to consider how they would feel if someone shouted hey 'their race' at them, and it shocked me that they did not understand how that was 'racist.' There were stores that said 'Oriental' and people who seemed to fetishize East Asians. I learned that I needed to be prepared (as unfortunate as it is) to face these uncomfortable situations and not let it undermine my identity or my friends."
Having never been out of California my whole life, I wanted to seize the opportunity to explore another country and expand my horizons. I chose London because I could speak the language and better immerse myself in the rich culture. I wanted to do an internship alongside studying so I can gain professional experience abroad.
I identify as an American-Born Chinese woman and first generation student, and I believe that my identity did make me feel different while abroad in a way that I was not prepared for. I adjusted to being 'different' and noticed for my American accent, but I was not treated badly by my co-workers at all. In fact, the workplace environment in London is much more casual and informal in the sense that my bosses treated me like their friend. Additionally, I noticed that there were less compliments given on the streets as compared to Berkeley and people generally minded their own business. I was more aware of my belongings as I did not want to be the targeted tourist by pick-pocketers.
A typical day for me abroad involved waking up around 8am to go to class or work depending on the day, making breakfast, getting ready, and either walking to work or taking the bus with my roommates to class. After class, I'd take the bus to get groceries at times or the Underground tube to visit a food market for lunch with friends! My flat was a safe place for me to complete my homework and work tasks before I went to bed. Weekends were reserved for trips to other places in England and even another country altogether. I loved going out with my friends and exploring!
I took UGBA C155 (Leadership) and British Life and Culture. I found the former to be extremely enlightening as though it was an online Berkeley class, I applied many, if not most, of the lessons I learned in great, authentic leadership (including communication, listening, etc.) in my professional and personal life. My roommates noticed how I became less of a doormat and more confrontational as I stood my ground and respectfully communicated my feelings when boundaries were crossed. I loved learning about British culture in the in-person classes and exploring different areas of London to compare its diverse culture.
Because I grew up in a predominantly Asian community, I was not prepared to be a minority while abroad. I encountered a few instances of racism towards myself and my friends in the form of microaggressions and straight-out verbal ignorance while abroad. I once spoke up to someone and asked them to consider how they would feel if someone shouted hey 'their race' at them, and it shocked me that they did not understand how that was 'racist.' There were stores that said 'Oriental' and people who seemed to fetishize East Asians. I learned that I needed to be prepared (as unfortunate as it is) to face these uncomfortable situations and not let it undermine my identity or my friends.
The most memorable aspect of my time abroad was the people I met and got to spend time with. Whether that be exploring another city in a foreign country (Paris, Amsterdam, Edinburgh) or simply studying at a coffee shop, the friends I made were what really made the experience infinitely worthwhile and magical.
My biggest challenge was taking care of my health while navigating school, work, and travel. I wish I planned things a bit more ahead of time, but overall, I'm proud of how fast I adapted and was able to connect with my roommates and new friends! Being communicative, confrontational, vulnerable, and compassionate is essential to success.
I would recommend researching the country you want to study abroad in and the internship you applied for ahead of time. Don't worry too much if you do not have friends in the program yet--be open to meeting an abundance of bright individuals and navigating the hardships and fun of being independent in another country!