Xian Zhou, Pitt in Japan Summer 2024
During my time abroad, one of the significant challenges I faced was establishing connections with people. However, over time, I learned a valuable lesson: genuine kindness and sincerity go a long way in building relationships. Later from one of my friend’s goodbye letters, she wrote that she was very surprised and happy that I waved and said hi to her at the school hallway. Another rewarding experience I had while living abroad in Japan was during a visit to a shopping mall near my school to get dumplings. For the first time, I encountered a payment problem at the dumpling stall. As I struggled to communicate and resolve the issue, the waitress at the stall noticed my difficulty and started talking to me in English. Her kindness and willingness to help instantly put me at ease. This initial interaction sparked a friendship between us. Every time I visited the shopping mall thereafter, I would make it a point to stop by the dumpling stall and chat with her. We would talk about our daily lives, cultural differences, and even shared a few laughs. Her friendliness and genuine interest in my experiences made me feel welcome and less isolated in a foreign country. What made this experience so meaningful to me was the sense of connection and understanding that developed from such a simple encounter. By treating people with respect and showing genuine interest in their lives, I found that they were more open and receptive to forming connections. Simple acts of kindness, such as offering a smile or a friendly greeting, helped bridge the gap between us.
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