{"id":15902,"date":"2018-06-23T10:42:38","date_gmt":"2018-06-23T10:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hnews.hult.edu\/?p=15902"},"modified":"2026-05-05T17:46:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T16:46:28","slug":"cultures-from-east-to-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hult.edu\/blog\/cultures-from-east-to-west\/","title":{"rendered":"From East to West: Reflections on immersing myself in new cultures at Hult"},"content":{"rendered":"

Born and raised in Vietnam, I am proud to call myself a global citizen, with a Western education and Eastern values<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Being in an international environment like Hult<\/strong><\/a> has totally made me the person I am today<\/strong>. After working and studying with people from around the world, I have become more confident, adaptive, critical in my thinking, and open-minded.<\/p>\n

But adjusting to new cultures can take a while.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding cultural differences<\/h3>\n

Vietnamese people are hard-working, friendly, kindhearted<\/strong>, and live for their pride. I find many “typical” Vietnamese values have influenced the I way carry myself, especially the value of family.<\/p>\n

In a collective environment<\/strong> like Vietnam,\u00a0 people tend to define themselves as a part of a group, rather than as an individual.\u00a0On the other hand, I’ve found that my peers from other backgrounds tend to define themselves more as individuals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“I find many ‘typical’ Vietnamese values have influenced the I way carry myself, especially the value of family.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This difference became crystal clear when working on\u00a0group projects with other nationalities<\/strong>. In a group context, I’d rather sit back and observe before speaking<\/strong> my mind<\/strong>. I’m very careful with what I say. And I could be seen as modest and extremely shy<\/strong> when it came to expressing opinions.<\/p>\n

This is different from Western cultures where people are encouraged to speak their minds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Personally, I think the most effective way to overcome the challenge of cultural barriers is by\u00a0not being afraid to throw yourself into the situation<\/strong>. Give it a shot and be understanding. The more you experience other cultures, the less challenging it will be in the future.<\/p>\n

Also, keep in mind that your fellow classmates are going through the same experience<\/strong>, so don’t be too hard on them either.<\/p>\n

The benefits of cross-cultural friendships<\/h3>\n

You will gain\u00a0a lot<\/strong> from being friends with people from around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides some obvious benefits (like having free accommodation every time you travel!), the best thing about making friends from overseas is definitely that you will become\u00a0more culturally sensitive.\u00a0<\/strong>This can save you from embarrassing situations\u00a0when you interact with new people from other countries. This sensitivity also helps you to be more adaptive in cross-cultural professional contexts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Hult
Cultural diversity: My friends and fellow Global Ambassadors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My mindset has totally changed after having friends from other cultural backgrounds. It has changed the way I see different cultures, religions, and lifestyles, and has positively influenced my perspective on life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“You will gain a lot from being friends with people from around the world.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From undergrad in London to a masters in Boston: another cultural change<\/h3>\n

After completing my Bachelor of Business Administration<\/strong><\/a> at Hult in London, I moved to Boston to pursue my Masters in International Business<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how similar the cultures seem to each other, I’ve found\u00a0British and American culture<\/strong> to be very different, too.\u00a0And it’s more than just the choice of words and a preferred beverage, like tea or coffee.<\/p>\n

I’ve found Americans to be somewhat more open and sociable<\/strong>. For example, strangers greeting each other is considered a social norm in America. Americans can also be very straightforward\u2014they’re not hesitant to discuss issues. On the other hand, I’ve found that British people often express to themselves in a very reserved and polite<\/strong> way. (Brits can also have a sarcastic<\/strong> sense of humor!)<\/p>\n

Sharing cultural traditions<\/h3>\n

My first truly American experience was Thanksgiving<\/strong>. I was fortunate enough to experience Thanksgiving with a very loving American family. It helped me understand more about the American values, social habits, and norms.<\/p>\n

Then, during Lunar New Year<\/strong>, which is the biggest holiday in Vietnam, I was able to share a cultural tradition of my own. I gave my friends red envelopes. It is a tradition of Vietnam to give your loved ones red envelopes with money inside (chocolate coins in my case) to wish them luck and fortune in the new year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Lunar
Lunar New Year: We also shared a feast!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At Hult, I’ve been educated to lead, to be open-minded, creative, and hardworking. Such a multicultural educational environment helps me to prepare for the real world, with practical skills in both business and self-improvement\u2014a critical mindset and cultural sensitivity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I believe this will prepare me to perform well in today’s global professional context.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Such a multicultural educational environment helps me to prepare for the real world.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Curious to find out more about the truly global experiences that await you as a Hult student?\u00a0Download a brochure<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kickstart your career with Hult’s undergraduate business school<\/a>. To find out more, take a look at our blog 5 top tips for a standout undergraduate application<\/a>. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself.<\/p>\n

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