From April 2012 to March 2013 I had the rewarding experience of studying and researching as a visiting scholar at the Department of Applied Linguistics (AL) & ESL at Georgia State University. While there, I audited many wonderful classes, developed a lot of professional and personal relationships, and experienced quite a different life in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, from what I was used to. Most importantly, I forged a connection between GSU and my own school, Shanghai University, by helping to establish a new study abroad program as well as a student exchange program, making me an “intercultural speaker” as defined by Byram (1997). All of these experiences, combined with my previous years of learning English and about Western cultures, fostered my status as an intercultural speaker when I came to this completely new place. Based on my experience, I would like to offer a few points of advice for scholars who cross cultures in their work and study. I believe that my visit in the United States was such a rewarding one because I learned to be an intercultural speaker, especially with regard to the following.

Choosing the Right Host

My initial advice to visiting scholars would be to construct your research plan based on your expertise and research interests, so that you can discover what is worthwhile for you to learn and have the opportunity to work with people in the field you’re familiar with. In this way, it is more likely that you will make the right choice about your hosting university and sponsor, and avoid the blind pursuit of world-class universities which, despite their high status, sometimes don’t suit your needs. When I was looking for a sponsor, I was told that there would be extra financial support for me if I could be accepted by top-tier universities like Harvard or UCLA. However, I found that the faculty and the programs in the AL & ESL department at GSU were much better aligned with what I wanted to study than they were in more prestigious schools. As an English language teacher, I figured that my priorities as a visiting scholar would be exposure to the classroom context and current research of the faculty, which the AL & ESL department at GSU could offer. So I made my decision to go to GSU, which proved later to be a very wise choice. Classrooms and the library on campus became my favorite places, and teachers and students became my best friends.

Translating Your Self

Integrating successfully into new cultures in the academic world means learning to communicate your good qualities. Because of differing value systems and norms for behavior, what you see as your personality attributes may not automatically “translate” to others. Yet, it seems that in any culture, politeness and good manners, however those are defined, are valued. Although cultural differences probably will lead to some misunderstandings as you interact in your new culture, you can smooth things over and build healthy relationships by smiling, apologizing sincerely when you’ve made a mistake, working hard, and showing your respect to people around you. One of the most wonderful things I found about the United States is that I could gain colleagues’ respect and trust by demonstrating how dedicated and hardworking I was. Many times, my new colleagues commented to me how amazed they were that I threw myself into everything around the department so enthusiastically. It seemed to them that I was really taking advantage of all they had to offer, and it made them feel appreciated for what they do so well. In this way, I made people understand that I could be trusted; I translated what a good Chinese person I am into something they could recognize as good character in the United States. This translation and trust-building is important, because once people think you’re a kind person, a good person, they tend to view your accidental violations of host cultural norms as being caused by cultural differences rather than your personal faults, thoughtlessness, or even deliberate attempts to insult. Then a trust-based relationship can be built between the native speakers and you, the intercultural speaker.

Seeing the Good

I think it is very important, as a visitor, to show your appreciation of the country and people around you—not just to show it but to really feel it! When I first arrived in Atlanta, I was strongly impressed by the beautiful neighborhoods, the fresh air, the space, the convenience of traffic and grocery-shopping, and the friendliness of the always-smiling people. I appreciated this opportunity, but more than that, I looked around with a positive attitude and tried to appreciate what was new and different about this place. When we encounter cultural differences and environmental changes, it is easy to judge. I could have spent my time missing home and lamenting all the ways in which the United States is not China. But, instead, I saw that the professors and students were quite helpful, that the classes I observed were thought provoking, that the teachers were skilled at creating a relaxed classroom environment and involving students in the class, and that the students worked very hard on their rigorous courses. All of this, I think, sheds light on the possibilities for reform of Chinese education, especially with respect to language teaching. But, without appreciation, I would not have been so curious about this culture and would not have worked so hard to explore the lessons it had to offer me.

Giving Back

Finally, when crossing cultures as a scholar or teacher, it is vital to reveal your cultural identity as an international friend by finding ways to serve the people who are hosting you. Friendship is key to intercultural relationship-building, and in this friendship it is important not only that people show respect to each other but also that both sides benefit. From the moment I arrived in the United States, the fact that I was able to adjust to my new life was due in large part to all the help I got from people I didn’t even know before: my sponsor, who arranged all the things I needed, from a campus ID to observation opportunities and a work station in the department; the Chinese friends from my apartment neighborhood who offered free rides for groceries every week; and new American friends who devoted themselves to organizing some cultural activities for international students and scholars. I would not have been able to build such deep and lasting relationships if I had taken all of these wonderful gifts and given nothing in return. So, I would cook Chinese food for my friends and colleagues, or invite them over to my place to have dinner together. To help your hosts, you could introduce them to connections in your home country. You can serve as a cultural resource for the people you encounter, too. For example, in the classrooms I visited, I tried to offer students and teachers information and help them to understand what is happening in China relevant to the topics they were discussing. Regardless of how you manage it, in the end I think you will find that if you give back, you will continue to receive in return.

Conclusion

In sum, I believe you will reap what you sow as a visiting scholar. So make a good match between yourself and where you will visit, learn how to put your best foot forward in your new culture, adopt an attitude of appreciation and acceptance towards the host culture, and discover ways to be useful and give back as much as you can.Following these tenets helped me make the best use of my own visit, which in turn has made me a more confident and competent intercultural speaker. Although I’m back in China now, I feel I am forever connected to the United States in general and GSU in particular because of this rewarding experience. I am also more aware now of the importance of developing my students’ competencies as intercultural speakers as they develop foreign language skills. I hope that those of you who may in the future have the opportunity to cross borders as visiting scholars take the chance. More than that, I hope you sow heavily in your new culture so that you can reap the most from the experience.

References

Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Xueying Wu is an associate professor in the School of Foreign Languages at Shanghai University, China. She earned her PhD from Shanghai International Studies University in 2005. Her research interests include applied linguistics and intercultural communication.