Matthew Christian: An internship in China

Matthew Christian interned in a factory in
Guangzhou, China

A factory internship became a lesson in cultural communication

Interview by Kiné Camara, University Communications Intern

Global experience: Internships are required with my major, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management. I sourced an internship in at Dextra Building Products Ltd. in China through my own contacts. I lead the design and implementation of multiple shop floor and production control systems and improved health and safety conditions in the factory workshops.

Living arrangements: I lived in a downtown apartment with two French engineering students that the company paid for. We all worked for the same company.

Meeting people: I mainly met people through work and on weekend trips I took to Hong Kong.

Favorite place in Guangzhou: The riverfront five minutes from apartment displayed beautiful neon lights along the river. It was a major social center for all kinds of people.

Newly learned cultural norm: Respecting your elders and caring for your parents is extremely important in Chinese culture, more so than in the U.S.

Most memorable experience: Seeing the Lions Gate Bridge in Hong Kong.

Greatest challenges while interning abroad:

• Being perceived as "rich" because I am American.
• Being culturally isolated: I was a minority in my perceptions, language, and culture.
• Having a language barrier: It was hard to train employees without speaking the same language. I learned to get creative with communication and found that email was effective as well as investing time in the communication process.

Cultural differences: After implementing my first project, several significant problems arose and I spent the next six weeks making constant changes. The root of the issue was my lack of understanding cultural communication differences. After a co-worker mentioned how important saving face is to the Chinese culture I realized that employees and managers were afraid that if they asked questions that I would think they were not smart, or if they pointed out something that I missed that I would be embarrassed or upset. Being sensitive to these issues helped me implement projects more efficiently.

Advice to a student looking to study abroad:

• Contact the IPE office with any questions about international internships.
• Be brave! If you have an opportunity, go for it. It differentiates you from other students.
• Regularly communicate with your family.
• Keep an open mind.

Paying for an international internship: I paid for my plane ticket, visa, and full tuition at Western, but my living expenses were paid for by the internship.

What advice would you give to families of students?

• To reduce fear about travel, learn about the country the student is traveling to.
• Visit the student if possible.
• Send the student a care package!

How did your study abroad experience change your future plans? Now I know that there are opportunities everywhere, and not as many barriers to working overseas as I had thought before interning abroad. I encourage all students to do an international internship!