A 10-hour Train Ride
I haven't been to many places in life but these 2 days going to smaller towns and passing by so many towns made me realise something.
I'm really fortunately to be living in a small country where globalization is so evident.
I can only image how overwhelmed this town folks will be when they leave their town. I mean just to leave their town and not leave the country yet. China is a wonderful and beautiful country. It has grown and improved at a very shocking and amazing speed. With that I'm thankful for the opportunity to be travelling to the smaller cities and to see globalization with my eyes.
Globalisation
Hong Kong is pretty much another Singapore, vice versa. Singapore and Hong Kong are amazing with evidence of globalisation. I don't have to travel to eat Thai food, Mexican, African or Mediterranean. In Hong Kong, I can find people from every part of the world. The people I meet, the brands I use, everything is international and that's all because of globalisation. As such, growing living studying and working in such globalized cities make me think that globalisation is a no brainer. In addition to my international business background, globalisation is practically common sense. Only a fool doesn't understand. I took acquired knowledge for granted.
Smaller Cities
Coming to smaller cities and speaking to the people, I realized I have had so much. I am extremely fortunately. These people never left china, not to mention Asia. In fact, some have never left the city they grew up in. And looking at the cities, I can only foresee how overwhelmed they will be at globalisation. The are still living in very comfortable towns with local brands and local food. They eat food home grown, wear clothes manufactured in their town and are not affected by globalisation. On the other hand, Singapore and Hong Kong are too small and everything is imported. We are slaves to globalisation. When something is not imported in, that's the end of that commodity.
It's amazing how these people grew up with minimal effects from globalisation. Minimal internet, strict censorship and with little international information.
Effects of Globalisation
All I'm saying is that it's pretty cool, and overwhelming for me, to see the effects of globalisation. International business has never been more real for me. The difference in the working living environment in china and Hong Kong is really amazing. China is like the past that Singapore never had. China is like a baby, well protected and finally able to grow. It's like I'm seeing a pure form of pre-globalisation.
Books Come To Life
Things I learnt in the books are never more alive. International trade practice, international marketing, cross cultural perspective, international human resource management. These modules has actually touched me.
That aside, grades is not everything. Being able to be out and speak to people really make me realise grades are practically nothing. No one cares if you got a 4.0, 3.9 or 3.8. It's the same. They don't care about the school you came from. A certificate exist to acknowledge the knowledge you've got. Education is a luxury and acquiring knowledge is essential because using it right is key.
Travelling (alone) has really opened my eyes to lots of things. I'm once again thankful for the people I've met and places I've been to. I'll keep having my eyes and mind open and make friends with everyone I've seen.
Love,
L