Blog 2: What is the relation between culture and globalization? -HUANG YANHAN

 As an international student, I feel a deep connection to the relationship between culture and globalization. Living abroad has given me firsthand experience with cultural collisions, blends, and sometimes even tensions. We live in an age of globalization, where people can connect more easily than ever before, and cultures travel alongside people and information. This brings both excitement and reflection.


First, globalization gives us the chance to experience and explore different cultures. Back home, foreign cultures might only be a part of movies, music, or fashion. But being in a different cultural environment has made these encounters real and layered. For instance, I see local celebrations and diverse student organizations on campus that reveal so much about local lifestyles, values, and even subtle habits. I often interpret these new experiences through the lens of my own culture, which leads to surprising moments and plenty to think about.


However, this cultural exchange isn’t always equal. Some cultural elements are so widely spread that they start to shape a “global culture” — think of Western pop music, Hollywood films, or fast food culture. While these cultural exports are undeniably appealing, they sometimes push local cultures to the sidelines. I sometimes wonder if this form of cultural globalization is causing a loss of diversity. In an increasingly homogenized world, the question of how to preserve cultural uniqueness becomes more pressing.


At the same time, globalization also gives us a reason to protect and share our own cultures. Living abroad, I’ve noticed that fellow international students have a stronger sense of pride in their home cultures. We seem more eager to share stories of home, traditional foods, and unique holidays. This sense of pride isn’t just a link to home; it’s also a way to reflect on and redefine our own cultures in new surroundings.


As an international student, I believe that while globalization builds bridges for cultural exchange, we should consciously consider how to respect other cultures while also preserving our own. Learning to “navigate” these cultures is perhaps one of the most important lessons globalization offers our generation.

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