I decided that one of the first steps in understanding another culture was to master the language. These were the first of many breakthroughs that I had during that first trip abroad. I was forced to come to terms with the fact that there are other opinions and other ways of doing things. I came to learn that my ideas and my ways of doing things were not always right or better. I learned that regardless of one's country, most people have the same goals in life.
People are indeed people.
But the rhythms, stresses and methods of achieving those goals can be very different. I felt that my vision had been broadened and that there was always more than one road to my destination. Back in those days, globalization wasn't so frequently mentioned in economic and political theory. I felt, however, that going abroad had helped me to understand another section of the world and that could only be a positive thing. The world has seen many changes since my first trip to China in 1989.