With the emphasis of teamwork and cooperation, people will increasingly depend on mutual connections and social networking. The networking could help one collect more detailed information, conclude more precise conclusion and improve the general work efficiency. As I stated before, engineering is not an isolated enterprise from social society. Staying in laboratory, checking data and calculating equations are basics element of an engineer life, but scientists also have to plunge themselves into social activities and get involved with human interactions. Engineering is a system from the first designing, modeling and construction to the final stage of application. Engineer doesn’t just discover a phenomenon or conclude a theory but also shall harness the knowledge into daily lives.
So, in order to build up my network, I come up with several ways to make new friends and enrich my experience.
So, in order to build up my network, I come up with several ways to make new friends and enrich my experience.
I divide my friends as several groups: native friends, Chinese friends and professors and TA.
I believe it is easiest to communicate with Chinese friends. We share the same language, common interests and similar background. Under the same individual development circumstance, we tend to be more united and friendly in the United States.
In order to make friends with each other, I mainly take two measurements to communicate with them. The most common way is to play sports. We gather together on Friday night or Saturday night to play basketball at Arch. I believe it is the most convenient way to get to know each other. During weekday, we may not even meet each other because of different schedule and planning. However, playing sports set up a stage for us to know each other and communicate mutually. Ironically, some people who take the same class don’t know each other before. However, during sports, they get chances to share interests and hobbies.
Alternatively, I make Chinese friends by playing traditional Chinese card games. We play a Chinese card game called “The Killing of Three Kingdom”, which is similar to “Bang”. We frequently gather six or seven people together to play this card games at our residence hall. I believe it is not just the attraction of game itself, but also a sense of belonging. Under the specific environment, we are inclined to be more relaxed staying with Chinese friends. Through this communication, I know some of my best friends here and I hope keep moving in this way.
Likewise, I tried to make friends with them through playing sports. I participated in a volleyball team with students in iEFX and we had a great fun on that day. Although we lost the very first game, we got to know each other and chatted with one another. Indeed, sometimes playing sports is really a great way to make friends and get to know each other.
In addition, I tried to communicate with my classmates in class. When we have Mathematics discussion, we solve the problems in a group together and I believe it is an effective way to get to know each other. During the discussion, we share everyone’s talents, consider each member’s thoughts and find out the best solutions to questions. During the discussion, we could share common interests, get to each member’s background and make friends with each other. It is a great way to establish my network and enrich my communication experience.
During study in Illinois, I mainly send e-mails to my professors or TA to ask questions or get help. I will keep trying to communicate with my professors and TA and get to know them or even make friends with them.
During the establishment of social network, I find out that it is easier to make friends with Chinese because of the particular circumstance. When I try to communicate with native students, however, I cannot understand what they say sometimes due to the lack of listening skills. Besides, as we have different backgrounds and education, it becomes really hard to find a common interest. Sometimes I find it a little embarrassed during the conversation because we don’t know what to say. Thus, I have to keep enhancing my listening ability and taking time to figure out common interests shared by me and some native students especially those who live with me. Only at that time could I more effectively build up my network and get myself involved in the American lifestyle and in lives in American Universities.
Shiyi,
回复删除I liked your view on engineers getting involved in social activities. Engineering is definitely more than just having technical knowledge. It’s nice to know that you are working on your communication skills.
Here are my questions for you-
1. Besides the language problem, why do you think it is difficult to make friends with non Chinese students?
Motivation: I think you could have a lot of common interests with other people too.
2. Do you think you can interact with the non Chinese students better while playing sports?
Motivation: You said playing sports together was a great way of interacting with and getting to know other Chinese students, I feel it may also work with the others.
3. Do you email your professors/TAs regularly?
Motivation: I’m not sure what you meant when you mentioned that you try to communicate with your professors/TAs
Shivam Kundan
What is the definition of "social" to you? I agree with the idea of "engineers should be social as well", but how you define it?
回复删除How is your relationship with your TA right now? Because you only gave a vague idea, and I want to know it more specifically.
How do you change your point of view after the lecture(about initiatives)?
I want to know did you do anything special after the lecture?
I agree with your thoughts on engineers being more than just technical students, but becoming more social. Here are my questions for you:
回复删除1) What can the American students do to make it easier for you to communicate?
It is sometimes hard for American students to communicate with the international students because of the differences in culture, so if we could work together to make it easier to bridge the gap that would create better relationships.
2) What sort of things have you tried doing with the American students to help become better friends? You mentioned playing sports and card games with the Chinese students. You could try to do some of the same things with the American students.
3) Do you communicate regularly with your TAs and professors? Do you just do it through e-mails or do you talk to them during class as well? It is important to have actual interaction to help create a relationship.
i got exactly the same feeling as you do. making friends with chinese is relatively easy, communicating with native students sometimes turns out to be a awkward ending, end with nothing to say. however, just like corey said , sometimes it's not things are hard , it's that we do try hard enough. so, even it's hard , but i think as long as you take initiatives and try your best to melt into this culture , like playing sports , watching tv to get more information about what natives are concerning about. you will have topics. so try hard, don't give up !
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