Jawed Ahmed Rind

 

Different Cultures and International Student Perspectives

   Jawed Ahmed Rind

  As an international student, life is very different for everyone depending on their country of origin. When I arrived in the United Kingdom, my life was different from that of Europeans, Americans, Chinese people, and others from various countries. Even though I was living a luxurious lifestyle, I preferred to stay in accommodation where I could share my kitchen with people from different countries. It turned out to be a huge bonus, as it allowed me to communicate with and understand people from diverse backgrounds.

I made many friends from different countries and gained a better understanding of various cultures. For example, my German friends were always punctual for any trip, while my Spanish friends tended to be late. A notable difference was that my Chinese and Japanese friends were very careful with their money, while my American friends (from the USA) were more likely to spend freely. After all, it felt like being part of a huge family, albeit one made up of people from different countries.

Later on, my observations were applied to one of my subjects, International Business, where business deals are often based on cultural differences, and understanding these differences is crucial to avoid damaging relationships. For example, the cultural importance of punctuality in Japan, especially in scenarios involving sushi, is a notable example.