Jonathan Sebastian Critical Thinking

At home I find that I work best when I have a schedule. Having work to keep my mind occupied, knowing when and where and what I am going to eat, even being able to plan out leisure activities in advance go a long way to helping me feel more comfortable and productive. In Taiwan, this proved to be very challenging. Though I had class and research, they only occupied a few waking hours each day. With the language barrier in place, it was difficult to find my footing and a routine to settle into. I had to change my approach and think critically to make the most of my situation.

              It can be difficult to establish a whole new routine, especially in a completely foreign place. Without being able to talk with locals or read signs and menus, one can never know what might establish itself as a new favorite place to eat, relax, or study. I occasionally became very nervous not knowing where to go or what to do in my spare time since I had so little to start from. Without any frame of reference, I was flying blind. But I did manage to reconcile my unfamiliar surroundings with my desire for structure.

              Exploration became part of my routine. A little time was set aside each day to go walking some place I hadn’t before, or to try a place to eat that was new to me. Slowly, my surroundings became more familiar to me. I was able to know where to go if I was in certain moods instead of blindly wandering around. And at the same time, the notion of trying new things was a part of the schedule I craved. Just by designating some time set aside to it, walking around town felt less frightening and confusing, and more like something I was doing because I wanted to.

              In a new country it can feel like there is a lot of pressure to try new things. And it can be easy to get frustrated with yourself it feels like you are not making the most of your time. I certainly felt that concern frequently. What helped me to put that aside, though, was remembering that it was a matter of taking it in at my own pace. While it can feel scary to be in such an unfamiliar place with so little frame of reference to approach it from, and it might seem more frightening still that you might ‘miss out’ on the experience by being afraid, it will be that much more enjoyable to pursue at your own comfort level. Yes, it is important to explore and experience new things, but it is just as important to do that in a way that feels right. It is fine if you are eager to see all there is to see and take in the new culture, but it is just as fine to set aside a little time each day if that makes you more comfortable. It was definitely a challenge I faced overseas, but it was one I was able to overcome by thinking critically and changing my approach.

---Jonathan Sebastian

Global Connections

While in India, I made many friends and acquaintances. Most had one thing in common, which was a hope to find a way to America to better their lives. Back home in the U.S, I have international friends that I know are worried about finding jobs and being able to stay in the US. Many International students and entrepreneurs are at the mercy of lotter systems to get Visas, or at the mercy of employers who will either deem them worthy of a work visa or decline that. Many I found to have great ideas which push the envelope, in current fields, but are limited by the resources at hand. I found that international relations and global governance can come hand in hand.

            Recently, Obama addressed the Indian populace and spoke to the prime minister of India. This simple action gave hope to many, that current limitations within the international community would be eased. The most important limitation for Indians is the number of Visa applications which are accepted and how visitation and related matters are governed. It is seen how much the United States policies affect the hopeful youth of a better future. There are many cases were institutions of each country are already working together. I learned that the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur works with different universities and companies around the world, sharing technology and research. The Technology and research which has been developed behind the scenes is what power your phone, aids humanitarian efforts and makes quality of life better as a whole. A big focus for IITK is subject matter which effects global thinking and global improvement; such as education and health projects.

While we are different peoples in different countries, we do have similar problems in certain cases. We worry about our health, our children, our environment. One case which is used to address situations of medical emergencies is held as an example of a medical drone. Right now drones are a hot topic for the world and even Indian students understand this. However, they have their own take on it. A fellow peer for example wants to make a drone which can carry a patient and fly over the traffic in congested cities. This idea is very novel and if executed correctly could help more than just Indian society but other locations with similar problems like New York and California. Another peer was working on a synthetic hand made of almost entirely 3D printed and common household items. This in itself is very progressive, leading a way for cheap prosthetic, which would help the global community in this need.

Through the different examples that where stated above, it is easy to see how the world is interconnected in many ways. It would be hard to say that one country’s’ policies didn’t affect another’s. How a people’s problem is not shared be another. An ultimately, it is seen that progress in one society or one field can have a profound effect on the world. 

Academic Development: Cultural contrast

Many of us know of the pay discrepancies when comparing the US with other countries, but let’s compare India and the U.S. A typical PHD student may earn around $250 USD a month, while in the US $10 per hour is very easily attained as a computer scientist. One can consider that cost of living is significantly lower in India, but the work and effort required to attain a degree is not so different, if not tougher at times.  While in India I have learned of the huge pay discrepancy, level of experience and expectations when comparing Indians to their U.S counterparts.

My field is viewed in a favorable position, as the pay is still relatively better than other focuses. Traversing through India, you can’t help but notice all the technical schools for computer science and engineering.  In the U.S having a focus into one language gives you the title of expert in that language but much more is needed than the understanding of one language. I met a guy who had worked on only Java for 10 years, which is good, but he found it harder to learn other languages and started from the most intermediate steps. It seems that focusing on one language is more accepted in India than it is in the U.S for coders of my generation.

            Coders are expected to pick up new languages and techniques along the way, but in my experience businesses require you to have knowledge in a certain field. While my co-worker was skilled in his field, I felt that it did not apply to my project at the time. I noticed that as long as you held a certain title, you were expected to be able to do a multitude of things. I was also tasked to do something which a person with my experience wouldn’t typically do, due to the technicality and level of difficulty. But being a Computer Scientist, I could not deny the challenge as I knew it was plausible to complete the project at hand.

            Overall, I did notice a trend, not just for my field but for others. Everything under the direction of my advisor was utilized to help Indian society. People in my field were tasked with creating games and applications to teach children and lower class people in ways that would enhance their life. Games were made to be able to measure understanding of subjects, so that subject matter could be improved to teach children better. Tools and methods were made to help artisans in their crafts. I made a 3D web player to teach people of different professions almost any skill.

My academic field of Computer Science is an avenue for University Students to reach the United States in hopes of a better future. Many favor Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Robotics due to its wave of focus in society. People join competitions for drones and design, in hopes of being seen in the limelight and to share their accomplishments. Being in Computer Science is more than just a good paycheck, but a chance to help others and forge a better future for families. 

Critical Thinking:A New Perspective

            From the first day of my arrival in India, I had a  strong feeling things would be different. I knew I would have to adapt to the change in climate and most of all food. From sporadic driving, no beef, and cultural differences, I was in for a change of pace from daily life. While these situations stated above did lead to a new perspective, I believe it was my research that led to a more stark change in perspective in regards to my work and focus of study.

I am a Computer Scientist and due to that I am used to receiving a problem and told to solve it in a short span of time, with minimal direction. However, in my intern position it was different; I was given more specifics for a project and got to directly hash them out with my boss. This was not my typical project I couldn’t simply begin coding mechanically. It was a completely different situation.

My project did involve intensive research into current technologies, limitations and understanding of Indian society. I spent weeks planning out capabilities of my project, which was agreed to be a 3D Web Player with tools which would represent common conventions such as temperature. During this time, I had to consider that my product was to be used by people who spoke different variations of languages and dialects. Due to this my application would have to be as least text dependent as possible. This meant attempting to attribute aspects of my work in ways that locals would understand. One part which proved to be difficult was finding a way to describe things such as weight without the use of numbers. What sort of unit would a farmer or a brick worker or a poor villager understand, if it was not to be a numeric representation?

I could describe myself as being computer literate but had to understand that what to me seemed like commonsense would be far from the truth for others. This led to a complete overhaul of my user interface. I found that I had too many buttons and capabilities that needed to be simplified and more obvious.

Working with my adviser and other peers really helped as well. I had in my arsenal graphic designers and peers with experience with human interaction and most importantly understanding of Indian needs. With their help I was better able to change the style and working of my project that would best suit the users. I owe a lot to them for the final outcome.

My perspective changed a lot. I was used to a more type of “plug and jug” system, essentially, give me the assignment and it will be done. However, this summer project made me think deeper and while it was difficult I do believe that the change in perspective will help me in my career. While I knew that asking for help is important, I didn’t completely understand the importance of asking for help from others not in the same line of work. I did find that external expertise can help personal expertise grow.

Culture Learning: Indian and American Compare and Contrast

There are many stark differences between Indian and American culture, some which I would consider good and others which I believe could be improved by both cultures. In my ten weeks I noticed many, social, religious, diet and standard of living differences, which really put life into perspective. However, there were two culture differences really stuck out to me, the genuinity of Indian people and ingenuity with their work and daily lives.

One thing I noticed during the course of my work is how genuine people where. I believe we as Americans are made to compete more when it comes to work. In my office everyone helped each other, I got the help of visual designers and other focuses for my web platform. I helped a coworker working on drone design, another in basket weaving design and application and third in their educational game. Even when facing a difficult task there was never a shortage of help or ideas. I was lucky to make friends who went the extra mile. Back home, I find that people are less inclined to lend a hand.

While there were some people which weren’t as genuine, I understood it was due to how their livelihood was earned, in other words trying to scam foreigners. The people which I met in the University just gleamed of hope and prospects, many already having worked for large companies and created their own projects or products.

I was very impressed with the ingenuity of the IITK students. Many times they did not have the resources needed to complete or progress their project but found ways around that. For example, one of my friends was working on a robotic hand and found that there was not material locally that was used for elasticity of limbs or joints. A few days later I learned he used a spring from a toy car to accomplish his goal. That one spring, resulted in many prototypes and further improvement in his project.

There were many examples that I observed during my time there. One thing which blew my mind was the use of leafs as bristles for a brooms and using leftover cardboard as plates. Nothing seemed to go to waste in India. I found that to be very innovative despite Indian society as a whole not advertising for recycling and such. I know that things like that are due to lack of resourced but regardless I was impressed by how they could use things that would be seen to be unconventional in America and make it work just as well as a manufactured product.

I do believe there is good in both American and India cultures, and if they were to mix more we would potentially find more innovative and cost effective ways to create new things. I enjoy the way Indian students interact it feels very open and progressive. My view of the world has drastically changed, I appreciate people who take initiative more, and it makes me see the good and bad of American Society. I would not say Americans are not genuine or innovative, that is far from the truth. But, I do thing we could learn a thing or two from our Indian counterparts. 

Cross-Cultural Thinking: My Cultural Moment

There are a handful of times when I had a “cultural moment” while in India, but none as surprising as the first. Day 1 of my arrival in India, I had to take a taxi to get from Lucknow to the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Nothing out of the normal I thought, just a taxi ride. I was wrong. Weave left, weave right; our driver was dodging cars like a movie stuntman. We were gliding in between cars, dodging people, and honking constantly. Screech, we stop out of nowhere for a speed bump. A rough ride is too nice of a phrase to describe the ride.

There was traffic on the way for some unknown reason, so my driver backs up and begins to drive on the road against oncoming traffic. Of course at this point we are all looking at each other, some in panic and others in wonder. On top of this there are cows on the road which have to be dodged throughout the trip. Apart from the surprise of driving past traffic, I was dumbfounded that none of the cars going the correct way were bothered by use driving on the wrong side of the road. Having traveled to other countries in the past, I was used to different driving conditions but none like India. My first reaction was that of excitement, since it was an adventure after all. Each time in a vehicle is an adventure in itself. From being an inch away from another vehicle or stopping on a dime, drivers in India never cease to impress me.

I learned much about transportation in India during my time here. For one, traffic rules in India it seems, are just a suggestion. Even when driving on the correct side of the road, which is your left, driving is very different than how Americans are used to. Nothing and I mean nothing stops traffic from moving forward. A car breaks down, drive around it. An accident occurs, drive around it. If there is traffic, drive around it. Cars, bicycles, pedestrians, motorcycles, all on the same road try and squeeze into any open space attempt to move forward. Unlike Americans, Indians mainly use honking as a form of communication to alert cars they are going to pass them or that they are close to them, something I found to be a good practice, till taken too far.

Fast forward 10 weeks later, traffic and driving doesn’t phase me. However, I still treat each time as an adventure. I ride autos the cheapest form of local transportation. I observe the landscape around me, the people, and the places. I will truly miss the openness of an auto, which has no doors, a variation of a golf cart. All modes of transportation here are an opportunity to learn and observe new things. From waiving hello to the neighboring auto, looking at waterfalls and farms from trains, to observing the country side from buses, most will fall in love with this country. 

Jonathan Sebastian Culture Learning

              No matter where in the world you go, some things remain constant. People need to be able to get where they are going, and they need to eat. Going to Taiwan I knew food and transit would be very different from what I was used to, but what I was surprised to see is how different the fundamental approach to each of them was.

              It is no secret each culture has its own distinctive cultural dishes. I was excited to try some of the unique cuisine Taiwan had to offer, and expected to see some very unfamiliar dishes. So what caught me by surprise was not the food itself, but the way dining was conducted. In Taiwan, grocery stores were very scarce, and preparing a home meal was relatively uncommon. Eating out at restaurants was certainly much more common than it was in America, but the standard meal was purchased at a convenience store or from a street vendor. Eating was often done on the go and extemporaneously without the significant break in schedule devoted to an American meal. Not only was the food different, but the entire experience of eating.

               

              Transportation in Taiwan was different than I could have ever expected. In America, whether I need to travel a few blocks away or across the entire state, I use my car. I am very used to a very personal travel experience where I am free to decide my pace and schedule. In Taiwan, so many transportation opportunities presented themselves. I rented public access bicycles, took the subway, trains, busses, taxis, and even a high speed rail to travel near and far. Public transportation, while not quite as private, was surprisingly clean, affordable, and efficient. Motor scooters seem to be the most popular method of private transportation, and even that changes the whole dynamic of traffic and the daily commute.

              These factors and a few others led to a busy, bustling sense to the whole country, even outside the large cities. With so many mountains on such a small island, space was at a premium, and people were everywhere all the time. Shops were tucked into even the smallest spaces that could occupy them, and the streets were constantly crowded with people on the move. And the lifestyle there supports that.

              It is very interesting to see how even with all the differences, some things remain the same. Even if food needs to be made very cheap and quickly, it is made flavorful and appealing. There is a sense of comfort found with cooking, no matter the culture. Even though the population and geography make transportation difficult, people adapt to get where they need to go. Taiwan has so many options when it comes to transportation, and the amount of versatility allows a method for every circumstance.

              Seeing differences in such familiar fundamental things, and even similarities in different things, helps to make me appreciate the size and diversity of the global community, but also help to recognize it as a single community. People, no matter where you go, are people. They have the same wants and needs, the same sorts of lives. But everyone is still an individual, and lives in their own culture their own way.

-----Jonathan Sebastian