travel

Q & A with Ruth Blackburn Can you introduce yourself? What’s your name? Hometown? Major? My name is Ruth Blackburn. I am a junior from Birmingham, Alabama. My major is Foods and Nutrition with an Art minor. When people mention Asia or Asian, what is your first thought? I think of the cultural differences between Asia and America. My best friend went to China for 6 weeks and I think of the stories of squatty potties and riding bikes all around the cities. I once read that middle-aged men in Asia are at a very high risk of suicide because of pressure to succeed and do well in the workplace. What makes you most proud to be an American? The kindness that people show to each other even when they are strangers and do not know each other. What do you think about “Culture Shock”? I have never been affected by culture shock very much when I go to different countries. I think I am very easy going so the differences between countries do not shock me or bother me that much and it takes a lot of effort for me to pick out the differences and things that bother me or that I like better about one country.