Recently, two students from the School of International Education of Xi’an Peihua University, Chen Jingwen and Lv Zhangqian, successfully completed their three-month summer U.S. work&travel internship program and returned to campus brimming with gains and heartfelt experiences. This internship not only significantly enhanced their professional skills, but also yielded fruitful achievements in cross-cultural communication and personal growth.Our university has long been committed to providing students with diverse international exchange and practical opportunities. The U.S. work&travel internship program is designed to enable students to personally experience American culture, improve their cross-cultural communication competence, and accumulate valuable overseas work experience through employment and internships in the United States. Since its launch, the program has received enthusiastic responses from students, with Chen Jingwen and Lv Zhangqian emerging as outstanding participants among them.

Chen Jingwen – Growing Through Challenges and Shining in Communication

This U.S. work&travel internship journey was filled with both challenges and pleasant surprises for her. With the support of university faculty and program instructors, she overcame multiple hurdles such as difficulties in job placement and visa-related anxieties. Eventually, she secured a position with a wage of $12 per hour and increased her earnings through overtime work during the internship.During her stay in the United States, Chen Jingwen deeply felt the cultural differences between China and the U.S. Every experience, from daily bicycle rides and free meals at churches, to the tranquil beauty of the coastal city and living with roommates from all over the world, brought her fresh insights and a sense of fulfillment. In particular, communicating with roommates of different nationalities significantly improved her oral English proficiency, and she also learned to view diverse cultures with greater openness and inclusiveness.At work, Chen Jingwen built profound friendships with her colleagues. Whether it was the elderly lady from Albania or her Moroccan manager Btissam, their care and assistance made her feel the warmth of kindness in a foreign land. This experience not only taught her to be independent and self-reliant, but also instilled in her a deeper understanding of gratitude and reciprocity.

Lv Zhangqian – Affirming Cultural Identity Through Cross-Cultural Exchange

Lv Zhangqian also spent an unforgettable internship period at the Mt Olympus Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Working as a ticket seller, he not only enhanced his cross-cultural communication and emergency response capabilities in practical work, but also gained valuable workplace experience in a professional and inclusive team environment.His supervisors created a favorable learning atmosphere for him with their excellent leadership skills. When he occasionally made mistakes due to unfamiliarity with the work, his supervisors always offered patience and encouragement. This support enabled him to face challenges with greater confidence and deeply experience the warmth and care within the workplace.In interactions with colleagues from various countries such as Mongolia, Thailand, and Kazakhstan, he took the initiative to act as a cultural envoy, introducing China’s traditional festivals, dietary culture, and social customs to them. This not only promoted mutual understanding and friendship among them, but also allowed him to reaffirm and deepen his sense of identity with Chinese culture while living abroad.