I am back in Texas. Yay! Now that my semester in Hong Kong is officially over, it is good to reflect on how this experience has shaped my identity and influenced my interactions with people from around the world. First of all, I still believe that it is important to recognize differences in culture and opinions. And I think I did a fairly good job identifying these differences during my semester abroad. I noticed that my own identity had a significant impact on my experience in Hong Kong, specifically my identity as an American mathematician. I was the only foreigner in all of my upper-level mathematics classes. Believe me, this did not go unnoticed. Not only did it not go unnoticed, but was actively pointed out with comments and remarks about how I was taking mathematics courses in a country known for its strength in mathematics. Classmates assumed that my mathematic struggles (and even successes) were somehow connected to my education in the United States. Now, obviously my education does play a significant influence in my abilities, but it was a strange feeling to have my American identity not only define me as a mathematician, but also set me back in some ways. This is not to say that my identity experiences in Hong Kong were all negative. There were many moments in which my identity and those of the people around me lead to engaging conversation and allowed me to understand how different identities shape personal opinions. Either way, there is something to be said about growing from new experiences. Take it from me, after a year abroad, I think I can honestly say I have grown as an individual. If it was for the better or for the worse, only time will tell.
