Did you study abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Mary: I studied abroad in Beijing in 1982, the 2nd year that Americans were allowed to study abroad in China, it was a very exciting time to study there.
I was inspired by a poem called Digging to China by a former professor and Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur that I read as a young girl. The poem was about a young child that went out in the backyard and tried to dig to China to see all the wonders that were said to be there, I always loved that poem. Years later the author of that poem was my poetry professor in college.
Which study abroad destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?
Mary: Absolutely Beijing, no matter what a student ends up doing in the future career-wise, China will in some way play a part in it. So few students in the U.S. go to China to study, and it is such a crucially important country. Jim Rogers of Quantum Fund has a quote that really speaks to that, he said:
"If you were smart at the start of the 19th century, you made your way to London. If you were smart at the start of the 20th century, you moved to New York. And if you are smart at the start of the 21st century, you will find your way to Asia."
It’s a shame because a lot of students feel that it isn’t as diverse a travel experience as studying abroad in a European country where they could visit a lot of other countries. But there are so many places to see in China.
Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?
Mary: Foreign culture is so Westernized and Americanized you really have to sit back, be quiet, and observe to see the real cultural differences abroad.
In order to pick up some of those nuances in the culture, you need to be more observant; to take a back seat and to really challenge and push yourself to learn a foreign language instead of expecting others to speak your language so your needs are met.
Learning another language really humbles you. It really makes you understand the situation that international students in the U.S. face and makes you more patient, compassionate, and understanding.
What language have you always wanted to learn and why?
Mary: I have been studying Chinese off and on for 30 years, mostly on. That being said, I would love to be able to speak Chinese. You can spend a lifetime exploring and learning it. Chinese is a very complex, multi-layered, and deeply fascinating language.