So here I am, back on the couch from which I wrote my first blog post. It’s been almost three full months since then, three weeks since I came back from China. One of the things I’ve noticed since coming back is having a bit of a rapport with other people who have been to China, specifically Beijing. Talking about some of the cultural differences or some of the misunderstandings that result from a language barrier can be fun.
One of the main things that’s changed since I came back from China is feeling more of an investment in news about China. When I hear about things happening around the world, I can’t help but feel a little detached. These places feel so far away, and we have a tendency of getting desensitized as to what goes on outside the US. The main benefit for the NU Study Abroad experience for me has been creating more of a connection for me with another part of the world. I read news about China now, and I feel more of a personal investment. That alone makes me glad I decided to go on this trip.
Another thing I’ve noticed since I got back has been the change in my attitude towards traditional medicine. My mom has always been a proponent of traditional medicine, and I’ve always been the skeptic. Studying Chinese traditional medicine has given me a lens through which I can view other forms of traditional medicine, specifically Ayur-Veda or traditional Hindu medicine. Talking first-hand with patients in TCM clinics and hearing about the effect that acupuncture can have for people afflicted with Parkinson’s lends credence to the traditional treatments for me. I’m definitely more willing to try these out as a result of this trip.
I’ve done a little bit of reading about acupuncture since I came back, so I thought I’d link a couple articles I found interesting.
Some research about acupuncture & Parkinson’s
An article about how acupuncture treats chronic pain