University of Dayton junior Ryan Neff spent a summer in Nantong, China — a city locals consider "small" despite its population of 8 million.
While his primary role was teaching English to children, the experience helped him dive into a space far removed from his life in the U.S.
His interest in east Asia began during a high school trip to Taiwan, which inspired a personal mission to master the Chinese language and learn more about the culture.
Neff, a junior electrical engineering major and honors student from Pittsburgh, has minors in Chinese studies and Asian studies.
Neff is preparing for a two-week trip to China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology in May to work on a photonics and laser sensing project with his classmates.
While his engineering coursework is “pretty intense,” his Chinese culture and history classes offer a different kind of intellectual stimulation.
"Learning a language isn’t just about speaking. It’s about gaining a new perspective of seeing the world and connecting with others across cultures in a more meaningful and effective way," said Judy Yang, associate professor of Chinese studies in the UD Department of Global Languages and Cultures.
Neff believes these disciplines inform each other, as he witnessed during a trip in the course, Chinese Civilization and Culture, to the China-based Fuyao Glass America plant near Dayton, where he met an American worker speaking perfect Chinese.
The moment solidified his goal of using his minor to "establish ties" in the global business or defense sectors.
Courses in UD’s Chinese and Asian studies minors also include Communicating in Chinese, Chinese Conversation and Composition, Understanding East Asia Through Food and Doing Business in China.
“Learning other languages opens so many more opportunities to collaborate with peers from other countries and learn how to cater your product to different people," Yang said. "The transformative power of language learning also provides broader access to new forms of expression, literature and cultural history."
In Nantong, Neff found his ability to speak Chinese allowed him to bond with students.
"I’m grateful I knew the language, the interaction with students would be difficult without it,” Neff said. “Just knowing the language already gave me a leg up in the classroom."
Being an outsider provided unique social insights that he didn't expect.
Neff said people were generally nice and polite, but they often were unsure about approaching him because they assumed he couldn't speak their language. However, the moment he spoke Chinese, their demeanor shifted to one of gratitude and friendship.
Neff realized learning the language changed the experience completely, allowing him to be treated as a friend rather than just a tourist.
At UD, Neff finds his Chinese and Asian studies minors provide a refreshing balance, offering him a rewarding contrast to his rigorous STEM coursework.
“Although I don't know any of these engineering terms in Chinese, I do know how to converse,” he said. “Through that, I'll be able to meet people there that I can hopefully establish relationships with."
Although the engineering coursework will be in English, Neff plans to serve as a "student leader," using his language skills to establish relationships and bridge the gap between American and Chinese researchers.
"Through that, I'll be able to meet people there that I can hopefully establish relationships with," Neff said. "The reward is just so much greater... you have to have the courage to say, ‘I'm going to leave my comfort zone’ and immerse yourself in a new culture."