Speaking July 9-11

Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time

I’d like to tell you about Mark, an American PhD student I met in my quantum optics lab last year. Mark hails from Boston, and during our very first group meeting, he introduced himself with such warmth that I immediately felt at ease. We bonded over troubleshooting a stubborn laser alignment issue—he showed me a clever trick involving a simple mirror adjustment that dramatically improved beam stability.

Spending time with Mark usually means brainstorming ideas over coffee in the student lounge or comparing our cultures during late-night experiments. He’s full of curiosity, always asking how traditional Chinese medicine inspires modern photonic research back home. To put it another way, our discussions go beyond physics—they’re genuine cultural exchanges.

Honestly, I feel invigorated whenever we chat. His blend of analytical rigor and open-mindedness pushes me to think more creatively, and his friendly humour lightens the long hours in the lab. At the end of the day, Mark’s friendship not only enhances my research but also broadens my perspective on how science unites people across borders.

I’d like to tell you about Mark, an American PhD student I met in my quantum optics lab last year. /aɪd laɪk tə tel juː əˈbaʊt mɑːk ən əˈmer.ɪ.kən ˌpiː.eɪtʃˈdiː ˈstjuː.dənt aɪ met ɪn maɪ ˈkwɒn.təm ˈɒp.tɪks læb lɑːst jɪə/

Mark hails from Boston, and during our very first group meeting, he introduced himself with such warmth that I immediately felt at ease. /mɑːk heɪlz frəm ˈbɒs.tən̩ ən ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ ˈaʊə ˈver.i fɜːst ɡruːp ˈmiː.tɪŋ hiː ˌɪn.trəˈdjuːst hɪmˈself wɪð sʌtʃ wɔːmθ ðət aɪ ɪˈmiː.di.ət.li felt ət ət iːz/

We bonded over troubleshooting a stubborn laser alignment issue—he showed me a clever trick involving a simple mirror adjustment that dramatically improved beam stability. /wi ˈbɒn.dɪd ˈəʊ.və ˈtrʌb.əl.ʃuːt.ɪŋ ə ˈstʌb.ən ˈleɪ.zər əˈlaɪn.mənt ˈɪʃ.uː hiː ʃəʊd miː ə ˈklev.ə trɪk ɪnˈvɒlv.ɪŋ ə ˈsɪm.pl̩ ˈmɪr.ər əˈdʒʌst.mənt ðət drəˈmæt.ɪ.kli ɪmˈpruːvd biːm stəˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Spending time with Mark usually means brainstorming ideas over coffee in the student lounge or comparing our cultures during late-night experiments. /ˈspen.dɪŋ taɪm wɪð mɑːk ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li miːnz ˈbreɪn.stɔː.mɪŋ aɪˈdɪəz ˈəʊ.və ˈkɒf.i ɪn ðə ˈstjuː.dənt laʊndʒ ɔː kəmˈpeə.rɪŋ ˈaʊə ˈkʌl.tʃəz ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ ˌleɪtˈnaɪt ɪkˈsper.ɪ.mənts/

He’s full of curiosity, always asking how traditional Chinese medicine inspires modern photonic research back home. /hiːz fʊl ɒv ˌkjʊə.riˈɒs.ə.ti ˈɔːl.weɪz ˈɑːsk.ɪŋ haʊ trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl ˌtʃaɪˈniːz ˈmed.ɪ.sən ɪnˈspaɪəz ˈmɒd.ən fəʊˈtɒn.ɪk rɪˈsɜːtʃ bæk həʊm/

To put it another way, our discussions go beyond physics—they’re genuine cultural exchanges. /tə pʊt ɪt əˈnʌð.ə weɪ ˈaʊə dɪˈskʌʃ.ənz ɡəʊ bɪˈjɒnd ˈfɪz.ɪks ðeə ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl ɪksˈtʃeɪn.dʒɪz/

Honestly, I feel invigorated whenever we chat. /ˈɒn.ɪst.li aɪ fiːl ɪnˈvɪɡ.ə.reɪt.ɪd wenˈev.ə wiː tʃæt/

His blend of analytical rigor and open-mindedness pushes me to think more creatively, and his friendly humour lightens the long hours in the lab. /hɪz blend ɒv ˌæn.əˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl ˈrɪɡ.ər ən ˌəʊ.pənˈmaɪn.dɪd.nəs ˈpʊʃ.ɪz miː tə θɪŋk mɔː kriˈeɪ.tɪv.li ən hɪz ˈfrend.li ˈhjuː.mə ˈlaɪt.nz ðə lɒŋ ˈaʊəz ɪn ðə læb/

At the end of the day, Mark’s friendship not only enhances my research but also broadens my perspective on how science unites people across borders. /ət ði end ɒv ðə deɪ mɑːks ˈfrend.ʃɪp nɒt ˈəʊn.li ɪnˈhɑːns.ɪz maɪ rɪˈsɜːtʃ bʌt ˈɔːl.səʊ ˈbrɔːd.nz maɪ pəˈspek.tɪv ɒn haʊ ˈsaɪ.əns juːˈnaɪts ˈpiː.pl̩ əˈkrɒs ˈbɔː.dəz/

part 3

Is it easy to meet people from different cultural backgrounds in your country？

To be honest, outside of first-tier cities it can be quite challenging. In smaller towns or rural provinces, communities are fairly homogenous and daily life revolves around local networks. International students or expats rarely settle there, so unless you travel to a major metropolis or join an online platform, meeting someone from a different culture is uncommon. In other words, geographic and economic factors heavily influence the likelihood of cross-cultural interactions in China’s less urbanised regions.

To be honest, outside of first-tier cities it can be quite challenging.
/tə biː ˈɒn.ɪst ˌaʊtˈsaɪd əv fɜːst tɪə ˈsɪt.ɪz ɪt kæn biː kwaɪt ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪŋ/

In smaller towns or rural provinces, communities are fairly homogenous and daily life revolves around local networks.
/ɪn ˈsmɔː.lə taʊnz ɔː ˈrʊə.rəl ˈprɒv.ɪns.ɪz kəˈmjuː.nə.tiz ə ˈfeə.li ˌ/həˈmɒdʒənəs/ ənd ˈdeɪ.li laɪf rɪˈvɒlvz əˈraʊnd ˈləʊ.kəl ˈnet.wɜːks/

International students or expats rarely settle there, so unless you travel to a major metropolis or join an online platform, meeting someone from a different culture is uncommon.
/ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl ˈstjuː.dənts ɔː ˈeks.pæts ˈreə.li ˈset.l̩ ðeə səʊ ənˈles juː ˈtræv.əl tə ə ˈmeɪ.dʒə məˈtrɒp.əl.ɪs ɔː dʒɔɪn ən ˌɒnˈlaɪn ˈplæt.fɔːm ˈmiː.tɪŋ ˈsʌm.wʌn frɒm ə ˈdɪf.ər.ənt ˈkʌl.tʃə ɪz ʌnˈkɒm.ən/

In other words, geographic and economic factors heavily influence the likelihood of cross-cultural interactions in China’s less urbanised regions.
/ɪn ˈʌð.ə wɜːdz ˌdʒiː.əˈɡræf.ɪk ənd ˌiː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk ˈfæk.təz ˈhevɪli ˈɪn.flu.əns ðə ˈlaɪk.li.hʊd əv ˌkrɒsˈkʌl.tʃər.əl ˌɪn.tərˈæk.ʃənz ɪn ˈtʃaɪ.nəz les ˈɜː.bən.aɪzd ˈriː.dʒənz/

What do people from different cultural backgrounds usually talk about with each other？

I think people from different cultures often start by comparing holiday customs and cuisines. You know, asking “How do you celebrate New Year back home?” or “What’s your favourite street food?” sparks genuine curiosity. In my experience, fellow grad students and I have shared mooncake recipes in exchange for chai-spiced snacks from their countries. What I’m trying to say is that talking about festivals and dishes not only fills the table with new flavours but also builds an instant sense of camaraderie across cultures.

I think people from different cultures often start by comparing holiday customs and cuisines.
/aɪ θɪŋk ˈpiː.pl̩ frɒm ˈdɪf.ər.ənt ˈkʌl.tʃəz ˈɒf.ən stɑːt baɪ kəmˈpeə.rɪŋ ˈhɒl.ɪ.deɪ ˈkʌs.təmz ənd kwɪˈziːnz/

You know, asking “How do you celebrate New Year back home?” or “What’s your favourite street food?” sparks genuine curiosity.
/juː nəʊ ˈɑːsk.ɪŋ haʊ də juː ˈsel.ə.breɪt njuː jɪə bæk həʊm ɔː wɒts jɔː ˈfeɪ.vər.ɪt striːt fuːd spɑːks ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn ˌkjʊə.riˈɒs.ə.ti/

In my experience, fellow grad students and I have shared mooncake recipes in exchange for traditional spiced snacks from their countries.
/ɪn maɪ ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns ˈfel.əʊ ɡræd ˈstjuː.dənts ənd aɪ həv ʃeəd ˈmuːn.keɪk ˈres.ɪ.piːz ɪn ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ fə spaɪst snæks frɒm ðeə ˈkʌn.triz/

What I’m trying to say is that talking about festivals and dishes not only fills the table with new flavours but also builds an instant sense of camaraderie across cultures.
/wɒt aɪm ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ tə seɪ ɪz ðət ˈtɔːk.ɪŋ əˈbaʊt ˈfes.tɪ.vəlz ənd ˈdɪʃ.ɪz nɒt ˈəʊn.li fɪlz ðə ˈteɪ.bl̩ wɪð njuː ˈfleɪ.vəz bʌt ˈɔːl.səʊ bɪldz ən ˈɪn.stənt sens əv ˌkæm.əˈrɑː.dər.i əˈkrɒs ˈkʌl.tʃəz/

Is it good to live in a multicultural society？

I think living in a multicultural society offers immense benefits, especially for someone in research. Interacting daily with peers from different backgrounds exposes you to a variety of problem-solving approaches and worldviews. You know, discussing a physics problem with an Indian classmate who learned quantum mechanics in Mumbai and then comparing notes with a German researcher trained in Berlin can spark entirely new ideas. At the end of the day, that cultural cross-pollination fuels creativity and keeps scientific inquiry vibrant.

I think living in a multicultural society offers immense benefits, especially for someone in research.
/aɪ θɪŋk ˈlɪv.ɪŋ ɪn ə ˌmʌl.tiˈkʌl.tʃər.əl səˈsaɪ.ə.ti ˈɒf.əz ɪˈmens ˈben.ɪ.fɪts ɪˈspeʃ.əl.i fɔː ˈsʌm.wʌn ɪn rɪˈsɜːtʃ/

Interacting daily with peers from different backgrounds exposes you to a variety of problem-solving approaches and worldviews.
/ˌɪn.tərˈæk.tɪŋ ˈdeɪ.li wɪð pɪəz frɒm ˈdɪf.ər.ənt ˈbæk.ɡraʊndz ɪkˈspəʊ.zɪz juː tə ə vəˈraɪ.ə.ti əv ˈprɒb.ləm ˌsɒl.vɪŋ əˈprəʊ.tʃɪz ənd ˈwɜːld.vjuːz/

You know, discussing a physics problem with an Indian classmate who learned quantum mechanics in Mumbai and then comparing notes with a German researcher trained in Berlin can spark entirely new ideas.
/juː nəʊ dɪˈskʌs.ɪŋ ə ˈfɪz.ɪks ˈprɒb.ləm wɪð ən ˈɪn.di.ən ˈklɑːs.meɪt huː lɜːnd ˈkwɒn.təm məˈkæn.ɪks ɪn mʊmˈbaɪ ənd ðen kəmˈpeə.rɪŋ nəʊts wɪð ə ˈdʒɜː.mən rɪˈsɜː.tʃə treɪnd ɪn bɜːˈlɪn kæn spɑːk ɪnˈtaɪə.li njuː aɪˈdɪəz/

At the end of the day, that cultural cross-pollination fuels creativity and keeps scientific inquiry vibrant.
/ət ði end əv ðə deɪ ðæt ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl ˌkrɒs pɒl.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən fjuːəlz ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ə.ti ənd kiːps ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk ɪnˈkwaɪə.ri ˈvaɪ.brənt/

What are the advantages of being friends with people from different cultural backgrounds？

Well, I think befriending people from diverse cultures kind of expands your mental horizons. You know, each friend brings their own traditions and problem-solving approaches—for instance, discussing a physics puzzle with someone from Japan who learned through hands-on experiments versus a peer from Germany trained in theoretical seminars can spark totally new ideas. In other words, that cross-cultural exchange fuels creativity and innovation, which is invaluable in research environments.

Well, I think befriending people from diverse cultures kind of expands your mental horizons.
/wel aɪ θɪŋk bɪˈfrend.ɪŋ ˈpiː.pl̩ frɒm daɪˈvɜːs ˈkʌl.tʃəz kaɪnd əv ɪkˈspændz jɔː ˈmen.təl həˈraɪ.zənz/

You know, each friend brings their own traditions and problem-solving approaches—for instance, discussing a physics puzzle with someone from Japan who learned through hands-on experiments versus a peer from Germany trained in theoretical seminars can spark totally new ideas.
/juː nəʊ iːtʃ frend brɪŋz ðeə əʊn trəˈdɪʃ.ənz ənd ˈprɒb.ləm ˌsɒl.vɪŋ əˈprəʊ.tʃɪz fɔː ˈɪn.stəns dɪˈskʌs.ɪŋ ə ˈfɪz.ɪks ˈpʌz.l̩ wɪð ˈsʌm.wʌn frɒm dʒəˈpæn huː lɜːnd θruː ˌhændz ˈɒn ɪkˈsper.ɪ.mənts ˈvɜː.səs ə pɪə frɒm ˈdʒɜː.mə.ni treɪnd ɪn ˌθiː.əˈret.ɪ.kəl ˈsem.ɪ.nɑːz kæn spɑːk ˈtəʊ.təl.i njuː aɪˈdɪəz/

In other words, that cross-cultural exchange fuels creativity and innovation, which is invaluable in research environments.
/ɪn ˈʌð.ə wɜːdz ðæt ˌkrɒs ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ fjuːəlz ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ə.ti ənd ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən wɪtʃ ɪz ɪnˈvæl.ju.ə.bl̩ ɪn rɪˈsɜːtʃ ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənts/

Why do people choose to travel or live abroad？

Right… people often seek opportunities that simply aren’t available at home, especially in academia or specialised industries. I suppose many graduate students—like myself in physics—look abroad because top-ranked universities offer access to cutting-edge labs, prestigious fellowships and international conferences. What I’m trying to say is, living overseas can accelerate one’s research career: you build a global network, learn new methodologies, and gain credibility that’s recognised worldwide. At the end of the day, the prospect of advancing your expertise and opening doors to high-impact roles makes relocation a compelling choice.

Right… people often seek opportunities that simply aren’t available at home, especially in academia or specialised industries.
/raɪt ˈpiː.pl̩ ˈɒf.ən siːk ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nɪ.tiz ðæt ˈsɪm.pli ɑːnt əˈveɪ.lə.bl̩ ət həʊm ɪˈspeʃ.əl.i ɪn ˌæk.əˈdiː.mi.ə ɔː ˈspeʃ.əl.aɪzd ˈɪn.də.striz/

I suppose many graduate students—like myself in physics—look abroad because top-ranked universities offer access to cutting-edge labs, prestigious fellowships and international conferences.
/aɪ səˈpəʊz ˈmen.i ˈɡræd.ju.ət ˈstjuː.dənts laɪk maɪˈself ɪn ˈfɪz.ɪks lʊk əˈbrɔːd bɪˈkɒz tɒp ræŋkt ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.sɪ.tiz ˈɒf.ə ˈæk.ses tə ˈkʌt.ɪŋ edʒ læbz presˈtɪdʒ.əs ˈfel.əʊ.ʃɪps ənd ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl ˈkɒn.fər.əns.ɪz/

What I’m trying to say is, living overseas can accelerate one’s research career: you build a global network, learn new methodologies, and gain credibility that’s recognised worldwide.
/wɒt aɪm ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ tə seɪ ɪz ˈlɪv.ɪŋ ˌəʊ.vəˈsiːz kæn əkˈsel.ə.reɪt wʌnz rɪˈsɜːtʃ kəˈrɪə juː bɪld ə ˈɡləʊ.bəl ˈnet.wɜːk lɜːn njuː ˌmeθ.əˈdɒl.ə.dʒiz ənd ɡeɪn ˌkred.əˈbɪl.ə.ti ðæts ˈrek.əɡ.naɪzd ˈwɜːld.waɪd/

At the end of the day, the prospect of advancing your expertise and opening doors to high-impact roles makes relocation a compelling choice.
/ət ðə end əv ðə deɪ ðə ˈprɒs.pekt əv ədˈvɑːns.ɪŋ jɔː ˌek.spɜːˈtiːz ənd ˈəʊ.pən.ɪŋ dɔːz tə haɪ ˈɪm.pækt rəʊlz meɪks ˌriː.ləʊˈkeɪ.ʃən ə kəmˈpel.ɪŋ tʃɔɪs/

What are the benefits of living in another country？

I think living in another country really accelerates personal development. You know, when you’re suddenly responsible for setting up a bank account, navigating public transport or ordering groceries in a foreign language, you become far more self-reliant and resourceful. To put it another way, overcoming those daily challenges boosts confidence and adaptability. At the end of the day, that sense of independence carries over into academic research and social situations back home, making you a more resilient problem-solver.

I think living in another country really accelerates personal development.
/aɪ θɪŋk ˈlɪv.ɪŋ ɪn əˈnʌð.ə ˈkʌn.tri ˈrɪə.li əkˈsel.ə.reɪts ˈpɜː.sən.əl dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/

You know, when you’re suddenly responsible for setting up a bank account, navigating public transport or ordering groceries in a foreign language, you become far more self-reliant and resourceful.
/juː nəʊ wen jɔː ˈsʌd.ən.li rɪˈspɒn.sə.bl̩ fɔː ˈset.ɪŋ ʌp ə bæŋk əˈkaʊnt ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪ.tɪŋ ˈpʌb.lɪk ˈtræns.pɔːt ɔː ˈɔː.dər.ɪŋ ˈɡrəʊ.sər.iz ɪn ə ˈfɒr.ən ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪdʒ juː bɪˈkʌm fɑː mɔː ˌself rɪˈlaɪ.ənt ənd rɪˈzɔːs.fəl/

To put it another way, overcoming those daily challenges boosts confidence and adaptability.
/tə pʊt ɪt əˈnʌð.ə weɪ ˌəʊ.vəˈkʌm.ɪŋ ðəʊz ˈdeɪ.li ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪz buːsts ˈkɒn.fɪ.dəns ənd əˌdæp.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/

At the end of the day, that sense of independence carries over into academic research and social situations back home, making you a more resilient problem-solver.
/ət ðə end əv ðə deɪ ðæt sens əv ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dəns ˈkær.iz ˈəʊ.və ˈɪn.tuː ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk rɪˈsɜːtʃ ənd ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˌsɪt.juˈeɪ.ʃənz bæk həʊm ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ juː ə mɔː rɪˈzɪl.i.ənt ˈprɒb.ləm ˌsɒl.və/

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