Going abroad can evolve one’s perspective in ways never imagined.  I have been in Changping district, Beijing, China for the last 29 days and much has changed of my perspective in life.  Sometimes, it takes leaving your hometown to gain a true appreciation of the life you get to live.  One thing that I have greatly noticed is the different reactions and treatment foreigners receive here in Beijing, including fellow classmates and myself.  As men and women of Caucasian and African-American descent, we are often looked upon and asked to even take pictures with.  Living in Dearborn, Michigan I have always been surrounded by people of different ethnicities.  However, the welcome feeling among one another is not felt as much as it is here in Beijing.  Something I keep reflecting on is how much of a privilege it is to live with people of different backgrounds and cultures, but why does the value and appreciation of these differences become lost?  The Chinese people of Beijing seem to embrace foreigners and their differences.  I am sure there are plenty of reasons why they hold us to these almost glorified standards.  Perhaps one reason could be the fact that we are uncommon to them.  Through all of these experiences though it really makes me realize how lucky I am to live in a city that includes people of different races and ethnicities.  I am privileged to talk, work, live and be with people that do not look like me and have the same practices as me.  This itself truly is a privilege that many I believe take for granted back home.  It also gives me motivation to become more welcoming and accepting back home with all kinds of people.  Again, perspective is always changing and I am extremely fortunate to have this perspective altered for the better from my experience here.