My time abroad in China was certainly a point of my life that I will  look back on throughout the future.  Being abroad enabled me to improve my knowledge of Chinese language and culture at a tremendous rate.  Looking back, my time abroad was certainly helpful for my academic pursuits, and undoubtedly will be beneficial to my career goals.  The most significant thing that I discovered while abroad was that interactions between individuals are the most effective approach for lowering negative perceptions between nations.  Making friends in China frequently helped ease the tensions felt by others about a foreign country.  Once you understand that the citizens of a “competing” country are people too, you are more likely to be tolerant and understanding of the actions of that foreign country and its inhabitants.  It is my belief that increased levels of global travel will lead to a more unified world, and will serve to reduce international conflict.