Correspondent
WEST LAFAYETTE — When Doug Booth returned to Purdue University this week to begin his junior year, he had a new appreciation for his country.
Booth, a Plymouth High School graduate, spent two weeks this summer in Hong Kong and China. He was one of 20 applicants accepted for the trip that is sponsored by the Purdue Entrepreneur Program. All in all, there were some 50-60 applicants vying for the honor.
He is majoring in Business Management with a concentration on management information systems.
He learned first hand how other countries view the United States. Booth said a professor at the university in China where he studied explained his belief that the Chinese philosophy in business is different from the American way of looking at things. Booth said the said the instructor said Americans are more individualistic and do things for themselves or their families while the Chinese concentrate on doing things for the betterment of the group and work 14 hours six days per week.
Booth said he toured 12 to 15 different companies and had the opportunity to attend conferences with the businesses.
“I would go back as a businessman, but not as a tourist,” he said.
To fully experience the Chinese way of life, Booth said he ate the food native to the country, but admitted he did go for a burger at the Hard Rock Café.
He said walking along the shopping center area in the main streets reminded him of a Hollywood movie set, but other areas caused some anxiety.
“When you turned down an alley where street vendors worked, you got all kinds of looks,” he said, adding he had been warned to wear his backpack in front for safety reasons. “We live in luxurious dorms at Purdue. It was a shock to get ready in a bathroom that was 5-feet by 3-feet with the shower, toilet and sink.”
He was equally as astonished at the housing in Hong Kong.
He said, “They all live in apartments that are three to five feet from the highway.”
Booth’s family was pleased that there was internet communication which allowed Doug to email them on a regular basis.
Doug’s father, Bob Booth, said a trip out of the country opens kid’s eyes to different cultures. He said, “It was a tremendous experience for him, but I’m happy to have him home. China is on the exact opposite of the United States on the globe. That’s a long ways away. But I have all the confidence in the world in Purdue."
Booth was an honor student at PHS and was able to start Purdue with 21 credits. He said, “PHS prepared me for college quite well.”
He was also selected as freshman for the Purdue Marching Band and has advanced to being named a section leader for this school year. He was also chosen to receive one of two Tom Miller All American Band Scholarships.
“Being in the band and practicing with the marching band means that free time is very limited,” he said.
Bob Booth said he was not surprised that Doug has been so successful. Doug works in the family business, Plymouth Rock Golf Course, each summer. The proud dad said, “I see first had his work ethic and patterns. Purdue sees that in him too.”
Doug’s mother, Sandy Dodson, said, “You definitely have to be worried about your son leaving our country. But the opportunity outweighed the fears."
She too said it was reassuring to get emails from Doug. Dodson pointed out that Doug had traveled on a cruise outside of the United States and had traveled to several states with the BPA (Business Professionals of America) Club while he was in high school. She said, “He learned how to handle himself.”
Booth said upon returning to his home, landing in Chicago was extra special. He said, “The first thing I saw was the American flag under the clouds.”
Story reprinted by permission of The Pilot News
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