Paxton Silas ’26 knew he wanted his first post-college job to challenge him. He wanted to become a better communicator, and work with people from different regions and diverse backgrounds.
So last spring, the Business of Creative Enterprises alum applied and was accepted to a paid internship with the Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) International Development Office in Zhuhai, China. BNBU is an international liberal arts university; it’s also a partnership between Beijing Normal on the Chinese mainland and HKBU, with which Emerson has an exchange program.
Silas recently spoke about his experience so far, what he hoped to learn from the internship, and how he feels Emerson prepared him to live and work in China.
What does the BNBU internship program entail? What will you be doing this year?
The BNBU internship is an opportunity to work with [BNBU’s] International Development Office and gain firsthand experience working with international and exchange students.
Throughout the year, I’ll be assisting with the day-to-day operations of the office, helping support international students, and contributing to events and activities designed to help students feel more connected to the BNBU community.
I’ll also have opportunities to participate in field trips and other activities with international and exchange students. I’m excited that the role allows me to work directly with students while also learning how an international university operates.
What prompted you to apply?
I wanted to challenge myself by stepping outside of the environment I was used to and experiencing what it would be like to live and work in another country. I’ve always been interested in international experiences, and I wanted an opportunity where I could do more than just travel. I wanted to actually become part of a community, work with people from different backgrounds, and gain professional experience in an international setting. BNBU felt like a great opportunity to do all of those things at once.
What do you hope to get from the experience – professionally, personally, or both?
Professionally, I want to become a better communicator and develop more experience working in an international environment. I also want to learn how to work with people from different cultural and professional backgrounds and become more comfortable taking on new responsibilities.
Personally, I want to become more independent and open-minded. Living in China for an extended period is very different from visiting somewhere for a few days, so I’m looking forward to learning how to adapt, navigate unfamiliar situations, and build relationships with people from all over the world.
What are you most excited about? What makes you most anxious?
I’m most excited about the people I’ll meet and the experiences I’ll have throughout the year. I’m especially looking forward to working with the international student community and getting to experience different parts of China and Asia while I’m here.
The biggest thing I was anxious about was simply adjusting to life in a completely different environment. Everything from navigating a new city to communicating across language and cultural differences has required some adjustment. At the same time, that’s also what makes the experience so rewarding, because I’m constantly learning something new.
What has been your favorite thing about China or BNBU so far?
My favorite thing so far has been the people and how much there is to explore. BNBU has students from so many different countries and backgrounds, which makes the campus feel very international. I’ve also really enjoyed experiencing everyday life in Zhuhai — trying different food, exploring the city, and figuring out how things work here. There’s definitely been an adjustment period, but I’ve enjoyed being able to experience China as someone who actually lives here, rather than just visiting.
How has Emerson prepared you to live and work in another part of the world?
Emerson has prepared me to be comfortable working with people who have different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. A major part of my experience at Emerson was learning how to communicate, collaborate, and adapt to different environments. Being at a college with such a diverse student body also taught me the importance of listening to other perspectives and being open to new ideas.
My time at Emerson also encouraged me to take advantage of opportunities outside of my comfort zone. From studying abroad to working on collaborative projects and meeting people from different parts of the world, I learned that you get the most out of an experience when you’re willing to put yourself out there. I think that mindset has been especially valuable now that I’m living and working in China.