Foreign correspondents face the challenge of balancing their personal involvement in stories. If reporters insert too much of themselves, their work risks appearing like a travel diary. However, the current trend is to minimize the author's presence to achieve a sense of impartiality, a common practice in newspapers. While this approach aims to maintain focus on the subject, it can inadvertently create a sense of distance, making stories feel less relatable.

In his book "Strange Stones: Dispatches from East and West," author Peter Hessler expresses his desire to bridge cultural gaps by highlighting shared human experiences and differences. By emphasizing interaction over detachment, he seeks to connect readers with the subject matter in a more profound way, showcasing that understanding comes from recognizing both our commonalities and our separations.