Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony was pretty quick but very nice.  We arrived about 10
a.m and Qiao Fei was there, happy as always ready to start the ceremony.
The first part, as she explained, was the handing out of the diplomas.  It
was pretty nice that each of us got personalized diplomas with our names

in them as well as a "grade" for the month based on attendance, participation, examination, individual efforts, etc.  I am proud to say I got an “A” because the material was truly insightful.  We all cheered each
other on as our names were called and then waited for the second part of the program, where one of the students from Pepperdine University, David,
created a DVD with all of our activities, academic lectures, discussions, free time, and expo experiences.  It truly was amazing to see what we did
within a month and the great treatment we got from Fudan University. After part 2, we had fruit and Chinese desserts . Delicious!
       What I remember most from the closing ceremony was a point in time when
research was brought up.  Of all the students, probably about four of us
were doing research and trying to conduct interviews while we were at
Fudan University.   That news did spread and we were all personally
encouraged to continue with our research and that the staff of Fudan
University would be their to help us even when we left.  In the closing
remarks, what I remember was what was said about research.  What they
really wanted was for us to go back and put everything we learned in our
research and even if they were no primary sources, use the information

that we were taught and the way it was taught and the interactions that
came with these discussions, to help create a method of what the Chinese
perspective on certain issues are .  One professor said, “ What I
remember most about studying and conducting research in America was the
emphasis to leave your values and judgments far from you research.  To
conduct research you must not criticize the minds of those at fault or in
question, but you must get into their minds.  But always be passionate
about your findings and your outcome will be grand.”  Everyone was
laughing as I scribbled this down so fast but it is truth.   Through much
of my research, the topic deals with many scholars criticizing the
Chinese government’s reaction and actions towards controlling the health
crisis and that will not change anything.  I feel as if I have a complete
new way of learning, a new insight on life!

--
Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

China’s Future

After having a lecture or the problems dealing with the urbanization and
modernization of Shanghai, we visited the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum.
It was four floors and what I found most interesting was the idea of
Shanghai Going Green.  What I have noticed is that the city of Shanghai is
remotely clean ( compared to NYC) but at the museum we had a debate about
how could Shanghai or other big cities in China truly go green if their
was such a high amount of air pollution from factories and overall
congestion.  Also, we got to know SO MUCH more about the one -child rule
in China and I must admit, I had believed so many stereotypes I heard in
the U.S.  Turns out that the there are so many provisions to it and
exceptions.  For instance, depending on if you are in the majority or
minority ethnic groups, you may be able to have more than one child.
Actually, we were asked to not say “allowed to” because it is not as if
the government will take the child and give it away but it is a matter of
the taxes being so high that one can not even take care of his or her
family.  What was most interesting was the emphasis on a spoiled child or
a child being driven to work because that is the hope to carry on the
legacy of the family.  It was too opposing viewpoints and both very
interesting.  I feel as if I am learning so much, going so many places!  I
do not even know what do write about!

--
Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Exploration of Nanjing

We had a free day to travel so myself and four other students in the
program decided to go to Nanjing.  This is a city that is not too far from
Shanghai, only a two hour train ride, and holds much historical
significance. Particularly, it is the one city I wanted to visit in China
as a result of an experience I had in one of my classes.  Last semester, I
took an 8WK2 class with Professor Hargett called East Asian Cinema.  I was
doing it to fill one of the electives on my Chinese Studies minor but in
turned out to be really insightful on Asian culture, specifically Chinese
culture and the relationship that exists between Asian culture and western
culture, including stereotypes, roles, etc.  One movie we watched was The
Rape of Nanking, which was based on the attack of the Japanese on the
Chinese soldiers and their attack on the city of Nanjing, following World
War II.  Women and girls were raped and slaughtered, babies were murdered,
men and women were murdered. The elderly, the youth, everyone was
murdered.  The documentary really had an impact on me; I never really had
heard of the event and to me, it was just as bad as the Holocaust, if not
worse.  The discussion in class was a heated debate , but my professor
spoke about the memorial and museum that was dedicated to the what
happened in Nanjing.

The day was extremely hot,  it definitely hit 100 degrees and the city of
Nanjing was pretty quiet.  I thought it was going to be just as busy and
have a metropolitan atmosphere like Shanghai, but it did not.  It took
forever to find the museum and memorial and took five buses back and forth
because we somehow missed the stop each time!  When we finally got to the
Memorial site, there was just this huge emotional feeling that set over
me.  I don’t quite know if I was sad or mad or scared or anxious; I just
know it was a feeling that I don’t feel often.  Kind of like at the
cemetery, walking amongst the dead.  Anyway, on the outside there are
beautiful sculptures and when I say beautiful , I mean beautifully carved,
but there was nothing beautiful about the images.  Each huge sculpture was
a sculpture of pain. I remember one was a baby being torn from his mother
and another was an elderly woman being slaughtered.  As I approached
inside, the feeling got more eerie. I am not really an emotional type who
cries when I hear heartbreaking stories, but it really did impact me.  I
got my camera out, and of course, as I walk inside there is no camera
usage.  Usually I try to sneak a picture or two in the “No Camera” zones
but I just felt I owed the respect to follow the rules to those who rest
in peace.  The museum was really amazing.  I have been to museums in
Paris, London, NYC, U.S., and Africa , and I could not tell you what I saw
in any of those but I feel as if I will remember this museum like it was
yesterday.  There were stories and accounts from the survivors, including
video footage as well as the stories of the victims.  So much happened
that day that I really will never forget. It truly was a great experience!
Much needed rest as well as a great shower.  Zaijian!

--
Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Bumpy Roads to My Discoveries.

Qiao Fei, the coordinator who took her time to keep searching for
professors that I could interview, came to class today to tell me she
found a Professor for me to interview.  She teaches History of Medicine in
the School of Medicine and did not specialize in public health but was
kind of familiar with the topic.  The problem with me only being in
Shanghai for a short time and the time that I was there, was that
Professors were extremely busy.  The Spring semester was just ending at
Fudan so professors were very busy grading papers that many simply did not
have the time to do it.

So meeting with the first professor was definitely an experience.  We met
in her private office and immediately she had many questions for me ( All
of which I expected) such as where I go to school, what I study, my
research, and much more.  I tried to ask the questions in an open way that
would not feel like I am attacking or blaming China.

Regardless of how I posed the questions,  her responses that followed made
me feel really uncomfortable.  First off, she asked me “Where did you even
here something like HIV in China? Who told you that?”  Immediately, I
sensed I was offending her but regardless the issue couldn’t be avoided.
I told her about my research and my sources and she said they weren’t good
sources unless they were from the Chinese government explaining the
situation.  Then, she said the government actually handled the situation
quite fast by distributing condoms .  I was really annoyed and frustrated
because it wasn’t an open discussion.  She was really irritated with me
unless I agreed with her and I was not going to agree with someone just
for courtesy, so I stayed quiet.

Perhaps what frustrated me most is that she has not heard of a case in
Shanghai or any big cities and she is sure that I am wrong about it
spreading from the rural to urban areas.  I feel like I was taught how to
deal with these situations but at the moment I was having a brain freeze (
really, I was!)

Instead of using this as a wasted interview, I realized it was my
opportunity to change my thought process.  I asked her why she thought
what she thought and how Americans , foreigners and NGOs help the “small”
problem that they may have ( do have).  That is when the interview really
got interesting and I understand a different angle to approach my
research.  This interview confirmed my original thought process that
blaming China is not the way to go.  Qiao Fei agreed that many professors
that do not specifically have knowledge on the topic will defend the
government and be apprehensive to answer questions  or feel that my
research is attacking China as a whole.  She apologized , which really was
not necessary because I loved being introduced to a different angle in
research, and promised that she would find another person to interview.

The next few days have been me just taking in what she said and relaxing
with new friends.  The lecture topics really have varied and now we are
being asked to record journal entries for Fudan University.  I do not mind
but I am writing two different blog/journal entries.  The University has
been GREAT to us and the professors are amazing, but I am writing to two
different places and two different cultures.  I just do not want anyone
getting offended by my work or misunderstand my intentions!  Until next
time, Zaijian!

--
Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Doors Have Opened

I would be a fool to not try to conduct research while here on China for
my thesis yet pretty much everyone said it  would be difficult about
approaching such a sensitive topic such as HIV in a developing country.
After a year of research, I have come to conclusion that this is such a
difficult topic needs more than just a political science journal
explanation; it needs real interviews as primary sources.  One student who
is here, Oliver, who attends Princeton University , said  “ you should
definitely take the opportunity to conduct research , IF, it is not a
sensitive subject or has to do with the government.”  Too bad my research
was all of the above.

After speaking with one of the coordinators of the program, she urged that
we make sure to take advantage of our opportunities here and even if the
research topic was sensitive, she would rather a Chinese perspective to be
included in my research along with American and other international
scholars.  Many of my resources from my prospective were from Chinese
articles,  but I was not going  to let this opportunity pass.  The program
with most of the faculty who really knew about the HIV situation was that
they did not speak English.  Despite this, my new friends were willing to
translate the research for me.

Later , I went bargaining at the different markets but ALL I could think
about was my research opportunities.  I used to think about students
saying they are doing research on their thesis such as one girl who was in
my 496z Great Ideas in Political Science, she went to Dubai , and is
conducting her research there.  To have such a global opportunity is
amazing, and I am glad for it.

--
Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

China Cannot Be Ignored!

The next day, we had another lecture with Professor Wu Xinbo on the New
Landscape in Sino-US Relations.  I really began to realize the
relationship that China and the United States have with one another.
First off, they are the 2nd largest trading partner with each other and
also the 2nd largest export market to each other.  Although China and the
U.S. have this relationship, there is so much complexity between their
security relations.  Since the late 1990s, the United States has really
been watching Cihna's military power ( IT KEEPS GROWING!) and China even
plays a large role in the US defense planning. What I found really
interesting was the fact that the Sino-US trade relationship has been
refererred to as the "ballast for huge ship in the sometimes stormy seas."
 What I took from that is that even though there are so many political
differences and military worries, the trade between the two countries is
too profitable to each side; their would be absolutey no benefit to stop
trade.  This relationship is said to be believed to maintain peace and
stability in the Asian-Pacific region and even in the World.  I always
wondered WHY China was so economically and politically beneficial for the
United States. Once again, my questions have been answered.  The first
reason was obvious, their is more resources for both sides.  The second
reason was more interesting; the Chinese economy is rapidly developing and
if the U.S. had the 2nd leading trade relationship with CHina then the US
businesses get to be a part of the expanding market and can expand
internationally, which will lead to trade with even MORE countries. The
third reason was most interesting to me because it gave an economic
solution for a political problem.  By allowing trade with China to
develop, the United States is trying to gain economic, diplomatic,
informational, and military interchanges.  By doing so, this will help the
United States to achieve national security.  Honestly, China cannot be
ignored like other developing countries. During a personal conversation
with the professor, I asked him, "Do you feel as if the United States
trading with China is the best investment for America? Are their other
developing countries that have more similar political views that are just
as beneficial?" As soon as I asked this, I felt as if it was a stupid
question and I could tell he knew I wanted to take it back.  He just
laughed ( not in a rude way, more to let me know it is okay to ask
questions) and said, " No other developing country accounts for 1/4th of
the entire world's population.  And if there is a country that does,is
that country armed with nuclear weapons and is a member of the United
Nations Security Council?"   The last thing I remember him saying was "
China cannot be ignored."  When I tell you that quote is sticking to me,
that quote is sticking to me!

What I found absolutely crazy is the rapid growth that China made within
thirty years. How does it go from being one of the most isolated economies
in the world to one of the major players in the global economy? In fact,
we learned by 2005, China became the third largest in foreign trade after
the United States and Germany and just last year, it became the second.
If China can rise so rapidly , how will the other developing countries
grow within thirty years?

Bottom line : CHINA CANNOT BE IGNORED!  Think about that until next time!
Zaijian!

--

Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

A New Thought Process.

The most recent lectures have been VERY helpful for me because they deal
with Chinese diplomacy and relations with other countries, especially the
major powers.  This is really important to both my academic experience at
SUNY Albany and my future career aspirations.  Back at SUNY, I am in the
honors college and Political Science honors program, therefore, I must
conduct a senior thesis.  I really had not the slightest clue what to
write about but because I did a teaching internship last summer in a more
rural area of China and had declared my minor Chinese, I decided to focus
on Chinese relations.  In Professor Asal's 496z Great Ideas in Political
Science, we learned the different types of research and had to conduct a
prospectus.  After MUCH research, the PATIENCE and guidance from Professor
Asal and Professor Weiss, I decided to take a challenge and focus my
thesis on the HIV Crisis in China, trying to prove that the structure of
the Chinese government has limited the role that nongovernmental
organizations can play in China, therefore, not allowing China to handle
the crisis effectively. I planned to use a case study between China's
handling of the crisis and Thailand in the same situation to show the
major differencs, especially since Thailand controlled the crisis  with
help from nongovermental organizations.  Thailand was a key comparative
choice because the HIV crisis in Thailand was so much worse then China so
if Thailand can get help, so can China.   By proving this or acknowledging
this, we can figure out the factors of why HIV continues to spread and why
the policies have been ineffective, and how to change it.  It is probably
the most challenging assignment of my college career besides the Chinese
language course, but it is what I get most excited about and what I put
the most work into.  After successfully finishing my prospectus, I  did an
independent study with Professor Asal on the role of nongovermental
organizations in China and I am working independently with Professor Weiss
in the fall to finish research for my thesis.

The point of that background is to show that these lectures, notes,
slides, professors, and sites in China are CRUCIAL to my research and
undersanding of what I am researching.  It gives me a better understanding
of the structure of China in a way that many top journals and books cannot
do.  In order to understand an environment, you must first put yourself in
that environment. I almost lost the book of lecture notes they gave us and
I was going crazy looking for it.  No one understood why I was acting like
that but to me these notes are KEY to my understanding and progression of
my thesis.  Also, I knew I wanted to go to law school with international
relations but with more exposure to a particular country such as China and
more actual research, I am pretty sure I want to work with China ( let's
keep our fingers crossed).

With that background, back to these seminars.  We had Professor Wu Xinbo
back to back.  On the first day, we discussed Chinese Diplomacy in the
21st Century.  While he spoke for two hours, I understood it perfectly and
can summarize it clearly.  China basically has four goals in their
diplomatic relations.  1. Economic Development ( which I believe they are
doing quite well at, dont you?) 2. Security and Stability 3. National
reunification and 4. International status.  Number  3 was most interesting
to me becase Professor Wu Xinbo put heavy emphasis on the need for
urbanization and modernization because there is a huge split and uneasy
transition from the rural areas to the more modernized areas such as
Pudong, Shanghai.  What has helped to modernize China is worldeEvents such
as the Olympics and the World Expo.

What gets complicated or more detailed is the four dimensions by which
these goals are reached, especially International Status.  The first
dimension is relations with the major powers and the key relations in
Chinese diplomacy are Sino- US relations, Sino-Russian relations, Sino-EU
relations, Sino-Japanese relations and Sino- Indian relations.  I was only
surprised to hear Sino-Indian relations but that is because I do not know
much about India at all.  The next dimension dealt with relations with the
neighboring countries which was really important for security and economic
cooperation ( exports and imports from different ports and travel
connections). Relations with developing countries was probably the most
emphasized dimension and I was really surprised by that until Professor Wu
XInbo explained his reasoning.  These countries are going to be most
imporant in the years to come especially with their natural resources and
market access.  A particular focus was on China- African economic and
political ties and throughout his whole lecture , he really supported
African relations. I now understand why so many Africans, specifically
Nigerians, are migrating to China. Lastily, he talked about relations with
multilateral insitutions such as Chinese participation in the United
Nations, World Bank, CRIT ( China-Russian-Indian Trilateral), etc.  He
believes these  institutions lead to addressing common challengings facing
the world and promote a "healthy" globalization.  My IMMEDIATE thought or
criticism was, "then why is China so hesistant to let in nongovermental
organizations and the United Nations to solve problems?"  Before I could
really ask the question, the first criticism or hint of fear/distrust in
U.S. actions was brought up and that took up ALL my attention.  Our
professor said that Xiao Bush ( "Little Bush" as in our last President)
was famous for unilateralism, which made China very concerned about the
United States because they thought it would damage international
cooperation and the U.S. would be to blame because it was a leading
support for this belief in unilateralim.  With thoughts like that, I began
to understand the thought process of the Chinese government or Chinese
people.  If another country has such a strong difference in relations to
institutions, why would you then let them in to help fix your own
country's problem of an HIV Crisis?  Both countries must be on the same
page, especially on political issues.

This lecture was CRUCIAL to my thought process of my thesis.  The next one
is specifically on New Landscape in Sino-US Relations  I could not be more
excited! Hope this did not sound like a lecture and you undersand the
importance of these seminars to me ! ( I hope you did because I felt like
I learned a whole course!)  Stayed tuned! Zaijian!

--

Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Another Excursion.

What I love about this program is all the exploring ( the free exploring at that).  The past weekend we oa tour of the Pudong area, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and Xin TianDi.

The Pudong area is known as the "new" open economic development zone in China as the area has many financial aspects such as the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Shanghai Stock exchange.  The area also has an amazing skyline, which contains the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.  It has fifteen different levels , and the highest is at 350 meters.  At that floor, you can sit on exteneded glass floors and literally see all the way down. It was pretty scary but exciting.  I took many pictures, my favorite being with a statute of Haibao, which is the Chinese Mascot for the 2010 World Expo.  As I was taking pictures, a group of Chinese women ran to take pictures with me but this time the lady was wearing a necklace and she was putting it up against my hair and my neck in the picture.  I still cannot figure it out but it was worth a good laugh.

We were all pretty much starving so we went to a really nice restaurant.
Turn-table style again, but this time I mastered it!  Lunch was really
nice.  While waiting for our bus driver to arrive at the restaurant, the
street sellers were rushing around us trying to sell expo keychains. We
all, of course, were interested in looking because it would be cheaper
than buying it at the Expo shops. Before I could really look, the police
officers were grabbing them away.  It is illegal to sell that stuff on the
street and while they do not get arrested or anything like that, they do
get rushed away.

The area of Xin TianDi is a really nice area which is a car-free zone.  It
is filled with outside restaurants and shopping areas. It definitely is
more expensive than many places and it is not necessarily filled with
tourists, but intead, foreigners.  Within this area, there is Starbucks,a
movie theater, and much more. It is also near the site of the First
Communist Party Conference. I loved this because it was another primary
source to the lecture from the previous week.  We were able to tour inside
the site, although pictures were forbidden.  My friend tried to sneak one
for my blog but the security guard was all over our plan.  Sorry guys!  We
stayed the day over in the area of XintianDi and I had my most expensive
meal yet for 45 yuan ( which is still only about seven dollars).

Overall, it was a great LONG day.  Zaijian!

--

Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

World Cup Unity.

The World Cup is pretty much a huge thing being covered in China.  One has
to remember that there are so many foreigners here from ALL OVER THE WORLD
so pride in one's country is shown here more than I have ever seen.  I
think I posted about this , but in every pub, bar, patio walk, street,
restaurant, etc, the game of the day is being covered.  The live games
play here usually at 10 PM and 2:30 AM, which is 10 AM and 2:30 PM United
States time,so many people go out to watch the game.  I remember we all
went to watch the U.S vs. United States game at O'Mailleys which is an
outside garden/restaurant/bar and it had huge plasma tvs in each room.
There must have been atleast three hundred people watching that game in
that one place and good thing it was a draw because each side was too
prideful. There is a channel, CCTV, that covers each game all day long as
well as websites covering it.  I feel as if the World Cup truly united
people here as it does all over the world and it is the one thing that
everyone can understand even if the commentators are speaking Chinese!  At
home I watch a few games, but I have seen just about ten games here
already. I am still rooting for the U.S.A!  Zaijian!

--

Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Passport Scare!

So we all decided to go out to a spot called the Shelter.  It is
well-known for its design, which looks like you are going down into a cave
but in actuality it was built as a protection or rescue site for where
people would go if there was a bomb or war-attack.  When you walk in it
really does look like a fort or a cave and it is a low key area which we
all really liked. At first, that is. Not even ten minutes after being
there, the Chinese police came down the stairs.  Now, at this point I
thought it was part of the show of the Shelter ( being that this is a spot
that is attracted by tourists and on the famous Shanghai guide
Smartshanghai.com website) and was just smiling at the entertainment until
they asked the DJ to shut of the music and started asking everyone for
their passports. Once again, about ten of us are out, and many other
foreigners and everyone was pretty much caught off guard. The police
officer spoke English and he was asking us where we were from, what we
were doing in China, and how never to go out without your passport.  Of
course, we know that you should have a copy of your passport at all times,
but for someone reason at night, we all just bring out our IDs.  That was
the end to that but it was a reminder : copies of passports at ALL TIMES.

--

Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

From an Academic Standpoint.

The past week and a half have been very interesting in terms of the
seminar topics we have taken part in.  Basically , there has been a
different professor for every lecture depending on their specialty.  For
instance, Professor Jin Guangyao taught about the Republican China and the
Rise of the Chinese Communist Party and really went into the different
governance style between Sun Yat-sen and Mao Zedong as well as what they
thought about the West at the time.  From Sun Yat-sen to Jiang Jieshi to
Mao Zedong we learned in such depth of the leaders of China.  I think what
most interested me on this topic was that Sun Yat-sen's political ideals
were influenced by the U.S. since he studied in Hawaii.  When I thought
about early Chinese leaders I did not think about them basing their
republic on America.  Jiang Jieshi , who did not speak English and did not
have that academic exposure was not influenced by the United States and in
fact, he wanted to create a totalitarian political system.  I wonder if
more exposure to Western culture increases the willingness to have a
democracy.
 The same professor gave us a seminar on Mao and the People's Republic and
while I never really understood the CCP, I finally do.  It is interesting
how different events are intertwined with this time such as the Agrarian
Revolution and the Korean War.  I was most interested in the actual
transition to Socialism.  I hope it does not sound like a lecture but
these topics have really been interesting.  Basically with the transition
to Socialism , there was a buying-out policy by which 3 billion RMB was
paid as fixed dividends to buy out capitalist enterprises.  First, the
Chinese government would take charge of providing raw materials to and
buying products from capitalist enterprises; then, they would invest in
them to convert them to joint state- private enterprises and then the
capitalists would ive up ownswerhip to the state by paying fixed
dividends provided by the state.  It is just interesting to see how
government truly got control.

The most interesting part of Professor Jin Guangyao's lecture was during
open discussion when a student asked why people followed the orders of Mao
Zedong so closely and that it seemed like almost a complete dictatorship.
That was the first time "the ice broke" because I think we were hesistant
to ask questions that we REALLY wanted to ask.  His answer, interestingly
enough, was at the time of the Cultural Revolution in China, which took
place from 1966-1976, he was in middle school. At this time Mao Zedong
actually had sent all students in middle school to rural areas to be farm
workers or do needed rural things. Later, depending on your political
behavior and loyalty to the party, you were accepted to schools, and if
you werent, it was harder for you to get into schools.  To me, that
basically meant keep opposing parties inferior by not educating them.
Those with bright minds are usually the biggest threats.  Professor
Guangyao said he did not mind moving away from his family and not going to
school because Mao Zedong was a hero for those who supported him (
especially the youth) so no matter what he said to do, they would have
done it.  Overall, I LOVED hearing his eyewitness encounters.  It isn't
like reading about China in a political science class at SUNY ALBANY or
any U.S. college for that matter,and watching videos about first hand
accounts.  Every single subject being taught is a first hand encounter or
experience by the Professor.  I absolutely love it!  Off to get street
food, all the learning is tiring !  Zaijian!

--

Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Busy Day!

Today was a heavy packed day.  We had two classes and then went on our
first excursion. Our tour guide's name is Daisy and she truly is her own
character.  She literally does and says everything backwards and admits
she is not the greatest tour guide but you can not get mad or annoyed
becaus eshe is just so sweet and funny.  Our tour consisted of three
stops, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, and a Huangpu River cruise.

The first stop was the Yu Garden which is surrounded by shops. It is
located in the area of "Old Shanghai" around the South Bund area.  We were
told the garden  is a 400 year old classical Chinese garden where Pan
Yunduan spent twenty years and just about all of his savings to build it
to please his parents in their old age. What a masterpiece it is! The
garden definitely has beautiful architechture and although it rained it
was beautiful.  This was one of my first encounters of many people asking
to take pictures with me at once.  I took MULTIPLE pictres.  Parents had
me taking pictures with their children and everytime someone else left a
picture, another person would be waiting to ask to take it.  Some were
asking in Chinese and I did not undersand, but I pretty much knew and just
nodded and smiled. I did not mind at all even with the touching of my arm
and fingers. I felt like a celebrity minus the million dollar bank account
and bodyguards pushing off the fans.

 Naning Road is probably the most famous road in China and contains nice
restaurants, expensive shops, and hidden street markets down different
streets, but has a really beautiful view when lit up at night.  Hpe you
enjoy the pictures of it.  As you walk down the nice road, you have your
CHinese street sellers whispers "Bags, dvds, shoes, I-phone" to all of
the foreigners.

The Huangpu River Cruise was the most amazing part of the nigh and the end
to a good day. We boarded  this ship that had about three our four floors
with a soft drink bar and snacks available as well as a beautiful view of
the city. Once again, the picture marathan started again except this time
people were just flashing in my face.  By the time I opened my eyes , I
saw another flash.

Overall, the Shanghai government is treating us with pure hospitality.  We
get Air conditioned buses, all of our trips are paid for, and any problems
we have are dealt with immediately.  How could we be anything but grateful
and excited to keep relations with China.  Well, I have absolutely no
energy to keep typing.  Off to bed!  Zaijian! 

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Out for the evening in Shanghai

Out for the evening in Shanghai with some friends from the expo!

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

a fun few days

The last few days have been pretty fun and routine.  We havve class from
8:30-11:3- am and the only reason why I can get up without an alarm clock
is because of my jetlag.  Every morning I eat the same thing for
breakfast, fried dumplings, a hardboiled egg, and red bean.  All of that
for LESS than an American dollar.  You can get so much for your money
here; good thing the walk to class is about twenty minutes, most students
use their bikes or  motor bikes but our group is on foot.  The first
lectures have been on Traditional Chinese Society and the Early
Modernization and decline of the Qing Dynasty.  The style of class has
been mostly lecture and I am hesistant to ask the questions that I really
want to know about the structure of the Chinese government.  I do not know
what is "okay" to ask.

Later, my new friends and I walked to Walmart ( yes , Walmart) and then
took the subway to the People's Square.  The subways are so clean and not
too crowded early in the day.  Also , it is less than an American dollar
to ride the subway as well and not even fifty cents to ride the bus! As
you can see from the picture with friends, Chinese people love to ask us
to take pictures.  It was one of of many that day.

We had our first group dinner later that night, where we ordered a lot of
dishes and got a private room in a local restaurant.  It was sort of like
one of those turn-style tables which gets super tricky.  Someone is
turning for the chicken and potatoes and before I can try to get the last
bun, someone else is spinning it around and beats me to it!  It is nice
but requires much attention. We attempted to have a night out on a town
but with forty students it gets too hard. As we approached back to the
gates of the dorms, the street vendors are out selling food.  You can get
just about anything from carts holding watermelon and peaches to other
carts making Chinese pancakes.  I got a chicken on a stick, some kind of
Chinese bun, and grilled squash all for three yuan which is less than
fifty cents.  Thank god we do so much walking or the prices would make us
all gain twenty pounds!  Time for bed, Zaijian!

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

More stories from Shanghai

My jetlag would not let me get an ounce of sleep all night; this

twelve hour time difference is killing me so I stayed up watching Chinese

Soap Operas.  In the morning, all of the students met up in the lobby,

and walked towards the part of campus where our classes/seminars and

opening ceremony were to be held.  The buildings are quite beautiful;

they resemeble mini-twin towers.  The class rooms are very professional

looking; they have a long board room table with leather seats surrounding

it and a projector in front of the room. I felt more like a diplomat than

student.

The opening ceremony is short but interesting.  Many different prominent

members of the Chinese faculty were present and they explained to us how

China continues to develop international relations and the importance for

greater American- Chinese relations.  Particularly, Fudan University

attracts so many international students.  If I am not mistaken, the first

President of the University actually graduated from Yale University so

Fudan had great ties with Yale and other schools in the states.  One thing

I forgot to mention is something abut the students that surround me in

this program: they come from top schools.  Right next to me sits Cornell,

across the room sits Princeton and Georgetown, and overall I have a

mixture left of UC Berkeley, Stanford, Clemsen, and much more.  It was

alittle intimidating but then something funny happened.  One student who

is studying nuclear weapons said, " Your school is like number one for

nanoscience right?"  It is funny how you don't notice how great programs

are at your school until someone who oesnt even live on the same coast

comments on it.  Then, one of the directors in Fudan's faculty actually

attended UAlbany graduate school for education and knew my Professor for

East Asian Cinema, Professor Hargett.  After introducing me to his

colleagues and making sure I knew to say hello to Professor Hargett for

him, he added in his speech that "Fudan has close ties with many

universities like Georgetown and SUNY Albany." Not going to lie, it felt pretty good!

Following the ceremony, we took a big group photo with the faculty.  The

breakdown of the group is as follows: ten White-Americans, twenty to

thirty Asian-Americans , and myself.  We got free Fudan University shirts,

maps, and information about the school as well as tours from the freshman.

To close off this blog I have to tell you about one funny observation.

When arriving back to the dorms, I went to the student store to pick up a

drink but what I found on the bottom shelf was multiple brands of whiskey

and vodka and then a section of the fridge was filled with brands of beer

and sparking wine.  That is like Outtakes having Smirnoff right next to

the Odwalla protein shakes and oatmeal raisin cookies.  Wow is all I could

say on that one.  Anyway, time to keep exploring and have an amazing

dinner with some of my new friends!  Zaijian!

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Some photos of my adventures in china...

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

The First Week

Hey all, I have so much to tell you guys about!  I have been here in
Shanghai, China for a week so I am going to tell you what I did each day
so you are up to speed.
First off, you may want to know why I am here.  This year is the Shanghai
2010 World Expo.  Basically, what happens is that about 242 countries are
displaying their country’s highlights with the best architecture and
displays (I will post many pictures of those later).  Many businesses are
displayed as well and the Expo helps attract tourism to given countries,
promote international government relation; and attract partnerships.  The
Chinese government keeps increasing efforts to increase US-Chinese
relations so the Chinese government created a summer scholarship program
where they paid for forty American studies to come participate in a the
exchange program at Fudan University , where we participate in
political/economic Chinese seminars every day , meet with Chinese
professors and staff at Fudan University, as well as government officials.
 I heard about the program from the International Studies department and
then I got my letter of recommendation and waited for my acceptance.
I have to be honest; I really didn’t do this by myself.   I am pretty much
the biggest procrastinator, although things always work out for me.  This
time, it was a close call!  I forgot about the letter of recommendation
and one day before it was due, I was talking to Mr. Vince Delio and he
offered to write my recommendation letter.  I have gotten to know him, and
have had many interactions with him, especially with Advocacy Day, and
would have probably asked him for a letter given more time, but I would
have never expected anyone to write my letter within less than twenty four
hours.  I was so relieved!  Then, Yang Pisani in the International Studies
office helped to make sure I was doing things in a timely matter.   When I
got my acceptance letter, I was so happy but I really owed it to them!  Of
course, things couldn’t go smooth for me, there had to be some kind of
conflict.  The date the program began was two days before my LSATs  so I
turned down the scholarship down ( initially).  But then   Dean Straussman
invited Purple & Gold Student Ambassadors to his Advisory Board lunch and
everyone really explained to me that I can always be more prepared for the
October test and to not let this opportunity go.  I had been hearing it a
lot from friends, but when you have lawyers and academic professors
telling you too, it kind of sticks more!  So there you go it!  That was
how I got into this whole journey!

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China

Arriving in Shanghai, China

Everything about my flight was pretty normal.  One of the big things that
you will hear about is my experience being an African – American  in China
because it is certainly a unique experience.    When I was at the airport
the area there was a line for the Rome flight and for the Shanghai flight.
 Basically, there were all Asians on the Shanghai flight for two
White-American  males.  One woman thought she was helping me and told me
this flight was going to China ( as if the sign right in front of us
didn’t say so) but I smiled and simply answered “Wo zhidao” which is I
know in  Chinese.  Her eyes opened so wide I thought they would fall out!
So I boarded my fifteen hour flight, watched two American movies and tried
to understand the two movies in Chinese. Unsuccessful.  I slept for a
majority of the time.  When we landed, I exchanged money, hopped in a cab
and arrived to the International Students dorm.  Check in was a little
hard, it was all in Chinese but my year of Chinese language that I thought
was absolutely horrible seemed to actually work.  Note to self: Thank Ye
Laoshi for putting up with us during class!  The rooms are spacious and I
have my own bathroom.  T.  Tomorrow: opening ceremony!  Zaijian!

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China