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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China