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
