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