Wednesday, March 6, 2024

"Hello Foreigner!"

At the HNC, China becomes an extended classroom, seamlessly integrating academic insights with real-world experiences. In our latest blog, Ellie Randolph, MAIS '24, shares her academic journey as a foreigner in Nanjing and her travels across China.

Ellie Randolph
“Hello Foreigner! Are you Russian? 老外!你是俄罗斯人吗?” 

The question asked by the cashier, high school student, or the old man yelling through his cigarette from across the street. 

“不是,我是美国人。” No, I’m an American. This answer never upsets anyone, they just assumed otherwise. It is not hard to understand why. According to the New York Times, there are only 350 American students currently in China, and a significant portion of those are here at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. Even the advisability of business travel between the US and China is being questioned. Russians in China are a more common sight, especially in the south (Guangdong is Siberia’s Miami). 

When speaking with the international students at Nanjing University, whose dorms overlook the HNC campus, they confirm their classes have almost every nationality (German, Danish, English, Belgian, Indian, Ghanian, Russian, etc.) but no Americans. China has reopened at long last, but person-to-person exchanges between Chinese and American people are still in lockdown. 

The discussion has been had many times before, but the lack of Americans in China presents major difficulties for the future of our diplomatic relations and our shared personal experiences and impressions of each other. Ambassador Burns has repeatedly emphasized the importance of person-to-person exchanges between the US and China; building relationships that are proof that the connection between our two countries is more than geopolitics. Proof that we can still share common ground and personal goodwill, even when our governments disagree. 

There many reasons for the lack of Americans in China which have already been examined elsewhere (the expensive, exhausting flights with 3 layovers!). You can read the state department’s warning about the risks of traveling to China and the concerns of business executives over their personal safety in China. I have no interest in contradicting these warnings, the people writing them are professionals with valid insight. 

Instead, I will tell you a story of my recent travel to Hangzhou. 

Over fall break I spent two days on a solo trip to Hangzhou. I arrived at a B&B near Linyin Temple on Friday evening, late enough that the local restaurants were just closing for the night. I went for a short walk and stopped at a family-run kiosk for ramen and water. The Laoban lived behind the store with her family.

As I was paying, the Laoban’s daughter came home from after-school activities. As soon as she saw me, she ran up to the store and said excitedly, in perfect English, “Hello! How are you?” A high school student preparing for the dreaded Gaokao, she was eager to practice her English with the foreigner. “Joy” (a pseudonym, but her name means happiness, and she said she is almost always happy) asked where I was from (was I Russian?) and why I was in China. 

I asked her about her studies (in Chinese, so her mom could understand too) and they both eagerly explained China’s grueling high school system. Her mother shared how China and the US have very different education systems. In China, middle school through high school are the most difficult years, while education in the US is less toil until university. We agreed the Chinese system is overly burdensome on children, but with such a large population competition is always intense. 

This exchange is typical of my interactions with Chinese people. They are friendly, welcoming, and will generously offer help if you have any difficulty. Many Chinese people, young and old, are excited to see foreigners and are eager to get to know you (or sneak a picture to share with their friends later). 

As a woman, I feel completely safe walking around Nanjing by myself, even at night, something I haven’t felt in the US for years. I have never been catcalled in China (although I have been harassed by scooters that rule all pedestrian walkways). A friend recently explained that when she refers to a street as “seedy” she means dirty or decrepit, not dangerous. Dirty but safe. (*This applies to Mainland China, if you are in Hong Kong, ignore the men in the subway offering a cheap hotel room.) 

China, viewed on the ground, from the everyday, walking streets at night level, is safe, beautiful, and friendly. People here know the difference between geopolitics and the American sitting next to them on the subway; Americans are welcome with the Chinese people. Maybe if the newspapers shared these stories too, more American students would come study in China. 

Written by Ellie Randolph, MAIS '24. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

NEVs and the CNY

Hopkins-Nanjing Center students began class this week following the Lunar New Year holiday. Chris Hankin, MAIS '24, seized the time off to travel China. In our latest blog post, Chris provides insights into the landscape of New Energy Vehicles in China, one of his academic interests at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.

In a cabin in northeast China

        As the Spring Festival winds down and classes at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center return to normal, State-run media is awash in statistics about the holiday travel. Data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed that between February 10th and 18th, travelers made 474 million domestic trips. That represents a 34.4% increase compared to the same period during 2023. More importantly, that represents a 19% increase compared with 2019.
        If you read that and think, “who cares?” you are not alone. Chinese government offices measure and report even the most mundane data. Recently a classmate and I laughed when we saw that the Nanjing Subway System WeChat account had proudly posted the number of lanterns hung during the holiday period. It was 478.
Students at the Church of St. Sophia in Harbin
        Strangely, in spite of China’s admirable mission to measure everything, in my perusal of holiday travel data I couldn’t find anything to indicate the number of people who traveled by New Energy Vehicle (NEV). Over the past decade, China has become an NEV behemoth, boasting the biggest market for NEV’s in addition to the most robust manufacturing pipelines. In the 4th quarter of 2023, BYD––a Shenzhen based NEV company which started as a cellphone battery manufacturer––overtook Tesla as the world’s leading seller of electric vehicles.
        Domestic tourism and NEV consumption are two pillars of a macroeconomic transition that China has embarked on called “dual circulation” which aims to increase domestic consumption, among other goals. A full explanation of the strategy is outside the scope of this blog post, but what is important is that the goals include shielding China’s domestic economy from volatility in international markets and moving China up the manufacturing value chain, among others. 
        Given this context, why has NEV travel data been omitted from State media reports? The answer may be that the story isn’t very flattering.
        Over the last few days as tourists have been returning home, Weibo has been flooded with stories of NEV headaches. The main thrust of the complaints is typical: charging takes a long time. In some cases, though, the problems are more than a mere delay.
At the start of the travel period, a blizzard hit Hubei province causing massive backups on highways. Some internet users reported being stuck in transit for four days, unable to reach an off ramp. Those conditions are a nightmare for anyone, but for NEV drivers, they are especially dangerous. Using the heater significantly drains the battery and can cut a vehicle's range, which can cause further backups and delays if a car's battery dies.
Nathaniel, left, and Chris
hiking the Great Wall
The picture in Hainan province was similarly bleak. Hainan is an island, and though drivers were able to board ferries with their cars to enter the island, there have been huge delays when trying to exit. The ferry operators have set a limit of 18 NEVs per boat, not to exceed 10% of total vehicles on the ferry, which has created huge bottlenecks as drivers try to return home as the holiday winds to a close.
The decision seems to have been motivated by a news story from July 26, 2023, when a Japanese-owned ship off the Dutch coast caught fire with 3,000 cars on board. The blaze burned for days and resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries. At the time, a Dutch coast guard spokesperson told reporters that the blaze had begun near an electric car. NEVs are susceptible to “thermal runaway” when chemical reactions cause batteries to overheat, which can lead to fires.
As far as I can tell, there is still no conclusive answer as to what started the fire. The official report from the Dutch coast guard says the origin is unknown, but in the aftermath of the fire, a Dutch broadcaster released an audio recording of a first responder saying that the fire started in an NEV’s battery. Regardless of the fire's origin, NEV battery fires are a risk. But it’s important to remember that internal combustion engine vehicles are also a fire risk, after all, gasoline is incredibly flammable. According to one 2023 article based on US data from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, gasoline-powered cars were involved in about 1,530 fires per every 100,000 sold. On the other hand, battery electric vehicles were involved in just 25 fires per 100,000 sold. 
For the time being, NEVs are a terrific option for urban residents under normal circumstances. But, when there are huge demand spikes in rural areas or on freeways, problems arise. These types of infrastructure and public perception problems will need to be faced in order to continue the domestic advancement of NEV expansion. 

Written by Chris Hankin, MAIS '24. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Student Perspectives: Adjusting to Life in China

Adjusting to life in China has ups and downs. Most everyone experiences some sort of culture shock and adjustment period when coming to a new country, and for HNC students it’s no different. In this post, students Alexandra Yarashevich (HNC Certificate ’24), Jacqualine Asuquo (MAIS ’24), and Peter Burds (MAIS ’25) talk about their experiences adjusting to life in China.

How was your experience adjusting to life in China?

Alexandra: It was very smooth, especially at the HNC, since they’re used to having international students come here and adjust to life. It went very smoothly, but of course, there were some difficulties, like the health checks and applying for the resident permit. However, the arrival guide that Deputy Co-Director John Urban continues to update was very comprehensive. Students generally go through the same process at the same time, so the transition time is as smooth as it can be.

Peter: The language has been one of the hardest parts for me, but otherwise it has been very good. It has been nice to have people around and be in a community, especially with how hospitable the Chinese students have been. The visa process was troublesome, however, altogether it has been a good experience. Before coming to the HNC I had been traveling out of the U.S. for a few months, so I already had some time to adjust to many difficulties of being abroad, which other students may not have had.

What are some culture shocks you experienced when coming to China?

Alexandra
Alexandra: I didn’t really experience many culture shocks, maybe because Nanjing is a bigger city and there’s a lot of international students in the area. People are more used to westerners here than in smaller cities in China. Additionally, I was also pretty familiar with Chinese culture already because I worked at a Chinese restaurant back in the U.S., and my bosses helped me prepare to come to China, so when I eventually arrived, there wasn’t much that I encountered that I wasn’t expecting.

Peter: I would say the culture shocks I had were very similar to the ones I had from being in Vietnam earlier this year. One of the biggest adjustments was the language, because I realized that no matter how good my Chinese was before coming here, I was still going to have issues communicating with people. Additionally, I’d say China’s traffic is very different from the U.S.—the best way to put it is organized chaos. Lastly, it was surprising how international China is, which I feel is a bit different from what I experienced in Vietnam. Many people get this idea that China is closed off from the west, but when you go out and into malls it was familiar to what I encountered in the U.S., which I was not necessarily prepared for when coming here.

Jacqualine: I experienced a lot of different culture shocks. One example is the toilet paper—in Taiwan, the toilet paper comes in the square sheets, so I thought it would be the same here in mainland China. So, when I came here, I just grabbed the square sheets—turns out that’s tissue, and they use the rolls just like we do in the U.S. I was out with some classmates, and they just asked me what I was doing buying the square sheets, and that’s when I realized my mistake.

Another culture shock that I experienced is that people don’t say “bless you” to others sneezing here. It’s actually embarrassing for others to recognize that you sneezed. I remember one time somebody sneezed, and I said, “bless you,” and then immediately realized and said, “wait, sorry!” They realized that it was an automatic response for me and said that it was okay, but I still felt embarrassed for mentioning their sneeze.

Peter
How have you adjusted to Chinese culture?

Peter: I have mainly tried to immerse myself into the culture in enjoyable ways, so it isn’t as overwhelming. In class, we often talk about political topics like the Chinese government system, which is a little overwhelming and a rough way to adapt. So I decided to join some fun activities, like the calligraphy classes the HNC offers as well as the Toastmasters interest group. I’ve also tried to make friends in order to adapt and build more of an emotional connection with the culture, rather than being in shock all the time.

Jacqualine: It’s been a slow process. I feel like every day has been a new adventure adjusting to Chinese culture. I specifically go on walks sometimes and just go in a different direction to explore various parts of Nanjing so that China becomes more of a home to me. That way I feel like I’m a part of the culture. All in all, being outside of just the HNC community has really helped me with adjusting to living here.

How has your experience been when it comes to interacting with Chinese and other international students?

Alexandra: Everyone here is very familiar, and since the program is small and we all have roughly the same interests, there’s been a lot of opportunities for communication and interaction among Chinese and international students. It feels like a very open and positive community here. I haven’t had any issues making friends here, likely because everyone has similar interests and we’re all in a new environment where making friends is priority for everyone, so all in all I’ve had a great experience.

What is some advice you would give to prospective students who plan to attend the HNC in the future?

Jacqualine
Alexandra: Familiarize yourself with the Chinese culture and language as much as you can before you come here. The more you know, the more fulfilling your experience will be at the HNC and in China. Of course, there will be lots of opportunities to learn about the Chinese culture and language when you get here. Even in the U.S. there are a lot of opportunities to interact with Chinese culture, so talk to Chinese people and get their opinions about studying in China before coming here as well.

Peter: I would say to spend a lot of time studying Chinese. I spent two months studying Chinese very intensively over the summer, and I nearly doubled my vocabulary over that time. If I had not done that, I feel like I would be having a much more difficult time now. Therefore, I would say to increase your Chinese level as much as you can before coming here—you can’t overdo it. While it is fairly easy to familiarize yourself with your new major once coming here, understanding all of the Chinese is likely to be the most difficult part.

Jacqualine: As a foreigner, the key to being in China is taking things slowly but surely. Everything’s an adjustment. You will learn how to buy things, how to use the subway, etc.—small things that you’re used to doing in your home country. Also, make sure to bring things you think you might not be able to get here or that you have preferences about, like deodorant or soap. Clothes also may not fit here if you’re plus-sized, so make sure to bring a coat and other clothing essentials.

While these things may seem overwhelming at first, just keep trying. Try to talk to people in Chinese as much as possible even if they can’t fully understand you. Try to explore the community as much as possible. Try to go outside as often as possible. In the end, just try to enjoy yourself and you will be able adjust.

Compiled by Savannah Glaves, MAIS '25. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

The 2024 Winter Shanghai Career Trek

As the fall 2023 semester ended, 20 HNC students made their way to Shanghai for a career trek. They met with various employers to discuss careers and possible internship and career opportunities. Students were also able to meet with alumni and employers at an alumni mixer. In this post, first-year MAIS student Savannah Glaves dives into the Shanghai career trek experience.

The 2024 Winter Shanghai Career Trek was one for the books. It brought many insights to not just me, but all the other students involved. For myself, this was my first experience outside of the HNC to connect with alumni and employers I could potentially work for in the future, and I was able to learn about many different career prospects for myself in the private sector.

Specifically, this year’s career trek lasted for three days with a focus on consulting firms. We were able to meet with various employers, including Intralink, Lantau Group, APCO Worldwide, Control Risks, and the American Chamber of Commerce. They all provided us with different ideas on how to apply our degrees in future careers, even with our various program concentrations (energy, economics, etc). For example, the Lantau Group focuses on energy consulting, while APCO Worldwide focuses on consulting in government relations and strategic communications.

To start off the trek, we were required to write a pre-trek report detailing one of the five companies. My group was assigned APCO Worldwide, which was the company I was most interested in, along with Intralink. I had previously read that APCO Worldwide dealt with relations between companies and governments, and considering I want to work in some area related to the government, whether it be in the public or private sector, I was excited to be able to do more research on the company. Each team provided a short summary of the company, recent news related to them, questions, recruitment details, and recent job openings at the company. 

After submitting the reports, we had about a week before we finished classes and then made our way to Shanghai. On the first day of the career trek, we met with Intralink and Lantau Group. Intralink discussed how they worked in consulting companies in various industries and held a Q&A session with us. The Lantau Group, with a focus on energy consulting, provided a thorough introduction of the company and possible internship opportunities.

The format was similar the next day with us visiting APCO Worldwide and Control Risks. While we essentially listened to similar presentations about the companies’ different focuses in consulting, the companies did also provide unique ways of presenting themselves. At APCO Worldwide, we participated in two case studies, where we discussed in smaller groups how we would react and consult companies in certain situations.

In the evening, we all made our way to a sports bar for the alumni mixer. Here we met with alumni to chat about their careers and made connections for our future career discovery. Other students who may not have participated in the trek, but were in the area, also had the benefit of attending the mixer. It was a fun and relaxing evening.

On the last day, we stopped at the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), where we listened to professionals from Google and Sino Talent Solutions talk about what their companies were looking for in employees and how to apply. This was a bit different from what we had experienced the two days prior because AmCham had the two companies talk first and then had a panel-like discussion afterward where we asked the companies specific questions about themselves. Regardless, it was insightful, giving us perspectives from both large-scale and small-scale companies and what they’re looking for.

After the AmCham visit, I made my way to the airport to fly back to Kansas City, home for winter break. As of writing this post, we are still in the midst of writing post-trek reports, in which we summarize what we learned at the meetings with these companies.

Altogether, this career trek allowed me to experience interactions in the business world for the first time, as well as come to better understand what exactly consultancies do. While I may not work in this specific industry in the future, I have found opportunities for internships before going into different sectors, as well as come to understand what to look out for when choosing a company. I hope other students can gain similar experiences from participating in future career treks!

Written by Savannah Glaves, MAIS '25; edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25

Thursday, January 25, 2024

MAIS '17 Alum Peter M. Drucker: A Career on China from Inside and Out

Hopkins-Nanjing Center students come from across the globe, spend time diving into China, and then disperse back out into the world in all sorts of careers. Peter M. Drucker, MAIS '17, has worked in China, the Netherlands, and now is back in the US at an intelligence company. Let's learn more about his incredible journey at the HNC and beyond.

Name: Peter M. Drucker
Current Location: Washington, DC
HNC Program and Graduation Year: MAIS 2017
Current Organization and Position: Senior Analyst at Janes


HNC 2017 alum Peter M. Drucker currently works with an enthusiastic group with Janes Geoeconomic Influence and Threat Intelligence team. On this team, he helps public and private clients keep abreast of China and Russia’s international activity. Peter’s career thus far has mostly been focused on China’s domestic activity, so this is an exciting shift for him.

Originally from Albany, NY, Peter embarked on his journey into international studies at Norwich University in Vermont. His passion for global exposure ignited during a two-month study stint in China, inspired by his father's captivating tales from his own travels. Those initial months in China were pivotal, prompting a 14-month immersion in Beijing that exponentially enhanced his language skills and desire for more international experiences. With encouragement from his program director, he met a representative from the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and decided it was the next step for him.

“The HNC was the pinnacle of community — I found people who shared my ultimate interests,” Peter says. Despite not labeling himself as strictly academic, the program immersed him in studies and engaging lectures, refining his perspectives on China and allowing him to gain a more nuanced understanding. His enduring connections with fellow HNC alumni stand as a testament to the lasting impact of that shared experience.

The Hopkins-Nanjing Center honed his abilities to communicate effectively across cultures, instilling a newfound confidence to engage in rigorous cross-cultural conversations and academic pursuits in another language. “Confidence,” Peter asserts, “is built from preparation and experience and after the HNC, you’re good to go.” He found that teachers and students were knowledgeable and gifted in their varied backgrounds.

Beyond academia, Peter crafted enduring memories during his HNC tenure, such as participating in Nanjing's annual Dragon Boat Race with the HNC team and embarking on an unconventional journey—a more than 4000km solo bike ride from Nanjing to Qinghai Lake. In the summer of 2016, many of his classmates were flying home for the summer or interning nearby, but he found the summer to be a great opportunity to encounter China in a new way. On this month and a half trek, he bought a tent, slept in parks and small towns around China, and enjoyed a shower in the big city hostels when he got the chance.

While this feat was remarkable, he considers his 50-page thesis written in Chinese on the transparency of the Chinese government’s space policy and its relations with international cooperation his proudest academic accomplishment. At the beginning of the program, he was not ready to write or defend a thesis in Mandarin, but the HNC prepared him for it. Though overall, he says, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center is about the experience. “Everyone wants to read about China, but those who go there set themselves apart.”

Post-graduation, Peter ventured into roles that deepened his experience of China’s domestic activity. Peter worked at a small drone company in Shenzhen for two years followed by another two years as the Business and Government Affairs Manager at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China’s Guangzhou office. In 2022, Peter moved to the Netherlands to be the Senior Government Relations Advisor & China Analyst at Datenna, a research firm focusing on the Chinese economy. His current position at Janes in Washington, DC, is a culmination of his experience plus a new challenge in understanding the international landscape.

Reflecting on his journey, Peter says, “If I was to tell myself then what I know now, start reaching out to people and looking up prospective jobs. Reach out, make connections early, and have lots of conversations. This will make your interests more precise and will help pinpoint the best career paths for you.” He also encourages current students to be ready to become the go-to person on China and your subject matter at your organization. Going to the HNC helps you become someone who can “explain what China is and what China isn’t—explaining the nuance is key.” Peter also shared that integrating an emotional dimension into research and analysis reports is crucial because it unveils the 'why' behind the product a team creates. This serves as a catalyst for impactful advocacy and the effective realization of objectives inside any organization.

“Overall,” Peter says, “the HNC is the perfect foundation for anyone who wants to work on China.”

Written by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Alumna Natalie Craig's Blossoming International Business Career

HNC and SAIS alumni pursue a wide variety of careers in the public and private sectors. A recent HNC alumna has found her path in international business at a familiar company, the Walmart corporation.

Natalie Craig
HNC Certificate '20 + SAIS MA '21
Location: Northwest Arkansas
Current Position: Global Leverage Buyer at the Sam's Club Home Office

Tell us about your career and your current role.

After graduating from SAIS, I took a role at Walmart as a buyer for Walmart US in the oral care department. This allowed me to learn a lot about the business and also shaped a path towards my current position. I am currently at Sam's Club as a liaison between Sam's US, China, and Mexico. I get to work between these three markets as a buyer in the freezer, cooler, and deli area where I help to share cultural insights, source products for the markets, and leverage our scale to provide the best value to our members.

How did you become interested in China and what drew you to the HNC?

Two of my best friends growing up were adopted from China, so when the opportunity to study Chinese became available in middle school, one of my friends and I decided to try it together. I ultimately loved studying the language and was fascinated with the culture. I went to China for the first time when I was 16 and lived with a host family, which was a very growing and foreign experience for someone from Tulsa, Oklahoma who had never been out of the country before. This curiosity propelled me towards future study of the language and culture at the University of Kansas. When I heard about the HNC, I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity take international relations coursework for a year taught in Mandarin. All my language studies prior had purely been focused on learning the language, not applying it to studying a specific area or topic. The HNC was the perfect opportunity to be challenged intellectually and live in a community focused on China studies.

How often do you use Chinese in your current position or other skills you gained while studying at the HNC?

I mostly use my spoken Chinese when I travel to China (about three times per year in my current role) and occasionally on monthly calls with our China team. I read Chinese at least three times a week when looking over documentation and data for items that we are reviewing. 

What is a favorite memory of yours from your time at the HNC?

The Halloween party! As a member of the Banwei, I helped plan and throw the Halloween party. It was such a fun and memorable time. I especially loved getting to bring together both Chinese and International students to create an inclusive event that broke through cultural boundaries. 

Tell us about your proudest accomplishment as a student at the HNC.

There were a lot of accomplishments that I was proud of. So many things felt like a milestone to me while I was there –– my first academic paper in Chinese, my first presentation, being able to play werewolf in Mandarin and keep up with the Chinese students. I think one that I am most proud of is a paper I wrote in my 1949后的中国历史 class. It was a historical fiction assignment that was based on a reading. I felt like I truly immersed myself in the story while writing it and was able to create a character with emotional depth in my second language. As someone who has always loved history and creative writing, it was so rewarding to be able to do this in Chinese!

What is one piece of advice you have for current or future HNC students?

To press in during your time there. Eat lunch in the cafeteria and sit with different people each time. Enjoy the community because it truly is unique and you won't find anything else like it! 

Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Student Profiles: A Range of Pursuits

The HNC attracts a wide variety of students with different backgrounds united by a common interest in US-China studies. The three students below highlight their path to the HNC, advice to future students, and their plans going forward. Let’s meet Stephany, Feiyu, and Chris!

Stephany
Stephany Su 苏睿琦
HNC Certificate + MAIR '25
Concentration: Development, Climate, and Sustainability
Hometown: Berkeley, California      
Undergraduate Institution: UC Berkeley

Cheng Feiyu 程飞羽 (Fred)
MAIS '24
Concentration: International Economics
Hometown: Luoyang, Henan
Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern University 东北大学

Chris Hankin 林奎
MAIS '24
Concentration: Energy, Resources and Environment
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Undergraduate Institution: Whitman College

Why did you choose your program at the HNC?

Stephany: I heard about programs at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center early on in the beginning of high school and after learning Chinese for the majority of my life, I knew that I wanted to continue with my Chinese studies. HNC is one of the only opportunities where international students can take graduate level courses fully in Chinese, which is challenging, but rewarding. While studying Political Economy in undergrad, I became more interested in international development and Chinese political economy and I wanted to learn more analytical skills, so I thought that the HNC Certificate + MAIR curriculum was a perfect fit. Being at the HNC I also get to work with a diverse group of students to discuss similar topics of interest and gain new perspectives. 

Feiyu
Feiyu: 
My undergraduate thesis advisor, an alumna of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, recommended the MAIS program to me. I was particularly drawn to the extensive resources available at the HNC library, the program's distinguished reputation in the field of international studies, and the unique opportunities for cross-cultural learning and living. These factors collectively influenced my decision to pursue my studies at the HNC.

Chris: I was drawn to the HNC by a mix of professional and personal factors. In 2019 I spent a year in Taiwan through Fulbright, and the Fulbright Director at the time had a close relationship with the HNC and encouraged me to apply. I want to dedicate my career to understanding and improving the US-China relationship. The robust alumni network, in addition to a truly unique curriculum, convinced me that this would be the best place to start that journey. In addition, my great-grandfather was a missionary in Nanjing from 1915 until the end of the 1940s. Being here makes me feel connected to that legacy.

Chris' story and great-grandfather's history are featured here in a recent video by Xinhua.

Chris
Have there been any challenges you faced during your studies? How did you overcome them? 

Stephany: One challenge so far has been trying to balance schoolwork with finding time to explore the city. I often find myself wanting to spend more time on my Chinese readings so that I can become more fluent. Over time, I noticed that Chinese readings became a bit easier and I was able to recognize more characters. There is still plenty of time to get dinner with fellow classmates around campus and many breaks during the semester to go on trips or explore the city!

Feiyu: I encountered a pervasive challenge common to most HNC students—the burden of a heavy workload. In response, I proactively addressed this challenge by establishing a collaborative study group with my peers. In this collective effort, we engage in joint readings of academic literature, fostering an environment where insights and commentary are shared. This collaborative approach represents a departure from my previous study habits, as I typically formed study groups only in the context of group assignments. However, the adoption of this new strategy has significantly heightened our collective productivity.

Chris: Oftentimes our class discussions veer into delicate and important topics, and I feel frustrated that even though I am able to basically communicate my ideas, I still struggle to reach the level of precision and nuance that I am accustomed to when speaking in English. As HNC students we want to improve our language skills, but we also want to understand our teachers and classmates. In moments those goals can feel at odds. The first step to overcoming that problem is, of course, study. With every week that goes by I can more fully articulate my ideas. In addition, I have found that continuing conversations outside of the classroom is the best way to understand one another more thoroughly.

Stephany
How do you see your career trajectory after graduation?

Stephany: After completing my master’s, I intend to join a think tank to gain research experience. In the long run, I hope to pursue a career in the public sector to work internationally or domestically on urban development policy. Here, I can tackle issues in niche areas such as transportation and labor migration to create policies and reduce economic disparities. 

Feiyu: Probably a tech company, which is a place where creativeness, cross-cultural experience, and international passion are possible.

Chris: My assessment is that the best path to improved US-China relations is through collaboration on climate goals. In addition, I think that the private sector has played an enormous role in building a foundation for the relationship. For that reason I have accepted a full-time offer with a company whose mission is to mobilize the private sector to build out America’s renewable energy capacity. I hope to work with multinational corporations who are interested in greening their electricity load in China.

What advice do you have for prospective students considering coming to the HNC?

Stephany: I would recommend setting up personal goals before coming to the HNC so that you can get the most out of your time here. Whether it is getting a language partner, going to office hours, or engaging in different conversations, there is a lot to do. There are also many interest groups to join and opportunities to get involved in the student body. If you are worried about getting adjusted, students and staff are all very helpful and will guide you through the adjustment process. HNC hosts around 40 out of the 350 American students studying in China right now, so we are at a rare moment to take advantage of this time, explore the country, and gain new perspectives.

Feiyu
Feiyu: (1) Read more books. (2) Learn quantitative skills as early as possible. (3) Focus on a specific concentration area as early as possible while adopting a interdisciplinary perspective. I would like to cite the well-known "60% principle" to illustrate this notion. As you embark on your journey towards a goal, it is not imperative to achieve 100% perfection at each step. Attaining 60% proficiency is adequate for each individual stride. The key lies in advancing, embracing mistakes, rectifying them, and propelling forward with maximum swiftness. (4) Devote your attention very carefully. HNC embodies a dynamic environment teeming with intellectual vitality, creative inspiration, and exceptional talents. While individuals may find themselves captivated by various domains, it is imperative to recognize the constraints imposed by the finite resource of time. (5) Keep a work-life balance. HNC epitomizes a realm brimming with boundless potential. Rather than adhering to the maxim of "work hard, play hard," I remind myself to exercise judiciousness by embracing the principle of moderation: "don’t work too much, don’t play too much." Again, be cautious on the distribution of your attention. 

Chris: I think that prospective students should think carefully about the impact they want to have on the world before coming to the HNC. That isn’t advice specific to the HNC, but rather to graduate school more generally. I think the HNC gives the most to the students who know what they want to ask of it. There are some problems in the world that the HNC can prepare you to solve, and others that it can’t. Knowing which problem you want to try to solve is the first step.

Chris (left)
What do you do for fun outside of class?

Stephany: On my free time, I like to play badminton and walk around campus. Nanjing University has a lot of history which can still be seen in the buildings and architecture. 

Feiyu: I mainly play ping pong, lift weights, and run. I have made numerous friends in the gym, united by our shared dedication to build ourselves up through consistent effort. I also own an electric bicycle capable of reaching 50kph, so my city tours are pretty fun. I occasionally rent a car to explore nearby cities too. This penchant stems from my belief that one's world is shaped by the places they have traversed and experienced.

Chris: I bought an e-bike and spend many happy weekend afternoons riding around the city, discovering new neighborhoods. I also play soccer 3 times per week with a group of Chinese graduate students at Nanda and love to eat and travel with classmates. 

Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Trekking China: Fall Break Beyond Nanjing

Fall Break is a great opportunity to travel China and explore a wide range of cities, mountains, and rural towns. Following a strenuous midterm period filled with assignments, papers, and exams, students quickly dispersed across the country in groups or solo travel, even crossing paths at various points. Below are a few of the trips HNC students took over the week-long break.

Tibet 西藏

    The Tibet Autonomous Region is rich with culture, history, and an experience that few get the opportunity to see. This is due to the requirements for international travelers to visit, which include securing a standard entry permit for China and obtaining a Tibet visitor's permit through a Chinese travel agency. Visiting the region was on the bucket list of several students, including Brock Mullen, who organized a group of 7 students to visit the region. 

    After touching down in the capital city of Lhasa, the group had a 4-day adventure of Tibet, visiting several Buddhist monasteries and palaces and meeting locals, all which left a deep impression on the group. “What immediately struck us was the remarkable warmth of the Tibetan people. They were elated to welcome visitors back after years of pandemic lockdowns and we could tell that a sense of kindness is in the blood of their culture,” said Sam Trizza. Some of the important sites of Tibetan Buddhism the group visited included the Potala Palace, filled with endless rooms of sculptures of Buddha, art, tombs of several former Dalai Lamas, and the Dalai Lama’s meeting rooms and thrones. One of the trip’s highlights was the trek to Yamdrok Lake, which required going over Kampala Pass, which is at 5,000 meters (over 16,000 feet). 

    Several monasteries they visited were fascinating because they still teach monks in the centuries old traditions and scriptures. The students also took note of the importance of yak butter at these sites. Yak butter was not only seen but the scent was strong in candles, food, tea, and even sculptures. Additionally, the group took the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a 21-hour train journey from Lhasa to Xining. The train is an engineering feat due to the altitude of the Tibetan plateau and permafrost. In Xining, they further explored Buddhist areas, but in a mix with Muslim and Han Chinese cultures. This trip left the group with memories that are to last far beyond their time in China. 

Yunan 遇难

Students in Yunnan
    South China’s Yunan province is home to many beautiful sights and unique landscapes. It was these distinct features which caught the eye of student Kylie Aronson, who had the goal of finding the most beautiful places in China, visiting rural areas that allowed her to explore minority cultures and food, and great land for hiking. After learning about what the province had to offer, she planned a visit very early on in her first semester at the HNC. Recruiting her roommate, Su Panpan, and friend, Li Xin, the three students spent a week navigating three cities: Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Dali. In piecing the trip together, Kylie said, “The C-Trip app was nice and easy to use. They give good discounts. “Little Red Book” 小红书 is great as well not just for China, but for travel throughout Asia.”

    The trip was split into several parts. First, the group went to Lijiang, where they hiked the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and visited the Blue Moon Lagoon. Afterwards, using a rental car, they drove to Shangri-La, a northwestern city in the province. There, they saw the Tiger-leaping gorge, which has a unique ancient story behind it that describes a tiger creating the gorge while traveling from one mountain to another. After Shangri-La, they went back to Lijiang to return their rental, and then took a bus to Dali in southwest Yunan, which was warmer and had older locals that the group conversed with. There, they also took note of some of the local government efforts to stem migration to the region. Overall, the trio enjoyed the adventure traveling away from big cities, learning from minority ethnic groups, and seeing some unique aspects of Yunan including the Tibetan culture imbedded there.

Sichuan 四川

    China’s Sichuan Province and its surrounding region are famous for its food, landmarks, and its place as the home of pandas. In addition, it is nearby to many surrounding areas and cities that are easy to reach by train or bus. Over a dozen HNC students, including myself, made various trips to the region, whether to explore the Western portion of the province on road trips or to visit the capital city of Chengdu. 

    As a UNESCO city of gastronomy, Chengdu boasts one of the world’s spiciest cuisines, thanks in large part to its emphasis on spices and its signature numbing sensation. Most notable of all is it’s classic Chengdu Hot Pot, an essential meal for Sichuan province with centuries of history. Chengdu also has many famous attractions such as the Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, which gives visitors a chance to see several of the nation’s most beloved animal in nature and enjoy a walk throughout the base’s large land area.

Chongqing
    
Chongqing, another fall break favorite, was historically a part of Sichuan Province, but due to its large size became its own municipality in 1997. Although the city doesn’t have the traditional tourist destinations as other historic cities in China, it has gained its popularity even on Western social media as one of the biggest travel destinations in the country because of its unique geographical and urban features. The city feels as if it was built on a mountain and can be challenging to navigate. Some entrances to buildings feel like they’re at ground level but are on the top floor, and one of the most popular sites that tourists flock around is a metro rail that goes through and stations inside of an apartment complex. The city offers one of the most exciting city-walks in China and can even substitute for a hike of its own. 

Written by Eric Omorogieva, Cert+MAIR '25. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Government and Policy Networking at the HNC

One of the wonderful things about the Hopkins-Nanjing Center is that there are many opportunities to connect with professionals whose occupations revolve around China. As a career services student worker, Hailey McGleam 刘霖 (MAIS '23) has had the pleasure of organizing many of these visits. Since the end of the pandemic, those with career interests in China have returned to the mainland in fervor to catch up on lost time. Within the first two months of the academic year, we have had the opportunity to host several sessions of individuals involved in China policy and analysis in the U.S. 

U.S. Shanghai Consul General Visit to HNC

In early October, we had a visit from Scott Walker, the new U.S. Shanghai Consul General who has decades of experience in China. As this was a high-level official visit with some of his delegation members, former and current Banwei attended a personal discussion with Mr. Walker. This also highlights the importance of getting involved in student government roles at the HNC. The overall topic was the importance of in-person interactions when it comes to China studies, despite the tension between our countries and the growing capabilities of AI linguistic intelligence. In fact, Mr. Walker highlighted these difficulties are exactly why students from the HNC are so coveted post-graduation, as HNC is the most unique cultural center that exists between American and Chinese universities. In return, students emphasized the importance of pushing for the State Department to reestablish fellowship funding opportunities for China-based programs, including but not limited to the Boren and Fulbright. 

Global China Initiative at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center

On October 24, I had the pleasure of touring HNC alumna Tarela Moses and her colleague Zhu Lin around the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and the Nanjing University campus to learn about their experiences in China, and their hopes and concerns for the future of U.S.-China Relations. Tarela was in Nanjing during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and shared with me her unique experience of navigating the election in conversation with her Chinese classmates and how she carries it through her current occupation. I was impressed at her self-determination, whether that be with navigating the struggles of China studies by parents who hadn’t previously been interested in China, to leveraging the HNC education while searching for jobs during the uncertainty of the pandemic. This led to her work at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, where she focuses on how China's overseas lending and development finance is changing globally and regionally under the Belt and Road Initiative. It was an amazing opportunity to discuss with both Tarela and Zhu about their experiences over lunch, and their subsequent presentation reinforced their invigorating research.

U.S. State Legislative Leaders Foundation

On November 1st, we had the opportunity to talk with current and former American state legislators about U.S.-China relations during what was presently their first experience in China. This included Robert Hertzberg, former majority leader of the California State Senate; Jan Jones, the Speaker pro tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives; David Sokola, the President pro tempore of the Delaware Senate; and Laura Hall, a member of the Alabama House of Representatives. The Beijing branch representative for the non-profit State Legislative Leaders Foundation, Zhao Xiuye, was also in attendance. During this student meeting, we focused on what individual states are doing to support student interest in China, as well as learning about their general interests and impressions of China as an important economic partner of the United States. It was a unique opportunity to impress upon actual policy influencers the importance of providing scholarships for China studies, increasing cross-cultural dialogue to support American industries, and the importance of U.S.-China cooperation on important global issues such as climate change. 

Overall, these people-to-people interactions are vital for shaping the insights of students looking to work in government and policy, while at the same time exposing those who influence our experiences as Americans living in China to the hopes and struggles of those they represent. Opportunities like these impart the excitement our HNC students have for being the future leaders of U.S.-China relations, and the hope for more positive dialogue between our countries. Overall, even though grades are important, sometimes it can be the networking opportunities from being involved in HNC events that create long-lasting influences on the careers of our students.

Written by Hailey McGleam. Edited by Sam Trizza.

Monday, November 13, 2023

Coming to HNC? Here are One Student's Tips!

Two months into living at the HNC, student blogger and Certificate+MAIR ‘25 candidate Sam Trizza shares his thoughts on a few things he wants prospective students to know about as they consider/prepare coming to the HNC. 

Visa Process

The process of obtaining an international student visa for China can change a bit year to year and different Chinese consulates around the US can have different document requirements and visa processes. Since I was away from home for the summer before the Fall 2023 arrival at the HNC, this had me a little stressed out, so I want to provide you (a prospective student) an overview of how this process was for me and some considerations. When you’re admitted to the HNC, you can create a group chat with other admitted students to advise each other and ask questions on the visa process. And of course, the HNC staff are there to help via email. Plus, there is an HNC-provided guide on how to apply for the visa.

I decided to apply for the visa in-person through the Washington, DC embassy. Having been to China before when I lived far from a Chinese consulate, I had used visa services before (like Travisa) with no issues. I knew I would be in DC for a week or so before going to the HNC, so after some research I knew I could likely get my visa in this timeline. I applied for the visa online via the China Online Visa Application (COVA) and then was able to book a visa interview appointment online via the Appointment for Visa Application Submission (AVAS). Note, that you must be sure everything is correct on this (spelling, numbers, information, etc.) or else you’ll have to re-do the application and re-book an appointment. Also, there is the possibility of the need for an appointment will no longer be required next year, so always something to double check before you go!

I paid for the expedited visa process ($25) just in case, but it wasn’t needed. I went to the Chinese visa office on Monday with all my printed documents (2 copies of each just in case) including my visa interview appointment confirmation. A few folks in front of me filled things out wrong or didn’t have all their appropriate documentation and were told to start over (cue nerves). But I had all the required documentation, the interview was quick, and I picked up the Visa on Wednesday or Thursday. Easy peasy! China, here we come.

Orientation Week

Students submitting their residence
permit applications!
When you come to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for the start of a new year, you’ll arrive on a Saturday or Sunday and have a whole week of orientation before classes start the following Monday. Orientation week has sessions that cover campus safety, career services, the library, and an introduction from professors about their classes, to name a few. Each day is intentionally not full to the brim of these sessions because living in China as a foreigner takes more than just showing up; there’s a to-do list.

The trusty “Hopkins-Nanjing Center International Student Arrival Guide” will be your friend while you’re getting acclimated to life in China and living at the HNC. This guide is kept up to date and includes all you need to know about setting up a phone number and bank account, getting your foreigner health exam done, and completing the residence permit application. More importantly, you will go through these processes with other students during orientation week and be advised by HNC staff, so it’s far less stressful than doing it alone. All in all, you’ll likely be done with the last process (obtaining your residence permit) 30-45 days into living in Nanjing. Getting through these processes is a great way to practice Chinese and is bonding for you and your fellow classmates!

How’s Studying Going? Any Tips?

In short, it’s a process! For one, HNC is not a Chinese language school, but a program that uses Chinese to learn about international studies. So, your language will naturally improve over time through different classes. My Chinese language abilities are below-average at the HNC, so I have implemented a few study rules/tips to help:
An example of Sam's notes
  • Zhongwen: Chinese-English Dictionary is a Google Chrome extension that is crucial for reading articles in Chinese and interacting with your class notes. Turn it on in the browser, hover over a few characters, and the definition in Chinese pops up. Incredible! Find it here in the Chrome Web Store.
  • I take in-class and reading notes on Word Online and have them stored in my JHU-provided OneDrive account. I do this because the Zhongwen extension only works in the browser, I can create short summaries of readings, and I can build useful vocab lists.
  • After class, I’ll complete filling out the vocab list and then manually add them to a Pleco study deck that I can use for daily flash cards. 
  • Especially during time when I have more than two hours of studying, I will use the pomodoro study technique. Do some Googling on this for more info, but basically it’s to help you focus by doing 25 minutes of study and 5 minutes of break repeated a few times before a larger ~20 minute break. You can use pomofocus.io as your timer too. During my 20 minute break, I usually go to nearby Auntie Jenny’s for some zero-sugar milk tea.
  • Go to your professor's office hours! Don't have a reason? Make one up! The HNC professors have office hours to talk about class topics and answer assignment questions, but also want to get to know your background and share advice on your future career. They will be a special part of the HNC experience and building relationships with them is part of what makes the Center a great bilateral space.
  • The student-run writing center is incredibly helpful. I like to get my writing assignments done early so that I can go sit down with a Chinese student in the center to ask questions about grammar. They help me learn how to write in a more fluent, professional way. There is also a group chat where Chinese and international students can randomly ask each other for essay edits.

Friends blowing off
some steam in a boxing class!
Reading articles in Chinese is slow. Starting out, especially at my language level, you will not comprehend everything the author is saying, there will be lots of new words/characters, and doing deliberate translation will be necessary. Over time, more characters become recognizable, and you’ll need to translate less. Language learning is also very much a long process, especially learning Chinese. I’ve had to give myself some slack and establish a daily rhythm of reading/flash cards/speaking. Already two months in, I have noticed my language skills improve and my confidence to go into conversations and make mistakes.

Lastly, there are plenty of on- or off-campus activities to do to get away from all the assignments and studying. The HNC has many interest and sports groups, guest lectures, and a gym. Plus, NJU has a running track, soccer field, and lap pool that I frequent often. Going out to eat with friends, traveling, or doing something in Nanjing keeps the study-life balance in check!

Written by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR ‘25