tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47463813373450485922024-03-17T10:30:04.330-04:00Hopkins-Nanjing Center BlogHopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comBlogger648125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-9112018976707307422024-03-06T10:05:00.002-05:002024-03-06T10:05:39.374-05:00"Hello Foreigner!"<p><i>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.</i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMs-1u974QL_Kp1RZswVmOobqxevMg4lek0hxMDJ6LCyyGS2_gBmuNff1A3bddoyP9DuqSSVF2J9-nEcxxuIR1RwuZ2lWvZ_M1AtNGqOyveweQcKUyLwMprgQgWcAHHeHahTt14kBAPJA57ehspZTXlEX4ZREp2KqIH4Nj3L34pwn8hmpMvxrrV6E8XQD/s1704/8bcecc82f47377d64543ab629429e06c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1704" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMs-1u974QL_Kp1RZswVmOobqxevMg4lek0hxMDJ6LCyyGS2_gBmuNff1A3bddoyP9DuqSSVF2J9-nEcxxuIR1RwuZ2lWvZ_M1AtNGqOyveweQcKUyLwMprgQgWcAHHeHahTt14kBAPJA57ehspZTXlEX4ZREp2KqIH4Nj3L34pwn8hmpMvxrrV6E8XQD/s320/8bcecc82f47377d64543ab629429e06c.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie Randolph</td></tr></tbody></table>“Hello Foreigner! Are you Russian? 老外!你是俄罗斯人吗?” <p></p><p>The question asked by the cashier, high school student, or the old man yelling through his cigarette from across the street. <br /></p><p>“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 <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/world/asia/us-china-student-exchange-geopolitics.html" target="_blank">350 American students</a> currently in China, and a significant portion of those are here at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. Even the advisability of <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/china-is-becoming-a-no-go-zone-for-executives-626250dd?mod=hp_lead_pos2" target="_blank">business travel</a> 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). </p><p>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. </p><p>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. <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3243214/china-us-cannot-afford-depopulating-relationship-american-ambassador-nicholas-burns-says" target="_blank">Ambassador Burns</a> 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. </p><p>There many reasons for the lack of Americans in China which have already been examined elsewhere (the expensive, exhausting <a href="https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3242200/china-still-awaiting-inbound-travel-surge-flight-resumption-should-help-oil-wheels" target="_blank">flights</a> with 3 layovers!). You can read the state department’s <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html" target="_blank">warning</a> 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. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf12cTPrWKYAX4d-HNkKVhgVpkwevtCqNb4ARMYTD35ePSnttsR_AXEVLEIAjJ8AceLw0mLEoThwqOlYdHcSjDXUMrJYjdc6Wumv1u7D8k8VNcn_pN0qMxWXNtDlECQXJH0XKYA9zQvacVDEZiog3TZU9Uh0st5a_XZWPPIZ36s5ADASdX0tVz-SdCdez/s2809/WechatIMG12.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="2614" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf12cTPrWKYAX4d-HNkKVhgVpkwevtCqNb4ARMYTD35ePSnttsR_AXEVLEIAjJ8AceLw0mLEoThwqOlYdHcSjDXUMrJYjdc6Wumv1u7D8k8VNcn_pN0qMxWXNtDlECQXJH0XKYA9zQvacVDEZiog3TZU9Uh0st5a_XZWPPIZ36s5ADASdX0tVz-SdCdez/s320/WechatIMG12.jpg" width="298" /></a></div></div>Instead, I will tell you a story of my recent travel to Hangzhou. <br /><p></p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VJGCrQT_VVAJZHRcU7grZhCa_ZeSiCtKpeQhcl_FbmyTLFf9o71qUhObVS8KQn_rgCM5LDnZfaRe3vuELNcbMJTscaEut1k-_ld4VnuYnt024YMa9IFRBxOLCuf0fCMTKqJNdayJMyt3cg_ami9S_2L_xx5IAkkh7xcbTkOz-7XQ1g6d5EllFw4j8XTw/s1800/4AC994A0-B9EA-48BD-A06A-75ABA2F400E5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VJGCrQT_VVAJZHRcU7grZhCa_ZeSiCtKpeQhcl_FbmyTLFf9o71qUhObVS8KQn_rgCM5LDnZfaRe3vuELNcbMJTscaEut1k-_ld4VnuYnt024YMa9IFRBxOLCuf0fCMTKqJNdayJMyt3cg_ami9S_2L_xx5IAkkh7xcbTkOz-7XQ1g6d5EllFw4j8XTw/s320/4AC994A0-B9EA-48BD-A06A-75ABA2F400E5.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>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). <p></p><p>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.) </p><p>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. </p><div>Written by <i>Ellie Randolph, MAIS '24. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.</i></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-80002275160188379732024-02-27T19:45:00.001-05:002024-02-27T19:58:34.266-05:00NEVs and the CNY<div><i>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.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYYLEYwqw_ZM-142pxdzCi06PeQlD5_F1wAPf5J16S6WdtkKxzA8st_qJ4A_rJ_t19dTUHz-iO1ANXQRvQYsw5Tgzf-CiQ1GTlEd3qM0wGDs2sDmYeuqfZwrOZtPBfhyphenhyphenzDvnk5r0LM4J8qswhJYj3EoR6I1TqWKWxIdsSycpngd9qfvKYfg0_tTEyL3i5/s1440/WechatIMG27.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYYLEYwqw_ZM-142pxdzCi06PeQlD5_F1wAPf5J16S6WdtkKxzA8st_qJ4A_rJ_t19dTUHz-iO1ANXQRvQYsw5Tgzf-CiQ1GTlEd3qM0wGDs2sDmYeuqfZwrOZtPBfhyphenhyphenzDvnk5r0LM4J8qswhJYj3EoR6I1TqWKWxIdsSycpngd9qfvKYfg0_tTEyL3i5/w400-h300/WechatIMG27.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a cabin in northeast China<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span> </span><span> </span>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 <a href="https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202402/content_6931787.htm" target="_blank">the Ministry of Culture and Tourism</a> 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.</div><div><span> <span> </span> </span>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 <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/i8Wx9T4q9I-UqMlwtEXxdg" target="_blank">the Nanjing Subway System WeChat account</a> had proudly posted the number of lanterns hung during the holiday period. It was 478.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHXR2WmVrz50fvbs0HL5memSHy_erTMT8_eDhi11fwAqasXP2WzLRFQ7m1rNkZ_Cvoa2SRi3G9UDvl6HBdsgOy8ZKPy1_dit58qLu4IEXDUiNSrONMeXmOEx2HRwPDpl78Od3_kWpFywqP1xqXLgqv81oU871X-UXGZikS-nWHzk6czYn6Vzn6Wc7j8YK/s4032/WechatIMG36.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHXR2WmVrz50fvbs0HL5memSHy_erTMT8_eDhi11fwAqasXP2WzLRFQ7m1rNkZ_Cvoa2SRi3G9UDvl6HBdsgOy8ZKPy1_dit58qLu4IEXDUiNSrONMeXmOEx2HRwPDpl78Od3_kWpFywqP1xqXLgqv81oU871X-UXGZikS-nWHzk6czYn6Vzn6Wc7j8YK/w300-h400/WechatIMG36.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students at the Church of St. Sophia in Harbin</td></tr></tbody></table><span> <span> </span> </span>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––<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/02/chinas-byd-overtakes-tesla-as-top-selling-electric-car-seller" target="_blank">overtook Tesla</a> as the world’s leading seller of electric vehicles.</div><div><span> <span> </span></span>Domestic tourism and NEV consumption are two pillars of a macroeconomic transition that China has embarked on called “<a href="https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3110184/what-chinas-dual-circulation-economic-strategy-and-why-it" target="_blank">dual circulation</a>” 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. </div><div><span> <span> </span> </span>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.</div><div><span> </span><span> </span>Over the last few days as tourists have been returning home, Weibo has been flooded with <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SEHPNU5G6WG1t3ZPMrlLoQ" target="_blank">stories of NEV headaches</a>. 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.</div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>At the start of the travel period, a blizzard hit Hubei province causing massive backups on highways. Some internet users reported being <a href="https://www.163.com/v/video/VFPBG4043.html" target="_blank">stuck in transit</a> 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.<br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9suNzwaFPKXl5I7sUU6hKIWvHVX2n1ssLaOhvdOUKhbdlBDO7YXv5bxvUJUhiiQWRFqloYvzZRK0B2Cu9KbLx_IYS9Zul3USBJVAFSd54FSGKUoY2vJ_lsMjvqY1Q5FKcHAoCqhpLi4Z4v7Jy7X3GjNZbDfqW4XnY9PRLD3sXEsCGDjFT_2IOQQTG6iV4/s4096/WechatIMG34.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9suNzwaFPKXl5I7sUU6hKIWvHVX2n1ssLaOhvdOUKhbdlBDO7YXv5bxvUJUhiiQWRFqloYvzZRK0B2Cu9KbLx_IYS9Zul3USBJVAFSd54FSGKUoY2vJ_lsMjvqY1Q5FKcHAoCqhpLi4Z4v7Jy7X3GjNZbDfqW4XnY9PRLD3sXEsCGDjFT_2IOQQTG6iV4/s320/WechatIMG34.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nathaniel, left, and Chris <br />hiking the Great Wall<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>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 <a href="https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1791293710446086670&wfr=spider&for=pc" target="_blank">set a limit of 18 NEVs per boat</a>, 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.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The decision seems to have been motivated by a news story from July 26, 2023, when a Japanese-owned ship off the Dutch coast <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/one-dead-cargo-ship-fire-electric-car-suspected-source-dutch-coastguard-2023-07-26/" target="_blank">caught fire with 3,000 cars on board</a>. 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.</span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>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 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ocean-shippers-playing-catch-up-electric-vehicle-fire-risk-2023-07-27/" target="_blank">the origin is unknown</a>, but in the aftermath of the fire, a Dutch broadcaster released an audio recording of a first responder saying that the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/car-carrier-still-burning-off-dutch-coast-hunt-cause-begins-2023-07-27/" target="_blank">fire started in an NEV’s battery</a>. 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. <a href="https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires/" target="_blank">According to one 2023 article</a> 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. </span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>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. </span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space: normal;"><i>Written by Chris Hankin, MAIS '24. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.</i></span></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-73951266702483035162024-02-21T10:37:00.000-05:002024-02-21T10:37:02.251-05:00Student Perspectives: Adjusting to Life in China<p><i>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.</i></p><p><b>How was your experience adjusting to life in China?</b></p><p><b>Alexandra: </b>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.</p><p><b>Peter:</b> 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.</p><p><b>What are some culture shocks you experienced when coming to China?</b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s_YKe9vYQ22_d-qhT_WWuivXg5KMJQXia3L9WKJqFdtlw4kI6r60LwSb-M-t-jOxpwM0G85afRFAUE_YDj0yW1YYDij0CTtC9rOBNyOEjds0d0UgJvVEf04XK4JqmYYTdwRoCL8q3zfi6fNDuOvJ9PQMRFrZxcCHwz2db9pLk1sAyaIprhhQfJajUN0F/s1707/8856e7ad7df5adaac174e7cf1761628b.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1707" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s_YKe9vYQ22_d-qhT_WWuivXg5KMJQXia3L9WKJqFdtlw4kI6r60LwSb-M-t-jOxpwM0G85afRFAUE_YDj0yW1YYDij0CTtC9rOBNyOEjds0d0UgJvVEf04XK4JqmYYTdwRoCL8q3zfi6fNDuOvJ9PQMRFrZxcCHwz2db9pLk1sAyaIprhhQfJajUN0F/s320/8856e7ad7df5adaac174e7cf1761628b.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexandra</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Alexandra:</b> 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.<p></p><p><b>Peter:</b> 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.</p><p><b>Jacqualine: </b>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoyvIRxv8rIvVZ0Y8aS_2TgrqVEDSj3hslVoKX2bdnoLhzCxPa1ogtGIyFKw152UAV90sjIN8c8zcHg2eV5GGcnkNjNwW9b8ZKwShyEGwypdNtJQW-cLxWP9h9bLitKNzOnzLmYm-ywR9T1u18mdiMKISVbMzu-wRwUktGIzo2e9bukfAlMb3KrsVhYI7/s1707/f20765b8b19ce07f52b24bb6062214b6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoyvIRxv8rIvVZ0Y8aS_2TgrqVEDSj3hslVoKX2bdnoLhzCxPa1ogtGIyFKw152UAV90sjIN8c8zcHg2eV5GGcnkNjNwW9b8ZKwShyEGwypdNtJQW-cLxWP9h9bLitKNzOnzLmYm-ywR9T1u18mdiMKISVbMzu-wRwUktGIzo2e9bukfAlMb3KrsVhYI7/s320/f20765b8b19ce07f52b24bb6062214b6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>How have you adjusted to Chinese culture?</b><p><b>Peter: </b>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.</p><p><b>Jacqualine:</b> 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.</p><p><b>How has your experience been when it comes to interacting with Chinese and other international students?</b></p><p><b>Alexandra: </b>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.</p><p><b>What is some advice you would give to prospective students who plan to attend the HNC in the future?</b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1FBm684tXePCCTcedsMipYv8331ZLQrL7sFMxxpr2izZKfXhSPBRInpg8IX9e_47Bpno1zmhUrDvA-lqZOJzVmybvYHczKyLRsWzzywTTkgL9gcqUC-9mPc56gdoLpPuL38Fj8TtOgzbUI2BnQK5vvwUmFCskGXDx9s8iDeKOje6lQHDogbxVb4JKjpf/s555/f304797f678725c6c9c2a035885c65d4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="494" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1FBm684tXePCCTcedsMipYv8331ZLQrL7sFMxxpr2izZKfXhSPBRInpg8IX9e_47Bpno1zmhUrDvA-lqZOJzVmybvYHczKyLRsWzzywTTkgL9gcqUC-9mPc56gdoLpPuL38Fj8TtOgzbUI2BnQK5vvwUmFCskGXDx9s8iDeKOje6lQHDogbxVb4JKjpf/s320/f304797f678725c6c9c2a035885c65d4.jpeg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Jacqualine</span></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Alexandra: </b>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.<p></p><p><b>Peter:</b> 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.</p><p><b>Jacqualine: </b>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.</p><p>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.</p><div><i>Compiled by Savannah Glaves, MAIS '25. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.</i></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-82131131267839196592024-02-01T13:32:00.000-05:002024-02-01T13:32:48.662-05:00The 2024 Winter Shanghai Career Trek<p><i>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.</i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQnQgrYD3B2TqZZc__WqQBegkTDQviWCPWN8QQOAVRI483yB5uIwrekzBThDTpIEA5lgyYYWlJpA_DQzTo74HGKq7hQ3SX6xUibAKJpQ1cWz6XMa25nAf3GcjzGc-V9Gt6bHvq6zCmjOgr6Y_kISd6wLdXqQeBXeNCTLl7QvlLdPPglLEpMum9XiLMqt6/s1702/a4054ec7-76bb-44f8-8fff-61747d0c75d2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1702" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQnQgrYD3B2TqZZc__WqQBegkTDQviWCPWN8QQOAVRI483yB5uIwrekzBThDTpIEA5lgyYYWlJpA_DQzTo74HGKq7hQ3SX6xUibAKJpQ1cWz6XMa25nAf3GcjzGc-V9Gt6bHvq6zCmjOgr6Y_kISd6wLdXqQeBXeNCTLl7QvlLdPPglLEpMum9XiLMqt6/s320/a4054ec7-76bb-44f8-8fff-61747d0c75d2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p>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.<p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDM3PX7KBsp9tSmetX8LJ5NAdJJmi-4b6_ypWLT4EbOhPWHlSCLf1bBpLxjciSCstoKDHBsms1_BPfE5o6d0jrL1uis6QaO0bPh9-NfGXc-faubpq1ZYZm3VfTrakuNZTcLpERgl5u7SlnAiLlgmdyhl4qYSSafoku-MMpLKJyQEayuMzw46ZUUbb_NdN/s1706/2173660a-8c8e-40d1-9181-4e721aea6d1f.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1706" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDM3PX7KBsp9tSmetX8LJ5NAdJJmi-4b6_ypWLT4EbOhPWHlSCLf1bBpLxjciSCstoKDHBsms1_BPfE5o6d0jrL1uis6QaO0bPh9-NfGXc-faubpq1ZYZm3VfTrakuNZTcLpERgl5u7SlnAiLlgmdyhl4qYSSafoku-MMpLKJyQEayuMzw46ZUUbb_NdN/s320/2173660a-8c8e-40d1-9181-4e721aea6d1f.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>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. <p></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_MnDYuSgnA3k-aSFybDmGGQw99SYve9i6q8_GYYJGl1kt2asdZ2vKndDQCCUVNMMgBsb8nms9qzMweJiebBl_qz2um-bMD8XEG1tT37VNOUIJfM5R2Rw2ZcgxgqMcG9_I4RQYhm6koIJnpn72Q3d-FgGfoAGGJBvJ_Eke1F27-m7coe93v6wWi7sjrry/s1998/32b36201-2451-4f28-b055-fe1d255e8b78.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1998" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_MnDYuSgnA3k-aSFybDmGGQw99SYve9i6q8_GYYJGl1kt2asdZ2vKndDQCCUVNMMgBsb8nms9qzMweJiebBl_qz2um-bMD8XEG1tT37VNOUIJfM5R2Rw2ZcgxgqMcG9_I4RQYhm6koIJnpn72Q3d-FgGfoAGGJBvJ_Eke1F27-m7coe93v6wWi7sjrry/s320/32b36201-2451-4f28-b055-fe1d255e8b78.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<p></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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!</p><p>Written by Savannah Glaves, MAIS '25; edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25</p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-62230741399363053412024-01-25T06:55:00.005-05:002024-01-25T07:06:08.919-05:00MAIS '17 Alum Peter M. Drucker: A Career on China from Inside and Out<p><i>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.</i></p>Name: Peter M. Drucker<br />Current Location: Washington, DC<br />HNC Program and Graduation Year: MAIS 2017<br />Current Organization and Position: Senior Analyst at Janes<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwgwZvXMyv8E7m20uyiiJ3jXmz95SFrC0LKrk69FCI5osMuZ9_9OUEdxyrO2FecHL7YjCHHJJ6OCYPqv4zfn5E6HFFZRHxN3iOrfRFO0lXvwpzl01z-7UMYgAZYAedmQcJrrIRcdLb6EXuVTkr7T7QmgfucIT3hHTUOHPE5EL2PKVLXF0QV6oZM6zzwBw/s1024/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-15%20at%2020.42.02_b1fa467d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwgwZvXMyv8E7m20uyiiJ3jXmz95SFrC0LKrk69FCI5osMuZ9_9OUEdxyrO2FecHL7YjCHHJJ6OCYPqv4zfn5E6HFFZRHxN3iOrfRFO0lXvwpzl01z-7UMYgAZYAedmQcJrrIRcdLb6EXuVTkr7T7QmgfucIT3hHTUOHPE5EL2PKVLXF0QV6oZM6zzwBw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-15%20at%2020.42.02_b1fa467d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>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.<p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t7PMgGQtNal1QH-eWWGI1Iz9fxc9A0o46q4-Pbp-THgHUrrktPey9xJ7zdtae_epoW10GAc6WaVWiSXeh4YpkfiIGZ2JKE5r2gWtzjy556unCdPU-vtr7WLlZvPa-D8t5PQQ7_b6vD9uL1wIcXrZmyd1q5wJqVbZlmHCak6q4kpmR29Q4J1udml7dESA/s2048/Team%20pic%20with%20Coach.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t7PMgGQtNal1QH-eWWGI1Iz9fxc9A0o46q4-Pbp-THgHUrrktPey9xJ7zdtae_epoW10GAc6WaVWiSXeh4YpkfiIGZ2JKE5r2gWtzjy556unCdPU-vtr7WLlZvPa-D8t5PQQ7_b6vD9uL1wIcXrZmyd1q5wJqVbZlmHCak6q4kpmR29Q4J1udml7dESA/s320/Team%20pic%20with%20Coach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<p></p><p>“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.</p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d8rQOBCZlPJRX5AtHAwCj-8RjZNxXI0JdgTFZhyRu-jIKJnj5Mh4Lorv7UxlPTOwW6AOzy1S-Nxw5aS4ix-J0o7Rc1AP_uZGDjWxN0KHk-j0RmjjKflkY_VjfQMFCwYEdIBrKvNwHkJhpecrwukzUHbi9CzS5xpxiLgPrxo1peg_LC8zEeKeon9awQLH/s1024/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-15%20at%2020.36.33_69578d4f.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d8rQOBCZlPJRX5AtHAwCj-8RjZNxXI0JdgTFZhyRu-jIKJnj5Mh4Lorv7UxlPTOwW6AOzy1S-Nxw5aS4ix-J0o7Rc1AP_uZGDjWxN0KHk-j0RmjjKflkY_VjfQMFCwYEdIBrKvNwHkJhpecrwukzUHbi9CzS5xpxiLgPrxo1peg_LC8zEeKeon9awQLH/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-15%20at%2020.36.33_69578d4f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<p></p><p></p><p>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.”</p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMl2aO9AAhyIcUfg1uxY4XzzsRjk2_L400rwZKdSQMrwmbhUEJyTB9O6dCt4bfM0AhiqWghAkMcjCV3SNK4v9VCRNRtYzaDAiEfonK3ZpOLlzH4KbdcZz6Jx7aMGDuttqgWwwK0r0qJf0JWUNEsN0iTMwpiAL6oPFply4dCtzXfZ20rF2JCGKqIMvnaU_/s1280/mmexport1465482157558.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMl2aO9AAhyIcUfg1uxY4XzzsRjk2_L400rwZKdSQMrwmbhUEJyTB9O6dCt4bfM0AhiqWghAkMcjCV3SNK4v9VCRNRtYzaDAiEfonK3ZpOLlzH4KbdcZz6Jx7aMGDuttqgWwwK0r0qJf0JWUNEsN0iTMwpiAL6oPFply4dCtzXfZ20rF2JCGKqIMvnaU_/s320/mmexport1465482157558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<p></p><p>“Overall,” Peter says, “the HNC is the perfect foundation for anyone who wants to work on China.”</p><p><i>Written by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25</i></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-69533904249681885612024-01-04T08:40:00.001-05:002024-01-29T04:01:53.295-05:00Alumna Natalie Craig's Blossoming International Business Career<p><i>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.</i></p><p>Natalie Craig<br />HNC Certificate '20 + SAIS MA '21<br />Location: Northwest Arkansas<br />Current Position: Global Leverage Buyer at the Sam's Club Home Office</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZxvcH8x1LUyjNoDMOCHGNKC3mR2r0COZoKS_wo2mteNP9uF7I74Ohvk_SZg9ZmbLnjGm1aYl_t6p-e7I66pDGgouznPUJ5SwcSTNR83_QVce72RHyXDIqYJbKfjev_Eu4-mpM_5ljKfsNvhhdtR9XOtqthd-mB180AHjv5vYFVd98NzQJgdjULKwFGKo/s5108/IMG_1989.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5108" data-original-width="3405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZxvcH8x1LUyjNoDMOCHGNKC3mR2r0COZoKS_wo2mteNP9uF7I74Ohvk_SZg9ZmbLnjGm1aYl_t6p-e7I66pDGgouznPUJ5SwcSTNR83_QVce72RHyXDIqYJbKfjev_Eu4-mpM_5ljKfsNvhhdtR9XOtqthd-mB180AHjv5vYFVd98NzQJgdjULKwFGKo/s320/IMG_1989.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><p><b>Tell us about your career and your current role.</b></p><p>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.</p><p><b>How did you become interested in China and what drew you to the HNC?</b></p><p>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.</p><p><b>How often do you use Chinese in your current position or other skills you gained while studying at the HNC?</b></p><p>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. </p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOblpphxc6IxGbuzuvY-npmSgY_bzOFskKck60GWIgokAt6oim29rGhfiZI0FrP_bsHFnEGfvhA2FaMCUsrM97IykYhSg5GEFoEwSt-rAinK4oEd0SiSQOV-F4S7fE0uP7vdBSD-381Lblw-TojkKYMCCIUs9-xYpo7k8dFT13ykRECfPxbSOVFKKIGqB/s960/55472303_2325332574165228_7386823396652220416_n.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="770" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOblpphxc6IxGbuzuvY-npmSgY_bzOFskKck60GWIgokAt6oim29rGhfiZI0FrP_bsHFnEGfvhA2FaMCUsrM97IykYhSg5GEFoEwSt-rAinK4oEd0SiSQOV-F4S7fE0uP7vdBSD-381Lblw-TojkKYMCCIUs9-xYpo7k8dFT13ykRECfPxbSOVFKKIGqB/s320/55472303_2325332574165228_7386823396652220416_n.jpeg" width="257" /></a></b></div><b>What is a favorite memory of yours from your time at the HNC?</b><p></p><p>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. </p><p><b>Tell us about your proudest accomplishment as a student at the HNC.</b></p><p>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!</p><p><b>What is one piece of advice you have for current or future HNC students?</b></p><p>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! </p><p><i>Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25</i></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-20193761012210716432023-12-20T19:32:00.001-05:002023-12-20T19:32:58.820-05:00Student Profiles: A Range of Pursuits<p><i>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!<br /></i></p><div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqNEh0mpkfqP2xfHubPYgrxHoICzMPkQfBPc9ww8y2BPXUtWuJBHs9G5zccWEpss6e8sEAMcgvdf34P6a5GPibWh0sjAn_Imc8cJxuDfsUHoZ-EQiELntOjUXoWMyUj5ldVOOmKLp7CeAjB_GliZ-OADsrAbQOS9Ue0W7Qq3XnI9YXgx1-vky3zneblbl/s6240/IMG_3392.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6240" data-original-width="4160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqNEh0mpkfqP2xfHubPYgrxHoICzMPkQfBPc9ww8y2BPXUtWuJBHs9G5zccWEpss6e8sEAMcgvdf34P6a5GPibWh0sjAn_Imc8cJxuDfsUHoZ-EQiELntOjUXoWMyUj5ldVOOmKLp7CeAjB_GliZ-OADsrAbQOS9Ue0W7Qq3XnI9YXgx1-vky3zneblbl/s320/IMG_3392.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephany</td></tr></tbody></table>Stephany Su 苏睿琦</div><div>HNC Certificate + MAIR '25</div><div>Concentration: Development, Climate, and Sustainability</div><div><div>Hometown: Berkeley, California </div><div>Undergraduate Institution: UC Berkeley</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheng Feiyu 程飞羽 (Fred)</div><div>MAIS '24</div><div>Concentration: International Economics</div><div>Hometown: Luoyang, Henan</div><div>Undergraduate Institution: Northeastern University 东北大学</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris Hankin 林奎</div><div>MAIS '24</div><div>Concentration: Energy, Resources and Environment</div><div>Hometown: Seattle, Washington</div><div>Undergraduate Institution: Whitman College</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Why did you choose your program at the HNC?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stephany: </b>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. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHT_Yxn5i-fa2kBDRVbvTvQFEPSgaiWiSdzyFqe-EGZZ0y4Bjq-YRB8IR43dJF84wJR-POaZTkeingRJZW4EOCSCs7Uw9N4alyP_YM21x2j3QFHzioJTmO6PqykGg2qTQHhKhLZCcN5mFkguZG-0Ykk6XdMqEWadNSJ4LrygxbkQKorVNPgduozP5DHnB/s1706/WechatIMG10.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1706" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHT_Yxn5i-fa2kBDRVbvTvQFEPSgaiWiSdzyFqe-EGZZ0y4Bjq-YRB8IR43dJF84wJR-POaZTkeingRJZW4EOCSCs7Uw9N4alyP_YM21x2j3QFHzioJTmO6PqykGg2qTQHhKhLZCcN5mFkguZG-0Ykk6XdMqEWadNSJ4LrygxbkQKorVNPgduozP5DHnB/s320/WechatIMG10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feiyu<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Feiyu: </b>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.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Chris: </b>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.<br /><br /></div></div><div><i>Chris' story and great-grandfather's history are featured <a href="https://english.news.cn/20231213/591a0c3c14ff4ea682976a20060e173c/c.html" target="_blank">here</a> in a recent video by Xinhua.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjNUX1FPi8ynP7tH9tgr5yq7S4yS6BGf4q9grA3RHYHVg0dpvoMEyUEyZZQFMNq0KFLYmBymATux6yCNZsu9EWfkOkxuG6gWZLwjOXn7WHRd31CtKKh53DMU_aJeOYGvSSKXNShQVE-6A23XmezaXzif3XAXBXB9OiCajoP29sHbfrcBmSMG7Hj8cJfIA/s1706/WechatIMG2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1706" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjNUX1FPi8ynP7tH9tgr5yq7S4yS6BGf4q9grA3RHYHVg0dpvoMEyUEyZZQFMNq0KFLYmBymATux6yCNZsu9EWfkOkxuG6gWZLwjOXn7WHRd31CtKKh53DMU_aJeOYGvSSKXNShQVE-6A23XmezaXzif3XAXBXB9OiCajoP29sHbfrcBmSMG7Hj8cJfIA/s320/WechatIMG2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris</td></tr></tbody></table>Have there been any challenges you faced during your studies? How did you overcome them? </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stephany:</b> 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!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Feiyu: </b>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chris: </b>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswYgQEXPm_Ih7TW5_DSV-Nk025PTNIe1unQ90fzYEZEN2nqHBZ3ocTcHDNe-WUPAW2Jm3LbuMDXEmuB4aTunQvcop2zNlNDPWt2xqq_5IljXBpQn6Tq0YXNSm3L0F4czAxAutrRQhsh5EizAfkmZ414wVDkkEwajEo6-zMd31mkNxg4xo8Fc9UIdyaGkT/s6240/20230124071220_IMG_7732.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswYgQEXPm_Ih7TW5_DSV-Nk025PTNIe1unQ90fzYEZEN2nqHBZ3ocTcHDNe-WUPAW2Jm3LbuMDXEmuB4aTunQvcop2zNlNDPWt2xqq_5IljXBpQn6Tq0YXNSm3L0F4czAxAutrRQhsh5EizAfkmZ414wVDkkEwajEo6-zMd31mkNxg4xo8Fc9UIdyaGkT/s320/20230124071220_IMG_7732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephany<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>How do you see your career trajectory after graduation?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stephany:</b> 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. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Feiyu: </b>Probably a tech company, which is a place where creativeness, cross-cultural experience, and international passion are possible.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chris: </b>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What advice do you have for prospective students considering coming to the HNC?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stephany:</b> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujw_dtc8pbL0fHH1I0sVHSKZVC9obDDvwVvnYUBe9ekgvCQZVFoAYOLRWiI2e9NctnVyZvEd0wzd64f7e8qEithLgu__hsWoL5cI9-teXfT5A6q6zEGhb9MZZLuY83XGd0Cv9OmzlalagR_JpOqsYiGaBf7YvOu3rVcWpA92iTGMDwDXjyLi160R8wfO4/s4500/WechatIMG10.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujw_dtc8pbL0fHH1I0sVHSKZVC9obDDvwVvnYUBe9ekgvCQZVFoAYOLRWiI2e9NctnVyZvEd0wzd64f7e8qEithLgu__hsWoL5cI9-teXfT5A6q6zEGhb9MZZLuY83XGd0Cv9OmzlalagR_JpOqsYiGaBf7YvOu3rVcWpA92iTGMDwDXjyLi160R8wfO4/s320/WechatIMG10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feiyu</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Feiyu: </b>(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. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chris: </b>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk4YmLPufKpvUlYoUpD-54rnhkqRzJaIgQhGl8uFKCpHz3g-8znZe00QWJCQxXNPXk8JvtmwqgY2K75EErVeFPzoooAO1EwaB_2zqzvs915WjFlTLZQ8NI3XXhJ_eJASH38NbOTBUO2181YzxOvbH8yiw38wue0LUG0UZQ8BLpFFGGJLLEwJot8U8gQoA/s1706/WechatIMG1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk4YmLPufKpvUlYoUpD-54rnhkqRzJaIgQhGl8uFKCpHz3g-8znZe00QWJCQxXNPXk8JvtmwqgY2K75EErVeFPzoooAO1EwaB_2zqzvs915WjFlTLZQ8NI3XXhJ_eJASH38NbOTBUO2181YzxOvbH8yiw38wue0LUG0UZQ8BLpFFGGJLLEwJot8U8gQoA/s320/WechatIMG1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris (left)</td></tr></tbody></table><b>What do you do for fun outside of class?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Stephany: </b>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. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Feiyu:</b> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chris: </b>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. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25</i></div><div><br /></div></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-78777156819053252572023-12-12T07:55:00.001-05:002023-12-12T07:55:30.129-05:00Trekking China: Fall Break Beyond Nanjing<p><i>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.</i><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p></p><b>Tibet 西藏</b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsMDkTq9WBhFscDOADE7Fd8KBKvrUMpCXw0cMCKsWBF6L52luBZxY8OxIKXNxarFlKDgYQ8fJ4s4gk3efZMffFDE5FO-ibtk4CRmfP3QklUeGTPbHfPghJ_c3sSbFlCHJjUgrT6L2ONzZ15J2cz8cdD54Xbv40ubdIQlqFS2EWt4QjpfuUsgg1Jcz6mqB/s4032/IMG_5017.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsMDkTq9WBhFscDOADE7Fd8KBKvrUMpCXw0cMCKsWBF6L52luBZxY8OxIKXNxarFlKDgYQ8fJ4s4gk3efZMffFDE5FO-ibtk4CRmfP3QklUeGTPbHfPghJ_c3sSbFlCHJjUgrT6L2ONzZ15J2cz8cdD54Xbv40ubdIQlqFS2EWt4QjpfuUsgg1Jcz6mqB/s320/IMG_5017.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="white-space: normal;"><span> </span>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. </span><p></p><p><span> </span>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). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjyfcJK8FKz346fozdwSMEMGqllL1Mfa-4Xlujy7m8X3a7M76k7MyInnvb7fWOXOPcaQssPuP0dI3V1OV0DpOz8sg5vT3X-UdsOyczlmQiPHexTkMQCBQ2TFfzX5HgNvSMR_UkQMio-SfQDS1KYxWsEBjQAOFCVMtj8OaDMp1GBnJyq5k-wHMrKfCKpA5/s3611/FullSizeRender.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2707" data-original-width="3611" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjyfcJK8FKz346fozdwSMEMGqllL1Mfa-4Xlujy7m8X3a7M76k7MyInnvb7fWOXOPcaQssPuP0dI3V1OV0DpOz8sg5vT3X-UdsOyczlmQiPHexTkMQCBQ2TFfzX5HgNvSMR_UkQMio-SfQDS1KYxWsEBjQAOFCVMtj8OaDMp1GBnJyq5k-wHMrKfCKpA5/s320/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span> </span>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. <p></p><p><b>Yunan 遇难</b></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rUtwwmKKJ1c9JivyIs3_Hl6SsOiqtgKJp7sk98i4bBJnjbalbeStksTGlZztyfGpeq8dPDb18nFggvfmoEeKkgiR5TUPAgn7ZAB1AVNORLMLhGCxt7pBW7dCxhVF-O7jJRtvbY8U2AQ2C1O3nJdOHoHikZvjUv3pO003kXcVkeJ8pi_rkzZWwp19TsTh/s1702/WechatIMG53.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1702" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rUtwwmKKJ1c9JivyIs3_Hl6SsOiqtgKJp7sk98i4bBJnjbalbeStksTGlZztyfGpeq8dPDb18nFggvfmoEeKkgiR5TUPAgn7ZAB1AVNORLMLhGCxt7pBW7dCxhVF-O7jJRtvbY8U2AQ2C1O3nJdOHoHikZvjUv3pO003kXcVkeJ8pi_rkzZWwp19TsTh/s320/WechatIMG53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students in Yunnan</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="white-space: normal;"> </span>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.”<p></p><p><span> </span>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.</p><p><b>Sichuan 四川</b></p><p></p><p> 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. </p><p><span> </span>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.</p><p></p><span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU5-5W0c-13xAJo003U_1xtV5kyk56BwUn5iqnB4bvx4XGGhIoA4dtZWpVK4J0vaPQQU1jRgVsEQ4pq7fIIcZeLdm3noIy418Q-5Sg9rcPQmsgr6m1JDb76j6yYAH71VuI9yfr7Du-O2-K-02WbgaHaV7vPCMntnhKQFzDs0QGboEiSmKpXXdj9sNjNis/s1024/image002.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU5-5W0c-13xAJo003U_1xtV5kyk56BwUn5iqnB4bvx4XGGhIoA4dtZWpVK4J0vaPQQU1jRgVsEQ4pq7fIIcZeLdm3noIy418Q-5Sg9rcPQmsgr6m1JDb76j6yYAH71VuI9yfr7Du-O2-K-02WbgaHaV7vPCMntnhKQFzDs0QGboEiSmKpXXdj9sNjNis/s320/image002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chongqing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </span>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. <div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Written by Eric Omorogieva, Cert+MAIR '25. Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25.</i></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-51890756365619069262023-11-28T07:51:00.000-05:002023-11-28T07:51:27.297-05:00Government and Policy Networking at the HNC <p><i>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. </i></p><p><b><u>U.S. Shanghai Consul General Visit to HNC</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7sC44K0Efbzkwkj3iJDMBtiL4fLOwWD4LsT8Z5x7xsteB87LwZnW36j3nZUCDiX9GsHzXsXxKv5pCIsJf6nZkXPz4DLdrUcYLarsEhX1yV-U55gIaU5RpqqnOlHalp7nos_f3oZFRiOHGefwSamT3zgPRwxYDiZA6MlGGabZRsSrphcR8SbXnXu0C9ci/s1280/IMG_4744.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7sC44K0Efbzkwkj3iJDMBtiL4fLOwWD4LsT8Z5x7xsteB87LwZnW36j3nZUCDiX9GsHzXsXxKv5pCIsJf6nZkXPz4DLdrUcYLarsEhX1yV-U55gIaU5RpqqnOlHalp7nos_f3oZFRiOHGefwSamT3zgPRwxYDiZA6MlGGabZRsSrphcR8SbXnXu0C9ci/s320/IMG_4744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>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. <p></p><p><b><u>Global China Initiative at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center</u></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqv0EQsj1U71ji6mxpkHYspAz-9ywkjROJOpcv2pzLYOpBvA99TP1vuHhrcXs6LNZ6si9xH5_r8Ao826GjzM7phqA6VhXfCxRy4Jyn89TZc14yga_aRm4NfXKBOMxVkkEbpBx_-vWibbFHDPv0QexxoRBlQ9JpubADh6zqUIi0Xf02c5As5tfaaBfUp_v/s1766/25b678b6-0468-49ed-9bc5-ebd54f6efa6d.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1766" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqv0EQsj1U71ji6mxpkHYspAz-9ywkjROJOpcv2pzLYOpBvA99TP1vuHhrcXs6LNZ6si9xH5_r8Ao826GjzM7phqA6VhXfCxRy4Jyn89TZc14yga_aRm4NfXKBOMxVkkEbpBx_-vWibbFHDPv0QexxoRBlQ9JpubADh6zqUIi0Xf02c5As5tfaaBfUp_v/s320/25b678b6-0468-49ed-9bc5-ebd54f6efa6d.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>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.<p></p><p><b><u>U.S. State Legislative Leaders Foundation</u></b></p><p>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. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JyziG-UrE2-2pPxqQ05W-7BvrrH2qNXHRzjBHiLlJUYNQTffNyY9OUEpMOv-r5YyYdNQPN8G_8gmxonpFhunA4sAE96R1nGgQvfq3GW87w19PFUx8VIYx55rjpLNc3JCJs8cAgWnzpDa5C5Yji5tl1x8B1nA2Olg60gDgg4JaVhUg2as95P3odcDkXuq/s4096/IMG_4829.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2730" data-original-width="4096" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JyziG-UrE2-2pPxqQ05W-7BvrrH2qNXHRzjBHiLlJUYNQTffNyY9OUEpMOv-r5YyYdNQPN8G_8gmxonpFhunA4sAE96R1nGgQvfq3GW87w19PFUx8VIYx55rjpLNc3JCJs8cAgWnzpDa5C5Yji5tl1x8B1nA2Olg60gDgg4JaVhUg2as95P3odcDkXuq/s320/IMG_4829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>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.</p><div><i>Written by </i><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">Hailey McGleam.</span><span style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"> Edited by Sam Trizza.</span><i><br /></i></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-40597905607509008762023-11-13T23:35:00.000-05:002023-11-13T23:35:28.078-05:00Coming to HNC? Here are One Student's Tips!<p><i>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. </i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PGccBvvR_UD5KQuS41saKHnXzKbUKlGXswB23KZh-EuxWAuqUDo2qW6WT7eaKPXeLu51HSj2-MibZ81TkQs5fqan-a9NZ_7speIrdE6BbtIffCLjPzEeqtksZDBfWdE-4rK954g1-KtlzHz2LDWsyYaSiN_3lZaXhuSMOaLJcJL1W90IB9pU66ao4RQv/s1702/WechatIMG5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1702" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PGccBvvR_UD5KQuS41saKHnXzKbUKlGXswB23KZh-EuxWAuqUDo2qW6WT7eaKPXeLu51HSj2-MibZ81TkQs5fqan-a9NZ_7speIrdE6BbtIffCLjPzEeqtksZDBfWdE-4rK954g1-KtlzHz2LDWsyYaSiN_3lZaXhuSMOaLJcJL1W90IB9pU66ao4RQv/w320-h240/WechatIMG5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Visa Process<br /></b><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMzmjBSrfCWM5AmAJNfxMchPo7N8poWUP7BlaE4oeBT52HagReWk-DD4wrJQ0xJ0geBsAsCmdORQDED6VO1iaH4m9rubH99NWtzTkdp0nDZ1gTgVaCsAFUdymybXWW3J2BItvMpFD_WTXEsg2TcQMMAZPBzndPo3izhURtaldHa6G_cnQW1DzFQoBzACI/s1706/WechatIMG13.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1706" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMzmjBSrfCWM5AmAJNfxMchPo7N8poWUP7BlaE4oeBT52HagReWk-DD4wrJQ0xJ0geBsAsCmdORQDED6VO1iaH4m9rubH99NWtzTkdp0nDZ1gTgVaCsAFUdymybXWW3J2BItvMpFD_WTXEsg2TcQMMAZPBzndPo3izhURtaldHa6G_cnQW1DzFQoBzACI/s320/WechatIMG13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>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!<p></p><p>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.</p><p><b>Orientation Week</b></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgrO4QnZ31SBZnwgO7yGH-wG2Bkna63FxirD_YVWBdkJ7sNPHTPEKhPMP1NjClmDro3ZuvEJNroXJirOmTmUlyz5fQVQ12v4eTBr1Ik1R134LgHT-b5iv8bfL2UDot1DjlWdl8-RMdqnziCW3LdeShERCC1QC_EQgFurRb2fhHs6a0osbcTSzMEL-p8Si/s1706/WechatIMG6.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1278" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgrO4QnZ31SBZnwgO7yGH-wG2Bkna63FxirD_YVWBdkJ7sNPHTPEKhPMP1NjClmDro3ZuvEJNroXJirOmTmUlyz5fQVQ12v4eTBr1Ik1R134LgHT-b5iv8bfL2UDot1DjlWdl8-RMdqnziCW3LdeShERCC1QC_EQgFurRb2fhHs6a0osbcTSzMEL-p8Si/s320/WechatIMG6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students submitting their residence <br />permit applications!</td></tr></tbody></table>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.<p></p><p>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!</p><p><b>How’s Studying Going? Any Tips?</b></p><p></p>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:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQbSK8nstgUTV09xqSZKcLlEfWR_fVymS-s89IF7E5dUt2oXPPscliU0_XbW8j8IKMerMyRAd-nC6-NKjL0cGoAg71kXG-v5h7XSj4sW8jGyyWTvAGjpQcUfCCL3vcLTgiOA-jdKWV6-eX9qhgSCFEWciRgChWBHk-A3fMG6ZEjtuD2-YI3GQaz64K8q8/s2162/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-05%20at%2015.35.38.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="2162" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQbSK8nstgUTV09xqSZKcLlEfWR_fVymS-s89IF7E5dUt2oXPPscliU0_XbW8j8IKMerMyRAd-nC6-NKjL0cGoAg71kXG-v5h7XSj4sW8jGyyWTvAGjpQcUfCCL3vcLTgiOA-jdKWV6-eX9qhgSCFEWciRgChWBHk-A3fMG6ZEjtuD2-YI3GQaz64K8q8/w400-h289/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-05%20at%2015.35.38.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of Sam's notes</td></tr></tbody></table><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Zhongwen: Chinese-English Dictionary</b> 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 <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/zhongwen-chinese-english/kkmlkkjojmombglmlpbpapmhcaljjkde" target="_blank">Chrome Web Store</a>.</li><li>I take in-class and reading notes on <b>Word Online</b> 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.</li><li>After class, I’ll complete filling out the vocab list and then manually add them to a <b>Pleco</b> study deck that I can use for daily flash cards. </li><li>Especially during time when I have more than two hours of studying, I will use the <b>pomodoro study technique</b>. 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 <a href="http://pomofocus.io">pomofocus.io</a> as your timer too. During my 20 minute break, I usually go to nearby Auntie Jenny’s for some zero-sugar milk tea.</li><li>Go to your <b>professor's office hours</b>! 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.</li><li>The student-run <b>writing center</b> 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.</li></ul><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxjCnB3-_KvUG3zMxKOHNRaB5_nLVaMF-967lbX8v4d159ff5sR1phgrJnZp2huJvIMcX39iYe1YxI68c7b5UtvX3C3ZDZ7fROo6sIpKCkaMcgH3wlKnH6HwGhTKsSzYBEta2bzdtT1m2zQKoKW9oYiQjQJV0Av6jMYeiEIH0wY1uk85mUywZB6BaZGQU/s1707/WechatIMG11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxjCnB3-_KvUG3zMxKOHNRaB5_nLVaMF-967lbX8v4d159ff5sR1phgrJnZp2huJvIMcX39iYe1YxI68c7b5UtvX3C3ZDZ7fROo6sIpKCkaMcgH3wlKnH6HwGhTKsSzYBEta2bzdtT1m2zQKoKW9oYiQjQJV0Av6jMYeiEIH0wY1uk85mUywZB6BaZGQU/s320/WechatIMG11.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends blowing off <br />some steam in a boxing class!</td></tr></tbody></table>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.<p></p><p>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!</p><p><i>Written by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR ‘25</i></p><div><br /></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-43475684306296066642023-11-06T19:52:00.002-05:002023-11-06T19:55:35.259-05:00Meet the '23-'24 HNC Student Bloggers!<div><i>Each year several students share their HNC experience on this blog, ranging in topics from their studies to their travels, and study tips to community member profiles. This year these three students below will be a window into the HNC with their photos and stories. Let’s meet them!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtMcYpDQCvSCVTF_aGCcPoaoiJMh-ODOCU-KUaV0ag-KMTI7bnYse8xRpzWdCUciBWTWnsm3VOdTZgiiPFdezK4dAvnu_MJkUhbVIbvAuSYN0DLpuE5wFyp_oArlIaohdcwYGZnfBxnHD721EEJLXJog6TxJsrR3SYun8vd4WsXK4EEZZnD8KNTPzrBwX/s1706/WechatIMG1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtMcYpDQCvSCVTF_aGCcPoaoiJMh-ODOCU-KUaV0ag-KMTI7bnYse8xRpzWdCUciBWTWnsm3VOdTZgiiPFdezK4dAvnu_MJkUhbVIbvAuSYN0DLpuE5wFyp_oArlIaohdcwYGZnfBxnHD721EEJLXJog6TxJsrR3SYun8vd4WsXK4EEZZnD8KNTPzrBwX/s320/WechatIMG1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Trizza<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Sam Trizza</div><div>Oklahoma, USA</div><div>Certificate + MAIR ‘25</div><div><br /></div><div>Savannah Glaves</div><div>Kansas, USA </div><div>MAIS ‘25</div><div><br /></div><div>Eric Omorogieva</div><div>Maryland, USA</div><div>Certificate + MAIR ‘25</div><div><br /></div><div><b>How did you become interested in China?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sam: </b>I started my Chinese studies in 2012 and visited China on student exchange shortly thereafter. With that trip, I was hooked. At that time, I was so interested in China because it felt like Mars. What I mean by that is it was so different than anything I had ever known. As I’ve studied China over the years, I realize my analogy holds true in some areas and has faults in others. I continued my Chinese studies in college, but took a few years off of study to work, but went to Middlebury Language Schools this summer before coming to the HNC. The HNC has been the natural next step in my US-China-focused career. Out of all the international programs in China, the HNC is distinct in its history, model, and vast alumni network who impact US-China relations everyday.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Eric:</b> When I was starting middle school at Washington International School in Northwest D.C., we had to choose a second language to study, and my choices were between French, Spanish and the new Chinese program that had just started. Having never imagined myself studying Chinese before, I decided to jump into it, and managed to stick with it through college. Through my language learning journey, I also built an interest in Chinese culture, which cemented itself in 2013 when my Chinese program visited Beijing and Xi’an for a few weeks. From then on, I knew that I’d continue learning for a long as I could and one day I’d have to return to China for an extended stay. Along the way as a International Affairs major and Chinese minor, I picked up a minor African Studies and forged a specific research interest in China-Africa relations. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Before joining the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, what were you doing? </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sam:</b> I worked for three years between college and entering Johns Hopkins SAIS. For the first year and a half I was in the US Senate covering national security and foreign affairs and for the last year and a half I worked at a marketing start-up. Particularly for me, I needed time to work before entering graduate school. I wanted to develop professional communication skills, work in different industries, and learn more about what I wanted to pursue in my career. I studied business, entrepreneurship, and Chinese language in college. My college studies and time in the workforce all provided me insight for what to seek out in a graduate school and what I could create through the Certificate + MAIR experience. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFhNCjQyaV2H8s_giQPwqFh0VdEPAr5G95oJQAYOSUyDayIeXhSpNs96FUB92AAF4Q5GxtpzCFwQLpebyzDKNvSg0vmU88zP4d2VL_jkTDLK5A2bwB7TKcGDxyCm69rKo1jd5Onjog-RMN1Heyj9vEfIJ4b_SpHnAe0PtubSM2cN9Siu7iQ66h1IB7W-u/s4030/IMG_5425.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4030" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFhNCjQyaV2H8s_giQPwqFh0VdEPAr5G95oJQAYOSUyDayIeXhSpNs96FUB92AAF4Q5GxtpzCFwQLpebyzDKNvSg0vmU88zP4d2VL_jkTDLK5A2bwB7TKcGDxyCm69rKo1jd5Onjog-RMN1Heyj9vEfIJ4b_SpHnAe0PtubSM2cN9Siu7iQ66h1IB7W-u/w263-h197/IMG_5425.jpeg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric Omorogieva</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Eric:</b> After graduating from Wake Forest University in 2021, I worked for a couple of years as a refugee caseworker at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where I assisted newly resettled refugees in their transition from their home countries to life in the U.S. This included assisting with applying for several benefits programs, social security, and enrolling students in the public school system. This experience was an extension of volunteer and intern work I did in college and served as a unique addition to my understanding of aspects of International Relations and domestic U.S programs I didn’t think about as much before. </div><div><b><br />Savannah:</b> I was finishing up my undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas. My undergraduate majors were East Asian Languages & Cultures and Global & International Studies, which is where I found my interest in soft power and decided I wanted to pursue international relations and politics in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What led you to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center? What made you choose the HNC?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Eric:</b> It was always my intention to study abroad in China at some point, but those plans were paused during the pandemic. When considering my graduate school options, I initially focused on Washington D.C. area schools like SAIS, but the additional opportunity that the Hopkins-Nanjing Center provided was hard to pass up. It allows me to continue my language study through my international relations coursework, gain a deep insight into how Chinese government and society operates, and take part in an amazing graduate school program. In the face of China reopening in Spring 2023 and a crucial time in U.S-China relations, it felt like a perfect opening for me to complete this life goal that I had for so long and still graduate from the MAIR program in D.C. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaDNzPWGwb0bAgPJVXZz2PTynxFxj35j8LXUBCUlartVXUR6FPvoqbFuCyLxNxezpc0Ic1be4G529_c6pYnlGGsQ5lT5E9L4jd6P8CMFrYulNbjPLFjd84ooiQCl6lTBdzydvLvYQnqwnDRwrp_GMnYbOTcRswENmbCjNvZpds6OcXQthfSm5O_KST85a/s2086/IMG_3889.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2086" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaDNzPWGwb0bAgPJVXZz2PTynxFxj35j8LXUBCUlartVXUR6FPvoqbFuCyLxNxezpc0Ic1be4G529_c6pYnlGGsQ5lT5E9L4jd6P8CMFrYulNbjPLFjd84ooiQCl6lTBdzydvLvYQnqwnDRwrp_GMnYbOTcRswENmbCjNvZpds6OcXQthfSm5O_KST85a/w211-h204/IMG_3889.jpeg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah Glaves<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Savannah:</b> One of the major things that led me to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center was the Chinese immersion. While in Taiwan, I was enrolled at the International Chinese Language Program (ICLP) at National Taiwan University. ICLP had a language pledge that required us to speak in Chinese everyday that we were in the building, and I wanted to have something similar to that in my masters program. While the HNC does not have a language pledge, it has a similar structure in that we are expected to speak in Chinese in our classes (unless you’re taking a class in English, that is), and we are often encouraged to speak in Chinese to explain certain English words to our Chinese classmates. Being in a 2-year program here will help majorly in improving my Chinese language skills, and it was the biggest reason I chose to go the HNC.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>How was your experience adjusting to the Chinese coursework? Do you have any tips for future students? </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sam:</b> The adjustment to Chinese coursework is slow, but I notice improvement every day. My biggest piece of advice may be the most obvious: the better your Chinese ability, the better your HNC in-class learning experience will be, so study up! While all international students’ Chinese language abilities are at a certain minimum level for entry into the HNC, I found myself frustrated when I couldn’t get my point across or express myself fully in the early months of in-and-out of class conversations. While language skills do improve throughout time at the HNC, the better your Chinese is from the start, the richer learning you will have from professors and your Chinese peers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZpfF3Xl7fvnqc7s4VeidwDrlhV1hHAcxBHARGbWmU-4u8HGtcpHusoO-4yFAWhYB4PvrBcoOB1BjDzfZblvM_bkryzWlo_4WsZsz2iARD84sbbJxTy3EGHcqb-GMsuv_IryyqDn6AkJ75_GQGg8A_SG1iFK-vaOVT7P5CpnadSjc02UH0RAt3q9FkkdH/s4000/3d77299a44b1d84c4315480879478005.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZpfF3Xl7fvnqc7s4VeidwDrlhV1hHAcxBHARGbWmU-4u8HGtcpHusoO-4yFAWhYB4PvrBcoOB1BjDzfZblvM_bkryzWlo_4WsZsz2iARD84sbbJxTy3EGHcqb-GMsuv_IryyqDn6AkJ75_GQGg8A_SG1iFK-vaOVT7P5CpnadSjc02UH0RAt3q9FkkdH/w211-h281/3d77299a44b1d84c4315480879478005.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><b>If you are involved in any extracurricular activities or student groups, could you please tell us about that?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Eric:</b> I am a staff writer for the HNC Bureau of the SAIS Observer, the student run newspaper. I love writing about major issues and recent events, so I look forward to contributing to the paper from my perspective living in China, and pitching stories that don’t often get as much attention. I also recently started attending our quiz bowl club a fellow classmate hosts at the HNC. It’s a great time to answer trivia questions on a wide range of topics and learn random facts that could be useful in the future. </div><div> </div><div><div><b>What is one thing you've learned during your time at HNC that transformed your perspective or way of thinking?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Savannah:</b> Communicating with the other students has given me more of an idea that people have very diverse perspectives because of our backgrounds. It seems more prominent to me than in my undergraduate university, particularly because the vast majority of students were American, although we did have some foreign students scattered throughout. I’m often learning about how Chinese people think about certain global issues, which may not always coincide with what I think about the issue. My MAIS tutorial class specifically points these differences as well, since we often look at different theories from a Chinese point of view and an American one. Due to constant interactions with diverse people and readings at the HNC, I am learning the valuable skill of seeing issues from different perspectives. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>What is your favorite thing about Nanjing? </b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOE6z4Xoja_xqueZrcmMjwB7fg3oTs_vMfVjeHcK2GC6pH6LcWon8GZn-nwqcnDVMaNMwgJk0Le9KPNAaBgabrtnNzuGTAol4wpzM63c5qI-w21bHChLzyhpODCF0VKCW1cIG1gBjoJTtXbOuEkVlzxF6YLebb7wQJ_5vkkky7X2nciXoOakHyexR4s3W/s5184/Unknown.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOE6z4Xoja_xqueZrcmMjwB7fg3oTs_vMfVjeHcK2GC6pH6LcWon8GZn-nwqcnDVMaNMwgJk0Le9KPNAaBgabrtnNzuGTAol4wpzM63c5qI-w21bHChLzyhpODCF0VKCW1cIG1gBjoJTtXbOuEkVlzxF6YLebb7wQJ_5vkkky7X2nciXoOakHyexR4s3W/w194-h291/Unknown.jpeg" width="194" /></a></div><b>Sam:</b> I studied abroad next door to the HNC in Fall 2017 and discovered that Nanjing is home to incredible history that is particularly important for students studying modern China, which was a partial draw in coming to the HNC. Nanjing is also a great hub for traveling throughout China since it’s located in the middle of the coast and has great air and train access. Lastly, Nanjing is a big city, but it has a small city feel to me. Perhaps it’s having favorite restaurants and cafes close by (of which, there are many), often recognizing people in the neighborhood, or me being from a small city in the South, but Nanjing feels like a second home.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>If you could give one piece of advice to future HNC students, what would that be?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sam: </b>This is a fun piece of advice, but one that I think has profound impact on students’ understanding of China and their experience at the HNC: travel with purpose and get a little uncomfortable. Travel to places that have historical significance in China; don’t just go to the inspiring mountains or bustling cities but go to spots where you can learn more about China. If there’s a high-speed train there or an overnight sleeper, take the sleeper train every now and then to talk with locals. No matter your language ability, hearing their stories and their perspectives are fascinating. You can get creative too with diversifying your traveling experience. I read Country Driving by Peter Hessler for encouragement in living into this piece of advice. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Savannah:</b> Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. When I first got accepted to the HNC, I was ecstatic that I was going to be able to study in China, especially after the country being closed for the past 3-4 years. However, as the date came closer to my departure, I kept second-guessing myself. However, now that I’m here, I can say that I did make the right decision. If you think you should do something and then change your mind due to fears, try to push past that and you likely won’t regret it!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Whose support has made your journey at the HNC possible?</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xGd7bmIMe3Y1a8gS7-7vgOJDi4W_tRqLd0dnb8p_OCVB7Avuvs8Y6iS4gKy1VK-2dXvcQg9jQsa7vuWJ42rcVVgmLDd7Qb7yTAi7C60EYU2t9LDihdu1GGIt3CKiPxzWmDyL_P2QvwjSRb2hyphenhyphen7Q1HOLw7hTWlFE5eBqgLX07r5hE6xsct2mb63njtWHl/s1080/640%202.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xGd7bmIMe3Y1a8gS7-7vgOJDi4W_tRqLd0dnb8p_OCVB7Avuvs8Y6iS4gKy1VK-2dXvcQg9jQsa7vuWJ42rcVVgmLDd7Qb7yTAi7C60EYU2t9LDihdu1GGIt3CKiPxzWmDyL_P2QvwjSRb2hyphenhyphen7Q1HOLw7hTWlFE5eBqgLX07r5hE6xsct2mb63njtWHl/w289-h192/640%202.jpeg" width="289" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>Sam: </b>SAIS alumni and students of similar graduate programs have all been incredible resources that helped guide me to the HNC. Networking with them, learning about their experiences, and deciding what I wanted out of a graduate program were all incredibly helpful in choosing SAIS. Also, when worries arose about finances, classes, or the job search, they have been there to provide encouragement, advice, and direction.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Edited by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR '25</i></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-10732921106262881412023-10-29T22:50:00.000-04:002023-11-05T01:42:00.628-05:00Exploring Nanjing’s Fascinating History<p><i>The Hopkins-Nanjing Center is fortunate to be located in one of China's most richly historical cities, with important sites in several dynasties and in modern Chinese history. Student Blogger Eric Omorogieva takes us on a tour of his favorite historical spots around Nanjing!</i></p><p>One of the advantages of living and studying in Nanjing is the proximity to a sea of beautiful landmarks, museums, and the unique nature that surrounds the city. The city and its thousands of years of stories, whether inspiring, happy, or tragic, serve as an important marker throughout Chinese history for its status as the capital of several dynasties and the birthplace of China’s first republic. For those eager to explore the roots of a city, like me, your time in Nanjing will be filled with exciting opportunities to discover. Here I will introduce five of Nanjing’s many prominent locations that are worth visiting.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiEf_ytZ7WQyJypwlaBZS8Qh9eYkXUFjZ3i6Fktw007UIutEyALhzp05lN6Q7BMoeuzzdXwuLf4DjZOgmwkTFeP9Rcx44YXIF1OF5Z5RuOg0lOBmYlnGHcVsGT-yqx2NOxg5FP0hWICjThiU2qfM8AEO7qTJmZeBBJCYEraNqP-Mafej5D6xIvWXliMUk/s6016/974a7cd94bc22ab693d614ec960a5d4f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiEf_ytZ7WQyJypwlaBZS8Qh9eYkXUFjZ3i6Fktw007UIutEyALhzp05lN6Q7BMoeuzzdXwuLf4DjZOgmwkTFeP9Rcx44YXIF1OF5Z5RuOg0lOBmYlnGHcVsGT-yqx2NOxg5FP0hWICjThiU2qfM8AEO7qTJmZeBBJCYEraNqP-Mafej5D6xIvWXliMUk/s320/974a7cd94bc22ab693d614ec960a5d4f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HNC students on a Purple Mountain hike</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Purple Mountain (紫金山)</b></p><p>Many current HNC Students are familiar with parts of this historic mountain following the hiking event led by Professor Paul Armstrong-Taylor to usher in the new school year. The Purple Mountain, renamed several times throughout the course of Chinese history, was ultimately coined after the purple clouds that can often be seen around the peak of the mountain. The large area provides many activities and tourist destinations that could be split into several trips. </p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">When taking a metro ride from the Yunan Road station (located right next to the HNC building) to the Zijinshan Mountain station, a total of 4 stops, only a quick walk ahead reveals the sight and scale of the mountain. If you prefer to take a hike, the path up the mountain will take you through a variety of roads and steps that provide great exercise. From the dirt roads to the seemingly never-ending flight of steps, the fight to the top ends with a well-deserved sight of the city, the opportunity to take pictures, grab refreshments, and get ready to head back down after completing the hardest part.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrwor9NRPVEH3rN0STHA8lni_Zeu_C28uNMUjOASKQPBCamCv17VuBBLxCElLTvBVY63JPE5lxO-0URFv9BouLb63pLctyIDgLF7k6qQglqI9XHGZeiDwYlNuW9xCSBIERFxVBYHTUYDs95gftABBkHdm_wWR1QnHLekaeKoMPBFExVjxJl5z8VM7DBQh/s4032/IMG_3771.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrwor9NRPVEH3rN0STHA8lni_Zeu_C28uNMUjOASKQPBCamCv17VuBBLxCElLTvBVY63JPE5lxO-0URFv9BouLb63pLctyIDgLF7k6qQglqI9XHGZeiDwYlNuW9xCSBIERFxVBYHTUYDs95gftABBkHdm_wWR1QnHLekaeKoMPBFExVjxJl5z8VM7DBQh/s320/IMG_3771.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric (middle-left) and friends at Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and Ming Xiaoling</b><p></p><p>Also located on a further area of the Purple Mountain are multiple mausoleums that serve as commemorations to former Chinese leaders. The efforts to link these monuments together make for a very convenient experience for tourists. Transit between them only costs 10 RMB and catching a ride is straightforward using WeChat. </p><p>The first mausoleum is dedicated to Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern-day China whose efforts ended the dynastic period and established a republic. To modern China, he is the "Forerunner of the Revolution." This effort to commemorate Sun can be seen throughout the city’s popular shopping areas such as Xinjiekou (新街口), as well as other tourist spots, but nothing reaches the level of this mausoleum, built in the 1920s following the leader‘s death. Reaching this landmark requires a longer trip on the metro, as well as a less stressful walk up a road and to the base of the real climb. Once arriving in the main area of the base, the view up the extremely long flight of steps is marvelous. The walk upwards is long, but the enhancing scope of the main hall makes up for it. At the main hall, visitors can look at the statue and tomb dedicated to the leader, view the nearby garden, and relax. </p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49mos3RoHup_zHwCeFn73mDGkxm8X_gg0XgbhCuDWGGSO8rQ6zrSv7TZ0QUZN3TJj3Y5zlXvREoKJa000s-ESboblbIje1QYGY6uZXdgDA1DbfMJSjIinaetzKbb-8DpPPZc-3vDHVSZjy7bfTZRX6SZkXfa0Zo71N95wfBXEA9ZGI2MAamjhU-ua8YvY/s4032/IMG_3786.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49mos3RoHup_zHwCeFn73mDGkxm8X_gg0XgbhCuDWGGSO8rQ6zrSv7TZ0QUZN3TJj3Y5zlXvREoKJa000s-ESboblbIje1QYGY6uZXdgDA1DbfMJSjIinaetzKbb-8DpPPZc-3vDHVSZjy7bfTZRX6SZkXfa0Zo71N95wfBXEA9ZGI2MAamjhU-ua8YvY/s320/IMG_3786.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Similarly to Dr. Sun’s, the Ming Xiaoling is also dedicated to an important leader in Chinese history. The Hongwu Emperor, who was the founding leader of the Ming Dynasty and ruled for 30 years in the 14th century, is considered one of China’s most significant emperors. The mausoleum began construction while the emperor was still alive in 1381 and continued until 1405 after his death, and its age shows. It’s worth visiting to get a look at the infrastructure that has survived centuries and still maintains its old Ming-era appearance. <p></p><p><b>The Presidential Palace (总统府)</b></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">In the heart of Nanjing also lies the former government offices and compound of the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, the Taiping Rebellion forces, and the Republic of China (ROC). This palace is huge and, in fact, it’s one of China’s largest surviving complexes. Entering past the gate instantaneously takes you back to the feeling of old generations in Chinese history. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibitions covering the history of the palace under various governments, view art related to important moments in the Palace’s history, or take a personal look at gardens, residencies office spaces, and even thrones used by prior leaders. The entire experience is self-paced and provides many opportunities to simply enjoy the surrounding environment.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7E0GMxvrp_rXwbykTWnkj6OPNwcNDQpzrZMYEI5MtoRXUquyVbic8bL9JtNC5th10gJmqQgauxof9SfOOyDDTxewz423PWin5QfmOZ1cMuZdSvv2HdjesHtsy_ULppojscgFzvYVaOiIquPmevf1esnhFdyU0cyMiORsZiA6sywjopkx6TY78hQIhjOl/s320/IMG_4891.jpeg" width="320" /></div><b>Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall</b><p></p><p><span style="white-space: normal;">The Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Exhibit covers a dark period for the city but is filled with a phenomenal learning experience. During the early days of World War II, Japanese forces began encroaching on the then-capital city of China, before launching an attack that not only killed hundreds of thousands of civilians but led to numerous war crimes and the destruction of much of Nanjing. The museum itself aims to not only retell the story but constantly memorialize the victims, thousands of whose remains are buried beneath the museum itself. Everything about the experience is intentional from when you pass security, look at outside statues, and enter to graphics emphasizing the 300,000 lives lost and portraits of the survivors. The exhibit is both in English and Chinese and covers a wide range of history from the buildup of events to the legacy of the massacre. Like many of the landmarks listed, which are only a few of many, this museum is a must-see while you are in Nanjing and has important lessons for understanding not only the city, but modern China.</span></p><p><i>Written by Eric </i><i>Omorogieva (Cert+MAIR '25)</i></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-21608808692804136782023-10-23T19:30:00.000-04:002023-11-05T01:41:52.055-05:00Connecting through Hobbies<p><i>This semester, with the Hopkins-Nanjing Center fully back in-person for the first time in three years, many interest groups are back to their pre-pandemic activities and many new ones have sprouted, like the Public Speaking Club, Ping Pong Class, the Hogwarts Games, food and milk tea groups, and even the student-run coffee shop in the HNC student lounge. Below are a few highlighted groups.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0OGrXZhCNMayb6HV3YDFA1_nNNU268LXmeSo1TBpXAnUhRZnu4PISlBYC-upQMzPAFacj5K8d4UUrNvrOeyAoVFolmJQhL8iPpPU0PWV8z6dtkv6n6lqdKhbca923OBhi5LBFRagUhVBHTdU5nFrM8Ph7zF3nmr-ypK8hlSEL-mwRy5RUbJUxBqq0IKW/s1702/01ba5bf1abcb5c3df69fc0294f6dc18f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1702" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0OGrXZhCNMayb6HV3YDFA1_nNNU268LXmeSo1TBpXAnUhRZnu4PISlBYC-upQMzPAFacj5K8d4UUrNvrOeyAoVFolmJQhL8iPpPU0PWV8z6dtkv6n6lqdKhbca923OBhi5LBFRagUhVBHTdU5nFrM8Ph7zF3nmr-ypK8hlSEL-mwRy5RUbJUxBqq0IKW/s320/01ba5bf1abcb5c3df69fc0294f6dc18f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Public Speaking Club (Toastmasters)</b></p><p><span>If you've never heard of Toastmasters, I'd encourage anyone to try it out! It's a worldwide organization with more than 10,000 clubs, including 100 in China and 20 in Nanjing. The Toastmasters meeting format includes table topic discussions, two speeches, evaluations, and other activities that provide participants an encouraging environment to practice their public speaking on all topics. In the HNC club, the Chinese students use English while the international use Chinese. We always discuss topics relating to culture, history, and international relations, of course! This group is designed perfectly for the HNC because it helps students improve their public speaking abilities that they can use in and out of the class. Ultimately, Toastmasters' goal is to make leaders, because if you can communicate, you can lead. We hope to embody that spirit through this club.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB37GnMFP1cHqdAAeQjIkNmIquwrEhlZao7-aZ04fgGudDoTaa0WhrUTu7vTVjL5RwncoNWUpOM2Rkgh8M6pgTFyPmfZVpP1D03ptDV6C9KJ4WA9G4_L0PbW9nlxzMqL7y4RwW8pnOlpGH2SWdApyaj9Wo5AkDjJoIDIt6x1Ff14ZtjUm_DWLA8VQQfdUp/s3352/WechatIMG11.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="3352" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB37GnMFP1cHqdAAeQjIkNmIquwrEhlZao7-aZ04fgGudDoTaa0WhrUTu7vTVjL5RwncoNWUpOM2Rkgh8M6pgTFyPmfZVpP1D03ptDV6C9KJ4WA9G4_L0PbW9nlxzMqL7y4RwW8pnOlpGH2SWdApyaj9Wo5AkDjJoIDIt6x1Ff14ZtjUm_DWLA8VQQfdUp/s320/WechatIMG11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Mahjong Interest Group</b><p></p><p>About once or twice a week, students in the mahjong interest group will send a message over WeChat to have an impromptu session. Since readings and class assignments have started stacking up as we get further into the semester, students still have found the chance to play a game or two. Only four people can play in a traditional mahjong game, but many students will come to watch the game as they wait for their own turn, with upwards of ten people surrounding one table as they watch others play. Likewise, mahjong has several different varieties, depending on the location it originated from, each with extremely different styles. Students tend to play several different types of mahjong, with the most prominent being Sichuan-style mahjong. However, if a student wants to play a different style, they just need to know how to teach the other students how to play. Mahjong proves to be a fantastic way to practice language and really get to know other students, including their poker faces. With so many mahjong players and varieties of mahjong amongst the group, the mahjong interest group is likely not to get boring anytime soon!</p><p></p><p><b></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX4M9TkVIBIohTG_QwgsvRy_C1fM6fLACP9pxc16mZLJUGLtoMN5RQX2SA8zinOImK8DjlotJGW90_v0lUVR4z3tbui_0dbhZiqfn8E_hLzHwaSdSPL2W-amInlL-10JZSq78HiLaqNGNMsQULcbJX0jB66IVbGdrp_yHSzW-C_Bw8MJqRvYbXtmKolxK/s4032/IMG_3687.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX4M9TkVIBIohTG_QwgsvRy_C1fM6fLACP9pxc16mZLJUGLtoMN5RQX2SA8zinOImK8DjlotJGW90_v0lUVR4z3tbui_0dbhZiqfn8E_hLzHwaSdSPL2W-amInlL-10JZSq78HiLaqNGNMsQULcbJX0jB66IVbGdrp_yHSzW-C_Bw8MJqRvYbXtmKolxK/s320/IMG_3687.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prof. Armstrong-Taylor at the <br />House Sorting Ceremony</td></tr></tbody></table><b>Dungeons and Dragons Interest Group</b><p></p>With DND being extremely popular in the US, with even a movie coming out regarding the game this past year, it isn’t unexpected that a DND interest group has found its way to the HNC. Students set up a joint semester-long campaign with sessions meeting weekly. The first few weeks of the semester involved introducing students who had never played before to the world of DND, wherein in the first session they used pre-made characters to experience a sample run-through of the game. The next session involved character-making, where students got to create characters for the campaign that will be starting in a few weeks' time. Some characters created so far consist of Loomesa Nightingale the elf ranger, Elis-Nura the human barbarian, and Norbert “Noodle” McNamara the human rogue, with many more to come before the first campaign session!<p></p><p><b>Quiz Bowl Interest Group<br /></b></p><p></p><p>Quiz Bowl is a popular trivia game played by students ranging all the way from elementary school to university, in which teams of students use buzzers to answer questions regarding various subjects. This semester, student Naeem Chowdhury decided to bring the fun of Quiz Bowl to HNC every week on Thursday at 8pm. However, this version of quiz bowl is slightly different—in that students yell out “buzz” instead of pressing a buzzer, which leaves for some questioning about who called it out first. After answering a “toss-up question,” where everyone from either team can answer the question for up to 15 points, the next question is only given to the team that answered the toss-up question correctly, in which they can earn up to 30 more points. In total, there are 20 toss-up questions, but teams can earn over 500 points in a game if they are experts on all the subjects.</p><p>After the first session of Quiz Bowl, many of the international students realized the practice Quiz Bowl questions from the internet often tended to be very Western-centric, so they decided to ask the Chinese students if there were any similar games in China. Turns out, there was! The Quiz Bowl interest groups then decided to try out something new—have one game with Western-centric questions in English and then one game with China-centric questions in Chinese. Just like how the Chinese students struggled to answer the Western-centric Quiz Bowl questions, the international students also struggled to answer the China-centric trivia questions. Altogether, it added to the fun of trivia as students learned new information about the world as well as new vocabulary in both Chinese and English!</p><p></p><p></p><p><i>Written by Savannah Glaves (MAIS '25) and Sam Trizza (Cert+MAIR '25)</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXIEvPxAGhyphenhyphentBmYWyT8wZyfnk72y3uBfndubiRGDFmcQ9Ued0P2c5fT6mAt8idRntK59tZZUWgRfDCLgm8mnZ_AKEzaO1TqaWYr1l6rnWHA2utzJ0sTZWglpa_Iql-t7KrmZO9MV-ekqUGMW703RL6LtUFuBMHIcxIjc8u5l9xRngmlU-jmFnHQ2cumHj/s4032/IMG_3584.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXIEvPxAGhyphenhyphentBmYWyT8wZyfnk72y3uBfndubiRGDFmcQ9Ued0P2c5fT6mAt8idRntK59tZZUWgRfDCLgm8mnZ_AKEzaO1TqaWYr1l6rnWHA2utzJ0sTZWglpa_Iql-t7KrmZO9MV-ekqUGMW703RL6LtUFuBMHIcxIjc8u5l9xRngmlU-jmFnHQ2cumHj/s320/IMG_3584.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-15001544257850464062023-10-10T00:33:00.000-04:002023-10-10T00:35:10.464-04:00Country Driving: A Road Trip through Ancient China<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW213270816 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmSTDkwraLaqnJ1SN38u4QfupbL3bgmIxPM_ou_AY0mvuv-aLgEeqm7-JxPUkJfiZ9k-7V7Lii6UKVG3DoOQA9YAgSn2L6CFpleHMwLe0ZWy80qCBPlM7BiDcGeudNg_3elSgTXsiVBhZHk-J_O6jDPqQlU25uJpvUMBSlZ0vNZqk4vsYYXpdmgFm5-B1/s1800/73D16BA0-B392-4083-B34E-B897C03B0420.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmSTDkwraLaqnJ1SN38u4QfupbL3bgmIxPM_ou_AY0mvuv-aLgEeqm7-JxPUkJfiZ9k-7V7Lii6UKVG3DoOQA9YAgSn2L6CFpleHMwLe0ZWy80qCBPlM7BiDcGeudNg_3elSgTXsiVBhZHk-J_O6jDPqQlU25uJpvUMBSlZ0vNZqk4vsYYXpdmgFm5-B1/s320/73D16BA0-B392-4083-B34E-B897C03B0420.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></span></div><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">September 29 through October 6 was this year’s Golden Week in China. Students had off-time from class to work on theses, sightsee in Nanjing, or travel. For Golden Week 2023, Sam Trizza, his roommate Jack </span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">周峰</span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Brock Mullen, and Sam Parmer took a road trip through nearby provinces, visiting ancient towns and rural areas. </span><span class="EOP SCXW213270816 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW213270816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fc42cba4-aa9d-4d4d-8d3f-2a43b201ce63}{113}" paraid="2122865921" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW213270816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fc42cba4-aa9d-4d4d-8d3f-2a43b201ce63}{113}" paraid="2122865921" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Before I arrived at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, I was recommended a book by Peter Hessler called </span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory</span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. I picked it up at the HNC library and, with my roommate Jack’s overwhelming kindness, we planned a road trip through Jiangsu </span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">江苏</span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Zhejiang </span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">浙江</span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, and Anhui </span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">安徽</span><span class="TextRun SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">––a circle around Taihu Lake––for Golden Week. Here are notes from our journey:</span><span class="EOP SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW213270816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fc42cba4-aa9d-4d4d-8d3f-2a43b201ce63}{113}" paraid="2122865921" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW213270816 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12px; text-align: right;"><span class="EOP SCXW213270816 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></div><p style="font-size: 12px;"></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fc42cba4-aa9d-4d4d-8d3f-2a43b201ce63}{237}" paraid="1611754599" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></div><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b>Day 1:</b> We left Nanjing for the Number #1 Road </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">一号公路</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">in Yixing, Jiangsu to have lunch with one of Jack’s students and her family. Besides being an HNC student, Jack is primarily an English teacher helping students focus on their oratory skills. Yoyo (10), Andrew (7), and their parents were generous hosts. We had a large meal with tea and conversation covering Yoyo’s questions about America, why we thought it was important to study at the HNC, and our questions about life in Yixing and the Chinese economy. We finished our visit with a stroll in a countryside park where locals were </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">hanging out</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> with their sugarcane-eating kids. We spent the night near Wuxi </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">无锡 </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">where one young Chinese boy was fascinated with the American military and asked us if we knew his school friend who visited America last year. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN1BM3F_T1ufefK0WjkdV4zc0Yv_acYQ2bRz_NwW0Ryov-NPxhENftIlmwWqf7d0yueVzfFZTIO2AnZq-mrfCl4riaGakyY2347Mm3ZYrYr3_lc1NyoV3HxRZjgv39gcXwhJY-XW6jemOY_oJoX0WPRTrWfR3gkSvLWpGL5z5V2ZUkS4x9iieqMJy654X/s4032/IMG_3863.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN1BM3F_T1ufefK0WjkdV4zc0Yv_acYQ2bRz_NwW0Ryov-NPxhENftIlmwWqf7d0yueVzfFZTIO2AnZq-mrfCl4riaGakyY2347Mm3ZYrYr3_lc1NyoV3HxRZjgv39gcXwhJY-XW6jemOY_oJoX0WPRTrWfR3gkSvLWpGL5z5V2ZUkS4x9iieqMJy654X/s320/IMG_3863.jpeg" width="320" /></a></b><b>Day 2:</b> We traveled to Suzhou </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">苏州</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, the “Venice of the East”, to see the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); 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Never did we see more people during Golden Week than at </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Pingjiang</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. It was truly a </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">人山人海</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">experience. Then we headed for Tongli </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">同里古镇</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, a preserved ancient town with more dense waterways than Suzhou. We stayed in the heart of town in a hotel owned by a local family––it felt more like we were staying in their house. The hotel had furniture that was over a hundred years old, Mao memorabilia, and 3 courtyards in a long-line fashion that symbolized prosperity in Chinese architecture and home design.</span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUcWvUW8DVbNfWJiEm9SXpb-1zJmIj_l4AcXB812DBUkIyHGFj2iucwRldh6dxngu9-X6eE8DxfuLGOrY_xaO5bi3dnQ0vG6JvDoLDkyoCP92N3vBX4fLoQoSnUqgqZm4PqfgKzdaHvibwmh3u_m33rkbTU_P_hdPctP9s-yqlhdASjN-VGS4JNyUNOQ9/s1800/B70A08A9-C237-44B7-9B42-CA8EA4A47F16.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUcWvUW8DVbNfWJiEm9SXpb-1zJmIj_l4AcXB812DBUkIyHGFj2iucwRldh6dxngu9-X6eE8DxfuLGOrY_xaO5bi3dnQ0vG6JvDoLDkyoCP92N3vBX4fLoQoSnUqgqZm4PqfgKzdaHvibwmh3u_m33rkbTU_P_hdPctP9s-yqlhdASjN-VGS4JNyUNOQ9/s320/B70A08A9-C237-44B7-9B42-CA8EA4A47F16.jpg" width="256" /></a><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b>Day 3:</b> We left Tongli and headed for Moganshan </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">莫干山</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">. We passed by Hangzhou </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">杭州 </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">since the 19</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 9.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Asian Games were in session and we dared not go near the crowds or traffic. The rolling hills that came from the plains of Hangzhou turned into the jagged, bamboo-covered mountains of Zhejiang province <b></b></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">浙江</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="ZH-CN"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">which surprised us Americans. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">There were sometimes trees on the mountains, but mostly bamboo, which has bright green leaves at the top, making all of the mountains look that brighter green.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Moganshan is home to lots of villas including one for Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek. After a </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjNweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgMyIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTUuMiAoNzgxODEpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2hhcHAuY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPmdyYW1tYXJfZG91YmxlX2xpbmU8L3RpdGxlPgogICAgPGRlc2M+Q3JlYXRlZCB3aXRoIFNrZXRjaC48L2Rlc2M+CiAgICA8ZyBpZD0iZ3JhbW1hcl9kb3VibGVfbGluZSIgc3Ryb2tlPSJub25lIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiIGZpbGw9Im5vbmUiIGZpbGwtcnVsZT0iZXZlbm9kZCIgc3Ryb2tlLWxpbmVjYXA9InJvdW5kIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyBpZD0iR3JhbW1hci1UaWxlLUNvcHkiIHN0cm9rZT0iIzMzNTVGRiI+CiAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDAuNSBMNSwwLjUiIGlkPSJMaW5lLTItQ29weS0xMCI+PC9wYXRoPgogICAgICAgICAgICA8cGF0aCBkPSJNMCwyLjUgTDUsMi41IiBpZD0iTGluZS0yLUNvcHktMTEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICA8L2c+CiAgICA8L2c+Cjwvc3ZnPg==')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">30-minute</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> twisty-windy bus ride down the mountain, I was pretty motion-sick. One woman </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">actually threw</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> up when we got off the bus. Not a bus ride </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I’d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> like to do again. </span></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">Pretty tired from an afternoon on the mountain, we drove through Anji </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">安吉</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, a small town that surprisingly was home to a massive castle called ‘Hello Kitty World.’ Instead of stopping there, we visited a local night market. It became </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">apparent</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> that many of the little kids there </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> have much interaction with foreigners. Maybe Hello Kitty World </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">doesn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> have a big western draw. There, we received what was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very common</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> on this trip, and sometimes so common even in Nanjing: little kids walking up to us, staring straight up, and sometimes not saying a word. 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">waiguoren</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US">or </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ni </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">hen</span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">gao</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was shared. The folks at the market were </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very kind</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. We had some of the best fried dumplings, bought some blueberry wine, chitchatted, and were on our way. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p style="font-size: 12px;"></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{36}" paraid="798762914" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqNrr_x1viNHg7QrBbIg5mmUtcluQ1ZRJ2y-dKjWd4bafD01PIdmBgFX79KhhagGqfqPFg7sNyPVSBn-szqn8QCW0PZeonl-LUN4srwbG67BNGuiietpwLsz4PYHdsL2ARk1hZTZgtOFjplnvdG4SqVo7fpHpgZzv21iJ6CNUf5rCJPjG1ugjVaU5e20T/s1800/58A79AA6-CB1D-4163-83E8-F3897567E759.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqNrr_x1viNHg7QrBbIg5mmUtcluQ1ZRJ2y-dKjWd4bafD01PIdmBgFX79KhhagGqfqPFg7sNyPVSBn-szqn8QCW0PZeonl-LUN4srwbG67BNGuiietpwLsz4PYHdsL2ARk1hZTZgtOFjplnvdG4SqVo7fpHpgZzv21iJ6CNUf5rCJPjG1ugjVaU5e20T/s320/58A79AA6-CB1D-4163-83E8-F3897567E759.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{36}" paraid="798762914" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">We made it to a rural hotel, enjoyed the wine outside, and ended up talking with the owner for around two and a half hours. She gave us snacks to enjoy our blueberry wine with and poured us glasses of her homemade Chinese bayberry wine. She had never had Americans at her hotel. We learned about her son in school, her TikTok-famous daughter studying in Hangzhou, and a bit of her family history. She was a fantastic host who shared culture and conversation with us.</span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{36}" paraid="798762914" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><b>Day 4:</b> We left that morning for Huizhou </span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">徽州</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Hongcun</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">宏村</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; 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One thing became very </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">apparent</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> during our trip: China’s history is full of places that were built, destroyed, and rebuilt many times, and places that were important to multiple dynasties. It almost felt useless to keep track of which dynasties did </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">what</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> where. On the car ride into Anhui, Jack explained that all the villages and rural areas we had visited up to that point were some of the richest in China. They were byproducts of being in the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Yangtze River</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Delta </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">长三角</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, one of China’s most prosperous economic zones full of companies and industry. But once we entered Anhui, Jack pointed out that even the roads were a little worse. </span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{72}" paraid="1225056272" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Hongcun</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> that night, we decided to get up early and see it the next day, and instead grab dinner, a massage, and a night’s sleep.</span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{90}" paraid="859680918" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><b>Day 5:</b> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Hongcun</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was pretty incredible and transported you instantly. It was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">established</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> in 1131 by the Southern Song Dynasty. We tried some </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">xian</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">bing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="DengXian, DengXian_EmbeddedFont, DengXian_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="ZH-CN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="ZH-CN">馅饼</span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> from a man who said it was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Hongcun’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> best. I believe him! We walked around and appreciated the </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">old-style</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> architecture, close-quarter walkways, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">good food</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Scenes from </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Crouching</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Tiger, Hidden Dragon</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> were also filmed at </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjRweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgNCIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTYuMiAoODE2NzIpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2guY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPnNwZWxsaW5nX3NxdWlnZ2xlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9IkZsYWdzIiBzdHJva2U9Im5vbmUiIHN0cm9rZS13aWR0aD0iMSIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgZmlsbC1ydWxlPSJldmVub2RkIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyB0cmFuc2Zvcm09InRyYW5zbGF0ZSgtMTAxMC4wMDAwMDAsIC0yOTYuMDAwMDAwKSIgaWQ9InNwZWxsaW5nX3NxdWlnZ2xlIj4KICAgICAgICAgICAgPGcgdHJhbnNmb3JtPSJ0cmFuc2xhdGUoMTAxMC4wMDAwMDAsIDI5Ni4wMDAwMDApIj4KICAgICAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDMgQzEuMjUsMyAxLjI1LDEgMi41LDEgQzMuNzUsMSAzLjc1LDMgNSwzIiBpZD0iUGF0aCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjRUIwMDAwIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSI1IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQiPjwvcmVjdD4KICAgICAgICAgICAgPC9nPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Hongcun</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> After a morning in Hongcun, we started the long drive back to Nanjing.</span><p></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{108}" paraid="621297452" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{108}" paraid="621297452" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Overall, the trip was eye-opening to learn about ancient China and the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Yangtze River</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Delta, but most importantly, to have interactions with Chinese people outside of Nanjing. They </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">provided</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> interesting </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">perspectives</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">on</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> issues here and abroad. All </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">along</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the trip, we had our trusty guide, driver, and friend Jack to help us understand and interpret what we were seeing. On numerous occasions his commentary helped inject more flavor to what we were </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">experiencing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> and he was able to provide thoughtful perspective and answers to questions we had.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179522149 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{126}" paraid="1011931759" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW188747247 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW188747247 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{27c77ee5-891c-4ab4-81dc-52de89aeca03}{58}" paraid="1620171588" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW188747247 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">For those who seek a Chinese road trip adventure, three pieces of advice: read Peter Hessler’s book, make a great friend like Jack, and study at the HNC!</span><span class="EOP SCXW188747247 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW188747247 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{27c77ee5-891c-4ab4-81dc-52de89aeca03}{58}" paraid="1620171588" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW188747247 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><p class="Paragraph SCXW179522149 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b3a9d2d-90f2-4d43-9be0-e092b800a30d}{126}" paraid="1011931759" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW179522149 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW188747247 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW188747247 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{27c77ee5-891c-4ab4-81dc-52de89aeca03}{76}" paraid="2146462151" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><i><span class="TextRun SCXW188747247 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Written by Sam Trizza, Cert+MAIR 2025</span><span class="EOP SCXW188747247 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.5042px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></i></p></div></div></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-1950948791472979622023-09-30T08:56:00.000-04:002023-10-03T10:16:22.650-04:00Fall 2023 Banwei: A Vibrant HNC <div style="text-align: left;"><i>During orientation week for the Fall 2023 semester, Hopkins-Nanjing Center students gathered to elect their student representatives, a group of four students known as the Banwei (班委). Now fully back in an in-person setting for the first time in three years, Fu Jiapei, Liu Yufan, Tess Yu, and Mike Donmoyer were selected to lead an exciting new semester.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Meet the Fall 2023 Banwei</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IOi02jiloTDJLfyXflbNdp6mmI_Mmpf4C-2bAwZxjTZQCKFDLDXLyH1QtarL4e1RkjZd-8WoP4DzGHMPKnGOKmm4PaYfOBZL_Mw2V0y0DVJOoPE05rGeKpYBwrWD05OLfNrdZRNY-KUW6U13qUxF6MRVkD9rB8V21PuyWcymxOQfQ6SR7Kyo99pEvEcI/s4032/IMG_E3661.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IOi02jiloTDJLfyXflbNdp6mmI_Mmpf4C-2bAwZxjTZQCKFDLDXLyH1QtarL4e1RkjZd-8WoP4DzGHMPKnGOKmm4PaYfOBZL_Mw2V0y0DVJOoPE05rGeKpYBwrWD05OLfNrdZRNY-KUW6U13qUxF6MRVkD9rB8V21PuyWcymxOQfQ6SR7Kyo99pEvEcI/w400-h300/IMG_E3661.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>傅佳沛 Fu Jiapei (MAIS 2024) </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">From Xiamen, Fujian, Jiapei graduated with a major in French. After discovering a passion for the social sciences, Jiapei came to the HNC to focus on the energy, resources, and environment concentration.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>刘宇帆 Liu Yufan (MAIS 2025)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yufan majored in broadcasting at the Communication University of Zhejiang and came to the HNC to focus on international politics He is an ENTP and is passionate about meeting other people.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tess Yu (Cert+MAIR 2025)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tess is from Ellicott City, MD and was an economics major at Johns Hopkins University. In undergrad, she was president of the Sigma Omicron Pi sorority and interned at USAID.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Mike Donmoyer (Cert+MAIR 2025)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Born and raised in Maryland, Mike studied international relations at the United States Military Academy and served as an Army officer for five years. After leaving the Army, he moved to New Jersey where he worked as a management consultant before coming to the HNC.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Why did you choose to come to the HNC?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fu Jiapei: I came to the HNC primarily because of the student-interaction atmosphere. Students at the HNC are dedicated to their studies, but more than that, they are thinkers. I like the fact that we can all communicate well in this cross-cultural context and share ideas in and out of the classroom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Liu Yufan: My undergraduate major was in broadcasting and I have felt drawn towards learning about international policy, and over the last 3 years, so much has happened both domestically and internationally to learn from. I raised my interest by finding out why these things happened and how they’re projected to evolve. So I spent two years studying for the master’s entrance exam and am excited to be at the HNC!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5pXs1cE-ieitFso2m6wCBxL13tDp2MetiWs8XnoQpkfAHGWpZio8yMbOcZY7SEo0CKr3n2sN-I3CutdJuH-Q1Qrne3nsAzVUNHJRgmu_lln9mPy2sIJy3KqBlTN1hAelWU9GuE2pq_xsEqWrOz23f-NXMio9zR2lzQz2BI-Gp-RaGjHwlakBcf2WY0xz/s6000/%E5%82%85%E4%BD%B3%E6%B2%9B-%E7%BE%8E%E8%AF%81-2.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5pXs1cE-ieitFso2m6wCBxL13tDp2MetiWs8XnoQpkfAHGWpZio8yMbOcZY7SEo0CKr3n2sN-I3CutdJuH-Q1Qrne3nsAzVUNHJRgmu_lln9mPy2sIJy3KqBlTN1hAelWU9GuE2pq_xsEqWrOz23f-NXMio9zR2lzQz2BI-Gp-RaGjHwlakBcf2WY0xz/w213-h320/%E5%82%85%E4%BD%B3%E6%B2%9B-%E7%BE%8E%E8%AF%81-2.JPG" title="Fu Jiapei" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fu Jiapei</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Tess Yu: At SAIS, my functional focus is international economics and finance and my regional focus is China. I’m currently in Johns Hopkins’ BA/MA direct matriculation program and I was free to choose between DC, Nanjing, and Bologna for this year. I chose Nanjing because I hope to work in a field related to US-China relations in the future and I feel it's important to get the perspectives of Chinese professors and students on not only US-China issues but also domestic issues in China as well as issues affecting the global community.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mike Donmoyer: Coming to HNC has been a long-term goal of mine since I found out about the program through my undergraduate Chinese Government and Politics professor, who is a SAIS alum. I believe we are at a pivotal moment in history when China and the US, who trace the origins of their social and political philosophies to separate international systems, must cooperate to manage the global challenges we face today. As I hope to pursue a career in foreign policy, I came to the HNC to understand China’s role in the future of global governance from a Chinese perspective.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What inspired you to join this semester’s Banwei?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fu Jiapei: To be in the Banwei at HNC is not easy, because not only do we have to organize a lot of activities at an intense pace of learning, but also do this in the context of different backgrounds and language environments. I was in the Banwei last spring, I enjoyed the challenge, and am looking forward to this semester to plan more creative ways to help the HNC community thrive. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCxFHfNc_TlYR1DPNZ2GJtwxvU57eQNkoCdlmf3KCfWwMWodvqrdNNL3o2hU6V0G7ujlvQJTVuAiJX1ChyphenhyphenVEeYw7IGa15_-6V_Pgu27EDYFtdfjv9Ps0MKPpn5AU7YSaw9qMyjCssDj7i4ub3McUaLLKU8NUQ-Zqr3CVdFjWSrO9oMpUbiMZxn2iLAW56/s4032/WechatIMG1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCxFHfNc_TlYR1DPNZ2GJtwxvU57eQNkoCdlmf3KCfWwMWodvqrdNNL3o2hU6V0G7ujlvQJTVuAiJX1ChyphenhyphenVEeYw7IGa15_-6V_Pgu27EDYFtdfjv9Ps0MKPpn5AU7YSaw9qMyjCssDj7i4ub3McUaLLKU8NUQ-Zqr3CVdFjWSrO9oMpUbiMZxn2iLAW56/w265-h354/WechatIMG1.jpg" title="Liu Yufan" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liu Yufan</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Liu Yufan: As I said before, I am willing to help others and meet different people, so I really wanted to go for being on the Banwei. More importantly, my classmates think I am really good at finding good restaurants and organizing events. They nominated me to the position, so I thought: why not!?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tess Yu: I primarily joined because I felt this would be a really good way to get as involved as possible at the HNC and to meet new people. I also wanted to help facilitate more opportunities for both international and Chinese students to spend time together and get to know each other. This was a unique semester in that everything is finally back in full swing after being virtual for 3 years and I wanted to be part of the process of bringing back traditions, making new ones, and overall breathing life back into the campus.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mike Donmoyer: Part of what motivated my decision to join this semester’s Banwei was the desire to push myself out of my comfort zone and build relationships with as many of my classmates as possible. I had experience leading close-knit teams while I was in the Army, but I worked remotely for the last two years, which isn’t the best environment for building lasting connections. The second factor that motivated my decision was an experience I had over the summer volunteering as a career mentor for a young man who had resettled in the US. Although we are from completely different backgrounds, he is also an Army veteran and is preparing to apply to university. Finding common experiences and interests is a great way to build community while considering unique ways to develop our careers. So, I hope to use my time on the Banwei to help foster these types of connections among my classmates.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What goals do you have for the fall semester?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fu Jiapei: This is the HNC's first full offline semester after Covid, so I want to bring back HNC traditions like walking the city wall in a day. I also want to help students create more spaces for interaction, such as interest groups, where I think students often have more interesting surprises in informal activities. Certain things like this couldn’t be duplicated in a virtual environment, so this year is sure to have more in store.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwNGLTTyf46sm760iogXmpM_vA8VkM9HtWG0_YJfCny6nmn3UpGoZsaeXM7a4M2d7gDDE9ICYqvTpHYVSqoNwUkRTrs_-inYsfBXDAQHhR3-Lwe76xqIOVtE45jJ0kYdx6JEcxWnYda-2Khd_8yynJP62N0aH_QYXNPAYsI-gs0LeTSXpPGDWpe9HOR36/s1706/b2700b3015c767b2874b9ee2ab0c32fe.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwNGLTTyf46sm760iogXmpM_vA8VkM9HtWG0_YJfCny6nmn3UpGoZsaeXM7a4M2d7gDDE9ICYqvTpHYVSqoNwUkRTrs_-inYsfBXDAQHhR3-Lwe76xqIOVtE45jJ0kYdx6JEcxWnYda-2Khd_8yynJP62N0aH_QYXNPAYsI-gs0LeTSXpPGDWpe9HOR36/w240-h320/b2700b3015c767b2874b9ee2ab0c32fe.jpg" title="Tess Yu" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess Yu</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Liu Yufan: I hope I can create more conversations between different groups of people, whether they’re in different programs or from different nations. What I want most is to make this one of the happiest semesters for current students! Work hard, play hard!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tess Yu: I hope that everyone comes out of this semester with both Chinese and international students they can call their close friends. It's a really broad goal, but between all the official and unofficial events we hold, I am confident this goal is achievable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mike Donmoyer: Of all the places I have studied, worked, and lived over the past 10 years, HNC is the ideal place to connect community and opportunity. Besides reviving all the incredible HNC traditions (particularly the Halloween party) as the first class fully in-person since the pandemic, I hope to encourage students to share their unique skills and experiences to form career-focused and special topic interest groups. I also want to find ways to establish a relationship between these groups and their counterparts at Nanjing University and the SAIS DC campus. Mostly, I want to help make my class’s HNC experience memorable and leave our mark on the center, whether it’s by redecorating the student lounge, vlogging our weekend trips, or creating entirely new traditions to pass down. This way, we can make HNC the destination of choice for more SAIS and Nanjing University applicants!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Other than your Banwei responsibilities, what are you looking forward to this year?</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijHzxl4DiCWiFf_YLLNdVrueFZcG0IW3vHW4A8kaWu46jpUOAKSzLn3QDtpvG1qsbk6GG-ptu4wQSJHoNCSI5XDwN3pWEnEhQCAU9amqJgbDtH0F_fNyu1P-4VtnjZdcJgSMqpLgfZVOxAcnKmtcCtBFCVm_wg-2FZN-q7uzPArfR9TeME2RZOxWFSYz2/s1608/Michael%20Donmoyer.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="1500" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijHzxl4DiCWiFf_YLLNdVrueFZcG0IW3vHW4A8kaWu46jpUOAKSzLn3QDtpvG1qsbk6GG-ptu4wQSJHoNCSI5XDwN3pWEnEhQCAU9amqJgbDtH0F_fNyu1P-4VtnjZdcJgSMqpLgfZVOxAcnKmtcCtBFCVm_wg-2FZN-q7uzPArfR9TeME2RZOxWFSYz2/w244-h261/Michael%20Donmoyer.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Donmoyer</td></tr></tbody></table>Fu Jiapei: Since I was in the Banwei last semester and focused more on what students wanted to see happen, I wasn’t able to meet everyone and develop as many relationships as I would have liked. It wasn't until the end of last semester that I realized how great many of my classmates were. This year I want to focus on getting to know each specific person. I want to have more in-depth one-on-one conversations with my classmates. HNC is a place of crouching tigers and hidden dragons and I look forward to discovering more treasure people this semester.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Liu Yufan: I hope I can have huge achievement in academic performance. My background is in art and broadcasting, so I have little knowledge of the social sciences. I sometimes find that I cannot fully understand what foreign students and philosophers are saying, so I also expect this time at the HNC to help improve my English.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tess Yu: I'm looking forward to playing my role in preventing ducks from flying out of Nanjing alive (i.e. Chinese duck dishes are very tasty). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mike Donmoyer: Although I have studied Chinese for years, I have only spent a total of one month in China over multiple trips. I plan to see as much of the country with my classmates as possible this year. So, I am very excited about our upcoming weekend trips! This winter, I hope to get a group together to go skiing and snowboarding. I think this will be a great way to see parts of the country (and maybe even an international destination) to which we might not normally travel. Finally, I must have my daily coffee, so I plan to write a future blog post about all the best coffee shops around the HNC and Nanjing University once I discover them! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Written by Sam Trizza, Certificate+MAIR 2025 </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-57779714166069944272023-08-31T12:28:00.002-04:002023-08-31T12:28:00.143-04:00A Highlight of Recent Graduates<p><i><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">This past May and June, I had the great honor of joining my classmates in walking across the Johns Hopkins SAIS and Hopkins-Nanjing Center commencement stages. It has been a challenging, yet rewarding two years, and I could not have done it without </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">the friends I have made in this program. While I could go on about my experiences, advice, and journey through the program, I wanted to highlight some of my impressive classmates and friends here. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></i></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{169}" paraid="823304618" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Joseph </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Baldock, from North Carolina,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> studied in the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) program, concentrating in Global Politics and China Studies. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Cao YuanPeng, from</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">安徽省安庆市</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, was enrolled in the one-year HNC Certificate program.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena Oduro is from Ghana, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">and studied in the HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIR program, focusing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> on economics, finance, China, and Africa. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{169}" paraid="823304618" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{193}" paraid="1621933902" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Why did you choose the program that you are enrolled in?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{205}" paraid="760478576" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">JOE: I knew I was interested in International Relations with an emphasis on Politics and China Studies, so the MAIS seemed like the right program for me. I really liked the concept of being able to learn about China and global politics through a Chinese lens, especially using Chinese, while still being able to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">maintain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> academic freedom. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{215}" paraid="1909345364" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{215}" paraid="1909345364" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Yuanpeng: My criteria for choosing courses are interest and professional relevance. I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wanted t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">o</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> do</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> some political science research, so the courses I took in the HNC Certificate program were mostly related to political science.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{229}" paraid="368219642" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{229}" paraid="368219642" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena: I chose the HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIR</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> program,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> because I thought it would give me a good understanding of learning in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">an</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> American context versus learning in a Chinese context</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. As someone who was interested not only in international relations and improving Chinese </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">proficiency</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, but also in China-Africa relations, I thought that I would get an even richer experience learning in both environments. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{249}" paraid="1371532262" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{2c8e3e3a-22af-4742-b551-4e952fff8274}{253}" paraid="437073382" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Were there any challenges you faced during your studies? How did you overcome them? </span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{4}" paraid="973082311" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">YuanPeng</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: The first challenge I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">encountered</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was the language. This was my first class in English and initially I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">couldn't</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> fully understand what the teacher was saying in class. My solution was to turn on the subtitles during the class which allowed me to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">take better notes</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. The second challenge was writing. When completing my course papers, I often made mistakes in my English writing. I solved this by seeking help from my American classmates!</span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{12}" paraid="1428834565" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{12}" paraid="1428834565" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">JOE: </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Having been out of school for a while before this, one challenge was getting back into the groove of doing academic reading and writing.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> It took a while of readjusting and talking to my peers for me to recalibrate back to academic writing. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{32}" paraid="615650136" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{32}" paraid="615650136" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena: </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I really struggled at the beginning of the MAIR program in DC trying to understand how to go through readings, extract key information, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">allocate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> time between assignments, and pick up the relevant international relations jargon. The process happened again at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, learning the relevant vocabulary, reading articles, and writing in Chinese. But I overcame these challenges by prac</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ticing. It just takes time! E</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">xposing yourself to having conversations with professors and students about those topics allowed me to get the information that I needed and learn how to use the terminology </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">correctly.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{58}" paraid="532622237" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{62}" paraid="2053961717" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">How do you see your future career trajectory after completing this program? OR What are your plans after graduating?</span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{68}" paraid="1730783491" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena: In the next year I see myself completing my national service for Ghana, and going into the private sphere. So that looks like either consulting or researching with private companies and international trade and economics, which is my focus. I also see myself working closely in the China Africa space, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">perhaps with</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Chinese enterprises on the continent, or in some sort of China Africa field. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{74}" paraid="1475379453" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{74}" paraid="1475379453" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">JOE: This program has definitely changed my career trajectory.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> found that I really enjoy the analytical side of this field. This was a way for me to move from my </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">previous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> field into one that fits more with think tank or academic work. I was able to realize my passion for these aspects through this program.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{90}" paraid="1889848591" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">YuanPeng</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: After completing the HNC program, I will be pursuing my PhD in China in September. In the future, I hope to do academic research in universities. Regarding my graduation plan, my plan is to go home and take a break first.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{98}" paraid="1920217512" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{98}" paraid="1920217512" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Can you share any standout experiences or memorable moments from your time in the program</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">OR </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">What was your favorite memory at the HNC or SAIS? </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{108}" paraid="1689746360" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">JOE: </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">For me, the best part was</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> being</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> part of a community where </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">you’re</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> taking the same classes, interested in the same topics, interning at the same places, and building connections with people. The conversations I had with my classmates outside of class constantly sparked dialogue and helped me </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">form</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> my own ideas about what I was studying. This challenged me in ways that I had never considered. I was even able to publish a few articles that I had either co-authored or at least discussed and formulated with my classm</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ates</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The food-filled days and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">karaok</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">e nights are memories </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I’ll</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> always treasure. You know </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">you’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> met someone special when they can sing and dance to Christmas </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">songs </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">for 4 hours straight as a group.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{108}" paraid="1689746360" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{150}" paraid="306084245" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena: It was the everyday life that really made me feel that the program was worth it, whether it was socializing with friends at happy hours in DC or catching up with HNC classmates about navigating classes. It was nice to get food and just socialize with friends during the weekend. Even though I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">wasn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> able to go to Nanjing this past year, I enjoyed my time in Taiwan—studying in cafes with friends, walking around in parks, and just generally enjoy life in Taipei. Sometimes it's the little things that are the most memorable. </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{150}" paraid="306084245" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{156}" paraid="337937198" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">YuanPeng</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: My most memorable experience at the HNC was when I graduated from the program and attended a piano recital by three American brothers, James</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Chad</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Daniel, at a cafe near the center. International students from China sat together and enjoyed the beautiful music they brought together. Before that, I had never enjoyed a piano performance so close. It was an unforgettable experience for me.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{172}" paraid="1485193073" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{176}" paraid="132932501" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What was the best class you took? </span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{182}" paraid="433021546" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">YuanPeng</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: My favorite classes would be Professor </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Mushkat's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Corruption and Anti-Corruption course and Professor Hua Tao's Chinese Ethnicity course. Professor </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Mushkat</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> always encouraged me when I had </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a hard time</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> speaking in the class, and her classes are </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">very informative</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Professor Hua Tao is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a very knowledgeable</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> teacher who always shares interesting stories with us in class.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{210}" paraid="2100497398" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{ba3a1e94-6ea9-4181-afb2-4667be63a56e}{210}" paraid="2100497398" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena: The best class I took at HNC is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">现代中国电影与社会</span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">with</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">杨柳老师. She</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was the coolest professor; she knew so much about Chinese music, the Chinese entertainment industry, directors and actors, and the terminology of filming scenes. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Also, w</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">atching a new Chinese movie might be </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">the best homework assignment ever. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Our class had American, Chinese, and European classmates, making it such a rich experience discussing exciting media platforms, whether it be laughing at funny scenes or having different opinions on various characters. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">It was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">the most</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">rewarding </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">class</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> I took in my entire two years</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, and I would </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">definitely take the class ag</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ain if I had the chance</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{1}" paraid="2086538508" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{1}" paraid="2086538508" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">JOE: </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">It’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> tough to narrow it down to one single class, but three that stood out to me were Qi Lingling’s Chinese Government and Politics, Shu Jianzhong’s Global Political Economy, and Hua Tao’s Ethnic Minorities class. Each had their own unique field of study, but one characteristic that they had in common was that they made me think deeply about the construction of the world without </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">attempting</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> to teach me a viewpoint. Each professor did an excellent job of challenging students without requiring students to agree.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{15}" paraid="1807237658" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{19}" paraid="1567028743" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">What advice would you give prospective students</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> considering the program </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">you’re</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> enrolled in? </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">For current students? </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></b></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{33}" paraid="140402056" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">JOE: </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">For anyone coming into this program, try your best to understand your interests before beginning, but </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">don’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> feel that you need to hold steadfast to it. Develop a sense of where you feel you want to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">go and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> allow yourself to freely explore. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">For current students, do things outside of school. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Don’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> let the HNC become your only experience because </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> not meant to be that. Many experiences that shaped my career happened outside of the classroom.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">For anyone </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">enrolling in the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">MAIS</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> program</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, PLEASE start your thesis as early as possible. Honestly, begin taking time to research it in your first semester to at least find a direction. It may seem like you </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">have ample </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">time but</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">coming from the sleepless months that myself and many others in my cohort experienced, you absolutely do not. I guarantee </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">y</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ou’ll</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">have better results in the end if you start early.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">YuanPeng</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">: </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I think the greatest thing I got from the HNC is not only the knowledge I learned, but the friendships I made with people from all over the world. These precious friendships are my life treasures. Therefore, my advice to prospective students is to be bold and make friends with your classmates in Nanjing, who are all very friendly and willing to make friends. I believe one's insight is always limited, and by talking with friends from all over the world you can open your eyes and realize the diversity of the world.</span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{97}" paraid="208339362" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{97}" paraid="208339362" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Abena: For prospective students looking at this program, brush up on your Chinese vocabulary before you start. Obviously, no matter how much you study, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">there's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> always going to be a learning curve at the beginning, but more exposure to Chinese writing, especially Chinese news sources, and Chinese IR vocabulary will be important.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> would also suggest focusing on making connections because I learned so much from just talking with classmates who have really niche interests.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">E</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">veryone here has such amazing backgrounds, interests and experiences. Lastly </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">if possible try to take courses outside of your focus. While my MAIR concentration is on China, Africa, economics and finance, the film class was completely out of my concentration, and it was the most rewarding course I took. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{127}" paraid="1909432114" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW30204723 BCX0" face="WordVisiCarriageReturn_MSFontService, Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;"> </span><br class="SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-wrap: nowrap; user-select: text;" /></span><br /></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{127}" paraid="1909432114" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{127}" paraid="1909432114" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Written by Betty Thai, HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIR '23</i></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW30204723 BCX0" paraeid="{5455c48f-fcb4-44be-9ae0-ec703a137087}{161}" paraid="1009505973" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="TextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW30204723 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW30204723 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-15680692623834841642023-08-17T12:27:00.001-04:002023-08-17T12:27:44.187-04:00A Weekend Trip Exploring History<p><i>This past May, Professor Adam Webb led a trip of students to
visit Kinmen Islands. The informal weekend trip was meant to explore the island
and its significance. To learn more about the trip, we interviewed two
students—Derek Chuah and Lucas Liu—about their experiences.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What did you do on this trip? Where did you go?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lucas Liu: Since the trip was relatively informal, we didn’t
have a hard itinerary. On Saturday we started our trip by travelling to the
Taiwanese Coast Guardsmen’s headquarters to talk about their day-to-day work
life and responsibilities and learned more about the tools they use. After
lunch, we toured the island’s various historical structures left behind from
decades of conflict with the mainland. At the end of the day, we treated the
Guardsmen to a delicious dinner of skewers, noodles, and other Kinmen
delicacies, not to mention bottles of eye-watering Kinmen liquor. For me, an
HNC student who spent the better part of the last year in Taiwan and had no
plans to travel to the mainland, it was the closest I had gotten. It was a
surreal experience, and I am glad to have been able to end my year at the HNC
with that trip.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiVSTNXiXRyDRsJu5f1AskbGkV0gBOu9LWUcG8gEBbKFZdgvtzcdgZjzCD9vGgYbYnY2jl2cU3duX1qO5muPkhwVbbmgW1RYwschEXDpsyc2gV1t2BvCUMjchiRoTvc1WLlw_f8RRjxrVvotkqeUIeGHnKZWpvQSDomRueU4NuyI4Aftn9N1POI4aR3aj/s1706/Image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1706" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiVSTNXiXRyDRsJu5f1AskbGkV0gBOu9LWUcG8gEBbKFZdgvtzcdgZjzCD9vGgYbYnY2jl2cU3duX1qO5muPkhwVbbmgW1RYwschEXDpsyc2gV1t2BvCUMjchiRoTvc1WLlw_f8RRjxrVvotkqeUIeGHnKZWpvQSDomRueU4NuyI4Aftn9N1POI4aR3aj/w371-h209/Image.jpeg" width="371" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Derek Chuah: Personally, I enjoyed this trip very much. I
learned so much about their history and culture through participating in free
guided tours offered by the Kinmen County Government. I went there earlier than
the rest of the group so I could spend more time to dive deep into Kinmen. I
spent four days there. Places I visited include the Kinmen Military
Headquarters, Jiangong Islet, Little Kinmen,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dayue Gun Tower, Mofun Street, Juguang Tower and I also hiked the Mount
Taiwu. <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday,
Professor Webb borrowed a coast guard’s personal van and drove us to places in
Kinmen and Little Kinmen, such as to the Kinmen Folk Cultural Village, and to a
site where we could see Xiamen at a close distance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Why did you participate in this trip to Kinmen Islands?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chuah: I participated in this trip because I always heard
about Kinmen in some of my previous classes about the geopolitical situations
in the 1950s so by visiting Kinmen, I hoped to hear and to learn about locals’
experiences living in Kinmen during the martial law era and afterwards. My
goals were met because I learned about cross-strait relations, such as that people
in Kinmen could travel to Xiamen by boat and the water in Kinmen also comes
from Fujian. So, there are a lot of economic activities going on between the
two sides.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9A0OCEHMQQYCROtllkPWZ_Zi0zvUA60jm4rzV04gXvU4GDDfJ2lNq34sJbnhVoy9U93TnzF41C-keXjyrC637vQ7vkq-n7DKHdwUh-A2UaQ2JpiBw2cDUYHTVyEV6ysOEym5PPqgwYKbF92K7O3pS2gczDXPbYNN3akcVONwwuojergDIyReihsEQL88/s1000/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="1000" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9A0OCEHMQQYCROtllkPWZ_Zi0zvUA60jm4rzV04gXvU4GDDfJ2lNq34sJbnhVoy9U93TnzF41C-keXjyrC637vQ7vkq-n7DKHdwUh-A2UaQ2JpiBw2cDUYHTVyEV6ysOEym5PPqgwYKbF92K7O3pS2gczDXPbYNN3akcVONwwuojergDIyReihsEQL88/w545-h188/Capture.PNG" width="545" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Liu: I had always wanted to learn more about the
geopolitical significance of Taiwanese islands close to the mainland like
Kinmen and Matsu. I also wanted to experience what life was like on Kinmen and
see what the experience was like for Taiwanese people living so close to the
mainland. As this was my last weekend in Taiwan, I also wanted to spend some
time with my classmates in what would be my last group experience with fellow
HNC students, and in the end, I truly enjoyed my time with them. </p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What was something unexpected you experienced or learned on
this trip?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Liu: Before arriving, I was always under the impression that
Kinmen was a hotly-contested piece of land that often brought up a lot of
conflict between the mainland and Taiwan. However, after speaking to the
Guardsmen, I was surprised to learn quite the opposite, at least from their
perspective. In their day-to-day duties and even from the perspectives of many
residents of the island, there was little indication of their worry over
cross-strait conflict. Their job centered on law enforcement, which mainly
dealt with illegal fishing and sand dredging and much less with any small or
larger scale conflict. Furthermore, I was very surprised to hear that many
residents have good opinions of the relationship between the mainland and
Taiwan, and some even travel to Xiamen on occasion. As a result, this trip
really changed my perspective on how disconnected the larger geopolitical
discussions can be from local communities, and I found this to be a very
valuable insight.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxW1ifYETX0-Xa2xN37tCdI1HYYE7rOM59-91PRn_5qjKHi6yH6YrkRMlADleswwAwgtfC_kMnD6xVspoe7xZrBtjyF3CtW4XmnFAv44HX9lBXJmd-sMaUVtiw0thIUWp83aTE2CF7wGRfJkaF3I5M_P5hghyZc0pyDixisd0GDsjKpOdoPMckDhEuocP0/s710/Capture%202.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="710" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxW1ifYETX0-Xa2xN37tCdI1HYYE7rOM59-91PRn_5qjKHi6yH6YrkRMlADleswwAwgtfC_kMnD6xVspoe7xZrBtjyF3CtW4XmnFAv44HX9lBXJmd-sMaUVtiw0thIUWp83aTE2CF7wGRfJkaF3I5M_P5hghyZc0pyDixisd0GDsjKpOdoPMckDhEuocP0/w368-h307/Capture%202.PNG" width="368" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Chuah: I didn’t know many people from Kinmen went to
Southeast Asia, and as a result, they brought back many ideas as shown in their
architectural style and food. For example, Cantonese congee with Chinese fried
donut is a common breakfast dish in Kinmen. When Kinmen people went to or came
back from Southeast Asia, they stopped in Canton; as a result, they brought it
back to Kinmen. They also bought back spices such as pepper from Southeast Asia,
so it is common to put a bit of pepper in the congee. Before I went to Kinmen,
I did not know they created so many underground tunnels and Kinmen preserved
some of the best Minnan villages.</p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What was your favorite part of the trip?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chuah: My favorite part of the trip was learning about
Kinmen through visiting historical sites and talking with locals and Coast
Guards. I also enjoyed eating the local food. It was nice to visit Kinmen
before I wrapped up my time in Taiwan. Overall, this was one of the best trips
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Liu: My favorite part of the trip was probably the meal we
shared with the Guardsmen. After a long day touring the island and learning
about both the role of the Taiwanese Coast Guard as well as the history of
Kinmen, it was nice to kick back and relax with our new friends and just chat
about our lives. We also tried many local Kinmen foods, like skewers, rice
porridge, and Kinmen gaoliang liquor, a local favorite. It was an enjoyable
night, and I’m very glad to have had the opportunity to share it with both
local friends and HNC classmates.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAZa2Z5Bf2tr29sPYpdVUplsKZjAn-QGRgY7Ks8uIYmJIyGgRHCSJ5LJvsbSNMuJ5hhbHbChsRIvIXG5bnQWR7VA_m8NY_n8p1FRmzktGgP3O09WzXw2-hjX2P0TeThGa_mj1VpL0OPmQ0nq7Bl0ifm9BDpCA8OF30XDl7H0Ovk1AwQXwn_2tHqF-COSa/s1047/Capture%203.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1047" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAZa2Z5Bf2tr29sPYpdVUplsKZjAn-QGRgY7Ks8uIYmJIyGgRHCSJ5LJvsbSNMuJ5hhbHbChsRIvIXG5bnQWR7VA_m8NY_n8p1FRmzktGgP3O09WzXw2-hjX2P0TeThGa_mj1VpL0OPmQ0nq7Bl0ifm9BDpCA8OF30XDl7H0Ovk1AwQXwn_2tHqF-COSa/w465-h227/Capture%203.PNG" width="465" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It seems that Lucas and Derek had a wonderful time on the island,
exploring the local food and learning a great deal about Kinmen’s perspective
on Strait relations. From reading their answers, you can get a sense of the
hidden gem that is Kinmen Islands. It has definitely inspired me to find
opportunities to visit the island one day. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lucas Liu is from San Francisco, California and is a Boren
Fellow. Derek Chuah is from New York City, and his concentration is on China
Studies and Security, Strategy, and Statecraft. Both Lucas and Derek are
MAIR+HNC Certificate students who graduated in June 2023. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Written by Betty Thai, </i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">MAIR+HNC Certificate 2023</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-63580330869988259772023-07-17T15:22:00.003-04:002023-07-17T15:22:00.151-04:00From Nanjing to Academia: An HNC Alumnus' transition from Master's to Ph. D.<p><b>Tell us a bit about your Ph. D. program and why you chose to pursue a doctorate after graduating from the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWv-kc4VGsrWTxz4HizKPrprOn2X9RgGniqzry3SaW6llFKJHldIFkTkpUWN-sXSp6npC7CNJeLzVboZ93uqNr6Lrr5et1FYEe5W3p2v6WcwdEOba55qRWkfpmLvOXmD5ppmtqQf1PtZgrx3A7IFS7BR-icCEactApxB41Mbz_qmZBC1u_16DvaO1UA/s1710/WechatIMG24.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1710" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWv-kc4VGsrWTxz4HizKPrprOn2X9RgGniqzry3SaW6llFKJHldIFkTkpUWN-sXSp6npC7CNJeLzVboZ93uqNr6Lrr5et1FYEe5W3p2v6WcwdEOba55qRWkfpmLvOXmD5ppmtqQf1PtZgrx3A7IFS7BR-icCEactApxB41Mbz_qmZBC1u_16DvaO1UA/s320/WechatIMG24.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I am interested in Chinese History and teaching, so I pursued a doctorate in Chinese History. I chose to attend Columbia University in the City of New York to pursue a degree in Middle Period (900-1400 AD) Chinese history and the history of Science. This time period is interesting for a number of reasons including its highly developed system of international relations. While premodern history is a different field from what we study at the HNC, what I learned during my time there, both in terms of content, as well as how to present work in Chinese and to communicate with Chinese classmates and professors have translated well to my Ph. D. work.<p></p><p><b>How often do you use Chinese in your program and/or other skills you gained while studying at the HNC?</b></p><p>The experiences I had taking coursework and then researching and writing a thesis at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center have uniquely prepared me to succeed in my field. I am currently in China to meet with Chinese professors as a part of my doctoral research and had to get in touch with Chinese universities in order to sponsor my visa. The success (though not necessarily ease) I have had navigating the visa process and the travel in China during this trip is absolutely a product of my time at the HNC in Nanjing.</p><p><b>What is a favorite memory of yours from your time at the HNC?</b></p><p>There are many fond memories, including lunches with classmates and faculty, where we could talk about anything in our target languages. I remember heated debates about Hong Kong and nurturing conversations with visiting professors. Those conversations give me faith in the type of educational institution that the HNC represents. I also loved the location of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, eating vegetarian noodles at the <i>Ling Gu Si</i> on Purple mountain (which is much closer than you think) and all of the many lectures held at the HNC.</p><p>Also, even though I couldn't finish it, the American Co-Director while I was at the HNC led a 26km walk around the perimeter of the Nanjing city wall that was definitely a day to remember.</p><p><b>What is one piece of advice you have for current or future HNC students?</b></p><p>To the 美方同学, speak as much Chinese as you can; to the Chinese students, speak as much English as you can. To both, of course, you should study hard, but if you never make it outside of the library, or never leave the HNC facilities to explore Nanjing and nearby cities, that would be very regrettable.</p><p><b>What do you see as the value of the HNC in the future?</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf9L5gC05dCsm2h0wUOkM_5ilLCkRP6gr5s3IYiQI0IQNgc-zA3G7AT8y8ptMmpnUtEUESTG4ivqvZxvRtJE1QyfNWhaL6crpSJjRO-eHj_EdXxsENSk1jcT9b9QnH9nPRO2vJ0AdnwOdu_aMRMYLhLUWpk8LS2gWl3M5eq5pahH2XrOwi-wQ9KIWKA/s950/Screenshot%202023-06-01%20at%209.33.36%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="950" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf9L5gC05dCsm2h0wUOkM_5ilLCkRP6gr5s3IYiQI0IQNgc-zA3G7AT8y8ptMmpnUtEUESTG4ivqvZxvRtJE1QyfNWhaL6crpSJjRO-eHj_EdXxsENSk1jcT9b9QnH9nPRO2vJ0AdnwOdu_aMRMYLhLUWpk8LS2gWl3M5eq5pahH2XrOwi-wQ9KIWKA/s320/Screenshot%202023-06-01%20at%209.33.36%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>The HNC is a beacon of light and optimism in the vicissitudes of international relations. I see the center as a tangible expression of the commitment of both Nanjing University and Johns Hopkins University to foster a place of focused exchange and communication. The [Hopkins-Nanjing Center] represents the possibilities for a positive, respectful, and productive relationship between the US and China as both countries seek to navigate the most pressing challenges of the coming decades.<br /><p></p><div><br /></div><div><i>Interview conducted by Alec Nash, MAIS 2024</i></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-65465907128486879182023-07-10T20:00:00.001-04:002023-07-10T20:00:00.146-04:00Learning from Practitioners: HNC Study Trips<p><i>Since the resumption of regular domestic travel in China last December, Hopkins-Nanjing Center faculty have resumed a long-standing HNC tradition: study trips. Study trips, typically led by faculty members, explore particular aspects of HNC courses in practice. Three study trips have been arranged in the past six months related to China studies, law, and green development.</i></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">China Studies Trip to Anhui Province</h3><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCzxiQiHEwq0xq8y01k5Fd6h4mQ6ZHG9yMMyCsRYCFu9wbndF2C31THQH6AjR2ORAJ80v920GgpQ3X030eaHwAfVnoLeTb5J0vM1Yw6J9l3hmbg3wjsQ3iHx7Vdjek1Pdy9-_I_5_IJAo7_H0UgvXBYQncZFoGGAa8KumDp2TR9KHifIYFxPEE-N3xJrk/s828/WechatIMG161.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="828" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCzxiQiHEwq0xq8y01k5Fd6h4mQ6ZHG9yMMyCsRYCFu9wbndF2C31THQH6AjR2ORAJ80v920GgpQ3X030eaHwAfVnoLeTb5J0vM1Yw6J9l3hmbg3wjsQ3iHx7Vdjek1Pdy9-_I_5_IJAo7_H0UgvXBYQncZFoGGAa8KumDp2TR9KHifIYFxPEE-N3xJrk/s320/WechatIMG161.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Professor Hua Tao with students in Zaojia Village</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFadD6rnJOB_KSTT56SeqPCzN6OB-sZmidEu5N06zcSxVXpDf32xLi9JIU3HGanpw_7snEz6zDMnuyZgz-vsQhE7vqvs1YX0O2sYywmfu2q1HDMrYIRDaDPHzTcoQdWpCujZ6MVM4lraCjKbhqhmuHDT6VWxnHn7QDL250rrzPnfDKVKsc8xCl2t7MGw9X/s1079/WechatIMG162.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFadD6rnJOB_KSTT56SeqPCzN6OB-sZmidEu5N06zcSxVXpDf32xLi9JIU3HGanpw_7snEz6zDMnuyZgz-vsQhE7vqvs1YX0O2sYywmfu2q1HDMrYIRDaDPHzTcoQdWpCujZ6MVM4lraCjKbhqhmuHDT6VWxnHn7QDL250rrzPnfDKVKsc8xCl2t7MGw9X/s320/WechatIMG162.jpeg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Students with Nanjing University faculty </span></td></tr></tbody></table>I was on one of the first study trips after China’s Covid policies eased in mid-December last year. In this trip, Professor Hua Tao led students on a trip to Zaojia Village (造甲乡) on the outskirts of Hefei, the capital city of Anhui province. On this trip, we spoke with local officials about rural governance, development, and business. We visited the local party headquarters to speak with Zaojia’s Party Secretary, a service center to speak with local community organizers, as well as an indoor mushroom farm and a rice and crayfish farm. <p></p><p>Throughout the trip, we had frank discussions with officials and business owners alike on public finance, local history, and the steps that local businesses were taking to make their companies more competitive in China’s emergent digital economy. Under professor Hua’s guidance, we learned how to ask insightful, productive questions that officials would be comfortable answering. </p><p>Ultimately, the trip was a worthwhile conclusion to Professor Hua’s “Social Problems of China’s Modernization” course. My classmates and I were able to witness firsthand the governance challenges that China’s local officials face on a day to day basis, which were a key feature of the course. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Law Trip to Nanjing People's Procuratorate</h3><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5K4RmhPXAhU8MRY-iMBM8NUFzu0U3sp46vZNrItKpJtEiltHuOCcJ3MjKstDa-QKZ88OVpfRX8uKVwpwLpdX8OEAVddoU7ZmbP_5KEyrAJepyIcInZ-M7TNcZjbIX8RIYDd48YX1IXhVGE8HBbTbeZpQtnrQwYpn22muoYtK9F5nvNo72oHlpXCiNYO8/s1920/WechatIMG159.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5K4RmhPXAhU8MRY-iMBM8NUFzu0U3sp46vZNrItKpJtEiltHuOCcJ3MjKstDa-QKZ88OVpfRX8uKVwpwLpdX8OEAVddoU7ZmbP_5KEyrAJepyIcInZ-M7TNcZjbIX8RIYDd48YX1IXhVGE8HBbTbeZpQtnrQwYpn22muoYtK9F5nvNo72oHlpXCiNYO8/s320/WechatIMG159.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Students and faculty on the steps of the Procuratorate</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>In March, students took a trip to the Nanjing People’s Procuratorate, led by HNC professor Zhang Miao in connection to his course on Chinese criminal law. HNC certificate student Wenjun Luo reflected that “the visit deepened my understanding of the class content, such as the criminal prosecution, civil prosecution, administrative prosecution, and public interest litigation. Our findings from the field visit corroborated what I learned in my law classes, but also provided valuable insights that went beyond course material.” </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Environmental Studies Trip to Chenzhuang Smart Village Experiment</h3><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMuNrpHzw0Z_XvChVmWs0Ozyg4iSw2e9clZUSwgbuYY_JGP8ydZfWIJN68nwVVTLiUxnzS0M8dtSrwum43JLmiHNbFckkY0O7vA_yJDnI4BQQ5XWtHv_buqRelNSP3-5oju_HjZnTDOU7WGDmMT-JmRwH2__6RP15srZmP9N2Yh4_4Au6N86RUJCrWtNi/s1920/WechatIMG158.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMuNrpHzw0Z_XvChVmWs0Ozyg4iSw2e9clZUSwgbuYY_JGP8ydZfWIJN68nwVVTLiUxnzS0M8dtSrwum43JLmiHNbFckkY0O7vA_yJDnI4BQQ5XWtHv_buqRelNSP3-5oju_HjZnTDOU7WGDmMT-JmRwH2__6RP15srZmP9N2Yh4_4Au6N86RUJCrWtNi/s320/WechatIMG158.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Students and faculty in Chenzhuang Village</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Lastly, in April, students and faculty visited Chenzhuang Village in Nanjing's neighboring city of Jurong with HNC ERE Professor Zhang Haiyan to study natural agriculture, green rural infrastructure, and rural residential construction projects. Students and faculty visited the Knowledge Rural Experimental Station of the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and had discussions with Chinese Academy of Sciences teachers and villagers on rural knowledge areas, community co-construction, and sustainable rural development. </p><p>Chad Higgenbottom (HNC Certificate 2023) saw the trip as an opportunity to learn about how local officials balance economic progress. "A valuable economic question is whether modernization and increased living standards can be achieved in a community without significantly disrupting traditional means of employment," Higgenbottom observed. "Our guide emphasized that constructing a lasting ecology in a village or area like Chenzhuang is considerably more difficult than erecting a run-of-the-mill tourism apparatus given how tried, tested and formulaic the latter has become in China, but a strong ecology keeps grasses green and a village-level economy more sustainable and tethered to its rural roots."</p><p><i>Written by Alec Nash, MAIS 2024</i> </p><div><br /></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-60565068470990309712023-06-30T14:01:00.001-04:002023-06-30T14:03:59.817-04:00And It’s a Wrap: End of Year Celebrations at the HNC<p><i>With finals season, and more importantly, graduation season right around the corner, HNC students engaged in several activities throughout the month of June to blow off some steam and celebrate what has been an eventful year for all. With an increase of students on campus, both Chinese and international, no opportunity was missed to organize in-person events and strengthen connections. During these last few weeks, some friendships were started, and others solidified as students prepared to wrap up their first year for some, and their HNC experience for others.</i></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Spring Concert</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bsslAIkD4amEDj8oU7KJ3DuoORD5H0sO2rNDTftb8q2N9pyeu8uWGG0EiJOlrLPQ0pM5CzDdTF8aGxH8QicmoP5dH5h30qFgvA3oplUy45r4aAGxpgEc_kdRI7W1tQi8cQnZHyAouKgVZiHMpvn9m8v6AUAbglPon2DtZ22NzzpvhLmfdvll6YU6kL3R/s1706/WechatIMG52987.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bsslAIkD4amEDj8oU7KJ3DuoORD5H0sO2rNDTftb8q2N9pyeu8uWGG0EiJOlrLPQ0pM5CzDdTF8aGxH8QicmoP5dH5h30qFgvA3oplUy45r4aAGxpgEc_kdRI7W1tQi8cQnZHyAouKgVZiHMpvn9m8v6AUAbglPon2DtZ22NzzpvhLmfdvll6YU6kL3R/s320/WechatIMG52987.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p>On May 27th several students organized and hosted a Spring Concert in the HNC lounge to raise money for the upcoming prom. With the invaluable help of student volunteers to run the bar and prepare drinks, other students performed a host of musical and dancing pieces. Guitar, bass, the <i>guzheng</i>, drums – no instrument was left aside. Faculty were also present, and some even participated in the performances.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Graduation Ball</h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNU-YbT4vS34QjRdHZtIajH_hbWtxSG15_Ay3Nuyop892qjjXOtHDPNbYIIQAQHe6-gdUQn4knU-x7zqLk-dLJdnIh71kcIk-gN2fez2sOfv7q22i64UJOXAzSrAvK0IR5JH9_QDak8DPwF6SHu0WSkAg91bD5d4MD8iuFQa_YVHiSGziPFcSjT6-x73JF/s1702/b288975188e395416e43eb7386ab4950.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1702" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNU-YbT4vS34QjRdHZtIajH_hbWtxSG15_Ay3Nuyop892qjjXOtHDPNbYIIQAQHe6-gdUQn4knU-x7zqLk-dLJdnIh71kcIk-gN2fez2sOfv7q22i64UJOXAzSrAvK0IR5JH9_QDak8DPwF6SHu0WSkAg91bD5d4MD8iuFQa_YVHiSGziPFcSjT6-x73JF/s320/b288975188e395416e43eb7386ab4950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On June 2nd, HNC students gathered in the ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel, located in the iconic Zifeng Tower. The event was organized by the student committee, or <i>banwei</i>, and drinks and food were also served at the buffet. The theme was a masked ball, so students arrived donning their best attire, some renting dresses and others dusting off their tuxedos. There was also a mask-making activity to fit with the theme. This night of celebration was a great way to blow off steam before the last push for finals week, and it also marked a perfect occasion to celebrate successful thesis defenses.<p></p><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Spring BBQ</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoImwjucjeqZO9KV0HuzUmWmBPwJ1jwQO4bqrf3KnPDIVHPc2uEtbHy2SqaM6M2md5BiLAY3PqAv72vIjv-maHkydg9nhhCf5FqYFz7rm93GVaWb7S70jsPciK-iNI7v1GeVJJZORqSwYOXz0XcZhmAoOYKGs7xjca5ykgyerJRajpd6DoPunG7g2gi3v/s4032/IMG_7415.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoImwjucjeqZO9KV0HuzUmWmBPwJ1jwQO4bqrf3KnPDIVHPc2uEtbHy2SqaM6M2md5BiLAY3PqAv72vIjv-maHkydg9nhhCf5FqYFz7rm93GVaWb7S70jsPciK-iNI7v1GeVJJZORqSwYOXz0XcZhmAoOYKGs7xjca5ykgyerJRajpd6DoPunG7g2gi3v/w320-h240/IMG_7415.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>On June 10th, HNC administration organized the annual barbecue with the support of various community members. Held in the Center's courtyard, students and staff manned the grill, serving both beef and meatless hamburger and hot dog options. Refreshments and desserts were also provided, and entertainment was ensured by our trusty HNC band. Due to a thunderstorm, the party eventually moved indoors, but the barbecue was nonetheless a welcome opportunity for students to gather and start preparing for the upcoming graduation ceremony.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">2023 Commencement Ceremony</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtUAcEyUx2CwUufgY2g7D86PatI6fqChKEI3bhxQyOD3BAPu4zHJpUx3nncCJ76OF0SEJehdcwc42_HLw-x1tQ1SMwA8SqvW3S0K6vdjg4HnNItaLQ5oXFb3KcHQG3u9M05q0U2Z57tXktLoaifDoKb83LPP3kOVdRDqD9M84ssPg_BEgtjfIB5JUp_Qy/s1080/IMG_7611.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtUAcEyUx2CwUufgY2g7D86PatI6fqChKEI3bhxQyOD3BAPu4zHJpUx3nncCJ76OF0SEJehdcwc42_HLw-x1tQ1SMwA8SqvW3S0K6vdjg4HnNItaLQ5oXFb3KcHQG3u9M05q0U2Z57tXktLoaifDoKb83LPP3kOVdRDqD9M84ssPg_BEgtjfIB5JUp_Qy/s320/IMG_7611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC4zydJU6lz6AUMdAajbWYChp0Mj5KP2HlzbTslNSB1sXG6Vn3yUAUteWGJ-FjE4Ige4nOVUv-VwIqv7ugvi-Ve8PlxNSCNPwurPH2GQZOwhzLJa-Y_qCJy52rF_NVdh9sRcobpqAm09jD1q80_kfqpC2Yjsw0uh1Q0NlJJVjgWSEb5ySAbQGmOodnSlK/s3600/DT230616-181.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC4zydJU6lz6AUMdAajbWYChp0Mj5KP2HlzbTslNSB1sXG6Vn3yUAUteWGJ-FjE4Ige4nOVUv-VwIqv7ugvi-Ve8PlxNSCNPwurPH2GQZOwhzLJa-Y_qCJy52rF_NVdh9sRcobpqAm09jD1q80_kfqpC2Yjsw0uh1Q0NlJJVjgWSEb5ySAbQGmOodnSlK/w320-h213/DT230616-181.jpg" width="320" /></a>June 16th marked HNC's 2023 commencement ceremony, celebrating and recognizing the 2023 graduating cohort. This ceremony had the highest in-person turnout of any graduation ceremony since 2019. Friends and family gathered in the HNC auditorium while students excitedly anticipated the conferral of their diplomas. The HNC welcomed esteemed guest speakers Dr. Jill McGovern, member of the Hopkins-Nanjing Council, and Dr. Hong Yixing, former Party Secretary of Nanjing University, and current Distinguished Professor in Economics. The speakers shared anecdotes about the founding of the HNC, initially a dream shared by two visionaries, president of Johns Hopkins University, Stephen Muller, and president of Nanjing University, Kuang Yaming, which eventually became reality. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSOCivkrO3KuNd-7TNVbt5axL7Nk3AhD0FGXPDKmMywvXaru2kRVbUZrl6_TVBJar5pnqCvVPUFNy-gI-KE3n6iWj28VzwEixYDQQPoB14kAs0hDczrUkyQRAyWsujsZhc0tvuZr1pBgSuuYF-_KXkoxp6-pvnhh-VgxhWYVte8ajz3l5x2A6F58vYEzs/s3600/DT230616-187.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSOCivkrO3KuNd-7TNVbt5axL7Nk3AhD0FGXPDKmMywvXaru2kRVbUZrl6_TVBJar5pnqCvVPUFNy-gI-KE3n6iWj28VzwEixYDQQPoB14kAs0hDczrUkyQRAyWsujsZhc0tvuZr1pBgSuuYF-_KXkoxp6-pvnhh-VgxhWYVte8ajz3l5x2A6F58vYEzs/w320-h213/DT230616-187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The banwei also gave out the prizes for the ping pong tournament, held in honor of the normalization of US-China relations and Ping-Pong Diplomacy. The two student speakers, Song Tianqi and Chad Higgenbottom also delivered touching speeches to the class of 2023 as they prepare to move on to the next stages in their lives.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Dragon Boat Race</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutLn_SNgJDkVtiYrUxKkAIROi0agjUfwiWxJoylHZ4UkyerPmqguOCf7t_RUE-1xs2rXpNiIbV8nEkcnLJATWwIQa869huuryaSvlW7LB3AfQVfPHJu0uWgGcSCxr3YdPU0syJ9AM43Z5-rBTD0Z3vSCAYa4I7rVYbcASrYQxXOwMNMOPTwJAe935uZ2G/s1080/IMG_7609.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1080" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutLn_SNgJDkVtiYrUxKkAIROi0agjUfwiWxJoylHZ4UkyerPmqguOCf7t_RUE-1xs2rXpNiIbV8nEkcnLJATWwIQa869huuryaSvlW7LB3AfQVfPHJu0uWgGcSCxr3YdPU0syJ9AM43Z5-rBTD0Z3vSCAYa4I7rVYbcASrYQxXOwMNMOPTwJAe935uZ2G/s320/IMG_7609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On June 17th the HNC dragon boat team participated in a race held in Baguazhou, a suburban neighborhood of Nanjing. Clad in their uniforms, the HNC team raced twice, managing to avoid capsizing and receiving the award for best drummer. We also enjoyed watching the other events and enjoyed the festive atmosphere ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMzQgsRjzgY0JnnXM4Pfrg2L1ihTCBtiDueY0xXDm6FNR-nfwD9FwY1hl9BHzbiKHsqia2wVTarIl8Wh_qo1-6p7oFvRDmYpiLdeJ_FLe0Jukzl6LWb7nB_bsASKnzxeEDVeSpRI3PqDyTdBju52ZR4_tLDqy_c6fXvKUXr_21_lbqbVddIivo4uPSOCm/s837/IMG_7608.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="837" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMzQgsRjzgY0JnnXM4Pfrg2L1ihTCBtiDueY0xXDm6FNR-nfwD9FwY1hl9BHzbiKHsqia2wVTarIl8Wh_qo1-6p7oFvRDmYpiLdeJ_FLe0Jukzl6LWb7nB_bsASKnzxeEDVeSpRI3PqDyTdBju52ZR4_tLDqy_c6fXvKUXr_21_lbqbVddIivo4uPSOCm/s320/IMG_7608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIng1T2p5IrAtpHZxz1Jch4b8yPdYN_r3Fhn36z8rFmLA0lOXWoZ6r54OG23-i2p56Ch_CD5gvolaXW0qzwQ7zK0rrwkHodXstSwIhuE9erLWb72B1Vv0r3Zt-eU9iOgK9lIhF0qw32EH67dBMpivJvpjKMbI6O4cM0mLF4jpneDi-uYIWtmrpNFDqrbR/s1080/IMG_7609.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><i><div><i><br /></i></div>Written by Sophia Pradels, MAIS 2024</i></div><p></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-30100877202626610992023-06-01T15:31:00.000-04:002023-06-08T10:14:13.291-04:00Sports at the HNC: Students share about on- and off-campus activities<p><i>Despite their busy study schedule, Hopkins-Nanjing Center students often find time to participate in organized sports during their time in Nanjing. With the resumption of normal activities at Nanjing University and in campuses across China in the last few months, students have had ample opportunities to stay active in Nanjing University's Gulou campus and across Jiangsu province. We asked HNC students about some of the sports and activities in which they have participated over the past semester.</i></p><p><b>Basketball Team – Wang Zikun MAIS’24 </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj4PGPVhvg5rHT0l9LZiv5x4y0lg5NpNJqmdV_v4rsigzvzcJArjd-d6on7W4ODn_cOIDnw1LUrxXvbf03bZSHBxS-6xdPThbp0klzOq2cB1yCcOgkxxV_TAxPZOn51F8yzpO3aoZs1TMRgS0ZUMklt9gY9PsG92d0xrCn33Er-vRy-pHt3wmOPOJbg/s6240/Basketball%20team.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj4PGPVhvg5rHT0l9LZiv5x4y0lg5NpNJqmdV_v4rsigzvzcJArjd-d6on7W4ODn_cOIDnw1LUrxXvbf03bZSHBxS-6xdPThbp0klzOq2cB1yCcOgkxxV_TAxPZOn51F8yzpO3aoZs1TMRgS0ZUMklt9gY9PsG92d0xrCn33Er-vRy-pHt3wmOPOJbg/w400-h266/Basketball%20team.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>The HNC has long participated in the Nanjing University graduate student basketball tournament. Prior to the pandemic, students from the HNC would form a team to play against teams from different schools within the university. When Wang Zikun saw the trophies won by HNC basketball teams in the past, he felt motivated to revive this tradition. He was finally able to do so this Spring semester with more and more Chinese and international students coming back on campus. In partnership with the Urban Construction School, and with HNC sponsorship, the basketball team was officially restarted and ready to participate in the tournament. Students sometimes meet on the HNC basketball court to practice, but more often end up meeting on other courts in Nanjing University to play with other students. With everyone’s busy and often conflicting schedules, students tend to meet sporadically between 1-3 times a week on the Gulou campus. The practices are very casual and are open to anyone on the court that wishes to participate in 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 games. For Wang Zikun, starting up the basketball team at the HNC re-ignited his interest in the sport. During his undergraduate studies, he regularly played with his friends at Nanjing University, but due to Covid and a busy academic life he had been playing much less often. Restarting the HNC basketball team also gave him and other students a chance to not only play together, but also exchange about their different cultures and languages. The team is a special way to bring Chinese and international students together, deepen their understanding of basketball by learning new terms in Chinese and in English, and especially to learn about each other. Through this experience, Wang Zikun has felt a sense of belonging, not only to a friend group and a team, but especially to a strong and supportive community.<p><b>Badminton Club – Liu Yi, MAIS’24</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtaZ_Mb1bA1CFNPK9UvGQaPZAYOo79Xn7fF117mVU8WvoZ6ToUsy46mXiZlqrKZL-N5vD9j1N_9A_HFHjwHw32pZeLfqvvRj2QpeFYbiVV-AVFgxPvVpo3AUscmSjIT2FH6neDKrmE8ptj_820Q0gP-5RMOK2WmP3jRO2TF0EqW3r2KU0pyH6kNVR1A/s3096/Badminton.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="3096" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtaZ_Mb1bA1CFNPK9UvGQaPZAYOo79Xn7fF117mVU8WvoZ6ToUsy46mXiZlqrKZL-N5vD9j1N_9A_HFHjwHw32pZeLfqvvRj2QpeFYbiVV-AVFgxPvVpo3AUscmSjIT2FH6neDKrmE8ptj_820Q0gP-5RMOK2WmP3jRO2TF0EqW3r2KU0pyH6kNVR1A/w400-h266/Badminton.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The badminton club was founded spontaneously by a group of students and by Professor Paul Armstrong-Taylor during the winter break, as a way to exercise. The group has grown since, with many joining on WeChat and during practices when they are available. The club tends to meet 2 to 4 times a week, depending on people’s availabilities. Interest is first garnered on WeChat, and then Liu Yi or another student will book a court on the Nanjing University App. Booking the court can be challenging because they run out fast, so it is recommended to wake up at 8am to get one. Once a practice session is set up, students sometimes meet directly at the court, or in the lobby of the HNC and walk over together. There are typically 3 to 4 students that come to practice, and sometimes 6 or 8. There are no competitions organized yet, given that the meetups are casual and that everyone is amateurs. However, if there is enough interest and more people decide to join, an inter-departmental competition with Nanjing University could be feasible. For Liu Yi, joining the badminton club has meant she can exercise more with her peers and see notable progress in herself and her teammates when they practice together. Thanks to the badminton club, she has learned various techniques to move more effectively on the court, hit the birdie with more force, and to reduce the risk of injury.</p><p><b>“Nankings” Ultimate Frisbee Club – Noah Smith, MAIS’23</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnciMRg0kCU0mAxYyumGJeKxty3yFdjOjVlvfGNuw6qFLRSfuQLIFnpEd6zx6froh8scD7JTj4eqBzCaSz0AIh1x7qOe8pTXGjOvcLuu1JVoQ8LkFiTn4XvGfiIj_8cv799Ew4QnA_RDGYXQm4Z6JKB9NnHoFIHu3Jqg3948zx22L4FqKkSC34lbEzg/s1600/Frisbee%20team.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnciMRg0kCU0mAxYyumGJeKxty3yFdjOjVlvfGNuw6qFLRSfuQLIFnpEd6zx6froh8scD7JTj4eqBzCaSz0AIh1x7qOe8pTXGjOvcLuu1JVoQ8LkFiTn4XvGfiIj_8cv799Ew4QnA_RDGYXQm4Z6JKB9NnHoFIHu3Jqg3948zx22L4FqKkSC34lbEzg/w400-h266/Frisbee%20team.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXzzRtgwwZaFMxVXG5S3cmiBJsrewVaB9PFBgmGyxPCBtetuXIwl0UJ-0sR4eD1n6KR9lx1IrYoIW6Ho7h-NQw3vwczpIk4O-gmt6_UpaG2ZGsVgTyHru9K4dKnQ8Cdr59wUL_WK_n-hcgwtVv13bFPEIcuNZQ0ooTDbTetfxtq9caf8f3FADhew61Q/s1968/Noah%20frisbee.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXzzRtgwwZaFMxVXG5S3cmiBJsrewVaB9PFBgmGyxPCBtetuXIwl0UJ-0sR4eD1n6KR9lx1IrYoIW6Ho7h-NQw3vwczpIk4O-gmt6_UpaG2ZGsVgTyHru9K4dKnQ8Cdr59wUL_WK_n-hcgwtVv13bFPEIcuNZQ0ooTDbTetfxtq9caf8f3FADhew61Q/w213-h320/Noah%20frisbee.jpeg" width="213" /></a>Noah Smith first heard about “Nankings” in 2019. The club is composed of its founder, an Irish American, and mostly Chinese players which include professionals and students from various universities in Nanjing. The team is mixed, and they meet mostly on weekends, either at Xuanwu Lake or other places with enough field space. Practice times and frequency can vary and attendance is entirely voluntary. The club occasionally plays against clubs from other cities and can sign up for tournaments hosted either in Nanjing or neighboring cities. This year in April, the club participated in the national frisbee tournament held in Nanjing, the first of its kind since the lifting of Covid measures. 16 teams in total competed from all over Jiangsu province. For Noah, the “Nankings” ultimate frisbee club is an ideal way to improve his skills and to understand how high-level frisbee is played in China. Participating in this club is also a great way to stay active and meet people outside of the HNC. A highlight of the club has been the spirit of camaraderie and spirit of the game that the sport diffuses. All games are self-officiated, and referees are only supposed to give their opinion on a disagreement when asked. This ‘spirit of the game’ trickles over to other aspects, and creates a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere, where opponents will casually play games during the time out. There is overall less of a sense of competition and more of camaraderie in the Chinese teams Noah has played with.</p><p><b>Swimming</b></p><p>The Nanjing University Gulou campus boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool that students often go to to exercise and cool off when the temperature rises. The entrance fee is 10RMB and swimmers are required to wear a swim cap. Students sometimes go together in the evenings when the pool is usually more empty, to relax after a busy day.</p><p><i>Written by Sophia Pradels MAIS '24</i></p><div><br /></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-23822454088005991602023-05-22T23:24:00.000-04:002023-05-22T23:24:54.860-04:00Ambassador Burns Visits the Hopkins-Nanjing Center<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="normaltextrun">On May 9, 2023,
Ambassador Nicholas Burns and colleagues from the US Mission to China visited
the Nanjing University (NJU) and the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC). The tour
began on NJU’s historic Gulou campus, including stops at the historic North
Building and the Pearl S. Buck House. The latter was the residence of American
author Pearl S. Buck for 15 years in the 1920s and 1930s and since 2012, it has
been a small museum dedicated to Buck’s life. One of the highlights was when
the Pearl S. Buck House Director showed the Ambassador the third-floor cupola
where Buck wrote most of her Noble Prize-winning novel, <i></i><i><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">The Good Earth</span></i><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">. The Ambassador then met with NJU school leadership before
coming to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"><span class="eop"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span data-ccp-props="{}"><span class="eop"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO1au5nKHGWepnUvlVF5cAh-0I3DhE_ovZpAks5e66UBJx35-gIdgkdF8WA0RrS2QAw1lwNQ91IRX35o9wHKRTGQte9kBw9rvULcUU-Hd7xanJI8X80elMOSWvj-lHcjAi861_M8-VSqAxJIseC3WQbqg2RKREi9A9oI--v4oBiMZ2eULgymj6ikE4rA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="929" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO1au5nKHGWepnUvlVF5cAh-0I3DhE_ovZpAks5e66UBJx35-gIdgkdF8WA0RrS2QAw1lwNQ91IRX35o9wHKRTGQte9kBw9rvULcUU-Hd7xanJI8X80elMOSWvj-lHcjAi861_M8-VSqAxJIseC3WQbqg2RKREi9A9oI--v4oBiMZ2eULgymj6ikE4rA=w551-h240" width="551" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Visit to the Pearl S. Buck House in Nanjing. Photos courtesy of @USAmbChina on Twitter</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span class="normaltextrun" style="font-family: helvetica;"><span data-ccp-props="{}">The
Ambassador toured the Hopkins-Nanjing Center campus facilities, including the HNC’s world-class library. During the library tour, the Ambassador
was able to view the HNC’s complete physical collections of the State
Department’s </span><i><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">Foreign
Relations of the United States</span></i><span data-contrast="auto" xml:lang="EN-US">.
He also signed two books in the HNC’s collection that he had edited and co-authored.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="eop"> </span></span><p></p><p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2e2e96c9-ac52-401e-9e24-0d2c8b168271}{15}" paraid="2085787039" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span data-ccp-props="{}"><span class="eop"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwEG-A3sFP8b7MGAtFEKS54aYTSM7LKRNOWtRVGe492Xgd6-rzJUAE1caKFvkhv83EtBtwz-G5oS6g1HJjV2hEcLPG79Ct5OJr3bVjAgKslOw15fg47dcMz_VZwzvaBYo_fYwsNhPouziBXx_7Bb-o_OCVNIIRp7UIlaAD-yto_sTJURqqpH1SZfKJYQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="850" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwEG-A3sFP8b7MGAtFEKS54aYTSM7LKRNOWtRVGe492Xgd6-rzJUAE1caKFvkhv83EtBtwz-G5oS6g1HJjV2hEcLPG79Ct5OJr3bVjAgKslOw15fg47dcMz_VZwzvaBYo_fYwsNhPouziBXx_7Bb-o_OCVNIIRp7UIlaAD-yto_sTJURqqpH1SZfKJYQ=w476-h196" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Viewing the HNC's collection of 'Foreign Relations of the United States', <br />Ambassador Burns prepares to sign two of his books held in the HNC collection.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2e2e96c9-ac52-401e-9e24-0d2c8b168271}{15}" paraid="2085787039" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun" style="font-family: helvetica;">After the campus
tour, he engaged in a lively question-and-answer session with members of the
HNC community in the student lounge that lasted over an hour.</span></p><p class="paragraph" paraeid="{2e2e96c9-ac52-401e-9e24-0d2c8b168271}{15}" paraid="2085787039" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="eop"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAXREk1Qmg0Y6f9wT842vKMFj0aFshjqw6fJjrrshp2c5w0mfB5956D00pdmj4BgQ3h6gI9ZjRZuPHliazLBiwfert4lrof_OpkcUQpTwHeNLuyZovq8KITxNzPZmEX8xIuh8nucdZeiwMjSnlQoUsxHuZRNbNMxf2cC4Lmx4g-g_q_-z5BWdixcgj4w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1350" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAXREk1Qmg0Y6f9wT842vKMFj0aFshjqw6fJjrrshp2c5w0mfB5956D00pdmj4BgQ3h6gI9ZjRZuPHliazLBiwfert4lrof_OpkcUQpTwHeNLuyZovq8KITxNzPZmEX8xIuh8nucdZeiwMjSnlQoUsxHuZRNbNMxf2cC4Lmx4g-g_q_-z5BWdixcgj4w=w496-h292" width="496" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ambassador Burns speaks to the HNC community in the Student Lounge.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="normaltextrun">As a Johns Hopkins SAIS graduate
(DC, ‘80), this visit held special meaning for the Ambassador. He was joined by
fellow Mission China diplomats from the Embassy and the Shanghai Consulate,
which has jurisdiction over Jiangsu province. The delegation’s many connections
to Johns Hopkins SAIS go beyond the Ambassador—Shanghai Consul General James Heller completed
the HNC’s graduate certificate program in 1992, and the Political Affairs
Officer from the Shanghai Consulate, Anton Wishik, graduated from the HNC MAIS
program in 2011.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"><span class="eop"> </span></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span data-ccp-props="{}"><span class="eop"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEignWhp9LOl0xetYNdDeNNlr-K8egf5wewZLlwVUrEASKqTdtrR_tC8U8RqH8Fuh4tsA49We_1w_z40-dbR7oo9e3Bdw6szydhy0nUxpoq_B4coYE27Zh7GdNnopaNrQ9wqTQzo9lLm4xcfoOcsgSCtmccx-6dELc1aMJr_hc8XzHyubHzrAaYz1SMTvQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1270" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEignWhp9LOl0xetYNdDeNNlr-K8egf5wewZLlwVUrEASKqTdtrR_tC8U8RqH8Fuh4tsA49We_1w_z40-dbR7oo9e3Bdw6szydhy0nUxpoq_B4coYE27Zh7GdNnopaNrQ9wqTQzo9lLm4xcfoOcsgSCtmccx-6dELc1aMJr_hc8XzHyubHzrAaYz1SMTvQ=w398-h277" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A tour of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. From L-R; James Heller, John Urban, <br />Sun Wen, Ambassador Burns, Cong Cong, Anton Wishik.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></span></span></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-82463530496875559872023-05-11T01:13:00.000-04:002023-05-11T01:13:18.713-04:00European Union Chamber of Commerce in China: Recruiting Visit to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkoFrTNGPi2uxsTYRmoOwSxO5HkFCjVp5Ijc94Pd99Dky7u3w8xo4I67Y4oouI75gyJLI_-bcV3705ByMb_cTpisngzOIupEQ_D42YSewFX-h8mgSkYML4nL356D1_eIJbmgaAhV8xfnjm3zfS0XHeGSuoHCDKT2oTP9b2BSF_DSVNzH7Fu_mC72flw/s4032/EU%20Chamber%20Event%202023-04-26%2000005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkoFrTNGPi2uxsTYRmoOwSxO5HkFCjVp5Ijc94Pd99Dky7u3w8xo4I67Y4oouI75gyJLI_-bcV3705ByMb_cTpisngzOIupEQ_D42YSewFX-h8mgSkYML4nL356D1_eIJbmgaAhV8xfnjm3zfS0XHeGSuoHCDKT2oTP9b2BSF_DSVNzH7Fu_mC72flw/w400-h300/EU%20Chamber%20Event%202023-04-26%2000005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Adam Dunnett, Secretary-General of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On April 26, 2023, representatives from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China visited the Hopkins-Nanjing Center to introduce the Chamber and available job opportunities. Mr. Adam Dunnett, the Secretary-General—in charge of seeing the Chamber’s seven chapters across nine Chinese cities—led the presentation. </p><p>Mr. Dunnett spoke about the Chamber’s history and crystallized its mission as “ABC”: Advocacy, Business Intelligence, and Community Building. He also introduced the important advocacy work the Chamber does on behalf of European companies in China, what he enjoys about working at the Chamber, and the number of HNC students who have interned and worked at the Chamber over the years. </p><p>Speaking to over twenty HNC students, Dunnett was joined by Nanjing Chapter General Manager Ms. You Haiyan and Government Affairs Manager Ms. Chen Si. Ms. You explained how advocacy plays out locally by introducing the Nanjing Chapter’s Position Paper, on April 27, the day after the visit, and how the local chapter’s interests and work differ from the main office in Beijing, where Dunnett is based. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_JSz37bBBbO4uxzE9-Fo69nbYPqZyyajJcLI-NFCMlJPdAaRLSOEM_KtgaokHuWxOSPeWL3wj5sP9LJ2TEqxzUtfrgP-4uEgSEbFbGSYmDRNHVIQNDH7VphzXmJvGVo3vonKV1koI7IWDfjKnoBqFXoTiAmKykVo5aW1cmONtSFxYjLJfnzxD6koRA/s4032/EU%20Chamber%20Event%202023-04-26%2000032.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_JSz37bBBbO4uxzE9-Fo69nbYPqZyyajJcLI-NFCMlJPdAaRLSOEM_KtgaokHuWxOSPeWL3wj5sP9LJ2TEqxzUtfrgP-4uEgSEbFbGSYmDRNHVIQNDH7VphzXmJvGVo3vonKV1koI7IWDfjKnoBqFXoTiAmKykVo5aW1cmONtSFxYjLJfnzxD6koRA/w400-h300/EU%20Chamber%20Event%202023-04-26%2000032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">HNC students with European Union Chamber of Commerce Representatives</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Finally, Mr. Dunnett discussed what he and the leadership team look for in applicants, explaining how students can best demonstrate their academic and professional credentials in their resume. After the meeting, EU Chamber representatives took a group picture and spoke casually with students in the HNC’s courtyard.<p></p><p>In the last 10 years, numerous Hopkins-Nanjing Center students have interned and worked at the European Chamber at chapters in Nanjing, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, and in the main Beijing office. Given their diverse backgrounds, interests, and wide understanding of global affairs, HNC students continue to be attracted to the Chamber for internships and jobs.</p><div><br /></div><p></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-81581667757103752292023-04-12T21:40:00.000-04:002023-04-12T21:40:49.384-04:00HNC Alum Establishes Fellowship for Students<p><i>Yasuyuki Goto (Hopkins-Nanjing Center, ‘10) recently established the Yasuyuki Goto fellowship for students at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. In the interview below, he shared his impressive career trajectory in international finance, his passion about working as a bridge between the East and West in finance, his HNC story, along with his reasons for giving back to the community.</i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw6S8VXMdA2sF8LJSMWlUxiqhO_cpZaKFQuccxarRCqsYmrJPseXNEmhpe4iTQx3FrKezxG4BjLi3xgZvXLeOrcdfObRNuvSO3a0M6w9mjeobQxuDErQCfehKJZqS2fjQKM3HbC-A3DJ8pXwcF-mVasLoJ-IMNfqr9ndO3DgmNXr4Gz6-w_tdHp0YlA/s1664/Screenshot%202023-04-13%20at%208.43.38%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1664" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw6S8VXMdA2sF8LJSMWlUxiqhO_cpZaKFQuccxarRCqsYmrJPseXNEmhpe4iTQx3FrKezxG4BjLi3xgZvXLeOrcdfObRNuvSO3a0M6w9mjeobQxuDErQCfehKJZqS2fjQKM3HbC-A3DJ8pXwcF-mVasLoJ-IMNfqr9ndO3DgmNXr4Gz6-w_tdHp0YlA/w400-h303/Screenshot%202023-04-13%20at%208.43.38%20AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yasuyuki with his classmates at the HNC, wearing the class shirt he designed </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Could you talk a bit about your career after the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?</b></p><p>After graduating from the HNC in 2010, I returned to Tokyo to start my finance career, working at Macquarie Bank as a junior equity analyst covering commodity sectors in Japan. In the process, I discovered my interest in asset management, and switched to the so-called “buy-side”, working at the Tokyo office of PIMCO, an American investment management firm. After that, I worked at Blackstone Group, fundraising for Blackstone’s private funds from Japanese investors. Then I took a gap year. With COVID-19 disrupting my plan to go back to the industry, I published my first book,“最強の 外資系資産運用術”( The Strongest Foreign Asset Management Technique), in April 2021, a how-to guide on building a personal equity portfolio. As the global economy was slowly recovering from the pandemic, I worked at TransPacific Group LLC in Hong Kong. One day, my ex-boss in Blackstone called me and asked if I wanted to work for the KKR & Co. Inc.. He became my current boss at the KKR. Another boss at KKR New York also happened to be the ex-head of Asia at PIMCO when I was there. As you can see, people move according to different aspirations and market changes, yet individual trajectories often intersect. Here’s a life lesson: don’t be the bad or nasty guy to work with. Be nice to everyone, because your colleague might be your boss one day!</p><p><b>What excites you about your career in international finance? And what is the most challenging part about international finance?</b></p><p>In my industry, mindset and cultural differences matter so much, even in terms of risk and returns of investment and the allocation of money. For example, East Asian people care about “面子”(face), an intangible social value. Losing money from investment is losing face. On the other hand, people in the US tend to talk more about lessons learned through failure, though losing money is not something to be proud of. What interests me the most about my job is to work as a medium between different cultures. My language ability allows me to serve as a bridge between US and Japanese and East Asian clients. Closing the language gap, and more importantly the culture gap, helps both sides understand how they approach investment and asset allocation differently. And that leads to new challenges: how to localize international regulations in finance and implement it on the ground, how to interpret the nuanced cultural meaning behind financial language, and how to translate Western concepts to the Eastern world.</p><p><b>How did studying at the HNC shape your career and your life?</b></p><p>The Hopkins-Nanjing Center gave me the credibility of language skills, because in Nanjing you are not able to get around with English as much as you could in Beijing or Shanghai. Also, China is the biggest trading partner with Japan and lots of Japanese businesses work with Chinese counterparts, so it’s important to have an understanding of the Chinese market and what’s going on in China. In academia, Japanese students mostly decide to study international relations in the US, so my unique experience and skills were valuable differentiators for my career. Thirteen years after my studies at HNC, my friends and colleagues still recognize me as a China expert and ask me a lot about China and my experience there.</p><p><b>What was your best memory at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center?</b></p><p>The class committee, aka“班委”, was responsible for printing, promoting, and selling their own class T-shirt every semester. And an idea came to me, why not design my own T-shirt with my picture on it? I did so, and I sold thirty to forty copies to my classmates. We even did a catwalk show on the HNC campus with my T-shirt.</p><p><b>Could we talk a bit about the fellowship you have established at the HNC? What motivates you to give back? Why did you choose to give back to the HNC in particular?</b></p><p>The first thing is how much impact I could make through my giving. I hope through my fellowship, more students learn about the HNC and have access to the institution, the community, and the network that we have. In addition, I hope the fellowship can make an impact on fostering the bilateral relationship between China and Japan given the lack of mutual understanding between the two. It is relatively difficult for Japanese students to study international relations in China. Therefore, I want to help encourage students to learn about Sino-Japanese ties in politics, economy or culture.</p><p><b>Do you have any advice for students and recent graduates?</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY0d0C0cOi2BLttT1Iilgd7DIfLUxpxZeA8dO5Q4DTvvH82RsDxJh854iKdwh5BfGmOhdTt07b405IuHUXqMJ3rf8RZYT8AG6BkHcYSRDkppZM5S16Z1-HKJ5yWf2MG4qNNFTxKVNMfBeIY88crx-DlQ72bGsiPWw7XDIf2PRRgNZH4ufip9tICCOrQ/s1568/Screenshot%202023-04-13%20at%209.37.11%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1568" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY0d0C0cOi2BLttT1Iilgd7DIfLUxpxZeA8dO5Q4DTvvH82RsDxJh854iKdwh5BfGmOhdTt07b405IuHUXqMJ3rf8RZYT8AG6BkHcYSRDkppZM5S16Z1-HKJ5yWf2MG4qNNFTxKVNMfBeIY88crx-DlQ72bGsiPWw7XDIf2PRRgNZH4ufip9tICCOrQ/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-13%20at%209.37.11%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>An ideal career takes way longer than you would think. Don’t be picky about the title, the location, the pay, etc. Take whatever opportunity that presents to you after graduation, as it could pave a way for your future as long as you work hard. Moreover, networking, which students don’t necessarily find helpful in the short-term compared to the homework and the grades, does matter in the long-term. Even though I didn’t study at the SAIS DC campus, I’m part of the Johns Hopkins SAIS community in Tokyo, where I have the opportunity to meet Japanese alumni who graduated in the 70s or 80s. Lastly, mutual understanding is what the HNC is all about. It’s important to have a deeper understanding of how your Chinese counterparts think.<br /><p></p><p><b>Anything else you would like to share with our SAIS HNC community?</b></p><p>I hope my fellowship can encourage more classmates to establish their own fellowship. In that way, we as a whole can give back to the HNC and the SAIS community. I also want to build an HNC alumni network because the HNC experience is very unique. I encourage fellow alums to reach out and say “let’s get together”.</p><div><br /></div>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4746381337345048592.post-38559170803101558172023-04-07T02:25:00.001-04:002023-04-07T02:25:47.505-04:00HNC Life on Campus--Extra-Curricular Interest Group Classes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>With more and more international students back on campus and Chinese students coming back after the Spring Festival holiday, the HNC has been getting livelier day by day. A highlight of the semester for many students has been the interest group classes organized for students to learn erhu 二胡, ping-pong and calligraphy. Students reflect on what they have learned in these classes, and the sense of community they create.</p><p>For the Spring semester, the HNC has invited some teachers to offer interest courses in calligraphy, erhu and ping-pong. With a steady flow of international and Chinese students arriving at the Center, on-campus students have the opportunity to spend more time together and learn a new skill. The interest group classes are a great way to make new friends, take a break from studying, and engage more with Chinese culture. Joe Baldock (MAIS’ 2023), Yu Jie 郁杰 (Certificate’ 2023), Chris Hankin (MAIS’ 2024) and Sophia Pradels (MAIS’ 2024) reflect on the classes they are taking.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYM1S9ORE6NjaYU6uZco203K1jnu9hXfm-5NKHbizUbWc_-afTYYASt6o-O7xccrZWNf9XoadjEqKLEq8B9nrTM_hjLhY-Z8pMPIP92LKQb3nHlxABKzpEf4WnQHstWLKxvz8frA2IEDoG6Mn4D7j3O_CAUVe_R7lN0CdXolRDzhsqqlfKHEy5gK8Mw/s1706/WechatIMG184.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1706" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYM1S9ORE6NjaYU6uZco203K1jnu9hXfm-5NKHbizUbWc_-afTYYASt6o-O7xccrZWNf9XoadjEqKLEq8B9nrTM_hjLhY-Z8pMPIP92LKQb3nHlxABKzpEf4WnQHstWLKxvz8frA2IEDoG6Mn4D7j3O_CAUVe_R7lN0CdXolRDzhsqqlfKHEy5gK8Mw/s320/WechatIMG184.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HNC students in Fall 2022 learning to play the <i>erhu</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Joe Baldock: The <i>erhu</i> class is split up into separate groups according to their level and the time at which they joined the class. Depending on how advanced you are you get put in a different room for part of the class. It sometimes gets quite noisy, so it is important to focus on what you are doing with the instrument and stay concentrated. Compared to other instruments I am familiar with, the <i>erhu</i> has no frets to locate the notes, and the beats are quite different. That being said, the <i>erhu</i> is surprisingly easy to pick up. Playing traditional Chinese songs has been very fun, because there is a really different flow to them. I actually chose to take this class because I wanted to learn “Tea Harvest” by Lei Qiang – although I am setting quite a high standard for myself, I hope I can get there and play the song. The classes have also been very useful for learning new musical terms in Chinese, which is not a range of vocabulary you would normally encounter. <p></p><p><br />Yu Jie: The <i>erhu</i> class is an ideal place to unwind after a hard week’s work and experience the joy of creating something. The erhu is a very interesting instrument, because even for the most difficult technique, you have to relax both mentally and physically before you can master it. If you get stressed and your muscles stiffen up, you will not be able to master the technique. You almost have to picture an <i>erhu</i> master telling their students, "to play well, it has to feel like you are not the one playing the instrument--let the music flow through you!" In the future, I hope to learn the cello transcription of <i>BWV 564: Adagio</i>. I consider it the saddest but most beautiful piece by Bach, and I hope one day I can play it myself and actually feel the music on an instrument. I think the <i>erhu’s</i> temperament fits that piece, which is why I picked <i>erhu</i> in the first place!</p><p><br /></p><p>Chris Hankin: I decided to sign up for the ping-pong classes to know my classmates better, and because it is a very special sport. People of all ages can be really good at ping-pong, and many people at the center play it. You will often see professors that are past retirement age and can still beat me very easily. You can play ping pong for so long, compared to other sports, which is another reason I want to improve my skill. Through these classes I learned how important technique is for ping-pong. It may seem obvious, but in the US when we play it’s more just for fun, and they hit the ball in any way that feels natural. In contrast, the coach early on gave us specific instructions for the form in a forehand versus backhand for example. Technique is also crucial in ping-pong, because you cannot make up for it with athleticism for example, like you could do in soccer if you’re fast or strong. Physicality is a much smaller part of the game in ping-pong.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyovGHemDn9LOvv0Z8CD3vdi646uKqWH90Ji_2E_fKdw78u4EVNVetPXrRJ2nVoFZ6mLvUXLttQSchRIf9RVI9qBbd5b9-Dt1lXqOeKnhHJQ4-5j4T0zjwA-sMXVnx5aPWaIv9YG9C0TB9f_w2D6S8iPIyUkTEIdTOsfPE1m4YQgGRMn7Jn9N0fPYmeg/s4032/IMG_4045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyovGHemDn9LOvv0Z8CD3vdi646uKqWH90Ji_2E_fKdw78u4EVNVetPXrRJ2nVoFZ6mLvUXLttQSchRIf9RVI9qBbd5b9-Dt1lXqOeKnhHJQ4-5j4T0zjwA-sMXVnx5aPWaIv9YG9C0TB9f_w2D6S8iPIyUkTEIdTOsfPE1m4YQgGRMn7Jn9N0fPYmeg/s320/IMG_4045.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">HNC students face off in a ping-pong match</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>In the future I hope to keep playing against different opponents. There are so many people at the center who are really talented, such as Co-director Cong Cong and Professor Zhang 张老师 who works at the front desk. The thing that’s very special about sports especially in an international context is that they are a vehicle to get to know people. </p><p>An important tip I would give to beginner players is to make sure you keep your shoulder, elbow, and wrist in a fixed position instead of swinging your arm and rotating your waist to hit the ball. Even though it feels natural to swing your arm to hit the ball, the instructor taught us early on that by keeping your arm fixed, you get a much more controlled shot. This allows you to consistently return the ball, and as you progress, it allows you to hit more powerful shots without sacrificing accuracy and control.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc9kS7fm7aFOIneaDTp0ckVmsrBmjD00lOK3Bed4_tWROVavj7CitfOQysvxPcrDW_GPxrToh-QNxVSpR621-rxugXhETUP264kV82EJqFvSb0gzEI3EW-X-kvMs_IqKub8SJdSUJ-qS_IAFcLBkUT_iKIzO10q79-SrM_R5aGeCc4orWQYqPq-9bFQ/s4000/IMG_6464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc9kS7fm7aFOIneaDTp0ckVmsrBmjD00lOK3Bed4_tWROVavj7CitfOQysvxPcrDW_GPxrToh-QNxVSpR621-rxugXhETUP264kV82EJqFvSb0gzEI3EW-X-kvMs_IqKub8SJdSUJ-qS_IAFcLBkUT_iKIzO10q79-SrM_R5aGeCc4orWQYqPq-9bFQ/w400-h225/IMG_6464.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The author's calligraphy class </span></td></tr></tbody></table>Sophia Pradels: The calligraphy class has been a very fun addition to my week. For an hour and a half I can focus on something completely different from classes or readings and engage in an artistic pursuit. So far, we have been practicing different characters that have specific lines or strokes in them to learn the basics. We tend to focus on 2-4 characters per class, and practice writing them over and over again. Although this may sound repetitive, time actually flies, and it often feels like meditation when practicing a character. Writing calligraphy requires much more concentration than I thought it did, in order to get the strokes and the proportions of a character right. It has been very satisfying to see the progress made – you get a sense of accomplishment, and the teacher is also very encouraging. The class also includes parts on the history of calligraphy, the characteristics of calligraphy brushes and the different categorizations of calligraphy styles. These theoretical parts of the class are very interesting and important in order to write calligraphy. Personally, my favorite calligraphy style is the zhuanti 篆体, which is a more ancient form often found on oracle bones. It’s quite different from the characters used today, but I find them very interesting. I don’t know if I will be able to write in a way that resembles those characters, but I’m looking forward to trying!<p></p><p><i>Written by Sophia Pradels, MAIS 2024</i></p>Hopkins-Nanjing Centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06891238171416016260noreply@blogger.com