Monday, August 23, 2010: Silk Shop

Today we visited the Tianhou Silk Shop in Beijing. This was my second time visiting the shop but it seemed as if it was my first time gathering and digesting all of the work that the Chinese put into the shop. Inside we were able to watch workers go through step by step to create silk scarves, duvets, and blouses. After learning the steps to produce real silk products, we were allotted time to purchase items if we chose. Personally as I walked around the shop I was not impressed by the items for sale. I continued to compare their prices to those of street vendors and private stores. Simple items that appeared to be relatively cheap were overly priced just for tourists. We were surrounded by many fluent English speaking Chinese workers who were very convincing in selling their silk products. Visiting the Silk Shop made me contemplate what measures Chinese go through that we don’t see to attract tourists. Every leg of our trip was strategized from the workers in the factory setting to the hands on interactions and then the overly stocked rooms. Personally, I would be satisfied with a practical equivalent to the items in the Silk Shop.

-Alicia Montague-Keels

Sunday, August 22, 2010: Nanjin Road

Today we visited one of the busiest shopping areas in Shanghai, Nanjin Road. It took about half an hour to walk to the entire length of the road. Along the way a trolley carrying people from one end to another passed and peddlers bombarded us with knock off products. The crowds at the World Expo were expected, but the crowds here were beyond expectations. I stayed on Nanjin Road in the spring of 2010 but because of the current vacation season I have seen more people on the road then I did then. Nanjin Road consists of an abundance of department stores with an obvious Western influence. It was surprising to find many famous name brand stores in a place with such heavy traffic. I began to think about how many Chinese people come to visit and gather opinions about Western life strictly from this street. It seemed as if every other building was a KFC, Subway or McDonald’s and even in the food court there were Dairy Queen’s and Cold Stone Creamery’s.
In America our noted fashion areas contain American style restaurants. I began to imagine if they were filled with popular Chinese restaurants instead. All in all, this portion of the trip was an eye-opener for me because it allowed me to really get a grasp on what influence the Western world has on Chinese society.

-Alicia Montague-Keels

August 26th: Great Wall of China

Today was one of the best days in China because we walked the Great WAll, It was amazing because it was a site that everyone has read so much about. When we walked out of the bus, the first thing I noticed was a huge sign saying "One World One Dream." This experience felt so surreal. There were two paths tourists could walk: and easy path and a steep path. My group chose the steep path. After five minutes of the path, we encountered steep steps. By the time we got to the end of the path, everyone was sweating and tired. It took a total of about 2 hours. Everyone was in a great mood, so it was a very memorable experience. At the end of the path, we did many goofy things such as dancing and building a human pyramid. Even though my legs will be sore tomorrow, I enjoyed walking on this historical wall!"

--Saeng D....

Food in China:

I have not found the food experience to be that different in China than in the U.S. Most of the restaurants have been family stye restaurants where people shared group dishes like a traditional American dinner. Some of the restaurants were good, and some weren't so good--just like in the United STates. The main difference is the type of dishes prepared, but even that varies greatly back home. I would like to state that both Peking Duck and fried eel are very delicious!

-Tom Sannito

Pictures!

Inside the Chinese Pavilion


CAE Members Dancing in Line Before Entering the Chinese Pavilion




The Outside of the Chinese Pavilion

Saturday: Day 3 of the World Expo

After two hot, long days at the World Expo, our group decided to visit the expo in the evening. We arrived to the site just in time for dinner. Although we had many other options, Julissa, Willie, and myself decided to visit the USA pavilion to grab some food. After having had a sneak peek of Cisca Wikkeling's* delicious food the night before at the alumni dinner, we knew we had to go check out the menu she has at the expo. Cisca greeted us with a huge smile and was very pleased to see us again. Her fabulous American food was a great way to start of the night.

Some of the pavilions we visited were Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Central America and the Caribbean. While waiting in line to enter the Central American pavilion, we ran into two people wearing Badger gear. We caught their attention and introduced ourselves. The Badgers were a couple of Eau Claire, WI, who happened to be UW alumni. They were so happy to see other Badgers in China! We let them know why we were there and took a few pictures with them when we got into the pavilion. The expo turned into a whole different site after sundown. The pavilions lit up, and performances began on all the stages. Traditional dances and music were the attractions for visitors. Of course, our group gathered around the USA pavilion to support our country.

* Cisca Wikkeling is the Head Retain Chef at the World Expo 2010 US Pavilion, and the wife of Tom Gwyn.

-Cristina Barrera

Alumni Dinner

The alumni dinner was a huge part of the great day that was Friday, August 20th We arrived at the elegant apartment home of Tom Gwyn, a former member of the UW Badger basketball team, and were greeted by his wife and staff. Entering the home we were asked to take off our shoes--as is the custom in this country. After some introductions and mingling, some of the Shanghai chapter alumni showed up and talked to many of us about their experiences at the UW and also working in Asian countries and other places abroad. We enjoyed an interesting power point presentation about the economy of China and how it affected the world, particularly the USA. This opened our eyes to the face that China has a huge impact on your day to day lives even though we may not notice. The United States is not as powerful and independent as we have been believed. It is about time that people begin to understand this fact and stop operating as if we can do no wrong in the world.

-Claudia Coria-Luna

Day 2 of World Exp

Forthcoming.

First Day at the World Expo

The World Expo was great. It wasn't as crowded as everyone said it would be but the major pavilions - like Saudi Arabia, Australia, and China - were packed with hundreds of people eagerly waiting to get a taste of the respective countries. Our group secured reservations to see the Chinese pavilion -- even with the reservation, we had to wait in line for nearly 3 hours just to enter. We passed the long wait time by singing, dancing, and posing for the many pictures that our line mates were taking of us. Also, two UW students were pulled out of the line to play soccer with a guy with a microphone whose job it was to entertain those in line. This turned out to be really entertaining for us.

Once inside the pavilion we were confused because we didn't know how to navigate our way through it, and there were some important things we had to see before we left! While inside we saw an inspirational movie and took a ride on a mini roller coaster. It was AWESOME and definitely worth the wait. The Chinese government went all out for this pavilion and in my opinion it was the best I've seen so far. If I had to explain what the World Expo was, I would say it was like the Auto Show but instead of fancy cars, what is catching your attention is countries.

-Ravanna Bonds El

Meeting with Paul Swenson, director, Council of Creat Lakes Governors China Trade Office

This morning, Thursday, the group met with Paul Swenson before starting our first day at the Expo. He is from Hudson, Wisconsin, and has been living in China for the last ten years. Paul didn't start off as director of the Council of Great Lakes Governors China Trade Office, but rather in the hotel industry in Shanghai to learn the language first. He successfully worked his way up in the business world. Listening to Paul was extremely informative from a business viewpoint. I had always heard Chinese businessmen were very intense about their job, but to hear it from an American made it all so much more real. He was able to describe his difficulties since working with the Chinese and have me a deeper understanding of the Chinese and American government's relationship.

I learned how Chinese business men don't work just Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 like many businessmen in the United States, if not all day, everyday. Paul said that that has been one of the most difficult cultural adjustments he's had to make since working within the Chinese business world; his cell phone puts him on a constant call to everyone. Not only does Paul have to always have his cell phone accessible 24/7, he explained how Chinese businessmen keep tally of the positive and negative things one does within and outside the business world. For example, if you ask a question of a colleague, that equals a negative point for you, but if you answer a question then that is a possible point for you. Another good example he shared was if you were invited to go to a dance performance by another businessman, but say no because your son has a soccer game, that instantly creates a negative point for you and when you call a colleague to check on your business deal, it might just be postponed as a consequence for not attending the dance performance. It's like an invisible tally kept above your head within the business world; you'll forever either be in debt a favor of have someone owing you a favor.

I could never imagine living a career where my every move was measured, then tallied and possibly be used against me. The impression I got from Paul and his experiences in the Chinese business world is thrilling--he is kept on his toes. No day is the same. I do think his job is very important though because China is a growing economy and has a lot to offer if healthy relations are carefully created. China is slowly owning the United States' debt so if relations aren't kept in a healthy mode, things could get nasty between the US and China.

-Daniela Moody

First Night In China

It didn't hit me until we arrived that we were in China. Now that we are here the only world I have is "amazing." At first, jet lag had the best of me but as my realization set in that I was in a different country took hold, my eyes were excited and ready to explore. Our first night out, we went to dinner at a really nice restaurant called Ye Shanghai.

This was an amazing way to get acquainted with the food because we were able to to try a little bit of everything. At first I was a bit skeptical to try the food but I remembered in the workshop when Katrina Flores told us to remain open and to be willing to try food that we may not get in the U.S. With that thought lingering, I took a deep breath and tried what was given to me and it was wonderful! There were spices, smells and consistencies that I have never experienced before!

The best part of it all was getting to use the little bit of mandarin that we learned such as "hello" and "thank you." After dinner we took a trip to Xin Tian Di. This area was basically the "Times square" of Shanghai. Big buildings, tons of lights, and many people walking around buying and selling things. IT was interesting to see this part of the city because on our way into Shanghai, on the bus, we passed very poor neighborhoods then there was a very abrupt shift to a more upper class area. As we walked around and experienced the streets and shops of the city, the feeling was a mix of excitement.

It was a bit too soon to take it all in. That night we slept like babies and as we woke, the journey had its doors wide open and we all stepped through. I can't wait to see where it takes us.

-Krystal Gartley

Day One

A photo from inside the Hong Kong Airport

We finally left! Twenty hours later, the CAE China expedition group is in Hong Kong, waiting for its flight to Shanghai, China. We arrived in Hong Kong after a 13 hour flight from Los Angeles. The students are feeling excited, though tired. For many students, this is their first international trip. The trip still seems a little surreal to the staff and students of CAE. The fact that we are now on the other side of the world is a daunting thought.

The view from the Hong Kong airport is of the ocean. We saw the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean and a beautiful vista of mountains in the distance. Everyone is mentally preparing themselves, remembering all of the advice and precautions we need to be mindful of in China.

Our legs may be stiff, but our spirits are high as we anticipating finally landing in Shanghai and the day's planned activities: lunch and dinner in the famous Xin Tian Di restaurant and shopping district.

Our Current Knowledge about Chinese Culture

Our group of students has a diverse background of studies here at Madison, so it follows that our knowledge of Chinese Culture would be equally diverse. Luckily, we have gained knowledge through our readings and workshops but we know there is still lots to learn. We asked ourselves where we stood in our background on China and Chinese culture and here is how we responded.


How knowledgeable do you feel about Chinese culture? Where or how have you gotten your knowledge about China/Chinese culture/Chinese people?


Prior to being selected as a participant for this trip I did not have much knowledge about China or Chinese culture. Since participating in the workshops, reading the assigned book, and checking out the Learn@UW site for additional reading materials, I feel that I can now travel to the country with a confidence of being able to acknowledge and show respect for all it has to offer. I have a better understanding of China’s government and its people’s way of life. Having speakers attend the workshops has been most insightful has each has firsthand experience being in China and being immersed in its culture. Being able to get advice from those with experience has helped to calm some of the nervousness I have had about traveling abroad for the first time and being somewhere where my language isn’t native.
Antonette Guider


I feel generally pretty ignorant about Chinese culture, though our travel orientation has certainly helped to give me at least minimal knowledge about Chinese history and culture. I feel that I have gotten the majority of my knowledge about China/Chinese culture from US newspapers or US movies (although I have seen quite a few Chinese movies over the years). US newspapers focus almost exclusively on Chinese government, and so is not a good source of information about Chinese people/culture. I think it is almost always a mistake to confuse a country's government with its people since they often don't agree on many policies or government policies don't reflect the values of the people they govern. US movies seem to focus mostly on either a China in the past or Chinese "gangsters," not on the lives of average Chinese folk--leaving me pretty unaware of the daily experience of most Chinese.

Cristina Springfield


I know a decent amount of knowledge about the Chinese culture and the technology there. The English language is a very RARE thing to find in terms of people speaking it. Apparently, a lot of signs are written in English, but in terms of English being spoken by the Chinese people residing there, it's very rare. Another knowledgeable fact that I know is that the U.S. dollar is worth $8 or $9 in China. The exchange rate is what a lot of tourists enjoy because we will be able to shop and buy lots of clothing, shoes, etc. for a very cheap price. Shopping will also help us experience the different styles of clothing that China has to offer. The knowledge that I've obtained for China and the culture is simply through T.V. and Internet. These resources have provided the largest amount of information to myself and others about China and the people. I'm very excited to experience China, the culture, the people, the food, and everything else China has to offer when we go to the world expo.

Dan Torres


On a scale of 1 thru 10, 1 being completely lost about Chinese culture, I'd probably rate myself about a 5. I've learned that one should always take your shoes off when entering someone's home or should bring a gift of gratitude when invited over for dinner. One part of the Chinese culture that I'm not used to at all is being aggressive when using public transportation or even waiting in line to use the ATM. It makes sense why one should be so aggressive considering the extremely large population, but it still caught me off guard and something I will have to learn to accept when being pushed or skipped. Something else I found very interesting about the Chinese culture is how during the summer time, women will ride their bikes around town wearing large visor hats and long gloves to prevent themselves from getting darker. This sounded crazy to me because many American girls spent countless hours trying to maintain a nice tan, or even spend ridiculous amounts of money to stay tanned, whereas the Chinese feel the whiter you are, the more beautiful you are. One last part of Chinese culture, specifically the youth's culture that surprised, is how much they embrace hip hop culture. I've always known that break dancing is popular for Chinese youth, but it never really dawned on me that hip hop culture was just as popular there as it is here in the United States.

I've learned most about the Chinese culture by listening to the workshops in which students or staff shares their experiences about being immersed within the Chinese culture. I feel like those accounts have been the most useful in comparison to books I've been reading. Hearing personal experiences makes it all seem so much more real. I've also done research online here and there.

Daniela Moody


I feel that I know enough to get bye in a conversation about China’s history and culture. The book that we read really helped in understanding the culture and history in a nutshell. But I feel still there is much to learn and I know that on this trip I will learn far more that what any book can show me. 2000 years worth of history cannot be learned in a short time.

Adam Lopez


I feel very unsure about true Chinese culture. I have only really experienced filtered Chinese-American culture in dingy “Chinese restaurants” and crude generalizations in TV shows or comedies. Even what I have experienced talking with Chinese-American students or international Chinese students does not truly show Chinese culture or Chinese people, since their experiences were shared here in America- in popular American culture. However, the video from Katrina Brown on cultural differences was very informative, and the book China in the 21st Century, by Jeffrey Wasserstrom, helped give some insight to the shared experiences of Chinese people over the last two thousand years. I am looking forward to experiencing Chinese culture by awkwardly navigating my way through two massive Chinese cities.

Thomas Sannito


I feel semi-comfortable with Chinese culture. I learned many useful tips from our workshop speakers. One of our speakers told us that we are suppose to tap the table with two fingers if we are given tea to say thanks. A memorable experiencing of trying to learn about the Chinese culture was when another student and I told the cashier of a Chinese restaurant that we were traveling to China. He was very happy to learn that we were going there, and he decided to give us some tips and try to teach us some useful Chinese phrases. Some cultural norms from my ethnicity also transfers, such as not wearing shoes into a house or elders being much respected. I am more worried about the language barrier because I will only be able to memorize a few words and phrases in a small amount of time.
Saeng Douangdara

Thank You CAE Sponsors!

Center for Academic Excellence students are very grateful for those individuals and groups who have supported our expedition financially. We recognize that this trip would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors who support global relations and cultivating global citizenship. We would like to recognize and thank these important individuals and groups for providing us with the opportunity to gain cultural knowledge about China. We will bring this knowledge and our experiences back to the University to share with our peers.

Damon Williams the Vice Provost for Diversity and Climate Damon Williams
Gary Sandefur the Dean of the College of Letters and Science
Gilles Bousquet the Vice Provost for Globalization, and Head of UW-Madison's International Studies Division
PEOPLE Program of UW-Madison
Student Academic Affairs Office (SAA)
Pathway Student Academic Services
Academic Advancement Program (AAP)

In addition to financial assistance, many other individuals have worked hard changing the idea of an international trip into reality! We would also like to thank Erin Polnaszek the Study Abroad Advisor for China for assisting us in planning as well as Professor Tuli for speaking with the students and his helpful advise on leading a delegation. Xiaojum Lu from the Bacteriology Department helped us immensely by translating letters from UW-Madison Staff into Chinese. Finally, we would like to thank the AAP and Pathways staff who have supported our trip, especially Tanya Figueroa who helped organize our fundraisers and workshops, and Jan Lucchesi who is acting as our point person in the USA while we travel abroad.

Furthermore, we held a raffle on August 10th to help support our trip. We would like to recognize our family and friends who purchased tickets along with many staff members from a plethora of offices at UW-Madison. We greatly appreciate the continual support of staff and their dedication to improving the Wisconsin Experience for students. Finally, we would like to thank the Sitta family for donating Packer tickets to our raffle, Badger Trips and Ann Groves Lloyd for donating the Las Vegas land package, and DeVon Williams for donating a travel voucher through Our World Travel, and finally, Fresh City Market for donating ice cream during the ticket drawing.
Many other people and organizations have helped us along the way with planning, organization, cultural education and advice, and continual support of our students. Thank you again to everyone who has helped us in any capacity!

Trip Preparations!

We can't believe we are almost leaving! It has been a very busy summer with all the preparations for the trip, workshops, fundraising events, and normal summer activities. While some of us have traveled in the past, others have not been out of the country or even on a plane. Below are some details on how we have been preparing both physically and mentally for the trip to China!

I have been preparing for the China trip by reading up on current international events and politics. I find that I have learned about China’s history and see China in a new way. What we see in movies and other media isn’t always the way things are. Also, the Mandarin mp3s that were provided are very helpful in teaching me the basic greetings and words. But most of all the Katrina Brown video has been extremely helpful in teaching me the etiquette required in China.

Claudia Coria-Luna

Mentally I’ve been telling myself that it’s going to be very hot and a positive attitude will be essential to make of this trip a great adventure and experience. I will try to do my best to understand and respect all of the other students and staff participating in this trip because it will be the first time that many of them will be over sea and far away from home. I’ve been getting ready physically by making appointment with my doctor and making sure that I have all of the vaccines that I need before I visit China. Last week I got vaccinated with Hepatitis B and H1N1. I really hope to enjoy this trip and the best way for me to achieve that goal is to stay healthy.

Julissa Oquendo

Preparing for the trip for me includes developing an awareness of where I will be traveling to and being informed of cultural norms by reading and talking to people who have done international travel and gather advice from them. Also shopping/packing, getting clothing that will work best for the climate and keep me cool and getting good walking shoes is very important. I found out at the 3rd workshop from the guest speaker that the walking distance of the Expo is roughly from Madison to Janesville.

Mentally I have just been trying to stay calm and relax and not get overwhelmed with the thought of the unknown and try to embrace the new experience before me.

Antonette Guider

I have been preparing physically for this trip to China by working out at the Natatorium with Ravanna Bonds El everyday(Monday-Friday) from 9am-11:30am, as well as playing basketball with a group of middle aged men as well as the students from the Summer Collegiate Experience. I would say I'm well prepared physically for this trip.
Mentally, it's a different story. The 16 hour (or what ever it is) flight is going to be very brutal. I've never been in the same car or plane for more than 4 hours. It'll be very interesting. Also being jet-legged when we arrive to China and when we get back to Madison. I'm a little worried because school starts a couple days after we get back and I don't know how my sleep schedule is going to be. Overall, I'm very excited for this trip and cannot wait to get there.

Dan Torres

I've definitely started my packing list and my shopping list! I've also been reading blogs about the World Expo, as well as travel Web sites and travel books about visiting China at Borders. I want to have a wonderful, positive experience while I am there and so am preparing mentally for the heat and probably exhaustion (on the plane and at the Expo, especially).

Cristina Springfield

I have been preparing for this trip for a while now, both mentally and physically. I am preparing by taking everything in and thinking a lot about what I will be experiencing and my role as UW ambassador. I have spent a lot of time looking at the World Expo website; that site is incredible. It has allowed me to understand what I should expect once we are there. Physically, I have been running a lot to not be too tired when we are doing a lot of walking at the Expo. I have also shopped for clothes to keep me cool in the anticipated hot/humid weather in China.

Cristina Barrera

I've been preparing for China in few ways. Financially, I have been working A LOT to make sure I have enough money saved so I won't be restricted on activities due to financial burdens. Mentally, I've been doing lots of reading from required readings, to daily news and tour books about China. This week I will be having dinner with two Chinese friends to kind of have an idea on what to expect, what to avoid, and/or what to explore. I also want to ask them historical questions to possibly understand the Chinese government and culture a little more. I've been listening to first-hand experiences from students and staff that provide details on what to expect. Physically, I've continued running so I won't be tired at the Great Wall. I want to be able to really enjoy the tour and not have to worry about getting tired from all the walking. I've also been taking my vitamins to have a strong immune system :)

Daniela Moody

Yes, I have been preparing for the trip. I have been reading articles relating to China and I think the work CAE is having us do is doing us a great service in our preparations. I am very confident that all will go well and smoothly since I perceive myself as being open-minded to learning new things. There is only so much that speakers and books can provide to a the traveler. I feel that with my positive outlook that I have prepared myself greatly for what is to come. I take every experience for what it’s worth and I know this trip will have a profound impact on my studies and overall experience throughout college.

Adam Lopez

Most of my preparation has come from the workshops. I have been keeping notes on ideas I should remember when I am in China. I have read several articles dealing with different topics in China. Going to China feels unreal because it will be my first time out of the United States. I have been looking at language guides that describe useful words and phrases. I can only do so much before I leave for China, but I know I will not be able to imagine what it will be like in China. I am very excited to be visually overloaded with the environment that I will see.

Saeng Douangdara

Ask the Travelers...

It is always interesting to examine the similarities and differences between cultures and different groups of people. Sometimes our expectations of other countries can be very different from what we actually experience. As students, we spent some time thinking about our expectations of China, and how it will compare to our experiences in the USA.

What are some of the similarities and differences that you anticipate seeing between China and the US?

One of the similarities I expect in China is the “respect your elders” etiquette. Although the US is more lenient in this, I expect that in China we will find more common as they have a larger population of elderly. It will be interesting to try to address older people when there is a huge language barrier. A major differences I expect is the way we eat and the food we eat. I am excited to have authentic Chinese food and eat in the traditional Chinese way. Overall though, I am nervous about the language barrier, although we will be in big cities, I feel that most of the population will be unable to communicate with our group.
Claudia Coria-Luna

I feel that the customs, architecture and the people will be very different between the countries. I am used to seeing a blend of cultures in the USA, but in China, although there are many different ethnic groups, the overall culture there will feel like one big one to me. I feel that the cities we visit will be similar to major cities that I have visited before here in the US.

Adam Lopez

I found something very interesting about young Chinese students and USA students. As I was reading the China book I made few comparisons with my own Chinese friends and the will that they all have to better themselves. It was emphasized in the book that Chinese students work very hard to do better than what their parents were able to do and here in the USA I believe that students strive for that as well. We all want to better our country here in USA and that is the reason why we are coming up with sustainable energy and better ways to live in the future. Also China is striving for the same goal. I believe that we both found out that our environment is critical for the better of our lives and future.
I knew that most of the Chinese people dress up conservatively because one of my close friends is Chinese. I like to wear tank tops and shorts during the summer and I’ve never seen my friend wearing shorts too shorts or tank tops too tight. I believe that this idea of women being conservative comes from the past conservative governments and their views on how the right women in their society should look. I look forward seeing many women dressing up very conservatively even though it’s going to be very hot by the time we go there.

Julissa Oquendo

I anticipate that I will feel very out of place in China. The language, food, pace of life, and certainly, the number of people is very different than in Midwest. From what I understand, I can expect to see more people around than I have ever seen before in one place. While in the US I usually blend into the crowd, I can expect to stand out in China, since China is much more ethnically homogeneous than the US. Since we are traveling to Beijing and Shanghai, I expect the cities to be much larger and more modern in many ways than even major cities, like New York. On the other hand, China has so much history as compared to the US!! I will be looking to experience that sense of history especially at the historical sites that we visit. As much as the differences will stand out to me as a traveler in China, I hope to find more similarities than differences between the US and China that may not be quite so obvious.

Cristina Springfield

One big similarity that I anticipate seeing is both countries being quite modern. Because China has a population of over 1 billion and the U.S only has 300 million, I am anticipating that China will be a lot more crowded than the US since they are both about the same size. In addition, the U.S population is made up of a lot of different races, while China’s population is considered mostly Chinese. Also, I anticipate seeing a lot more poverty in China; the U.S is a much wealthier country.

Cristina Barrera

I’m not quite sure what to expect when I go to china in terms of similarities and differences between the United States of America and China. I do expect to find American trends like some popular music or fast food. I am also expecting to find local hip-hop scenes in Shanghai and Beijing. One of the UW b-boys, Jarius King, told me he was in a crew from Macau China. I have heard about the globalization of Hip Hop, and accordingly I expect to see graffiti, breaking, mcing, and djing in China; however, I also expect to find many differences between China and the US. For example, I heard there are many cultural differences like “face”. Also, it will be interesting to see the difference between government censorship and network censorship. Although American journalists do not have censorship, their stories are governed by providing them with an income- by angering network executives or publishers, a journalist jeopardizes their livelihood. In China, journalists must strictly appease government officials, or risk losing not only their livelihood, but their freedom. I think this will affect the information I receive from media sources in China.
Thomas Sannito

I do not know too much about China, so I am sure I will be able to add more to this question after returning from China. It’s difficult to imagine similarities because China is a complete change regarding the environment and people. After reading a news article about Chinese television, a few of their shows may be similar to the US shows. The article talked about China adapting some of our shows. I can talk about several topics that are different between the US and China. A huge difference is China’s population. It will be the hardest factor to become comfortable with because our guest speakers have told us of how packed and busy the cities are with people. Another different aspect is the shape and sizes of buildings. I have seen some pictures of the buildings in China and the buildings look unique.

Saeng Douangdara

Ask the Travelers...

China holds a wealth of beauty, history and amazing sights. We will only have the privilege to sample the culture, however, we are all extremely excited to begin our explorations. We asked all the student travelers what attraction they were most excited to see, and got a variety of responses!

What attraction in China are you most excited for and why?

In general, I am extremely excited to see any attraction in China! I am looking forward to experiencing the culture and learning about the customs and values that are shared in China. If I had to choose one attraction that I am the most excited about I would have to say the Great Wall of China is the most exciting. My reason being is that it is the only place that I heard about when China was ever discussed. In my mind, it seems as though it is almost not real because of how famous it is and I don't even know how to grasp the fact that I will actually be there. That will be a very exciting feeling to be standing on something that is known worldwide. However, I feel that actually being there and seeing various other places, my knowledge and feelings will expand and my answer may change. But for now, that dream is only weeks away.

Krystal Gartley

I am most excited to see the World Exposition Pavilions of China, the Ivory Coast, and Mexico particularly, but also excited to see the World Expo in general. I look forward to visiting schools, libraries, and hospitals to see how the Chinese manage their public/ private services. I would also love a chance to meet and talk to the youth of China to learn about their point of views about the world. Of course I am also excited to see the Great Wall of China!

Claudia Coria-Luna

The place that I am so happy to visit is the world expo. This opportunity will give me the chance to visit one of the most important festivals around the world were many countries get together to share their culture, architecture, technology, economics aspects, and more. I am pursuing a double major in International Business and French and this will be an eye opening for me to know what is happening in other countries around the world as they expose their country at the world exposition in China.

Julissa Oquendo

I'm most excited to see all of the people in general. I'm looking forward to seeing how people dress and how similar or different it is to western culture. From what I've heard, China is a great place to get inspiration for fashion. Another thing I'm excited to do is shop at the markets and hopefully learn to negotiate prices.

Willie Sinclair III

I'm most excited about the Great Wall of China along with the food. I know the Great Wall is a very tourist component of China, but the pictures I've seen just make it seem so mesmerizing. I also saw that one morning we have scheduled a breakfast buffet and am REALLY hoping it's all Chinese food. I absolutely can't wait to try REAL Chinese food! Another part of China I'm most excited about is the shopping and bargaining. It all just seems so fun!

Daniela Moody

The attraction that I am most excited for is the Forbidden City. Living in the U.S. and visiting historic sites is interesting, but the history does not date back nearly as far as China’s history. It is something so unexplainable and interesting about being able to walk on the same grounds that famous emperor’s once walked upon. In my opinion, visiting the Forbidden City is the ultimate experience upon visiting China.

Alicia Montague-Keels

I am so excited to attend the world expo. I could say I’m also excited to see the Great Wall; however, it has been there for a while, and it will still be there for a while. The expo 2010 won’t be an event that I can go to again whenever I want/ afford to travel in the future, so it is what I am the most excited about. I am so thrilled to see many people from all over the world come together and share their many different points of views on “Better City. Better Life.”

Cristina Barrera

The Great Wall is first on my list because of its involvement in war history; it was built to protect the people of China and keep out invaders. Also throughout my education whenever I learned about China, the Great Wall was always discussed. Plus it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World and some day I hope to see the other six. Such a massive structure built at a time with such limited resources is remarkable. To be able to step foot on it will make a dream I’ve forever had come true.

Next would be Tian’anmen Square for its protest of 1989. Even though I was not old enough to witness it first hand, in fact I was only a few months old, but the bravery of the unknown man who stood in front the tanks cannot be forgotten. Although many were not killed by tanks, (machine guns were primary) it was the silent but bold gesture that said a lot to the Chinese government. Unfortunately, it does not seem as though people heard him.

Antonette Guider

I am too excited to see all the different attractions to pick one, but I know it will be amazing to see the buildings. Many of the speakers talked about our visual senses being overly stimulated, and I can’t imagine it. I enjoy seeing the huge buildings in the United States when I go to a big city, so I know it will be amazing to see the Chinese buildings.

Saeng Douangdara

The attraction I am most excited about would have to be the Temple of Heaven. I’ve always been fascinated by the architecture of some of the traditional palaces and temples of China. My first memory of the Temple of Heaven was in sixth grade when we studied China; I remember watching a video on Tiananmen Square, and wanting to visit the Temple of Heaven. It is a tall iconic temple on an open square. I think the other location I’m most excited to see is a break dancing session. I’ve talked to Jarius before about his experience with Hip Hop in Macau, China, and I’m really want to see and experience Hip-Hop culture in another country.

Thomas Sannito

I am most excited to visit the Forbidden City-- the name sounds so dangerous and exciting. I guess I probably have a very exotic-ized view of the place and its history from movies, and I can't wait to be there and imagine all of the emperors, their family, and their staff living and working there. I don't know if I'll be let down or totally blown away after visiting a place I have such expectations for.

Cristina Springfield

I'm most excited to experience the world expo mainly because I really don't know what it is, I just know it's a historic festival that takes place in China. I'm also very excited about shopping in China because the apparel is very cheap along with many other types of material that can be bought.

Dan Torres

What I am most excited about is just experiencing the atmosphere of China. I just really excited to just walk around in a city that is completely new to me. I can help but be excited to see how people in China live, eat, shop on a daily basis. Its one thing to hear from people that China is a whole different world and there are many people living there, and it’s another thing to experience it. I am just ready to absorb and take in as much of the culture as possible.

Johnathan Martinez

The attraction in China I am most excited for is The Forbidden City. So far, in my travels as a student, it has been a goal of mine to visit any palaces that are located where I am visiting. This is definitely one of the most exciting palaces I will be able to see. The architecture itself is unique and elegant and the palace holds vast amounts of artwork and valuable antiques. I’ve recently learned that it is the world’s largest surviving palace complex. This will be such a privilege to experience; I can’t wait!

Lauren Hoeft

I'm excited to see anything in China, but I most excited to see the Great Wall and The World Expo. My explanation to why i want to see the great wall is probably the same reason as most tourists- Its a great wonder of the world and one the world largest structures. I am also interested in it's history and the relevance of the wall to Chinese culture. I wanted to see the World Expo because the Expo is giving the world a big statement showing there growing power (especially having right after having the Olympic). Also i have being reading up on the expo but I still don't understand what are in the pavilions and why makes the expo so special, so i can't wait to find out.

Ravanna Bonds El

Do I have to give just one? I would say China itself because it is a culture that is much different from mines and I plan on going and absorbing that itself. Its one experience in a foreign country like no other and for me it’s the biggest attraction there, the culture.

Adam Lopez

Noodles Benefit Night!

The Academic Advancement Program Student Org (AAPSO) will be holding a fundraiser at Noodles & Company on State Street on Thursday July 29th from 4-9pm. Come spend an enjoyable night out at Noodles and support the students in their travels to China. Noodles will be donating 25% of profits from AAPSO guests to the China Expedition. Bring family and friends, and join the Student Travelers for dinner! Please remember to bring along the attached flier to identify you as a guest of the Academic Advancement Program Student Org.

Ask The Travelers...

For the last few weeks, all the students have been working diligently to learn more about Chinese culture and history before we leave. Currently, we have all read a book titled China in the 21st Century, and have attended two workshops.

What have you found most interesting from the workshop or readings so far?

During the second workshop, we had Professor John Ohnesorge speak, who is an expert on Chinese law. It was fascinating to learn about the history of Chinese law and how it has been modeled on different systems-- Confucian, German, and Western--over time, changing as the political climate has changed. We like to think we live in a new globalized world, but global cultures have been influencing each other for centuries upon centuries. His talk put globalization into perspective, and helped place law into a framework of understanding related to politics, war, and culture.

Cristina Springfield

What I have found most interesting in the readings is the amount of history that has been behind the Republic of China. Before reading the book, I had no idea about Confucius and the events in which he partook that helped make China the way it is today. He grew up in poverty and hardship, lost his father and his mother left their homeland so she wouldn't face mistreatment. She always encouraged him to do his work and keep up with his studies. Then when he was 17, his mother past away...I found this very inspiring because it really goes to show that he suffered a lot but kept working hard towards the things that he wanted. He overcame many obstacles that some of us wouldn't be able to overcome for which I give him a lot of credit.
After his death, his disciples put together a book called "The Analects of Confucius", which had a significant impact on China today. He preached a lot about relationships and how to treat people. His famous line was very similar to the Golden Rule that Jesus has in the bible. Confucius says "What you don't want done to yourself, don't do to others". Although lots of wisdom came from his book that his disciples made, there were still lots of situations that Confucius never talked about that had great importance. For example, he did not mention life after death and many wondered "if life is all there is, then why does it matter how people treat others." From what I've understood from the readings, lots of Chinese follow his ways through his book and he has had a greater impact on China then he could have ever imagined.

Dan Torres

All the guest speakers who have had come to talk to us during our workshops are so passionate about China. They are so knowledgeable and have so much passion for the country. Their excitement when they talk about their experiences has rubbed off on me, and has made me so incredibly excited for our voyage. I also find it funny that both Katrina Flores and Jarius King shared so many of the same suggestions to us. Most importantly, I am really surprised to see the reactions of our guests to see us all together. This reaction has made me realize how lucky I am to have this opportunity and am able to be an ambassador of UW.

Cristina Barrera

What I have found most interesting is learning about Chinese customs; what they find appropriate and disrespectful such as, burping after a meal. I was brought up to hold your burps in whereas the Chinese don't mind, if anything it means the meal was great! Although Americans consider pushing and skipping in line rude and disrespectful, it's part of the Chinese daily life. To be aggressive is a very accepting and seems to be the only way to survive in Chinese cities. The most common custom of respect was of course to take off your shoes before entering a home and learning to eat with chopsticks. The importance of your family's reputation is another aspect of the Chinese culture I've always wondered about and am excited to learn more about; giving/having "face". For example, after receiving a meal from your host, one should always insist on how they shouldn't have and they did too much, ect.; one should always make the host feel good about their hospitality. I'm also told to expect the Chinese to not be a culture to make big scenes in public places for that would be disrespecting someones face. I'm assuming the Chinese are very soft-spoken then...?

Daniela Moody

I really enjoy going to the workshops because I have the opportunity to learn good tips about our trip to China. Also, I have the chance beforehand to interact with the students and staff members that will be going to China with me. All of the speakers that have gone to the workshops were a great tool for me to learn more about China and everyday life. For instance, I am so happy to know that it is very important for us to keep the address of our hotel in Chinese and English, we should always carry toilet paper with us, and to be careful with pick pocketing around the area. These were just some examples of advice that were given to us for our trip. Besides knowing many important aspects of Chinese life, the book has given me a great amount of information so far about some of the Chinahistory. It is amazing how much the civilization of China has conserved their past history and traditions.

Julissa Oquendo

I have found the fact that due to the many environmental issues in China, the government has stepped in to try and control China's energy consumption and have taken measures to improve their air quality. For example, during the Olympics there were certain hours and days that citizens could use their cars in order to reduce the amount of smog. Also, for the World Expo this year in major downtown areas the city lights have been replaced with energy saving LED lights.

Willie Sinclair III

Personally, the workshops are the most interesting to me. There is so much information you can gather from books but to me there is nothing more fascinating than a live story. Hearing the experiences of others and having them to compare to experiences of my own has been one of the most exciting parts of the workshops so far. One example of this would be in Workshop #1 where Jarius spoke of the reactions of the Chinese when he first visited. I was able to relate to some of Jarius’ stories especially when he spoke of the stares he received and questions about his hair. Upon my first visit to China I had braids in my hair and I was always stopped and asked how I got my hair that way or perhaps I could braid their hair in the same manner. While watching that segment of the workshop I found myself saying, “No way! That happened to you to?!” Although very informative, finding someone to share that experience with me touched me far deeper than the information from the books.

Alicia Montague-Keels

I enjoyed listening to the students that have studied abroad in China because they talked about very unique experiences. The most interesting student was Katrina because she gave us useful tips about China. Her interactions with other Chinese people were intriguing because she talked about how people did not think she was American. I have always told people that I am Laotian, so it will be an interesting experience to tell people that I am American.

I am also curious of what the Chinese people will think of me when I tell them that I am American because I may not stand out as much as my fellow students on this trip. I don’t really know what to expect from my interactions and if it will be similar to the other students interactions. Katrina also talked about being stared at constantly, but I am not sure if that will happen to me because I am Asian.

Saeng Douangdara

The first workshop was very exciting in the sense it allowed us to ask questions freely of a student our age that has experienced China first hand. It was beneficial to hear from Professor Friedman has he shared information about the varying views of China’s history. His insight on the Chinese people and government helped me to realize that despite all the trade the US does with China yet the Chinese government still broadcast an anti-American message. However, the people of China have managed to look pass their governments attempts to portray Americans and the US in a negative light. Many young people in China have embraced American culture in various ways as we learned at the workshop through means of dance and style.

Antonette Guider

The things I have found most interesting so far has been the accounts from Katrina Flores and Jarius King. I think it could just be that I’m most interested on the globalization of Hip-Hop and I can connect with them and their traveling experiences through that lens, but It was also just interesting to hear how my peers coped with the stress, frustration, and excitement of traveling abroad. The books and presentations are interesting, but for me personal accounts on a peer to peer level are more interesting.

Tomas Sannito

Learning about the culture of China has already opened my mind to the many differences people share on this planet. Before even going to China, I feel that I have already been exposed to a different way of life and thinking. The most interesting aspect of the workshops and readings so far is learning about the government. China is well known for having a huge population and also a very influential government. Learning about the past history of revolutions and the power the Chinese government hold now is fascinating. It is interesting to compare Chinese government to the US government or any other countries.

Claudia Coria-Luna

What I have found most interesting from the workshops are the stories that our speakers have shared with us. I believe actually listening to the stories and watching the speakers explain them is much better than reading it from a book. From our workshops I was able to see what fascinated or made some impression on the speaker. What made the workshops good was the fact that we had a wide range of people explaining their China experience. We were able to hear how a professor felt about China, but we were also able to hear how students our age felt about their trip and everything they did.

Johnathan Martinez

The workshops and readings have been very helpful to me so far in preparing for China. In one of the first workshops we had, I was surprised to learn that people in China don’t form lines! This was baffling to me; I couldn’t understand how they got around if everyone was pushing and shoving. However, after learning more about it, it doesn’t intimidate me as much and I am quite excited to not wait in lines! Another point of interest for me is the stress of hierarchy in Chinese social life. It is extremely important to always be deferential to people, even if you are criticizing them. This is something that I think should not just be practiced while we are all in China, but something that should be brought back with us and used in our daily interactions as well.

Lauren Hoeft

What I have learned from the readings is the vast amount of history China has and how the country has been able to sustain itself over time. Also, I would have to say learning about all the different stereotypes that have been created through misinterpretations about this wonderful culture.

Adam Lopez

The most interesting thing from the workshops are the experiences I see that other students and professors have going to China. Something like the children w/o diapers seems to be extreme and hard to believe to me, so for every speaker to conform that funny. I also enjoy how they experiences differ from a student getting lost looking for a good place to dance, to a another student being a excellent bargainer. The workshops that give me a real story from real people which makes me the most interested.

Ravanna Bonds El