August 25th I plan to go to China. Many cock an eyebrow when I mention this. It isn't until I explain why that they get excited about me going to China. Currently my major is Chinese. I say currently because I've been through three previous majors, but I'm fairly certain that this one is going to hold until I graduate.
However, every person I've ever talked to that has learned a language to a certain degree of proficiency has told me that if I am to do the same, I need to go to the country where the language is the native language of the people. Basically, I need to submerge myself in the language 24/7. Thus I have made plans to be in China from August 25th, 2010 to somewhere around May 2011. This has evoked many interesting reactions from those around me. More interesting to note is how these reactions correlate with different age demographics. Those who have lived through the "Red Scare", those who are children of those that lived through the "Red Scare", and consequently lived through the cold war years, tend to have a rather apprehensive optimism about my ambitions to go to China. I can't say that I blame them. I am fully aware of many events that have occurred in China that have caused the nations of the world to point the finger of scorn. But the truth is, no nation on earth is exempt from having the finger of scorn pointed at them at one point or another. So despite the criticisms often flung at China, I believe that China is a nation that is trying, albeit slowly, to become a more active player in the world political realms, not in the power monger sense, but rather an equal contributor along with the other preeminent nations of the world. Perhaps I am naive in my optimistic view of China. That's ok. I reject your reality and substitute my own.
Generally though, I've found most reactions to be generally positive. Naturally the first question to part from most individuals' lips is, "Why are you going to China?" I really should come up with a clever answer one of these times when I respond. Something like:
Well I'm feeling pretty lost in life right now. I mainly want to go because in northern China, in the Jilin province, there is a ShaoLin KungFu school. I was thinking about becoming a monk in my search for self-realization.
Usually my answer is straightforward though. I'll be going to China for four months on a study abroad to study at 南京大學 (Nanjing University). After my time at Nanjing University, I will spend Christmas and New Years I'm not sure where before I then head to Xi'An to do an internship at an orphanage that cares for newborns, infants, and toddlers with health conditions such as spina bifida, cleft lip/palate, severe pigeon toe, and other such conditions. Pending grant funds, I should be able to stay in China an additional five months after my study abroad to intern at the orphanage. Truly it is an exciting prospect.
So right now, in preparation for my trip to China I am doing the following:
Studying the Chinese language
Familiarizing myself with modes of transportation in mainland China
Reading up on the political and economical histories of China
Reading news articles concerning current affairs in China
Saving money
Figuring out what is the bare minimum I can travel with when going to China
Figuring out a research grant proposal topic
Hopefully over the next two months things begin to solidify as I do my research on what exactly this China trip is going to entail.
However, every person I've ever talked to that has learned a language to a certain degree of proficiency has told me that if I am to do the same, I need to go to the country where the language is the native language of the people. Basically, I need to submerge myself in the language 24/7. Thus I have made plans to be in China from August 25th, 2010 to somewhere around May 2011. This has evoked many interesting reactions from those around me. More interesting to note is how these reactions correlate with different age demographics. Those who have lived through the "Red Scare", those who are children of those that lived through the "Red Scare", and consequently lived through the cold war years, tend to have a rather apprehensive optimism about my ambitions to go to China. I can't say that I blame them. I am fully aware of many events that have occurred in China that have caused the nations of the world to point the finger of scorn. But the truth is, no nation on earth is exempt from having the finger of scorn pointed at them at one point or another. So despite the criticisms often flung at China, I believe that China is a nation that is trying, albeit slowly, to become a more active player in the world political realms, not in the power monger sense, but rather an equal contributor along with the other preeminent nations of the world. Perhaps I am naive in my optimistic view of China. That's ok. I reject your reality and substitute my own.
Generally though, I've found most reactions to be generally positive. Naturally the first question to part from most individuals' lips is, "Why are you going to China?" I really should come up with a clever answer one of these times when I respond. Something like:
Well I'm feeling pretty lost in life right now. I mainly want to go because in northern China, in the Jilin province, there is a ShaoLin KungFu school. I was thinking about becoming a monk in my search for self-realization.
Usually my answer is straightforward though. I'll be going to China for four months on a study abroad to study at 南京大學 (Nanjing University). After my time at Nanjing University, I will spend Christmas and New Years I'm not sure where before I then head to Xi'An to do an internship at an orphanage that cares for newborns, infants, and toddlers with health conditions such as spina bifida, cleft lip/palate, severe pigeon toe, and other such conditions. Pending grant funds, I should be able to stay in China an additional five months after my study abroad to intern at the orphanage. Truly it is an exciting prospect.
So right now, in preparation for my trip to China I am doing the following:
Studying the Chinese language
Familiarizing myself with modes of transportation in mainland China
Reading up on the political and economical histories of China
Reading news articles concerning current affairs in China
Saving money
Figuring out what is the bare minimum I can travel with when going to China
Figuring out a research grant proposal topic
Hopefully over the next two months things begin to solidify as I do my research on what exactly this China trip is going to entail.
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