Furman in China



Furman in China:

SUMMER CHINA EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL EDITION

Orientation Guide

2009

PREAMBLE

Congratulations on being accepted as a participant in the 2009 Furman University Summer China Experience. You were selected out of a large and competitive pool of applicants on the basis of a number of factors, including your interest in Asian culture and language, your personal maturity, and your eagerness to engage with the world and to be challenged by things unfamiliar to you. You should justifiably be thrilled at this exceptional opportunity, but you should understand as well that for Furman University and the Asian Studies department, the SCE represents a significant investment in the promise and talents of its participants. We hope that our study travel this summer will be an very enjoyable experience for all, but we also expect that it will constitute an extraordinary learning experience which will change the way you see yourself and the way you approach the college career you are about to begin. This Orientation Guide contains practical information which will help you prepare mentally and logistically for the trip; it also lays out some ground rules designed to keep everyone safe, happy and productive as we move through our itinerary.

As you read through it carefully, keep in mind that it was adapted from the orientation guide used by students in the longer fall semester program, and so some directives may seem more appropriate than others; still, this information will ultimately be useful for all of us to have.

The secret to having a great travel study experience is in balancing realistic expectations with a readiness to be confronted by the unexpected. Learn everything you can about the country before you go, and remain open to everything the country will teach you once you get there. And remember that while traveling, you will be Furman’s ambassadors to China; but upon your return, you will in a sense become ambassadors from China to Furman…

I. Preparation and Going to China:

1. Medical: The directors want you to be sound in mind and body before, during and after your time in China. So if you have any medical issues that need attention, please address them with your doctor well in advance of departure. If you feel a minor illness coming on, you may want to secure some antibiotics as a precaution. If you need to schedule a visit with your dentist, make sure to have all dental work completed at least one week prior to departure. Fillings can leave air pockets that are very painful in pressurized cabins.

2. Tour Books & Reading: Your experience will be all the better if you start expanding your exposure to all things Chinese now. Check out web sites on China, read books and see films listed at the end of this guide.

3. Pack Light: You will rue the day if you try to drag an enormous quantity of extraneous stuff to China. Most airlines allow you to check two bags (50 lbs. each), but this is much more than you need and more than most human beings can carry. Remember, you will have to carry your own luggage. If you take a backpack, purchase a canvas bag (such as an army duffel) to protect it during the flight, and be sure to clearly print your name on it. Be sure your name and destination (Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China) are on a luggage tag affixed to the outside of each bag and that there is also a copy on the inside in case the outside tag gets stripped off. Make a list of your valuables (including the honest value) in each of your checked bags. Keep the list in your carry-on bag. If your bags are lost in transit, this list will help you settle with the airline. Take one “carry-on” bag that can fit under the seat in front of you. This carry-on should contain one change of clothes and anything essential to you in case your luggage is lost. Don’t forget to bring something to read for the long flight. Please review what is and is not allowed on flight, as well as United Airline’s other luggage regulations at AFTER YOU LEAVE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY YOU WILL NOT SEE YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE UNTIL WE ARRIVE IN CHINA, SO PACK YOUR “CARRY-ON” ACCORDINGLY.

4. In-flight fashions: For the flight, wear comfortable (loose fitting) long pants and have a long-sleeve garment available – the cabin may get cold. Be sure to wear loose fitting shoes because your feet may swell in flight.

5. In-flight tips: 1) Before takeoff, get a pillow and blanket out of the overhead bins for use later in the flight. 2) Drink lots of water. Experts recommend 4 oz. every half hour. Dehydration is one of the major negative effects of air travel. As such, you may want to bring hand lotion, eye drops, and lip moisturizer as allowed by airline security. Avoid caffeine and alcohol in any form during the flight. They exacerbate dehydration and jet lag. 3) Sleep! – use ear plugs, eye masks, and a warm blanket. Check with your doctor about using Melatonin or other sleeping pills if desired.

6. Arrival in Shanghai Pudong International Airport: We will all be feeling a bit tired and dazed when we deplane. So let’s be clear about the basic protocol: 1) Going through immigration: smile at the official, flash your passport with PRC visa, and get your passport stamped. Since the swine flu scare from earlier this summer, passengers arriving from the United States have had their temperature taken upon arrival, and those with fevers or flu-like symptoms have sometimes been pulled aside for further questioning. Therefore it is important that students look and act healthy at this checkpoint! Do not make any references to illness, even in jest or metaphorically, as in “I’m sick of standing in line.” 2) Pick up checked luggage. 3) Proceed through customs. You should not have anything to declare. Avoid any contraband that will upset Chinese policemen, i.e. illegal drugs, political dissent literature.

II. Traveling Guide:

It is important to remember that most daily items are readily available in Suzhou and throughout many parts of China. It can be difficult to find larger clothing and shoe sizes, but most other essentials can be found in country. Bringing the following items, however, will save you time and keep you from having to run across town to find what you need.

1. What to Take-- List of Travel Essentials:

Passport/money carrier: You need a secure place to keep your money and passport. Never leave large quantities of cash, traveler’s checks, credit cards or your passport unattended while traveling. Pouches hung around your neck or belt pouches kept under your shirt are most effective. Make sure that you bring a photocopy of your passport picture page, carried separately from your passport.

Money: All trip expenses such as food, lodging, transportation, entry fees, etc. are borne by the program. You will, however, want to have some cash for incidental expenses such as bottled water, snacks, gifts, souvenirs, etc. Banking and financial customs in China are somewhat different from those to which you are accustomed, though much is changing. "Cash and carry" is the prevalent method of personal transaction, although credit cards are acceptable at hotels, major restaurants, and some large department stores. Credit cards are not used in daily transactions or in rural areas, and you will become accustomed to carrying larger amounts of money with you than you probably would in the U.S. There are plenty of ATMs in the big cities, but fees may be high and you should not rely upon them as your primary financial source. The exception is free ATM access for Bank of America customers. If you have a Bank of American ATM, you will be able to access cash without charge at any Construction Bank of China. Traveler’s checks are probably the best means of transporting your cash, though you may have to walk some distance or take a taxi to find a bank to change your checks. Some American banks provide these free if you have a checking account. It is not necessary to acquire Chinese yuan before departure, which may be difficult or costly: one of our first stops upon arrival will be for the purposes of exchanging money.

Alarm clock or watch: You do not want to miss the bus, train, tour or class!! Travel alarms need to be light weight, water resistant, shock proof, non-electric and reliable. Test it before you leave. Bring instructions with you.

First-Aid kit: Contains the following – mild pain reliever (Tylenol, aspirin), antacid, diarrhea medication (Pepto Bismol for mild cases and Imodium for the real thing!), sunscreen, eye drops, mole skin, band-aids, handiwipes and antibiotic cream. Put your major first aid stash in your luggage, but keep an emergency supply in a ziploc plastic bag in your day pack.

Flashlight: You may be staying in unfamiliar rooms, reading after the lights have been turned out, and/or working your way down dark train aisles.

Sun protection: It’s going to be VERY HOT and (most likely) sunny during our stay in China. You should come armed with sunscreen, headgear, and sunglasses as needed.

Rain gear: You may want to bring a waterproof jacket with a detachable hood, a broad-brimmed rain hat, and/or a small umbrella for the rain.

Day pack: This can range from a large purse to a book pack. It should be large enough to hold your rain gear, camera gear, snacks, water bottle, first-aid kit, and other daily necessities. It should be able to be securely zipped closed.

Clothing: Light-weight, durable clothing that can be washed easily is suitable for the high temperatures and humidity typical in the summer in China. You will probably need to do some hand-washing, so bring a tiny bottle of Woolite or CampSuds. Be sure to bring at least one nice outfit for more formal situations such as going out to dinner: for men, slacks and a collared shirt, for women, slacks or a skirt and blouse.

Medicines, Toiletry Articles, Etc: (Travel-sized shampoo and other toiletries for in-country trips.) 1) An adequate supply of prescription drugs and a copy of each prescription (have these ready to show Chinese immigration officials if they ask). 2) An extra pair of prescription eyeglasses. Bring the prescription also. 3) Soft lens solution. While available, this is rather expensive. You may also want to bring a spare pair of lenses (or multiple pairs if you use disposable lenses) if you tend to lose or tear lenses. 4) Preferred deodorant (not as readily available in China). 5) Dental floss. 6) Women: tampons (you can get sanitary napkins anywhere, but tampons are not as readily available). 7) Mosquito repellent (a very small size). 8) Hand sanitizer. You’ll need to keep this in your checked luggage, but it can be hard to find in China. 9) Earplugs 10) Sun screen 11) A purse-or-pocket-sized pack of tissues (in case you visit a restroom which has none)

2. Personal Conduct: The Summer China Experience is designed as an intensive introduction to Chinese history and culture which will serve as a unique springboard into your college career and your study of Chinese language. Your directors intend for you to make the most of the limited time we have in China by learning through lectures, visits to important sites, and encounters with everyday life. It is therefore imperative that every member of the group arrive on time for scheduled events and departures, with all necessary materials and/or baggage, rested, refreshed, and ready to participate. Plan to get all the sleep you need each night, and allow yourself the time you need each morning to get ready for the day’s activities. The traveling we are planning, and the walking which will be required, can be taxing if you aren’t getting enough sleep, and delays incurred by one member of the group will affect all others. Each participant chosen for this program convinced us during the interview that he or she was an open-minded and adventurous traveler who disdained whining and complaining, so each of you has a right to expect such conduct from the others. Your prompt, active and cheerful participation in all aspects of the program is your personal responsibility.

3. List of Strongly Recommended Items

Notepad and pen for your journal (also readily available in China, of course).

A Calculator can help you determine price values until you become familiar with Chinese money.

Water Bottle - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate on tour (with safe bottled water). Dehydration will sap your energy, make you peevish and possibly do you long term harm.

Electrical Accessories: To use most electrical appliances you might bring, you will need to have plug adapters to fit Chinese wall socket configurations and a good 220v power converter which transforms higher voltage into a form your U.S. appliances will accept. Radio Shack or any decent travel or luggage store should carry these items. You can purchase small travel hairdryers in the U.S. which can be used in both 110 and 220V plugs.

3. Travel Tips

• Break in your shoes and boots well before departure

• Practice with your camera before you leave for China; bring your instruction booklet with you and bring an extra lithium battery.

* Don’t lose sleep worrying that you might forget something. Remember that practically anything you might need will be available in China—we just want to pack as carefully as possible to avoid wasting group travel time tracking down items you might need. For those of you who wear larger sizes, it may be more difficult to find replacement clothes.

III. Traveling in Suzhou and China

1. What to Bring:

a. Clothing: The summer climate in the greater Suzhou area is much like Greenville: hot and humid, averaging in the 80s and 90s. For the most part, you’ll be able to dress very casually (shorts and a t-shirt will be fine, though women please avoid too-short shorts). You should bring one smart casual outfit for our farewell dinner (slacks and a collared shirt for men, skirt/dress/casual pants for women). As you will be walking much more than usual, comfortable walking shoes are very important. Sturdy sandals will be handy in the heat. It’s a good idea to have two pairs of shoes – say, a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of sandals – so you can change if one pair gets wet. Plan to wear clothing several times: bring your favorite outfit and let us see it day in and day out! Pack light. Keep in mind, the less unnecessary stuff you take, the better off you will be! Save valuable luggage space for whatever “treasure” you want to take home.

b. Gifts: Bring some small gifts for your Chinese roommate and others you might encounter. Exchanges of small gifts are an important way of establishing good relationships in China. You might bring picture books about the U.S., your state or city, handicrafts or special products from your area, Furman items, sweatshirts or T-shirts, postcards from your home or Furman, postage stamps, coins. You may also want to bring pictures of your family, friends, pets, Furman, favorite haunts, etc.

2. Communication with the Homeland:

Our time in China will be relatively short and we will often be on the move, so you should let your families and others know that your contacts with them may be limited. Calling the U.S. from China can be extremely expensive. There are phones in the dormitory rooms at the Soochow University (SuDa) campus, but we cannot call overseas from them. Your directors will attempt to make provisions to let your families know of your safe arrival, but in general they should operate under the principle that “no news is good news.”

The best idea for calling home is by using a phone card purchased in China, which we can help you acquire. Ask your family to return your call since it can be cheaper to call China from the States than vice versa. You might investigate calling cards and special benefits offered by your family’s long distance service before you leave home. Several phone cards are available for purchase on the internet, including for example , which sell cards allowing you to call China for less than two cents per minute. And be aware of the time difference. China Standard Time is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Savings time-- i.e, 8:00 AM Sunday (Greenville) = 8:00 PM Sunday (Suzhou), 11:00 PM Sunday (Greenville)= 11:00 AM Monday (Suzhou). China does not observe daylight savings. When your family and friends call you, they will need to dial the international code 011, then use China’s country code — 86, and then the Suzhou city code – 512. Your number will be 011-86-512-LOCAL NUMBER.

Mrs. Linda Ray in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages at Furman can serve as an emergency contact person: her phone number is (864) 294-2108, email linda.ray@furman.edu. She will be able to contact the program directors through their cell phones or by email.

Besides phone connections, there are also e-mail bars where you can pay an hourly fee to access your student account or a Hotmail or other internet account. This is often the most convenient way to avoid high costs and time differences to get messages to friends and family. We do not recommend that you bring a laptop computer, as you will have limited opportunities to connect to the internet, and it may be difficult to transport, store and secure it at all times.

3. Health & Safety:

a. General: If you have a preexisting health condition or problem, the directors should already know about it or you should tell them as soon as possible. If you need to see a doctor in China, the directors will arrange an appointment for you. It is extremely important that you keep the directors notified of any health problems. Unfortunately, many will find out the hard way about losing any sense of shame about bodily functions and health issues. Diarrhea and constipation are just two of the more embarrassing (and if left untreated, potentially serious) problems you may encounter. Suzhou has some very respectable hospitals and within a two hour drive in Shanghai are some of the best health facilities in China, including a clinic for the international community. But you need to let the directors know if you are not feeling well!

b. Precautions:

i. Blood born pathogens, particularly Hepatitis B and HIV, are a major concern in China these days. Of course, these are easily avoidable if you steer clear of blood, surgery in a second-rate hospital and sexual contact with infected locals.

ii. Everyday illness: Some form of diarrhea caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses is the most common health problem to expect. The key is to keep your food and water clean. Although sanitation conditions in China have improved enormously in the past decade, you should follow some basic rules. 1) Do not drink water out of a tap. 2) Do not even brush your teeth with tap water. 3) Use the boiled water thermoses for all water that you will ingest while traveling. 4) Buy and drink bottled water. 5) Peel all fruit before you eat it. 6) Avoid eating any uncooked food, including fruits and vegetables. Salads are probably only safe to eat in the best tourist hotels or most up-scale Western restaurants. 7) Avoid foods that look like they have been left out to sit for a long time. 8) Be cautious in eating street stall foods. If the stall looks sanitary and the food is clearly exposed to high-heat just prior to being eaten, it may be fine. 9) Wash your hands regularly, especially with disinfectant hand lotions. 10) Finally, if Imodium tablets do not solve your problems, you may want to have a back up supply of antibiotics. Check with your doctor.

While it is important to take precautions, irrational fear is not necessary. Hygiene conditions are good, most food is safe, serious diseases rare, and hospitals are vermin-free.

c. Personal security: China continues to be a very safe place for foreign visitors and crime rates remain low compared to the U.S. At the same time, the rapid economic reforms of recent decades have brought considerable social dislocation, large mobile migrant populations into cities, emerging drug and prostitution problems and sharper distinctions between the haves and the have-nots. There is no reason to be fearful. However, as in any major metropolitan area, it is wise to use some basic street-smarts. Do not seek out or move toward a troubled or potentially violent situation. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not flagrantly display signs of wealth or large sums of money. The most likely crime to look out for is pick-pocketing. Interior zipped pockets and money-belts under your clothes are most effective against this. In crowded areas, you also might want to consider keeping your wallet in a front pocket and, in close quarters, keep your hand on it. The most typical scam is being bumped by one person, while a second takes your wallet. Pickpockets are very common. It is highly advised to carry a photocopy of your passport instead of your passport. If you must carry your passport or large amount of cash, you should put them in a secure pouch under your clothes, not in outer pockets, a purse or bag. In big crowds and at night, stay alert!

d. Laws, Regulations & Social Guidelines: We do not expect that most Furman students need to read the following warnings. But there should be no confusion about these issues.

The fact that China is a large authoritarian state run by a Communist Party ironically makes it one of the safer places in the world for Americans to travel these days. As long as you do not go out of your way to antagonize Chinese authorities, you will have little chance of running into the business end of the “dictatorship of the proletariat.” Still, you should not even flirt with breaking or bending Chinese government laws or regulations. So keep the following points in mind.

1) Punishments for illegal drug use are much more severe in China than in the U.S. Drug trafficking is a capital offense! Do not test them! Of course, you will be expelled from the SCE program and returned home at your own expense if you are caught using drugs by the directors. Suffice it to say, you don’t want to know what will happen if you are caught by Chinese authorities.

2) Religious proselytizing is illegal in China. While you can certainly engage in Bible study or any form of worship on your own or with other foreigners, you should not invite Chinese students or friends to such occasions. While the repercussions for you may be fairly minor if discovered by Chinese authorities, you could bring about the termination of our program in China and seriously affect the lives of any Chinese involved.

3) While there is much social and cultural change underway in China, relationships between men and women and “dating” (of all sorts) is viewed much more seriously in Chinese society than it usually is in American society. Casual dating is still relatively rare. Love may be a universal and many-splendor thing, but you should be cognizant of the cultural differences and respectful of the Chinese women and men that you meet and of their social mores. While casual (sexual) relations are not prohibited, the program generally discourages students from seeking a romantic relationship with a local Chinese partner. Also, while there is a burgeoning gay and lesbian subculture in Shanghai and a few other major cities, you should be aware that there continues to be much social ostracizing and political persecution of homosexuals in China.

4) If you drink, drink responsibly. You are legally allowed to drink alcohol in China, but please drink responsibly. We don’t want to be in the position of “policing” the group, but please know that if drinking ever becomes a problem, that if you behave irresponsibly, miss any scheduled events, or delay group departures because you’re sleeping it off, you can be sent home at your own expense and will be required to repay the costs of the program.

In general, keep in mind that whatever rules are established by the Furman program directors on site are intended to ensure the safety, security and over all well being of all of you and the continued success of the program.

4. Resolving Problems

The following guidelines have been established to help you identify and solve problems you may encounter in your classes, housing, meals, or adjustment to your new environment.

Non-Emergency

Speak to your teacher directly if you have any concern about your class. If you encounter minor plumbing or electrical problems, try to explain to the front desk directly. If you have a conflict with your Chinese friend, first try to talk to her or him about it. This approach helps you learn vocabulary, discourse, and cultural skills that you might not otherwise learn.

If you are dissatisfied with the result, the directors are here to help you.

Emergency

Always keep your emergency contacts with you at all times. Never hesitate to contact the director, day or night, in the event of a true emergency. Please keep our cell numbers with you at all times: Dr. Baba’s number is 011-1-864-498-8595. Dr. Allen will also have a cell phone for use when we arrive in Suzhou.

5. Chinese Universities:

Furman has a close partnership with Soochow University. We currently run more than five exchanges with SuDa, including a State Department-funded Summer Language Institute, our Fall in China program, student and faculty exchanges, and our Language House Assistant program. Please think of yourself as an ambassador from both the United States and Furman and make us proud. Disrespectful/improper behavior can harm all of our programs.

Soochow University is one of the key universities of Jiangsu Province. It dates back to the Soochow University founded in 1900 by Methodists in Suzhou as a merger of three existing institutions: the Po-hsi Academy, the Kung-hsiang Academy, and the Chung-hsi Academy. The Furman program is located at the central campus, one of six, in the heart of the old city of Suzhou. In total, the university has 45,000 students, including 24,000 undergraduates, and more than 4,000 faculty members. SuDa maintains cooperative and exchange programs with many universities around the world. There will be some other American students, many Japanese, Koreans, Taiwanese, Singaporeans, and some Australian and European students.

We ought to be mindful of several things about Chinese universities and university culture. 1) SuDa, like all Chinese universities, is a government supervised and funded institution. State authorities keep close tabs on the research, teaching and happenings on campus. Also the bureaucratic red-tape that teachers and students have to deal with daily is mind-boggling. 2) Resources for facilities and salaries are limited. Our SuDa teachers are not poor by Chinese standards, but they are not keeping pace with the emerging middle class either. Students are in many cases packed into rooms with six or seven roommates and share crowded and poorly kept bathroom and dining facilities.

There is a great tradition of respect for university students in China. And the fact that these students have made it through agonizing national university entrance exams to take a place among the less than 10% of the population that receives a university education is a source of well deserved pride. At the same time, university graduates in China are no longer guaranteed a job upon graduation and often are concerned that their education is not preparing them for success in the most rapidly growing sectors of the economy. Compared to their American counterparts, Chinese college students have very little choice in the courses they take. They tend to work extremely hard on course work that is geared toward examination success, not creative thought or intellectual enjoyment. Academic competition is fierce and, while Chinese students certainly have fun, they devote far less time than American students do to extracurricular activities and social life. Many are highly focused on preparing for graduate work in China or taking the TOEFL and GRE in order to study abroad – especially in the U.S.

6. Accommodations:

Students will be housed in modern Soochow University dormitories or tourist hotels. In many respects, the conditions of these facilities may not equal your dorm conditions back home (though the staff will regularly clean your rooms and make your beds); but it is important to remember that these rooms are far more spacious and better appointed than the rooms in which your Chinese and international friends will be living.

7. Mealtimes:

Meals may be taken on campus during our stay at Soochow University, or in a variety of restaurants in Suzhou or while traveling. There is a dining room near our guest house and several student cafeterias can be spotted around campus. Typically students have found the fare at the restaurants just out the back gate of the campus much more palatable than the cafeteria food. In the neighborhood around the university, there are all kinds of different restaurants where we may explore the range of Chinese cuisine. Of course, Suzhou also has many McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and a number of other Western restaurants, but we encourage participants to make the most of the limited opportunities in these short two weeks to become more familiar with authentic Chinese food.

Vegetarianism is not a popular trend in China, so most restaurants and cafeterias are not prepared to satisfy vegetarian needs. This is a challenge every study abroad program is almost certain to encounter. We will try our best to provide vegetarian options during the Chinese Table Program and during the academic tours, but please be tolerant if these options do not satisfy the standards and variety to which you are accustomed in the US.

8. Cross Cultural Interaction

a. Culture Shock: When you are suddenly living in a very new culture and are struggling with a different language far from home, you are bound to experience some very intense and varied feelings. While everyone reacts in his/her own way, it is common to veer from extremes of euphoria when one begins to see or comprehend something new to feelings of despondence and alienation from the host culture at moments of difficulty. This is normal. You will be dealing with and trying to process all kinds of new images, symbols, customs and codes of behavior. We would urge you to embrace the challenge and throw yourself into the experience. But also talk about it with your classmates and teachers when you need to. Moreover, take it easy on yourself and make sure you get some genuine down-time. Treat yourself occasionally to some favorite “luxury” from home -- music, food, ESPN, an activity -- that will help revive your spirits.

Above all, please be flexible! Due to circumstances beyond the control of either the directors or our Chinese partners, there may be times when plans change or cannot be finalized until moments before the event begins. If you find yourself stuck on a bus or in a line or otherwise inconvenienced, try chatting with those around your, observe how Chinese handle similar circumstances, and generally seize the opportunity to observe everything around you. Sometimes unforeseen circumstances can lead to sudden cultural insights or serendipitous experiences.

b. Guidelines for Cross Cultural Interaction:

In many parts of the world, people retain a stereotyped image of “Ugly Americans.” The 1954 novel of that title (by a former US Naval officer stationed in Southeast Asia) depicted Americans as ignorant, spoiled and arrogant “innocents” abroad. Furman does not send “Ugly Americans” to China, only our finest ambassadors. If you need any hints about how to act the good cultural diplomat, keep the following points in mind:

1) Be sensitive to inequalities in wealth.

2) Be tolerant about political, religious and cultural differences.

3) Show interest in the Chinese and their culture.

4) Avoid sweeping generalizations about “China” or “the Chinese.” You probably wouldn’t appreciate similar statements about “Americans.”

5) Observe the golden rule and basic courtesy.

6) Uphold the Atticus Finch Principle: some of you may recall the passage in To Kill A Mockingbird where Atticus Finch tells his daughter that you “don’t really understand someone until you’ve tried on their shoes and walked around in them." No need to take this literally.

There are some specific, everyday sort of cultural differences with which you should be familiar.

1) Sense of space, noise and privacy is quite different in this most populous country on earth. You should, in most cases, be able to maintain your own boundaries at a comfortable level without losing your cool.

2) Generally speaking, you should not assume that someone speaking in a very loud voice is necessarily angry, belligerent or seriously disturbed.

3) Smoking is still very common in China, mainly among men. Neither law nor social custom give anyone the right to tell someone to put out a cigarette.

4) While there is a lot of physical proximity in crowded urban Chinese society, hugging or kissing your Chinese pals of the opposite sex may be greeted with alarm. In fact, it is even quite rare for Chinese parents to hug their children after they grow beyond infancy.

5) Stereotypes are at work in all societies. Less informed Chinese may see us as walking symbols of American wealth (and a possible ticket to riches), of a culture of material excess and licentious freedom (e.g. Hollywood culture) and, in some cases, of the perceived arrogance of American foreign policy. Instead of reacting with fury at times when such perceptions are in evidence, we should attempt politely to disabuse people of such notions and show that we are diverse, complex individuals that cannot be reduced to stereotypes.

IV. Suggested Reading and Viewing

Anything you can read about China before departure can be useful: short histories, memoirs, travel writing, novels, etc.

It will also be a good idea to acquire a recently published travel guide such as Lonely Planet’s China , Fodor’s Exploring China, or perhaps another travel series which you’re accustomed to using.

China Movie Rentals:

• Beijing Bicycle

• Chunking Express

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

• Eat, Drink, Man, Woman

• Fallen Angels

• Farewell My Concubine

• Hero

• House of the Flying Daggers

• Judou

• Not One Less

• Raise the Red Lantern

• Shanghai Triad

• Suzhou River

• The Last Emperor

• The Wedding Banquet

• To Live

Internet Resources

Link to Soochow University via the Furman University Asian Studies Website







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V. Contact numbers:

Dr. Eiho Baba: (011) 1-864-498-8595 (USA and China)

Dr. Bill Allen: 1-864-884-7794 (USA only)

Mrs. Linda Ray: 1-864-294-2108

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