School Begins

The Fulbright experience is definitely first rate. It certainly opens alot of doors in China. I have spoken on the government's international radio station (my first ever media appearance anywhere) on Obama's leadership style and will so again in a couple of days on Six Party Talks on Korea (http://english.cri.cn/8706/more/8908/more8908s2011-09-22.htm). I missed a chance to be on national tv for the 9-11 anniversary as I was out of town for the Mid-Autumn Festival that weekend. Hopefully I will get another chance. I will also give 1-2 day lectures at other universities around the country over the course of the year (though the government is increasingly sensitive about political issues which some university reps said may make it difficult to approve my lectures), with one scheduled next month here in Beijing.

I have finally begun my teaching duties (two MA classes, with a TA for each), though already faced some frustration and a mild confrontation with the university administration. Apparently my courses are not compulsory, and in fact are not in the computer-based system at all, and students will not receive any credit for taking my courses nor receive a grade for their transcript. The students complained to me that I have assigned alot of work, and since they receive no credit they don't know if its worth the extra time (a valid concern). I met with the department chair and post graduate administration officer to no avail, though the professor agreed my assertion that if I cannot assign grades, I have very little ability to compel students to read, write essays, take exams, and take the course seriously. He and the administrator got into a rather heated debate that the professor lost, though I only was privy to the occasional word that I know (like jiade,which means fake, i.e. my course is essentially fake, not in the system). I continued to lobby that students should get credit, but was told that the computer prints out the schedule, this is the system, they cannot control it. And I explained that people control computers, we can change the system. And so they fell back to the red herring that this is a cultural difference between China and America. So, I am deciding whether to take their advice (not likely) and just lecture and students can just sit and listen as if auditing, or teach with grades that are meaningless and try to convince the students that this is a measurement of American standards and set it up as a task, a competition. After some discussion with students, perhaps the system is really set ahead of time; my TA has now told me that next semester my classes will count for credit.

Meanwhile the undergrads are away for their compulsory military training for several weeks, which means I can actually get a seat in the student cafeteria where meals are subsidized for as low as 50 cents per meal (one dish plus rice). One of my classes was also scheduled up against the mandatory PE class for grad students from 3-5pm, which severely cut enrollment. I'm in the process of trying to change the time.

Otherwise, I've joined a gym nearby that has yoga and taichi classes; I will start with yoga, based on watching the last class, I will be the only male among 30+ females and only Western face in the entire gym, so I hope I don't scare them.

I'm anxious to experience more of the classroom environment; and tomorrow the Embassy has sponsored us to bring our students to some ex-pat play of a cross-dressing farce called Love, Sex, and the IRS to further spread American culture; the students appear excited, especially when I told them tickets (which are free) would usually be $50 for the playhouse in Beijing.

First Class

Today was my first class, American Foreign Policy for graduate students. 40 seats, 48 students wanted to take the class (reminded me alot of Sac State in that regard). Decided to spend alot of time to introduce the syllabus to the students (they are pretty worried by writing a 10-12 page paper in English on US foreign policy, though one student confirmed that if using Chinese A4 paper which is larger than US paper it could be a bit less). They are also concerned about the exams, though I assured them that their past experiences taking exams should well prepare them. Students prefer Power Point supposedly, so I will use that frequently. Interestingly, as I took roll, of the 48 or so students, 13 came from one province (Shandong, home of Qingdao beer; I can only assume as an ocean city and province, that spurs more interest in external affairs), next was Anhui and Henan with 5, most only had 1 or 2 and many none at all (and none from Western and Southern provinces). Students seemed to be basically evenly mixed between male and female; all relatively young, directly out of undergrad I believe. I spent half an hour to explain my life in America to paint that picture, and will do so again in my other class (American Politics) next week. One student asked if they have freedom of speech in my classroom; I said certainly, the topic is America, you can say whatever you want, I don't care. I said that you can say what you want about China, but that is your decision and preferably only if it is relevant to US Foreign Policy.

Otherwise, just finished my 3 yuan (45 cent) cafeteria dinner; its not that cheap outside campus. And I joined a gym and completed my second workout today; one guy was pounding the hell out of the punching bag, like a 50 year old Bruce Lee, wouldn't want to mess with him. Good to have the familiarity of some dumbbells and sweat; Beijingers have already quit wearing shorts as temperatures have sunk into the high 70s temporarily, and think its odd to see my bare legs, but I try to remember that I will get stares regardless so I can wear whatever I want. Hope to get into some pick-up basketball game soon too before winter hits.

Orientation

I made my first ever radio appearance on China Radio International (the state run radio station), which was alot of fun (http://english.cri.cn/8706/more/8908/more8908s2011-09-01.htm). You can hear me discuss President Obama's leadership online. My American Foreign Policy and American Politics graduate courses are basically prepared. Ready to begin Monday when I find out that classes will be cancelled the first week for graduate student orientation, which I'm rather disappointed as I'm ready to start teaching. Then the next week is Mid-Autumn Festival (mooncakes!), so no class Monday. All the students arrived this weekend, 5 students per dorm room. I hope to visit the rooms and share pictures of the living conditions. Saw my classroom, better tech equipment than Sac State, but classroom is pretty old. Very busy with invitations to speak etc. Actually, some Americans are teaching here, Oral English. Paid around 5000 yuan per month ($850), with free housing. Weather has cooled, anxious to start teaching, and post more.

Fulbright orientation was excellent, 5 days in Beijing Renaissance Hotel. First class all the way! Ambassador Gary Locke gave us a nice introduction, and lots of good info from the Embassy staff, Chinese students, and Chinese professors. We also enjoyed some great meals and a sightseeing tour through the old city neighborhoods.

Arrival in Beijing

I am getting settled into my new digs at the China Foreign Affairs University International Exchange Center, which is a hotel run by the university for long-term 'foreign experts' like myself and short-term diplomats or scholars here for a conference of presentation. The campus itself is very small, about a five minute walk from end to end, with only one primary building for classrooms, a library, and some basketball and volleyball courts. There is also a 'canteen' or cafeteria that runs about $1-1.50 for rice and two servings of a dish, not bad. There is also a Muslim 'canteen' that serves food halal, which I am anxious to check out. Location is pretty good, 15 minute walk to Fuchengmen subway stop, and across from the enormous Tianyi wholesale market that sells everything one could imagine; Angry Birds appear to be hot everywhere, as are the Smurfs, though they look less cuddly than I recall as a child in the 1980s.

Today, I will get my office, which word is contains only a chair and desk and nothing else. I also hope to check out the classroom where I will teach, and next week will meet my teaching assistant, whom I hope is willing to do some major photocopying of texts (shhh, don't tell the publishers.) I think I've mostly got my syllabi ready to go, and next week is the in-country orientation, which can hopefully answer remaining questions.

Beijing itself is starting to cool from the normal hot and humid summertime, though still rather muggy. After 2 weeks, the tally would be 12 smog days and 2 blue sky days, that is probably a fairly accurate gauge of the norm, maybe a bit better this fall. I'm certainly not gonna keep track. Crowds on the subway (mostly young people) continue to swell, automobile traffic is even worse. 20 million people in the city, perhaps 30 million in the municipality. Prices are certainly inflated, as are housing prices and rental prices in dramatic fashion. A 1,000 square foot condo in the city probably costs $1 million (US); rent for a one bedroom runs about $1,000 per month. A middle class salary is probably $10,000 per year. You can do the math, but upwards of 50% of income goes to housing.

Looking forward to settling into a routine after classes begin September 5, and by then temperatures should be in the low 80s and more dry, like Sacramento perhaps.

Fulbright Orientation

Our pre-departure orientation lasted three days in June in Washington DC at the Grand Hyatt. About 60 students (both undergrads and grad students) and 30 scholars participated, some going to teach, most for research. It was an excellent orientation to the society, lifestyle, and social conditions in China, with lots of useful insights from Fulbright alumni. Most of the particulars were off the record, so I will leave it as such. Interestingly, the Chinese Embassy hosted a banquet for us. The Education adviser vigorously explained how beautiful his staff members were, obviously not accustomed to a politically correct academic audience (or perhaps any audience at all). Otherwise, the teaching alumni generally confirmed my own sentiments, that the students are very hard-working and will follow the instructor's wishes with no questions asked. Apparently, the host university will provide a facilitator/administrator (waiban) to resolve any problems, and who can help negotiate any classroom disputes, particularly cultural issues between student and teacher. I am excited to experience the classroom environment, and to find out what courses I will be teaching.

Now, I have to book my air tickets, get my visa, and plan what to take. Our next orientation wil be in-country, at the end of August in Beijing.

And oddly, on my flight from Atlanta to Washington, DC, right behind me sat Newt Gingrich, with his wife, flying coach, gotta give him credit for that. He explained to the young (and annoying) investment banker next to him (who asked the ex-Speaker 'when did you decide to run for president') his policy platform.

Notice

Although the Fulbright Program in sponsored and funded by the U.S. Department of State, this is my personal blog and reflect my own thoughts and experiences. This is not an official Department of State website, and the views and information presented do not represent the Fulbright Program or the Department of State.

University Placement

I found out that I will be teaching at China Foreign Affairs University (http://www.cfau.edu.cn/cfauEN/index.html) in Beijing. This is China's only university not run by the Ministry of Education, but rather by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So it should be a great opportunity to meet and interact with diplomats from all over the world and teach part of the next generation of China's foreign service. This is really great news, very happy with the placement. They have departments of Diplomacy, English and International Studies, Foreign Languages, International Law, International Economics, and Basic Education. I will find out more at my June orientation in Washington, DC and another in Beijing at the end of August. For now, still must finish working on all my preparation.