Grassroots encounters with US universities may form deeper bonds

Globalisation. Internationalism. Big buzzwords in higher education today. It seems that all colleges and universities are looking to create cooperative ventures, joint programmes, faculty and student exchanges.

While the impetus behind this is certainly laudable – students need to experience and understand cultures that are not their own – there seems almost a frenzy of activity on both sides of the globe – a speed dating if you will – to ‘pair up’ with highly regarded universities, and if we are being honest, to increase an inflow of tuition dollars at a time when universities are under increasing pressure to control expenses and tuition costs.

It seems that many of these relationships are born out of meetings between high-level administrators taking part in short-term visits, relying on follow-up by lower level administrators, often struggling with language limitations, cultural differences and limited understanding of the working of the other institution.

But I have found, through recent experience, that a grassroots approach to building relationships can offer a deeper bond, based on personal connections and experience.

This past spring, I had the opportunity during a sabbatical to serve as a Visiting Scholar at the Communication University of China, or CUC, in Beijing. My interest in doing this was a result of the increase in Chinese students applying to and enrolling in the MFA in media art programme at Emerson College in Boston, for which I served as programme director.

Having never travelled to China, I wanted to gain a better knowledge of the undergraduate education these students receive in China as well as an understanding of the culture.

I spent 10 weeks in China, teaching two graduate classes – one (in English) for the Chinese graduate students enrolled in journalism and broadcasting masters programmes and one for the school of international education – which offers masters degrees in digital media, journalism and business, taught in English, typically by CUC full-time faculty.

As I met faculty and administrators at CUC and the other institutions I visited in Beijing and Shanghai, the subject of cooperative ventures between my home institution and the one I was visiting inevitably was raised.

Reflections

Though two-and-a-half months is not a long time, it’s long enough to get a feel for an institution and a culture. It’s long enough to form (hopefully lasting) relationships with colleagues and students.

Upon returning to Boston and reflecting on my experience, I offer several personal and anecdotal observations that might be helpful for those attempting to create relationships without the luxury of an extended stay.

The hospitality of the Chinese is incredible. It made me re-think my response to visiting faculty who have come to my institution. The result is a feeling of inadequacy and a bit of embarrassment.

Almost every faculty member and administrator (and many students) invited me to a meal or a drink and then insisted on making it happen. Former students, now living in Beijing, called me not once but several times, offering to take me to famous and less known sites.

It makes me realise that international students – especially those who come from China and other nations that share this cultural difference – must feel so unwelcome when they come to the US and are greeted by an orientation session, some crudités and punch, then are sent on their way!

Adjusting expectations for scheduling and planning is imperative. I’ve had colleagues complain about the lack of organisation within Chinese institutions. My experience is that plans are made but remain fluid.

While some Westerners might find this frustrating, I find it interesting that within US academic institutions there is increasing demand for processes and programmes to be more ‘agile’. This agility seems well and alive in Chinese institutions.

China is changing and growing at a tremendous pace. I heard from many people that the popular wisdom is that China is 20 years behind the US but catching up at a pace much faster.

This energy for change sometimes seems to not allow for careful study and deliberation. This is quite different from US institutions where faculty members are often deliberative to an extreme.

The Chinese have tremendous pride in their country, but it’s a pride mixed with self-deprecation. They’re not afraid to make clear that degrees earned from Western countries are valued more highly than those earned in China, and they put great emphasis on ‘name brand’ institutions – Ivy League and large research institutions.

We’re not the only ones looking at US News and World Report rankings. They know that their educational system has a long way to go.

They’re looking to encourage more creativity and critical thinking in the classroom and to encourage more discussion and collaboration, but struggle with large class sizes and faculty entrenched in old ways of teaching.

These are challenges that sound familiar to us as well, but remember that 20-year gap. They are just beginning the process.

Misconceptions

Western media is everywhere, despite the much discussed internet blocking and censorship. I was surprised that there are sanctioned commercial websites that licence US TV shows and movies to stream hours after they’ve been broadcast in the US.

However, very few students I met had ever travelled outside the country and many had never met an American before. One can only imagine the misconceptions that abound. Imagine a society resembling Wisteria Lane in “Desperate Housewives” peopled by Ray Donovan and family.

While the Chinese can be quite blunt and don’t hesitate to voice observations and biases that fall far outside the boundaries of political correctness, one-to-one conversations can be quite nebulous. It was told to me by one acquaintance that, “Everyone lies all the time”.

Whether it’s the legacy of the Cultural Revolution when honesty could be personally dangerous or the stereotype of the ‘polite’ Chinese, it seems that the common practice is ambiguous agreement.

The meeting or initiative you propose will not be turned down, even politely. Instead, the person you need to meet with will be unexpectedly and continually unavailable. Or plans will be made and changed, and maybe changed again.

I hope to return to China again several times in the next few years. My hope is that my newfound understanding will continue to develop and that our collaborations and cooperative ventures are based on genuine human relationships and cultural respect.

* Jan Roberts-Breslin is interim dean of graduate studies and professor of visual and media arts at Emerson College in Boston, United States.