Day 4: Ningbo Poly Tech

Today we spent the day at Ningbo Poly Technical Institute inNingbo, China. Last May nine of our students spent their first study abroad trip here. Today we came rising a memo of understanding to begin a three year partnership that includes student and faculty exchange. We began our visit by meeting Jasmine, whoseEnglish was fluent and flawless. I am humbled by how well citizens of other countries know English when I'am just able to attempt about ten words of their language. On the way to lunch a NPT student came up to us and began a conversation with us. Her English was very good and she shared with us information about her time at Ningbo. Jasmine mentioned that the student dared to take the risk to talk to us and dared to make mistakes and that is why she is so good at English. It was clear some students looked for every opportunity to practice their English language skills. This was a great lesson for me. I often worry about trying a new language for fear of making a mistake, but what I must do is dare to try and dare to make mistakes. We had lunch in the student run hotel with the Vice President of Academics and Jasmine.We talked about topics of imminent interest. The VP shared with us that the college had just established a school of international studies. Their goal is to become the providence's leading college in international education and partnerships. The newly established school includes foreign languages. I asked how they determined which languages to offer and learned that the pick languages of counties with whom the college has partnerships so students can learn the language to be able to study abroad. We learned that they have partnerships with America, Germany, Korea, Australia and other European countries. After lunch we met Joslin who accompanied a colleague and Ito the RTMart. The RT Mart reminded me of the Meijer and Walmart stores in America. One could buy clothing, packaged food products, sporting goods, and fresh food products here. My colleague went to purchases few children's book to aid her study of Chinese. We wondered and observed. I was amazed to see many American products on the shelves. The packages contained both English and Chinese. I had to wonder how the Chinese felt about this. I chuckled thinking about the debate in America by some politicians who want to pass "English as the official language" laws. I also thought of people in my life who comment negatively about packages in the US that contain both English and Spanish or manuals written I five different languages. I wonder weather or not foreign countries are more open to foreign nationals than Americans. I was surprised to see a Halloween pumpkin near a display and asked Joslin if China celebrates Halloween. She said, "no,they don't but they know about Halloween". I wondered how many Chinese holidays I was aware of. I am beginning to wonder whether or not Chinese citizens are more aware of us than we are of them. Certainly I will be paying more attention now. During our visit at RT Mart another student Sarah joined us. Sarah and Jasmine met my colleague this past May when our college led a study abroad trip to Ningbo. It was so special to see the positive relationships built between people of different countries. After our trip to the Rt Mart we returned to the School of International Studies to sign the formal agreement. After a brief review and conversation the signing took place. We then had an hour to walk the campus and observe. The college was in the middle of a three day period of sports. Today the students were competing in track and field events. The teams were organized by their schools and they competed as schools against the other schools in the college. Next week got to observe the non-competitive game area. Here we observed students laying musical chairs and the games. The fellowship was touching. They even got the three of us to play a ring toss game. It was special to take in and participate in their culture and community. I could see our American students enjoying studying here. We boarded our van to return to the hotel and I could not help but reflect on the day and how this experienced has broadened my perspective of China and deepened my commitment to providing international educational experiences as a college administrator.