SU exchange students gain appreciation for Chinese culture

While most students prepared to go home after the springsemester, three students took advantage of Southern University’s studyabroad program.
Accompanied by English instructor Hattie Lacy, SU students KeAndra Dobison,DeNetra Griffin and Charmaine Matthews were all able to experience the extravagantculture of China.
When asked about her feelings before leaving the U.S., Dobison, a senior nursingmajor from Cottonport, said, “I was excited and nervous.” The students began their trip by visiting Beijing, China’s third largest city. The colorful scenery and crowded streets quickly captured their attentions.
“They were in awe,” said Lacy, who served as the students’ mentor throughout the trip. While in Beijing, the students were able to climb the Great Wall of China, which according to Encarta.com covers over 4,000 miles. In addition, the students visited the Forbidden City, now the Palace Museum.
According to Travel China Guide, it is the world’s largest palace complex consisting of 9,999 buildings surrounded by a ten-meter high wall. The students also attended the annual Water Splashing Festival.
Griffin, a junior animal science major from Tallulah, pointed out that participants were given bowls to dip in a fountain and if splashed with water it meant good luck.
She then noted that their group in particular received plenty of good luck that day. In addition, the students were able to visit the Butterfly Garden and watch an elephant show.
“The elephants danced . . . and gave massages,” said Lacy. Both Dobison and Matthews were brave enough to hold a python around their necks. Dobison mentioned that she had the opportunity to actually sit on an elephant as well.
After spending four days in Beijing, the group traveled south to Jinghong, Xishuangbanna where they attended the Xishuangbanna Vocational and Technical Institute as exchange students. The students studied Chinese while Lacy taught English.
Of course, life in China is much different from life in the U.S. Matthews, a senior biology major from New Orleans, said she expected the food to be similar to that of the Chinese food found in America but soon realized traditional Chinese food is completely different from American Chinese food.
Griffin said she ate mostly chicken and pork but her favorite food item was the green pea popsicle. The students had to adapt not only to the food but also to the living conditions. There were no washing machines, so clothes had to be washed by hand. The main difference, according to Lacy was the discipline in the educational system. The students in primary school, or elementary, attend classes six days per week, and they are required to return home for lunch. The style of dress was the most obvious similarity.
“They would wear clothes just like us,” said Matthews.
Looking back on their experiences all of the participants realized that they had learned valuable life lessons. Dobison learned that she should never make judgments before ever having an experience. Matthews felt that her view of Chinese Americans completely changed after the trip.
“I have a totally different view of Chinese Americans. It’s not easy living in a different country. I now have more respect for Chinese Americans here because they are the minority,” explains Matthews.
The students earned six credit hours by participating in the program, three foreign language hours and three service learning hours. Each participant stated that more students should take advantage of study abroad opportunities. “Studying abroad is important for every college student because it is a chance to gain understanding about a different culture through hands-on experience,” said Dobison.
Southern University students may take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities by contacting the International Education Division of Continuing Education Center for Service Learning at (225) 771- 2109. The office is located in Room 1100 in Harris Hall.
“Students do not have to speak a foreign language,” said Dr. Barbara Carpenter, Dean of the International Studies Program. However, Carpenter stressed that students must be fully enrolled, in good standing with the university, and interested in traveling and studying culture.