September 29, 2013

September 29, 2013

Teaching is certainly the most enjoyable and rewarding experience we are having in Nanjing.  Nanjing University is one of the top Universities in China and the students we teach are some of the best in China.  In one of the law classes I taught last we week, we discussed the Bill of Rights and other rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.  As part of our class discussion, we reviewed a controversial United States Supreme Court case.  I do not let the students know my view of the case.  I simply try to explain the issues and rationale for the case and ask questions that I hope cause deep thinking.  After the class some of the students came to me and expressed concern that the Constitution seemed to be interpreted to allow what they considered to be wrong behavior.  It troubled them that a people with great freedom would use it in that manner.  It is perceptive on their part to understand that with freedom comes a responsibility to be wise in its use.

This last week we sent to a park that had some interesting features as the following pictures demonstrate.

Marilyn and I are standing in front of an active Buddhist temple.

 

A view from the doorway

 

 

A music practice session in the park.

 

 

As you see below, an interesting pastime for many is to bring their caged birds to the park so the birds can get some fresh air and the owners can visit.  I would liken this to the sociality that exists among those in American who take their dog for a walk and enjoy the company of those doing the same thing.

 



This fellow had seven birds that enjoyed some fresh air.  He said he had seven more at home.  It will be their turn next time.


A very interesting feature of the park was a display of polished rocks in their natural shape.  Below are examples of some of the magnificent exhibits.

 

 

September 22, 2013

 

 

This past week the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated in Nanjing.  Classes were not held on that day.  This is a family oriented holiday.

 

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is a popular harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. The festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, during a full moon, which is in late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar, close to the autumnal equinox.  Today, it is still an occasion for outdoor reunions among friends and relatives to eat moon cakes and watch the moon, a symbol of harmony and unity.   Making and sharing moon cakes is one of the hallmark traditions of this festival. In Chinese culture, a round shape symbolizes completeness and unity. Thus, the sharing of round moon cakes among family members signify the completeness and unity of families.  In modern times, however, making moon cakes at home has given way to the more popular custom of giving moon cakes to family members, although the meaning of maintaining familial unity remains. ^"

 

We received gifts of moon cakes as shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The moon cakes have different fillings, some are savory and some are sweet.  My favorite was one that had a filling somewhat like a pineapple gum drop. 

 

The following are pictures of where we live and places on or near campus within walking distance of where we live.

Our kitchen, small but adequate.

 

Our living room.

The entrance to where we live.

 

 

A fountain on the way to class buildings on campus.

 

 

 

 



Vendors are active where there is space.

 

 

 

 



Where we have documents printed and copied for our classes.

 

 

There is an abundance and a tremendous variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

More vendors.

The entrance to the old campus.  I teach one class on this campus and one on the new campus.

 The students shower in this building.  Showers are not available in the dormitories.  We have complete facilities in our apartment.

 

 

 

 My barber at work.

 

 

 

 

Last week I asked my students for written input as to why they are taking the classes I teach and what they want to gain from class.  Many would like to study in America and want to be as prepared as possible for that experience.  Many want to experience as much as possible what American students experience in the class room. 

 

 

15 September 2013

Shopping for Groceries

 

The supermarkets in China are full of commodities to buy.  In addition to much of what is found in America, there are many unfamiliar items as the following pictures demonstrate. Many of the aromas from these items are pleasant.  What we lack is the knowledge of how to use all that is available.  Some offerings as you will see would not likely find their way to an American table.  I am trying not make judgments and simply acknowledge the cultures, customs and food choices are different from my background.

 

 

Shanghai

 

Marilyn and I went to Shanghai this weekend.

 

“Shanghai is the largest city by population in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the largest city proper by population in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities of the PRC, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010.^[update] It is a global city, with influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport. It is a major financial center and the busiest container port in the world.”



 



 

The closest subway stop is about a five minute walk from where we live.  We took the subway to the train station, about 45 minutes away.

The train station is modern and relies heavily on technology for efficiency.  After our train trip of about an hour and a half to Shanghai, we negotiated a much more complex subway system to get within walking distance of our hotel.  We got lost on the way to our hotel and saw more of Shanghai than we intended to, but all ended well.


What seems to be ubiquitous in China is new construction.  It seems like old buildings are being removed and new ones constructed on almost every corner.

 

The picture above shows part of the construction site for the building below.  Notice what I believe to be temporary housing units for workers.

As you se below, the finished products look good.

For me, the building crane is one of the symbols of China today.

 

 

 

 

A very common mode of transporting goods in the area of Shanghai we saw.

 

 

Marilyn is standing at the beginning of a very active market area.

 

 

The market area from the other end of the street.  From what I have observed, free markets flourish at the most basic levels.  Vendors are everywhere.

Another street in Shanghai

 

My first solo transaction without the help of a local person was to go to a copy shop and explain in gestures that I wanted some items printed from my flash drive.  After the items were printed, I wrote how many copies I wanted.  Fortunately they use the Arabic numeral system here.  I then used the phrase I had been practicing, "How much?" and was shown the amount on a calculator.  I paid and felt like I had closed a million dollar deal.  The copies were for a quiz I gave.

With my confidence bolstered, I determined it was time for a haircut.  I went to a barbershop where it was clear the barber spoke no English.  Before going to the shop I had asked a lady who has been helping us how to say "light trim."  Unfortunately, by the time I arrived at the barber shop, I had forgotten the phrase.  I noticed that everyone there seemed to be getting a crew cut.  That made me a little nervous.  Then I noticed the barber had longer hair.  That was a good sign.  My turn finally came.  I sat in the chair, hoping for the best and knowing that any outcome was only temporary.  Happily, the barber knew what to do and for about $1.50 I got a haircut that will last longer than my usual style, but still a great result.

As to our primary purpose for being here - teaching - we are thoroughly enjoying the experience.  The students are very respectful.  Some, of course, are more motivated than others, but, all in all, I am impressed with their abilities.  We hope we are meeting or exceeding their expectations. 

September 8, 2013

September  8, 2013

Marilyn is standing in front of the building where we each taught our first class this past week.  Nanjing University has two campuses and this building is part of the new campus.  We live on the old campus about 45 minutes distance by bus.

 

 

 



Another view of the new campus.

 

 

 

 

We have seen many street sweepers

 

as we have walked around.

 

"Helen" has been helpful in trying to teach us some Chinese and showing us around Nanjing.

 

 

 

There are many different ethnic groups in China.

 

 

 

The streets are lined with little shops selling most anything you can imagine.  Also, there are many vendors who set up shop by spreading their wares for sale on the sidewalk.  We ate at a shop similar to this one and had huge helpings of tasty noodles with beef broth and dumplings for about $3 each.

 

 

If you look closely you should see a number in red by the traffic light.  At the busier intersections there is  red timer showing the number of seconds until the light changes to green and then after the light turns green there is a green timer showing the number of seconds until the light turns red.  Very helpful.

 

 



 

 

 

The two previous pictures show part of the inside of a building that houses some very upscale shops.  The mall is seven stories.  The second picture is a view from the top showing the floors below.  We were told this is the nicest mall in Nanjing. 

 

The real highlight of my week was teaching my first class of Introduction to American Law.  In China students begin their study of law when they enter the university, unlike in America where students enter law school after completing an undergraduate degree.  However, most law students continue on to graduate school after completing their initial studies.  The Introduction to American Law class is for undergraduate law students and the American Business Law class that I will teach will be for graduate law students.  The Chinese legal system is much closer to the German model than the American model.  In fact, the Nanjing law school has a permanent relationship with a law school in Germany, and German faculty members instruct at the Nanjing law school.  I thoroughly enjoyed talking about the origins of our American legal system, how fundamental the Constitution and rule of law are to how we do things, and much more.  It remains to be seen if my students are as interested in the course as I am.   

 

I (Marilyn) also enjoyed teaching my first class this week. My students were delightful! I only taught my one class of sophomore because students from my six freshman classes haven't shown up on campus yet. They are attending a mandatory military training to increase their patriotism and self-discipline. The sophomores know each other well because they have had almost all of their classes together last year. They are some of the brightest kids in China, so they catch on quickly. They are helpful, respectful, and anxious to learn. It will be interesting to see what the freshmen will be like because they will not know each other. In my classes the students do a lot of talking in English with each other and with me to improve their speaking and listening skills. Many of them would like to come to the US to study, so they are also very interested in American culture.

 

 

 

 



First Week in Nanjing

 

Ron and Marilyn Bjorkman

On August 16, 2014, we completed our training at the BYU Kennedy Center in Provo, Utah.  Our assignments are for Marilyn to teach oral English and Ron to teach American law courses at Nanjing University in China.

"Nanjing University, NJU or NU, is one of the oldest universities in China.  A comprehensive university, Nanjing is highly ranked among Chinese institutions of higher learning."

"Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province in eastern China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions. Its present name means "Southern Capital".  Nanjing has long been one of China's most important cities. It is recognized as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.  With an urban population of over seven million (2011), Nanjing is the second-largest commercial center in the East China region after Shanghai."

On August 26 we flew from Seattle to Nanjing via Shanghai.  Happily we arrived with our luggage after a long, but uneventful, flight.  We were greeted by Emma (English name), a graduate law student, who with the help of a driver for a van and taxi transported us, another couple and our luggage to our apartments.  (Americans do not travel light.  The van took the other couple and our luggage while we rode with Emma in the Taxi.)  Jet lag did not interfere with a sound sleep the first night in China.

Wednesday morning we met Emma who helped us establish bank accounts and obtain cell phones.  We had our first Chinese meal at a Chinese fast food restaurant.  I had chicken soup, cooked lettuce in a broth, rice topped with egg plant cooked in a hot sauce and a mango drink.  Chop sticks work if your are hungry and the meal was tasty.  

On Thursday with the help of Emma and Paul, two graduate law students who both speak very good English, we met with a representative of the office that supervises foreign teachers and signed contracts, one in English and one in Chinese. We also had a brief tour of the old campus.  We stay on the old campus.  There is also a new campus, about one hour away by bus, where Marilyn will teach all of her classes and I will teach one class.  We needed more passport size pictures so we had our pictures taken and obtained 8 for each of us at a cost of 40 Chinese dollars, about $7, and the quality was superb.

Friday morning we had our first trip on the subway and presented our health records and passports to a Chinese health office.  In the afternoon we had a Chinese language lesson from a local resident.  We probably could get by without learning Chinese because of the many helpful people, but our goal is to open another window by learning as much Chinese as we can.

Our first impressions of China are very positive.  The people are gracious and helpful.  The big adjustment is living in a city with about five times the population of all of Idaho.

Campus Tour

 





 

Parasols come out when the sun shines. 

 

Washing clothes.

 

 



Who is taking whose picture?

View from one of our apartment windows.

 We have shopped at this store for groceries a couple of times.  It is a few blocks from where we live.
Skippy peanut butter, Tide and some other American brands appear on the shelves.

Bicycles, scooters and space compete for space on sidewalks. 

 

 

 

Marilyn will teach her first class on September 2.  I will teach Introduction to American Law and American Business law, also starting this coming week.