Understanding Differences For Fruitful China Immersion

As a country rich in culture and booming economy, China is a choice destination for many tertiary students for immersion. However, to experience the land of rising dragon is not going to be a bed of roses without having the right mindset.

Hence, Business China held the E³ Workshop on 21 Jan 2010 for some 30 NUS students who will be embarking on a 5-month Student Exchange Programme in China.

Conducted by Mr Ting Wei, a lecturer who specialises in China issues, the E³ workshop helped to address students’ concerns such as safety, transport and dealing with the locals.

The workshop started off with a pop quiz, introducing students to the interesting facets of China. The sharing session later included topics like the social structure of China, the characteristics and differences between the Shanghainese and Beijingers.

Lim Shiyun, a student who had expected the workshop to be technical and boring, said after the workshop, “As a layman, I liked today’s session because the lecturer showed us the big picture with in-depth analysis, which wasn’t what I expected. He introduced us to the culture and told us what to expect, including difference between Singapore and China.”

Students also learnt 5 key principles when dealing with the Chinese:

• Be humble but maintain self-respect.
• There is never a simple and standard answer.
• Never rely solely hearsay to understand the Chinese; it is more important to build personal relationships with them.
• Do not make quick judgments, the Chinese from different parts of China differ in their background, culture and customs.
• Keep in mind China is developing rapidly.

After learning these tips, Peh Guo Qi, 20, who will be heading to Tsinghua University, now feels prepared and has more confidence to deal with the Chinese. Through this upcoming trip, he hopes to be able to understand the Chinese better, in terms of their views and they way they manage issues.

E³ Workshop was launched last December; its debut session was held for about 100 students from Nanyang Technological University. The three Es of E³ are: Excite, Explore and Experience. In a nutshell, E³ Workshop aims to excite students to explore contemporary and future China through its language, culture and social conditions and experience the changing face of its society personally.