Peter Minkoff China 2018

Introduction

When we arrived in Beijing after a long day of traveling 7,000 miles, Kiran Peterson, Will Farner, and I were absolutely exhausted. As the kind staff of Beijing No. 8 welcomed us to their school on a very dark evening, China immediately seemed different. The Chinese teachers, nevertheless were ecstatic to show us our room. In the same manner, throughout the trip, the staff of Beijing No. 8 were eager to take us to tourist sites and invite us into classes on multiple different campuses. Throughout our stay at Beijing we had the help of multiple students and teachers always making sure we were comfortable and informed.

The gate of Beijing No. 8 

Beijing 

During our time at the school, we met many students and got to know their views on political topics such as economics, preservation of natural resources, and employment. I took multiple economics classes and was fascinated by the current status of trade with the United States. While Beijing 8 is one of the most prestigious high schools in China, we only attended classes at 3 of the 7 campuses. We found all of the students could speak English proficiently and excited to see us in class. Classes were much bigger, rowdier, and unorganized than MBA, but the system seemed to work for the students.

This sign was on the door when we arrived at our dorm 

Outside of class, the three of us also found an affinity for the cook at the school, having many conversations with him during breakfasts and dinners. The meals both inside and outside of the school were both extremely flavorful and radically different from meals in America. One of the major differences we found in the cuisine was the idea that food should be served to the group and not directly to a single person. This type of food creates more focus on taste and less focus on sustenance such as protein. Also, as the population of China is much larger than the United States, the amount of natural resources limits the amount of meat and protein available for meals in general. In conclusion, the food was very tasty and bountiful, but less fulfilling than American cuisine.

Sites 

During our time at Beijing No. 8, we visited the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, the 2008 Olympic Stadium and Park known as the Birds Nest. At the end of our time at Beijing 8, we were picked up from the campus where we stayed by a woman named Sherry. She took us to the Ibis hotel where we would stay in downtown Beijing for the next week. Our time that week would consist of touring the rest of the sites Beijing had to offer as well as understanding history, religion, and culture with our tour guide, Frank. The tour sites consisted of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Capital Museum, Mao Zedong’s body, Temple of Heaven, Temple of Earth, and many more. Frank was very knowledgeable about every site we visited and the culture of the city. At night, Frank would return us to the hotel to one of the three people who worked for WLSA. These people would stay with us and make sure we were safe in the hotel and had no problems.

The three of us at the Great Wall 

On our last day in Beijing, we packed our bags and met Mrs. Zhang, our teacher who had flown in the day before. We took a van to the train station where we would take a bullet train to Shanghai. Once in Shanghai, my host family took me home from the train station. The family consisted of my buddy named Spike, his parents, and his grandfather. Spike was very kind and his parents ensured my comfort and safety. The family immediately took me as one of their own: taking me to dinner, including me in conversations, and taking me to their family friends’ house for an afternoon of Mahjong.

In Shanghai, I immediately found the differences in the two cities. Although both cities are remarkably large, Beijing seemed to have a more strictly Chinese facade, while Shanghai seemed more cosmopolitan and western. The food, sites, and culture in Beijing seemed more traditional. One of the best days of the trip was the day our group went to a small school in Jiading, which is about an hour northwest of Shanghai. We went to teach young boys and girls to speak English. Other than the three of us, many privileged high school students around the area come to the school on weekends to play with the kids, and teach them English. We spent the day in hot classrooms teaching the kids about America and especially Nashville. We introduced them to the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators. We taught them games such as Duck-duck goose while providing water, shoes, and backpacks for about 75 kids. Finally, we were interviewed, and our day was broadcasted on Chinese television.

Playing basketball with some students 

My time in China was extraordinary and I hope to go back as soon as I can. I would like to thank the Wilson family for all of the grants that they give this institution. The grants provide worth to the students lives and the work they do right here in Nashville. Our experiences are used to find connections with others and ensure MBA students are well-rounded. I would also like to thank Mrs. Zhang for all she has taught me, which was definitely put to work. I would also like to thank the entire language department for the organization of the trip as well as the administrators of the trip. Finally, I would like to thank the school for all the opportunities they provide the students.