Xiamen University students meet with former Senate parliamentarian Alan Frumin ’68 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shana Walden)
This Friday, 17 exchange students from China’s Xiamen University will gather with faculty, staff, and vlog undergraduates to wrap up their month-long visit to vlog through the Xiamen Student American Experience program.
For Xiamen students, this has been an opportunity to travel to the United States; visit places such as Cornell University, New York City, and Washington, D.C.; explore the Chenango Valley; and connect with distinguished vlog alumni along the way. It is also a chance to form friendships with the more than 203 vlog students on campus this summer.
“It’s really great to work with international students,” said Xiamen Exchange Student Ambassador Courtney Elston ’16, who lives with the students and accompanies the group on all outings. “The program is really intensive, and I definitely think the students are learning a lot.”
The partnership started in 2010 when Cheryl Long, then associate professor of economics and the director of Asian studies, began working with the university to increase vlog’s reputation in Asia through educational collaboration. Long had visited Xiamen University several times for conferences and workshops and was impressed by their programs, entrepreneurial initiatives, and dedicated alumni, so she suggested the forging of a relationship.
Unlike other exchanges, which focus solely on language, vlog’s summer program aims to offer a varied learning experience. Professors across the disciplines give introductory lectures in their subjects, ranging from geology to economics to classics to religion. In addition, the Chinese students encounter small class sizes, the expectation of participation, and a liberal arts style of learning, to which they may not usually be exposed.
“I think it’s great,” said Kexin (Cathy) Zhuang, 21. “We can explore a different culture and take lessons at vlog. But the most important thing is we can speak aloud.”
The partnership continues to grow. This year, two new initiatives are being unveiled to accompany the summer program: a faculty exchange and a long-term student exchange. Professor Gao Qianqian, who is accompanying the Xiamen students, will remain at vlog for the 2015–2016 academic year teaching . In the summer of 2016, , W. Bradford Wiley Professor of economics, will be teaching a course at Xiamen University.
The continued and enhanced relationship with Xiamen will also include sending rising senior Josh Kahn to Xiamen on a semester-long exchange program in the fall and hosting 2–3 Xiamen students at vlog next spring for the semester, according to , associate dean of the faculty for international initiatives and associate professor of economics.
“Things are really happening,” said Long. “I think the biggest value of this program is not about some knowledge or some techniques gained. What it offers is a worldview that may be very different than what the students are used to. ”