Dear friends of Global,
After spending a month in rural India, the Globalites are thrilled to be settled amidst the thriving city of Hong Kong. Driving from the airport to the hotel, we were in awe of the dazzling surroundings; the towering high-rises lit up the night sky and the lights from thousands of windows reflected in the sparkling black waters of the harbor. We are relieved to see a skyline again and have enjoyed exploring the attractions that lie beneath it.
The Horizon Suites Hotel is a haven to return to after a hectic day at the Chinese University. A luxurious establishment, it has welcomed us with stylish, comfortable suites with views of towering mountains and the pristine Hong Kong Bay. We could not be more fortunate in our accommodations. Every morning we awaken to a scene of dozens of people practicing their daily Tai Chi routine in the park below accompanied by a soothing oriental soundtrack. The hotel also offers a plethora of amenities including a fitness center, grocery store, computer lab, and, most importantly, a morning shuttle service to the University. Very handy since navigating the campus itself is quite daunting.
We first became acquainted with the Chinese University of Hong Kong on our second day in the city. After riding a series of buses, shuttles, and climbing several flights of narrow staircases, we arrived at the New Asia campus of the university--once more with a stunning view of the mountains and harbor, with the Horizon Suites off in the distance across the water. During the initial campus tour, it dawned on us that we were finally on a fully functioning campus, complete with libraries, sports centers, music and dance performances, and actual living breathing students! This vibrant extracurricular atmosphere is what many of us had missed most during our time in Cairo and Whitefield and we are already looking forward to diving back into campus life.
Our first lecture, from the Director of the Hong Kong America Center, Glenn Shive, addressed a topic that parallels what we've been studying in our Field Supervised Course: "Hong Kong Global, Hong Kong Local." As a British territory during China's Cultural Revolution, Hong Kong had unique access to global markets that communist mainland China did not. Now that Hong Kong is integrating itself with mainland China, its role in Chinese culture and globalization is dynamic. Professor Shive imparted this information and more, giving us a few hints about what to look out for during our case study of globalization in Hong Kong.
The on-site curriculum promises to be similarly stimulating as we study the arts of China. The main lecture series focuses on several traditions of culture and craft, including ceramics, jade, bronze, painting, calligraphy, and architecture, among others. Our lectures will be supplemented with excursions to the city's array of museums, operas, and other cultural attractions, giving us the opportunity to observe the role of Chinese art in a modern context. The day before Thanksgiving, Dr. Mok gave an introductory overview of the course, touching on a majority of the topics to be covered during the month. The class emerged from the lecture hall with piqued interest, ready to begin classes again after the holiday.
Though it feels more like home being among students on the bustling university campus, many of us have been feeling pangs of homesickness as the holiday season begins. Fortunately, we were treated to a fabulous Thanksgiving feast arranged through the Hong Kong America Center at the university. We were all overjoyed to savor heaping plates of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberries. Don't worry, moms and dads, it wasn't nearly as good as the home-cooked meals we missed so much, but it did allow our homesickness to subside for the moment. We were very thankful for the effort made toward the rendition of our treasured American holiday. Celebrating with us were several honored guests, including members of the Roberts family, Glenn Shive, a representative from the US State Department, and unexpectedly, the former Director of International Studies at St. Olaf, Pat Quade, who is currently living and working in mainland China across the delta from Hong Kong.
Bellies full and satisfied, we students retreated down the mountain to the sports center for a pick up football game to ensure the authenticity of the celebration. It was an intense game, with only one minor injury, and, being a diplomatic group, we decided to end with a tied-game.
We hope all of your holidays were filled with love and laughter (and thoughts of us). We are very thankful to be in this beautiful and fascinating country and feel fortunate to have escaped the path of destruction we seem to have left in our wake. Our hearts go out to Mumbai and Bangkok and the tragedies they are facing. We are glad to have arrived in a safe and stable country and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead of us.
Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you are staying healthy, happy, and warm.
Global 2008
After spending a month in rural India, the Globalites are thrilled to be settled amidst the thriving city of Hong Kong. Driving from the airport to the hotel, we were in awe of the dazzling surroundings; the towering high-rises lit up the night sky and the lights from thousands of windows reflected in the sparkling black waters of the harbor. We are relieved to see a skyline again and have enjoyed exploring the attractions that lie beneath it.
The Horizon Suites Hotel is a haven to return to after a hectic day at the Chinese University. A luxurious establishment, it has welcomed us with stylish, comfortable suites with views of towering mountains and the pristine Hong Kong Bay. We could not be more fortunate in our accommodations. Every morning we awaken to a scene of dozens of people practicing their daily Tai Chi routine in the park below accompanied by a soothing oriental soundtrack. The hotel also offers a plethora of amenities including a fitness center, grocery store, computer lab, and, most importantly, a morning shuttle service to the University. Very handy since navigating the campus itself is quite daunting.
We first became acquainted with the Chinese University of Hong Kong on our second day in the city. After riding a series of buses, shuttles, and climbing several flights of narrow staircases, we arrived at the New Asia campus of the university--once more with a stunning view of the mountains and harbor, with the Horizon Suites off in the distance across the water. During the initial campus tour, it dawned on us that we were finally on a fully functioning campus, complete with libraries, sports centers, music and dance performances, and actual living breathing students! This vibrant extracurricular atmosphere is what many of us had missed most during our time in Cairo and Whitefield and we are already looking forward to diving back into campus life.
Our first lecture, from the Director of the Hong Kong America Center, Glenn Shive, addressed a topic that parallels what we've been studying in our Field Supervised Course: "Hong Kong Global, Hong Kong Local." As a British territory during China's Cultural Revolution, Hong Kong had unique access to global markets that communist mainland China did not. Now that Hong Kong is integrating itself with mainland China, its role in Chinese culture and globalization is dynamic. Professor Shive imparted this information and more, giving us a few hints about what to look out for during our case study of globalization in Hong Kong.
The on-site curriculum promises to be similarly stimulating as we study the arts of China. The main lecture series focuses on several traditions of culture and craft, including ceramics, jade, bronze, painting, calligraphy, and architecture, among others. Our lectures will be supplemented with excursions to the city's array of museums, operas, and other cultural attractions, giving us the opportunity to observe the role of Chinese art in a modern context. The day before Thanksgiving, Dr. Mok gave an introductory overview of the course, touching on a majority of the topics to be covered during the month. The class emerged from the lecture hall with piqued interest, ready to begin classes again after the holiday.
Though it feels more like home being among students on the bustling university campus, many of us have been feeling pangs of homesickness as the holiday season begins. Fortunately, we were treated to a fabulous Thanksgiving feast arranged through the Hong Kong America Center at the university. We were all overjoyed to savor heaping plates of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberries. Don't worry, moms and dads, it wasn't nearly as good as the home-cooked meals we missed so much, but it did allow our homesickness to subside for the moment. We were very thankful for the effort made toward the rendition of our treasured American holiday. Celebrating with us were several honored guests, including members of the Roberts family, Glenn Shive, a representative from the US State Department, and unexpectedly, the former Director of International Studies at St. Olaf, Pat Quade, who is currently living and working in mainland China across the delta from Hong Kong.
Bellies full and satisfied, we students retreated down the mountain to the sports center for a pick up football game to ensure the authenticity of the celebration. It was an intense game, with only one minor injury, and, being a diplomatic group, we decided to end with a tied-game.
We hope all of your holidays were filled with love and laughter (and thoughts of us). We are very thankful to be in this beautiful and fascinating country and feel fortunate to have escaped the path of destruction we seem to have left in our wake. Our hearts go out to Mumbai and Bangkok and the tragedies they are facing. We are glad to have arrived in a safe and stable country and look forward to the adventures that lie ahead of us.
Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you are staying healthy, happy, and warm.
Global 2008
