October 18-19

Dr. Shumaker, and Dr. Marina and Frank, have arrived.  We have been busy meeting new colleagues, touring the campus, preparing for school visits and a public lecture this week.  We have been warmly greeted with a luncheon hosted by Dean Tu, College of Education and Associate Dean Deng.

  Timothy, the wonderful graduate student who has been my voice and cultural mentor, surprised me with my favorite dinner for a going away event.  The dinner was the best I have ever had—stir fried beef with veggies and my favorite a most wonderful cabbage dish, and of course cola.                                                                             

  We were warmly greeted at the Consulate General Office of the United States by Consul General Wendy Lyle.  She expressed her delight at the collaboration between the Universities, the possibility of opening doors to a broader community collaborative (possibly through the two Chambers of Commerce), and sought our assistance and locating possible summer camps options for secondary students.  We will be bearers of these messages to the Statesboro Chamber of Commerce, and Continuing Education at GSU.  She also impressed upon us the need to understand cultural expectations.  Her example:  As a frequent visitor to, and active collaborative partner with, CCNU, and now an extended Fulbright experience, I have gained the trust of my colleagues here and am now in a position to propose innovations with them.  The trust factor is critical in Chinese culture before any action.  These words summarized my perceptions of my new relationship with my colleagues. 

  October 20, 2009

Dr. Shumaker and I were formally received and welcomed by President MA.  President MA highlighted the collaborative accomplishments since 2004—the signing of the MOU between the two Universities:  faculty exchanges, student exchanges, co-hosting International Education Conference, a Fulbright exchange each way (Dr. Deng to GSU and Dr. Chance to CCNU), and large GSU faculty delegations from the Colleges of Education, and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, making 1-2 week visits to CCNU.  He also called for increased collaboration in education practice and research—especially teacher education.  

In addition, a formal luncheon hosted by Vice President Li highlighted noon events. Parents of a CCNU student who studied at Georgia Southern, hosted the night dinner and meeting.