Eleven students from Shanghai Normal University will soon be wrapping up their time as part of the English Language and Culture Summer Program. Thursday afternoon they celebrated their new experiences and friendships with an ice cream social.
“The emphasis is on the word ‘social,’” Dr. Wing-kai To, academic director of BSU’s global studies program, told the students, who were joined at the small party held in the Minnock Center by the faculty members and facilitators of the program.
Bridgewater and SNU became partners eight years ago, and have been cooperating since then on a number of fronts, including student and faculty exchanges. The summer program was initiated three years ago and is designed to provide the Chinese students with intensive study in two areas.
“The idea was to get them to come here to learn about using English as a second language on the one hand, and on the other to learn about American culture with an international perspective,” Dr. To said.
The summer program began July 13, and will end with a special dinner for the participants on July 26.
Most days, the students spend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a classroom in the Moakley Center. This classroom instruction – led by BSU professors Anne Doyle (English), Ryan LaBrozzi (global languages and literatures), John Marvelle (elementary and early childhood education), and Dr. To (history) – was augmented by field trips to New York City and Boston. The excursions included stops at museums, memorials, and governmental and historic locations.
While in Boston, the students met with State Sen. Marc Pacheco. That was a highlight for Huang Siyuan, known also as Alice. “We talked to him and asked him if he ever sees Obama,” she said.
Overall, the experience of the past few weeks left its mark on this young visitor.
“This is my first time abroad and it’s very meaningful to me,” she said.
That summed up the feelings of her fellow students, who each spoke briefly at the ice cream social.
“The real U.S. is different than I imagined,” said Li Xin Yu, also known as Grace. “My main impression is one of kindness.” She and many of her fellow students were also effusive in their praise for BSU’s faculty.
Dr. Karim Ismaili, special assistant to the president for university priorities and global engagement, was on hand to offer special thanks to the students.
“Make the most of your time here, and know that you are also helping us, as a university, to globalize, and we thank you,” he said.
Also present was Dean Lisa Battaglino of the College of Education and Allied Studies, who shared a message with the visiting students.
“If you ever want to come back to the U.S. to teach, we would welcome you back,” she said. (Story and group photo by John Winters, G’11, University News & Media)
