Witnessing China change for the better – USAC Study Abroad News

Anthropology professor’s first impressions of life in Chengdu, China, after two decades away

By Bill Jankowiak, ’19 USAC Chengdu, China

It had been 20 years since I last visited China. Wow, so much has changed.

Back in 1981, I was a young graduate student studying modern Mongolian history in the Yuquan District of Inner Mongolia. Although I passed through several Chinese towns and cities, I spent the majority of my time in North China.

When the opportunity came up to teach anthropology courses in Chengdu as a visiting professor for University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), I knew it would be a good way to see how the area has developed first-hand. After all, regional differences are not understood until you live in them.

In the first moments there, I immediately saw how China had changed for the better.

The city of Chengdu itself is a modern metropolis. There are tasty restaurants everywhere, shopping opportunities galore, and the smell of delicious, spicy food in the air. The history museums are modern and informative. The students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who had come with me would surely have a memorable visit.

That said, despite all the activity, I was pleased to notice that the people in Chengdu seemed to walk much slower than people in Shanghai.

As time went on, perhaps the most surprising and delightful thing I noticed was the amazing cultural diversity of the nation. People from all walks of life blend together, retaining their individual identities without stepping on each other’s cultural values. Study abroad programs like these let us learn how to live as global citizens. All too often, we get into our “environmental bubble” and only look at the world from one vantage point.

For example, as I found a new routine in Chengdu, I enjoyed having morning Starbucks at an upscale shopping center. I encourage students to try to clue into cultural norms everywhere you go. At this particular location was a space to see how the business professional class in China interacted. Unlike in the U.S., Chinese prefer to go for coffee in the afternoon rather than in the morning.

Food is another cultural phenomenon that first-time travelers only think that they’re prepared to experience. You have never had hot food until you have been to Chengdu. To be clear, it’s a health-conscious way to prepare food: the cuisine is specifically made  spicy to kill off bacteria.

For those who cook, however, their tastes and preferences for each meal are a part of their identity. When you start eating, you’ll notice that local Chengduians appreciate a smile when a Westerner tries the hot pot. Soon, everyone lets out a friendly laugh when your eyes water at the shock of eating Chengdu pepper.

Even if they sound difficult or scary, embrace these interactions with the local people. The fact that they’re sharing culture through food is a kindness. If you want to be a free and original thinker, please experience new events, things, food, people to expand your perception. You need to be patient and use the unexpected as an opportunity to understand another culture and how and why they react differently than you suppose they should.

I believe that traveling when you are young and reflecting on your experience is one of the best things you can do. The USAC Resident Director Wentao Song and the staff are kind and attentive and go out of their way to help students. They also organize excellent side trips to minority regions and other cities that are a must see.

To understand how restricted life can be without going outside your normal routine. See the world and be free. See the world and enrich your life. But, be careful of the Sichuan pepper! It will leave you crying for more.

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