Global Experience: Confucius Institute Transports Students to China

By John DiConsiglio

Brenan Murray had never set foot in Nanjing, China, but the senior Chinese Language and Literature major knew every detail of the historic city’s sights and sounds. He could picture the sparkling red lanterns adorning the famous Confucius Temple. He could imagine the surging current of the Qinhuai River as it cut through the center of town on its way to the Yangtze. Murray had read so much about the eastern China city—once the nation’s capital—that he could list its highlights like a seasoned tour guide, from the majestic 20-mile long Zhonghua Gate to the 600-year-old Zhanyuan Garden to the bustling bazaars and street markets.

But nothing compares to being there. That’s one of the lessons Murray learned this summer during the GW Confucius Institute’s two-week tour of three major Chinese cities.

“I know a lot about the city from my courses and my reading, but to be able to go there and see these sights for myself was a great experience,” Murray said. “It was awesome.”

Murray was one of seven Columbian College students—four undergraduates, two graduating seniors and one PhD student— who immersed themselves in Chinese language and culture during the Confucius Institute-sponsored excursion to Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai. The cultural excursion was facilitated by Nanjing University, one of China’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, and supported by travel scholarships donated to the institute during Vice Premier Liu Yandong’s visit to Washington, D.C., in 2013. Hanban, the Confucius Institute headquarters in Beijing, covered all in-country expenses.

From visiting the Forbidden City to climbing a section of the Great Wall, students travelled to China’s most revered landmarks while gaining a better understanding of their symbolism and historical context. They also received hands-on training on creating traditional Chinese art forms, including the richly-ornamented fabric brocades and the highly-detailed cloisonné—a complicated technique for decorating metal vases that dates back to the 14th century.

The trip included a memorable visit to the Nanjing Massacre Memorial, a monument to 300,000 Chinese citizens believed to have been slaughtered by occupying Japanese forces in 1937. For many of the students, it was the first time they had heard of the massacre, infamous in the region for its mammoth scale and sheer brutality.

“Visiting the memorial opened my eyes to a part of Chinese history I knew very little about,” said sophomore chemistry major Tiffany Smith. “It sparked some enlightening discussions among our group.”

At Nanjing University, students participated in classes on Mandarin, Chinese painting, dumpling-making and Taichi. “I really connected with Taichi and the Chinese style of painting,” Murray said. “Both gave me a new perspective on the Chinese way of life, the aspects that have survived thousands of years.”

“You can learn a lot in classrooms, but there is no substitute for actually visiting a place,” added Mara Pillinger, a PhD student in political science. “It makes everything you’ve learned seem so much more real.”

The GW Confucius Institute is now accepting registrations for its fall classes. To learn more, visit http://confucius.columbian.gwu.edu/classes.

Pictures above: (Top) Students practiced traditional Chinese painting techniques at Nanjing University. (Below) The tour included a visit to the historic Great Wall.