A Perspective on the Pilot Program to Shanghai

NEXUS | The IGL Newsletter | Spring 2009

By Peter Radosevich, A’09

Sometimes serendipity knocks on your door. This past winter, I learned that the IGL would be sending student guides and mentors for two groups of high school students on a trip to Shanghai in preparation for this year’s inquiry simulation. I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a unique opportunity. It was even more special for me personally due to my long standing interest in Chinese politics; in my undergrad career I have researched migration issues, the military, agriculture, and the water crisis in China. My interest in the country spurred me to begin learning Mandarin, and the trip also gave me a chance to practice the language (albeit poorly).

Reflecting on how amazing an opportunity the pilot program was for me personally, I could not help but feel a tinge of jealousy towards our high school students. To have the same opportunity five or seven years ago would have given me an introduction to a slew of important issues facing China and other rapidly growing countries today. Just to have a chance to be in one of the world’s most dynamic growing cities was a pleasure; Shanghai’s history lends itself to being an international hub, with bustling activity taking place around every corner.

While our trip included seeing many of the visual wonders and learning the vast cultural heritage that Shanghai had to offer, it was also deliberately instructive. Our schedule contained a good balance of lecture, discussion, and exploration. We were able to hear lectures from accomplished academics that addressed some of the most pressing issues China must tackle in the coming decades. Other lectures provided the historical context that spurred Shanghai’s evolution into such a prominent world city.

Perhaps my favorite lecture was from Zuo Xuejin, who discussed the issues of migration and demographics in-depth. He spoke about addressing the increasingly acute problem of rural-urban migration in China and delivered an unabashed critique of the one-child policy in China. He felt that limiting birth rates would create demographic imbalance between generations, leaving the aging population without adequate resources and labor for care giving. These types of insights from respected Chinese intellectuals gave us an inside view of how political discourse takes place in Chinese society today, a subject that I initially felt might be more taboo.

Overall the trip was able to allow our Inquiry students to gain a better understanding of how Shanghai has grown and changed over time, as well as learn about crucial issues in China’s development from an internal perspective. Continuing programs like the pilot trip can expose students to international perspectives and stimulate dialogue in order to help them become more mindful global citizens.