A Pair of Panties and Boxers

Saturday, October 6, 2007

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Studying abroad at Fudan University was less than what I expected. There was a lack of communication and a nonchalance of accurate information. I didn’t expect someone to hold my hand but I did expect direction. I never knew what my next steps were until it was almost too late. Do you know what that can do to a girl who just arrived in a new city and who can bare speak the language? Serious moodswings.

I always contacted the SUNY Albany program director at the very last minute panicking because I didn’t know what to do.  He always referred me to someone else. Why not cut out the middleman? It wouldn’t have mattered anyway. There was no clear advice from him or from the host university. I was misguided almost every step of the way. At the end of the day, they somehow managed to come up with an excuse to make it seem like it was my fault. No surprised though. I’ve been back to China often enough to know that it was protocol – blame others and take no responsibilities. If that doesn’t work, repeat your statement angrily.

I moved into the Foreign Students’ Dormitory two days after I arrived in Shanghai. The adviser at SUNY Albany informed me that students from the Fall semester weren’t able to move in until August 28th. However, that was the not the case. I could have moved in the day I landed but instead, I wasted about ¥500 for a hotel room I didn’t need. Thanks a lot Mr. SUNY Albany advisor. No wonder they told me you were no longer in charge of the program.

The security guards at the dorm were cold and curt and only spoke Mandarin. Class hadn’t started yet so much of my communication was limited to pointing, making awkward gestures and saying “这个。。。这个。。。这个” (This…this…this). The program’s 9AM  “orientation,” which took place a month after I arrived, consisted of a lengthy reading session from a blue booklet I received the previous semester.  Needless to say, it was a waste of time. I didn’t need to be read to. I can read very well on my own. But like they say, every cloud has a silver lining.

I befriended a few students who lived on my floor. We were all in the same program so we were lost and confused together. It made our experiences much more bearable.

Tags: China, Fudan University, Shanghai