Wang Yuhua, New Student to U-M
by Davi Napoleon
July, 2006 issue of eTrueBlue:China

From the In his sophomore year at Peking University, Wang Yuhua took a class with Shen Mingming, who holds a doctorate in political science from U-M. "I learned from him a lot about U-M and people of the university," says Wang, who will begin his graduate work in Ann Arbor this fall. "The study of politics can integrate rigorous positive theory with exciting empirical measurement to produce interesting and valuable insights," he says. Wang also worked with Professor Pierre Landry, another U-M political scientist, on a study of the institutionalization of legal reform in China and with U-M doctorate candidate Daniela Stockmann on a Beijing-area study for 2004. "I learned much from them about how a student at Michigan does research," he says, adding that he shares their quantitative approach and looks forward to working with Professor Lieberthal and others. He also hopes to pursue his hobbies here. "I love playing basketball and swimming. And I was a playwright and director in the drama club of Peking University."

Wang and CSSA work to support grad students, faculty
By Davi Napoleon
From January, 2006 issue of eTrueBlue:China

Chinese students make up one of the largest international groups at the University of Michigan. When they arrive from China, they face a number of challenges getting acclimated in the community—both on and off campus. Bo Wang, president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, says his group and its members work to help make the transition easier.

"When students arrive, they need transportation; many of them don't know how to drive a car or have a driver's license," Wang said. "We help them find housing, help them navigate the university's policies, which, as a foreigner, is difficult."

In addition to transportation and housing, the group conducts seminars and plans activities to celebrate Chinese holidays and traditions. Wang said even normal, everyday tasks—like shopping–can be a challenge. "Shopping is centralized in the downtown area in China, but here it is quite different," he said.

The association serves primarily grad students, faculty and their families. Most undergraduates, he points out, are US citizens. "In many cases, undergraduate students were born and raised in the United States, and many of these students don't even speak Chinese!" he said.

But that doesn't mean they aren't welcome into the group. Wang says the CSSA welcomes about 100 new students each year.

Wang is working on his doctorate degree and is majoring in chemistry; he anticipates graduating in 2009. A newlywed of 11 months, Wang is glad to be a part of the U-M community and believes building alliances with Chinese universities is an important step toward providing best-in-class education.

"U-M is one of the best public universities, and it has a lot of experience," he said. "[U-M] can provide a lot of insight and share its practices and experiences with universities in China."

Wang believes U-M has a strong science curriculum and has better funding for research. "Chinese universities rely on government funding and, as a result, we can do research there, but getting supplies is difficult. It can take months just to get supplies," he said.

Once he graduates, Wang plans to return to China and hopes to start his own business. "I hope to focus on the environment, which is not good in China. I want to help improve the community," he said.

Until then, Wang says he plans to continue building relationships and being a mentor to other Chinese students. "[Young students] are our future, and we need to pay more attention to them and stay connected to them and the University."

For more information on the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, visit http://www.umcssa.org/.

Kin Chun Lee Values Michigan Education
by Davi Napoleon
September, 2006 issue of eTrueBlue:China

Kin Chun Lee, known to his friends in the United States as Charles, heard many good things about the University of Michigan before he came here to study economics. “U-M is a popular university in Hong Kong,” he says. “There are excellent classes in all disciplines. Everyone is friendly and helpful [and] gives me valuable advice. It is impossible for me to hide myself away from the others.”

Lee says that growing up in an international financial center spurred his interest in economics. He hopes his studies at U-M will help him become a bank executive one day. “I love the feeling when a problem is solved,” he says, adding that he expects to work in the United States for a couple of years before going back to Hong Kong. “The experience that I gain in an American company is precious to my career.”

The Ann Arbor campus provides more than preparation for a fine career, he says. He loves the variety of courses taught by experts in assorted fields and values the many non-academic opportunities available. He has pursued his love of music as a percussionist in the Michigan Pops Orchestra and volunteered with other U-M students to build latrines and a tuberculosis treatment center in the Dominican Republic, a spring break project earlier this year.

Lee also serves as the president of the Hong Kong Student Association, which organizes activities both in Ann Arbor and Hong Kong. A student reception in Hong Kong each summer introduces new students and their parents to U-M lore, and campus activities help non-Chinese students learn more about Hong Kong.

Sometimes, of course, he misses home. “Although dormitory food is good, I miss the food in Hong Kong,” he says. “I am able to talk to my family once in a while on phone or through the Internet. However, the only way for me to eat the food in Hong Kong is to go back to Hong Kong, which is impossible in the middle of a semester.”

“Everyone told me that Michigan was cold before I came to Ann Arbor,” he says, adding that the climate no longer concerns him. “Yes, temperature may reach -25 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter. I was worried about the weather before the first snow came in my first year at Michigan. Could I ‘survive’ after passing through a tough winter? Actually, it is not extremely cold. The cold weather makes me stay in library and study more.”

And what’s a little cold when you’re at a top university? “Being one of the Wolverines makes me feel good,” he says.

Editor’s note: In November, we’ll spotlight Xiaofeng Wo, a new piano student at U-M who recently won First Prize in the Guerrero Foundation International Piano Competition in Spain.