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1. Introduction

 

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My name is Kimberly Yang, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Joint Honours Philosophy & East Asian Studies at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ. My particular interests and fields of study revolve around Chinese religions, politics of memory, and the phenomenology of culture & identity making. Going into the Advanced Research Program funded by the Li Ka Shing arts initiative, I had many hopes, desires, and goals for the program - in part because an opportunity to travel to China and take part in student research is far and few, but even more so because I had been on this program once prior. Two goals I particularly wanted to fulfil included: incorporating more local, ethnographic data into research during my time there, and connecting more deeply with local students. And during my time at Shantou, I can proudly proclaim that not only was I able to fulfil them accordingly, but that in fulfilling them, they became the highlights of the program.

 

2. Highlights

 

My first time going to Shantou, a big regret I had was not taking the extra initiative to explore and fully immerse myself in the local setting. In part due to restrictions, lack of guidance, but also lack of initiative. As a consequence, I felt I did not fully make the most of the plentiful research opportunities present. In coming into the program this year, with support from my Shantou supervisor and directions from local friends, I felt much more comfortable as well as prepared. As a result, I was able to gather research and data not merely from online databases, but from real-life interactions - all of which I found to be a great highlight. For instance, much of my research revolved around the experience of opera performances in Chaoshan. Rather than merely reading up on the theatrical ongoings, with the help of my peers and professors, I managed to watch these performances in person, attend workshops, analyse historical artefacts from museums, and more. Another memorable highlight to the program was the amount of opportunities students had to interact with and grow close to the local tutors. From getting dinners on and off campus, singing karaoke together, wandering the city, hiking up a treacherous mountain that provided the most beautiful view of the Shantou University campus, to drinking and eating skewers together, being able to have the opportunity to grow close to the tutors allowed us to better immerse ourselves in the local environment, and also make life-long friendships that made the trip to such a new setting less intimidating.

 

3. Suggestions for Future Students

 

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For future students who participate in this program, one suggestion I have that is key to having a positive experience is just this: do not be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved. Travelling and inserting yourself in a new environment across the other side of the world can be an intimidating experience - one filled with homesickness, unbelonging, imposter syndrome, and more. Yet, a great way to embrace these feelings, overcome them, and feel more comfortable in experiencing this program is by opening yourself up to people, to your natural environment, to the culture, to the differences and similarities, and more. In opening up to people, you may find those you can share your grips and/or make memories with. In opening up to the culture, you will come to either find many similarities to your own culture back at home, or learn of the many beautiful differences that make the culture unique. Much of the beauty of this program revolves around how much you are willing to embrace change and discomfort - and in attempting to do so, you will come to learn a lot about yourself, others, and more - all of which will expand your horizons and perspectives for the better.

 

4. Final Thanks

 

I would particularly like to give a huge thanks to those involved in the making of this program, both from ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ as well as Shantou University. To L¨¦a Gruyelle, Professor Wang, and Professor Buckley - thank you for your continued guidance throughout this month of May. To L¨¦a in particular, thank you for bringing us rowdy students to China and back in one piece. Your watchful eye, playful interactions, speedy replies on WeChat, and meaningful discussions on how to best embrace this new environment allowed us students to tackle all administrative and non-administrative obstacles with ease. To the Shantou University team and the tutors, particularly Professor Li, thank you for welcoming us with open arms. The extra time spent planning all the weekend excursions, the various cultural activities on campus, and more made us feel welcome quickly into the program. Before ending off this report, I also wanted to give one final thanks to the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ students themselves. Going into the program, I was initially worried I would not be able to get along. Fearing I would feel disconnected from others, my worries immediately subsided. Everyone¡¯s willingness to try new things, to be vulnerable in such a different environment, and eagerness to connect created a warm environment built off of mutual care - and I¡¯m beyond thankful everyday that I had the opportunity to go to China with them.