In 2003 the NCTA study tour visited Hangzhou and it is the same, yet different. Vehicles still drive with their horns, people are active day and night, the air is pungent and the city is still a destination city. But there are fewer street vendors and more malls; huge construction efforts and the necessary people relocation to build new structures; and fewer recyclers and street beggars. But our hosts are extremely proud of their city's history and the new direction Hangzhou is moving toward.
Notes of interest:
1. After hot, humid weather for days, the heavens dumped rain on Hangzhou this afternoon just as we set off to explore the area around the Knife, Scissors, Sword and Fan Museum near the Grand Canal. I left my umbrella on the bus with my schedule papers, passed up an opportunity to buy a cheap umbrella at the 'Dollor General' style store, and am umbrella-less for tomorrow's activities because another bus picked us up for the return to campus. AND I cannot refer to the proper names of several places we have visited. So pardon that.
2. One day early in the week, we visited a modern school that educates the children of migrant workers. This school offers a free education to the off-spring of any migrant worker in Hangzhou who can verify actual employment. I must say, the facilities are modern, clean and well designed. Then the head of the school spoke to us about education in China in general and China's response to the issue of migrant workers' children not having access to schooling in particular. This school we visited is held up as a model that provides not only pre-school programs but offers outreach in the evening on parenting skills. The government is conscious of this issue of migrant worker's children's needs and views this school as a model to deal with educating children of parents coming to Hangzhou to find work. Another school we visited that same day is Mary English School that offers supplemental education for students who need extra support. This school operates on a fee basis for busy parents with children who can benefit from some extra help. Our group spent time in a 'middle school' class learning English where the teacher placed an emphasis on grammar, practice and role play. For another half-hour, we visited little ones practicing to improve their CHinese writing with picture prompts to encourage them to express their own ideas using teacher generated vocabulary. Each school is an interesting opportunity for children to maintain their skills and enjoy sports, robotics or cooking in a sfe environment.
2. It seems the CHinese are encouraged to do 'Community Service', too. Yesterday, Friday, we connected with some corporate mentors at State Street. This financial institution encourages their cadre of young workers to spend time sharing the charms of their city with visitors.
So all of us are paired with a Hangzhou resident to spend time in Hangzhou, sharing time and ideas. Mia, my mentor, has been with State Street for 4 years. She married young and has a 1 year old son. During our initial conversation, she shared that her son lives with her husband's parents which is the traditional arrrangement. However, next year she and her husband will care for their then 2year old boy. Mia asked if I thought it is ok to place this boy in Kindergarten and care for him themselves. She is proud of this new program of independence but nervous and tentative at the same time. THis arrangement is a new direction for young CHinese parents. Mia asked if she should expect to have both career and family. It seems Chinese young women want the best of both worlds in the social realm, as China takes its place in the developed world.
3. Closing to prepare for another early day: a group of us will visit the Cathedral and a Mosque before connecting with our young Hangzhou mentors.
pei mei
