On November 12 at 4:50 pm, eleven UCI students, and two professors stepped out of the Pudong International Airport (PVG) and boarded a small bus to Shanghai Normal University, roughly an hour away.
The bus hopped along the highway, its walls rattling at every bump. Back home it is almost 4:50 am, and despite the time, there is a bubbly aura about the van. The sweet smell of cinnamon cream and chocolate croissants fills the air, and sounds of laughter dance around the car contagiously. The students have little idea what this next week will bring, but there is an excitement that cannot be contained. As the cars in the opposite lanes swoosh by and beautiful neon lights atop the cityscape illuminate in the night, the students look eagerly out the van’s side windows. A few pull out their phones, hoping to snap some pictures of passing sights. In a few hours, they will be restless in their beds, their stomachs full of delicious carbohydrates. Nothing feels like this moment. Waking up at 2 am, then 4 and 5; trying to fight jet lag and the urge to wolf down an entire chocolate bar.
In May of my freshmen year at UC Irvine, I was asked by Dance Professor Tong Wang, to accompany him — along with eleven other students — to Shanghai, China, to participate in a cultural dance exchange called East Meets West. College is about furthering your knowledge of the world, and specifically your interests, but it should not be just about academic coursework. I never thought I would be one to study abroad. I felt that my academics were most important and being in a foreign country might be too much of a distraction. Since being asked to go on this trip, I have changed my views. Although I still may never go abroad for a prolonged period of time, I wanted to share with you what I have learned from my experience in Shanghai, and how it has helped broaden my views of such experiences.
There is only so much that academic school can teach you, the rest of your knowledge must be gained through experience and the connections you make. I came to Shanghai to perform with other students of dance, but ultimately, I have gained a deeper knowledge of Chinese culture, a love and appreciation for other dance forms, and have grown a more meaningful bond between myself and the other UCI dance majors. In the end, these are the experiences you are going to remember when you look back on college, and although coordinating with teachers back at school was a hassle, I do not regret my decision to go, and I never will.
Image courtesy of Shanghai Normal University
Shown is UCI dancer Radhanath Thialan learning Chinese Traditional dances.
During their time in Shanghai, the UCI dancers spent several hours a day dancing with students from Shanghai Normal University. Classes were taught in Chinese but translated to English for the students. The students took ballet almost everyday and were also exposed to many forms of Chinese traditional and folk dance. On Wednesday the 14th, the students got to interact closely with the Shanghai dance students, both groups asking each other questions about the training offered at the two schools and cultures.
Image courtesy of Shanghai Normal University
Shown in both pictures are UCI dancers Jenna Fleming, Elise Holmes and Emma Andres talking with Shanghai Normal University students.
Image courtesy of Shanghai Normal University
After spending time with the other students, the UCI dancers went out in the city. They stopped at every corner for photos and ate mountains of rich pastries. While out, the students were also exposed to many new foods and sights; laughing and skipping along well into the night.
The UCI students will be in Shanghai until Sunday morning.
Shown is UCI dancer Jessica Richards out sightseeing in Shanghai.
Although the students participated in the same activities, the trip has been a different experience for everyone. Because of this, I decided to include a small reflection from each of the students. I asked them to reflect on how the trip has been for them so far.
Jenna Fleming
Second Year, Performance BFA
When I first arrived in China, I have to admit, I was nervous. Traveling someplace new and foreign was very exciting for me, but the unknown was scary. But, once I stepped into the dance studio, I felt at home. That’s the amazing thing about dance. It’s not restricted by language or country. Even learning the Chinese folk dances felt familiar to although very new and different. The people in China are also some of the nicest I’ve ever met. They care so much about our well being and want us to learn as much as possible. What I’ve learned so far is that while our personal styles of moving are different, our overall intention for dancing is very similar. My experience, overall, has been life changing. From eating different foods every day, to learning a bit of the language, being immersed in Chinese culture is very inspiring. I hope to return to America with enough knowledge to educate my peers on true Chinese folk and classical dances as well as the Chinese culture I observed as well.
Shown is UCI dancer Danae Husary and Dr. Kelly Sharp posing for a picture while sightseeing.
Edgar Aguirre
Third Year, Performance & Choreography BFA, Studying Education
Shanghai has given me something I will forever hold on to. On the second day of classes at the Shanghai Normal University, I took my first Classical Chinese Dance class taught by Ms. Yap, a guest Chinese artist who was invited to teach at the University for the weeklong dance exchange. She taught us three of ten basic focuses in the Shen Yun technique. Her approach to teaching was very heartfelt and gentle while still pushing for the class to work as hard as we could. This was personally a very humbling experience for me as I was the only student in the class who wasn’t Chinese and couldn’t understand the language. Regardless, she gave me a lot of individual attention using eye contact, sounds and body language until I was able to grasp the concepts as much as possible. I was amazed with the amount of communication Ms. Yap and I were able to have without words. Although having a translator helped, it was her love and desire to teach me her art form that allowed me to understand the material and what she meant. I learned so much about the presence of breath and the eyes and how much of a difference these applications can make on my performance. This is something that will forever resonate in me. I loved experiencing how dance can help people communicate and connect with each other.
Image courtesy of Shanghai Normal University
Shown are UCI students watching a class at the Shanghai
Image courtesy of Shanghai Normal University
Shown are dancers Edgar Aguirre and Radhanath Thialan learning Chinese Traditional dances.
Elise Holmes
Second Year, Dance BA and Biology BS
China was not what I expected. Going into this experience I had a lot of reservations and nervousness. There was a lot to do and an entire culture many of us are unfamiliar with. However, this experience has taught me so much that I never would have been able to gain anywhere else. The people here are so loving and kind. They are eager to teach us all about China, from the dancing, to the food and the ways of the city. I never knew how intricate their traditional dances are. The fingers are just as specific as the rest of the body. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t ever understand a place unless you go there. It’s hard to picture it when most of the time all you have is information from textbooks or perhaps a few interactions. I never understood how much there is to learn and see until I’m in the moment with real interactions with people and places. All I have to say is xièxiè (謝謝), Shanghai.
Shown are UCI students taking ballet class at Shanghai Normal University.
Shown is UCI dancer Jaliya Wilkinson sightseeing in Shanghai.
Radhanath Thialan
Fourth Year Transfer Student, Choreography & Performance BFA
As a choreographer, I definitely need these skills to apply to my profession, as I need to often listen to my dancers’ perspectives and to work together with them instead of them working for me. Art is often a collaboration and this exchange program definitely showed me this. I am truly honored and blessed to be selected to choreograph and to represent UCI by premiering a new work – “mMBab mMBab” during this exchange program. I truly hope that these exchange programs will last forever as they are definitely a great learning opportunity for us and is also an eye opener for many. There’s a Chinese saying that if we live until we’re old, we should keep learning until we’re old. Learning is the key to success and it can be done by the simplest thing – Listening. I am glad that this trip has taught me this and I will carry it with me throughout my journey of life.
Shown left to right: UCI dancers Cassidy Reiff, Danae Husary, Jessica Richards, Emma Andres, Radhanath Thialan.
Shown left to right: UCI dancers Jaliya Wilkinson, Elise Holmes and Jenna Fleming sightseeing in Shanghai.
I hope that this article gave you knew perspective if you were hesitant about studying abroad. If you already wish to study abroad, I hope this article got you excited about what the future holds. In the words of dance student Elise Holmes, xièxiè Shanghai, xièxiè (謝謝).
From left to right (top): Jenna Fleming, Morgan Rice, Jessica Richards, Dr. Kelly Sharp, Elise Holmes, Cassidy Reiff, Emma Andres, Danae Husary, Jaliya Wilkinson, Professor Tong Wang.
From left to right (bottom): John Barclay, Radhanath Thialan, Edgar Aguirre.