“China Today” takes to the airways

New bilingual radio show featuring students and guests, who discuss Chinese culture and language, broadcasts every Thursday at 4 p.m. on 88.7 WJMF.

Earlier this semester, a group of Bryant students who are native Chinese speakers debuted a new show on 88.7 WJMF called “China Today.” The weekly show, which airs every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., allows students to immerse themselves in the Chinese culture without even leaving their residence halls.

(To listen live, visit WJMF 88.7 FM, click the “Play” button in the upper right corner of the page, download the file onto your desktop, and open the file with Real Player or QuickTime.)

The goal of the aptly name show is to introduce the Bryant community to what’s happening today in China. Discussions explore music, pop culture, the economy, art, and current events. Listeners can also learn basic Chinese and begin to familiarize themselves with conversational Chinese.

(L-R) "China Today" co-hosts Chiyun (Jane) Li ’12 (Tongling, China) and Sihao Cao ’12 (Andover, MA).

Some of the topics already discussed this semester include H1N1 Flu in China, Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to New York in September, and the upcoming 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

“China Today” also includes interviews with people in the Bryant community who have studied or lived in China. Earlier this semester, Adam Francis ’03 spoke about his job as a regional vice president for AIG’s foreign insurance accident and health division in China. Chris Neale ’10 (Laguna Niguel, CA), an international business major and Chinese minor, shared his experiences studying abroad in the Far East.

“I love talking with the guests,” says show co-host Chiyun (Jane) Li ’12 (Tongling, China). “They bring some real interesting first-hand stories that relate to my life in China and my experiences here as a foreigner.”

Easing the culture shock

“China Today” is just one of the many educational and co-curricular programs that are designed to teach students about a country that has become the world’s third largest economy and the most populous nation on the globe.

Each month, the U.S.-China Institute sponsors the China Seminar Series, which brings academicians and business professionals to campus to share their insights about living or working in China. During the fall Bryant welcomed:

(L-R) Martha Smalley, a curator and librarian at Yale University; Robert Murowchick, a Boston University professor and archeologist who has extensively explored the land around the Yangtze River; and Annika Culver, a professor of Asian History at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Robert Murowchick, a Boston University professor and archeologist who has extensively explored the land around the Yangtze River
Martha Smalley, a curator and librarian at Yale University
Scott Powell, a 1994 Bryant grad, who spoke about the Chinese investment community
Annika Culver, a professor of Asian History at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Bryant also hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival and a China Tea Culture Exhibit featuring more than 100 exquisite tea sets from China.

Twice a week, the Chinese Tea Table provides an opportunity for students enrolled in Chinese classes to practice the language and obtain tutoring assistance from native speakers. The program takes place in the U.S.-China Institute on Mondays from 2-4 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Students interested in Chinese can pursue a minor or a second concentration, both of which include classes in language and culture.

“The radio show is a very nice complement to the China-related academic program on campus because it offers a relatively casual environment for discussion and information sharing outside the classroom,” says Kongli Liu, assistant director for academic programs at the U.S.-China Institute. “Students can also relate more to experiences and perspectives shared by their peers.”

The different cultural programs are important preparation for students who are planning to study, travel, or live in China, says Liu. “With adequate exposure and preparation, the culture shock can be reduced to a more manageable level, and students can make the most of their experience both academically and culturally,” he says.

‘EZ Pass’ to China

Co-host Dongni (Tiffany) Wan ’10 (Wuhan, China) describes the show as an “EZ Pass” to China. “Without spending a lot time exploring the history, culture, or current events of China, our program will make it easier for you to learn something new each week.”

“Our goal,” Wan continues, “is to get more people interested and paying attention to what is occurring today in U.S.-China relations.”

(L-R) "China Today" co-hosts Zhengxiang (Jason) Wang ’10 (Shanghai, China) and Dongni (Tiffany) Wan ’10 (Wuhan, China).

Sihao Cao ’12 (Andover, MA), a third “China Today” co-host, brings an interesting perspective to the show. He was born and raised in China until age 12 when he moved with his family to the United States. He re-started his studies in Chinese when he arrived at Bryant. The double concentrator in economics and finance says he is considering returning to China after graduation to pursue a career as a financial analyst.

“In my opinion, having the ability to fluently speak and effectively write in Chinese will be a tremendous asset for anyone in today’s globalized society,” says Cao. “We want students to realize that this is an area of study that will be beneficial to anyone who has thoughts about engaging in business in China in the future.”

The next China Seminar Series event, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12, will feature a film screening with award-winning documentary producer Michael Raisler, creative director for CINEREACH. The screening, which begins at 5 p.m. in room 2AB in the Bryant Center, is in collaboration with the Golden Jasmine Chinese Film Festival and Bryant’s Department of Science and Technology.

The final China Seminar Series lecture on Thursday, Dec. 3, will feature Crystal Jiang, assistant professor of management at Bryant, who will explore intellectual property issues in China. The talk begins at 5 p.m. in the Stepan Grand Hall in the Bello Center for Information and Technology.