The last night in Wuhan
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Wow, what a day. In the morning we had a ceremony for finishing the program with all the big wigs of Hubei University, our faculty, our student helpers, and of course all of the American teachers. It was a nice ceremony. The whole conference room was set up like a meeting at the United Nations. There were translators everywhere and photos and video going every which way.

The conference room before the closing ceremony

Claire preparing to translate the speech

We started of with remarks from Hubei University’s vice president. After that Dr. Kung made some remarks for himself and the group. We all then took turns making general remarks in Chinese. We each learned a line. Our Chinese was interesting. They say we did a great job but my guess is that were humoring us quite a bit. After our collective speech Paul and I made our presentation. Paul did the power point and wrote and gave the presentation/speech. We were graciously aided by Clare, one of the Chinese students who ahs been assisting us, who translated my presentation. I think it went well. I will include the text of the speech at the end of this entry.

The final official picture

Our student helpers

When the ceremony finished we made our way to one of the formal dining rooms for a lunch and reception. The food was wonderful. To summarize the luncheon all I will say is this, I really like the way the Chinese finish a program. We had a great time. We presented a Memphis Basketball T-Shirt to Minnie, who was our main liaison from Hubei University. All of us signed it. She worked her tail off for us and we appreciated all of her work. Anything we wanted to see or do, Minnie arranged for us a group or even individually. The entire staff was so helpful. I really love college kids, no matter what country they are from.

Minnie with the signed T-Shirt

Claire, Pete, and Wendy at the luncheon

After a much needed nap many of us headed back to the Brussels Café fro a final meal in Wuhan. We treated the student helpers to a meal. I go there a little early and got a chance to meat the owner of the place. They brew their own beer and it has a great vibe to it. If you have ever been to an expat hangout the Brussels Café had all the good mojo going on. We enjoyed the meal, drinks, and most importantly the company.

Pete, David (The owner), and Celeste

That is a black pepper encrusted tenderloin with a black pepper cream sauce

It is difficult to find the correct words for out time in Wuhan and at Hubei University. It is even more challenging to express my feelings for the people who we met, learned from, took care of us, and became our friends. Here was my speech. It hardly conveys my total feelings. It is a rough draft and I can not find the final copy so forgive the many mistakes.

THE CLOSING REMARKS DELIVERED BY PETE

Before we begin I would (again) like to thank Hubei University and President Wu, administration, faculty, staff, and students for allowing us to be guests of your wonderful campus. You have made our experience here one we will cherish for a lifetime.

Our trip began with visits to Shanghai and Beijing two of the most well known cities of China. In these cities we were able to see some of the famous sites in China. Thanks to the Fulbright Program, the Confucius Institute, and Dr. Kung we were able to tour places that most of had only read about in textbooks and seen on television. Places like the Bund of Shanghai, the Forbidden City and the Imperial Summer Garden of Beijing. And of course the Great Wall of China.

China is much like the famous Lotus flower. As it opens to the viewer it becomes more beautiful. With each day we saw more of China. The more we saw the more we loved this country of yours. We were able to taste, hear, and witness the beauty of the history of the remarkable Tang Dynasty in Xian with the dumpling meal and Tang music and dance performance.

Each day we saw something more spectacular then the next. From the terra cotta warriors of Qin Shi Huang to Buddhist Temples we were able to experience more than any Western tourist is blessed to see. Make no mistake that in those first days we were tourists, well taken care of, but still tourists visiting a distant, beautiful, and mysterious land.

As tourists we were able to see the love Chinese people had of the country. We saw it in their work ethic and hospitality to us. We were able to even meet of few Chinese people along the way that helped us enjoy your country even more. But we were still tourists.

It was not until we reached Wuhan, a city that I must embarrassingly confess never heard of until this program, that we felt at home. Dr. Wu thank you, your people, and your university for making us feel so welcome.

Just as New York City and Hollywood are famous cities of America so are Beijing and Shanghai. China, like America, is so much more than these famous cities. What makes China so great are its people. If Wuhan and Hubei University were not well known to me before they will now never be forgotten.

The program that was put together for us was better than we could have ever imagined. Each day we were exposed to another aspect of China’s story. Whether it was its fascinating history or beautiful music we learned each day as our brilliant teachers taught us about a China that very few westerners ever get a chance to see. But our experiences did not end in classroom. Confucius said, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” For every lecture on a philosophy we were able to visit a temple or historic sight that we help us deepen our understanding and appreciation of China’s culture and history.

The lessons we learned enlightened to the wonderful and storied history of your people and your country. We saw museums, climbed mountains, and saw the power and beauty of the Yangtze River. These things were made so much better by the lessons we learned in class. From our lessons on culture and economics from the great teachers of Hubei University we received information that will help fill the minds of not only ourselves but our fellow teachers and our students.

But names, dates, and statistics can only tell part of the story of China. By learning and participating in calligraphy, Chinese art work, and martial arts we were able to paint a more complete picture of your interesting country. Each lesson had something for everyone. It touched all us more than my humble words can fully communicate to you. For all this, we are forever grateful to Hubei University and its people.

Sometime in our study Wuhan and Hubei University stopped being a place we were just studying China and became “Home”. After we returned from our first trip away from Wuhan and Hubei University to see the area around Three Gorges many of said, “It is so good to be home!” We all felt joy to when we turned the street corner to see our home away from away home, Hubei University.

As much as we saw, and as much we learned, we cannot thank the faculty, staff, students, and administration of Hubei University enough. When we watch the Olympics or teach about China our first thoughts will be of you. You are the true story of China that we bring back to our cities, schools, friends, and family. Confucius said, “To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.” Your unending work ethic, careful care, and historic hospitality honor your families, university, country and its history.

We have a saying in America, “Home is where the heart is.” No matter where our journeys take us. China and Hubei University will always have place in our hearts. And for this, forever thanks.