Northwest faculty, staff, students share culture, learning with Chinese institution

Northwest Missouri State University has formed a connection with students and leaders at Hebei Normal University in China, gaining a better understanding of each institution’s cultures and programs with the hope of establishing a formalized exchange.

In December, 17 Northwest students and six faculty and staff traveled to China, where they began building relationships with students, faculty and staff at Hebei Normal.

The trip was designed to show the Chinese Ministry of Education the two institutions’ commitment to supporting student mobility. Northwest partnered with Global Cross Border Education Institute (GCBEI) to facilitate the trip.

“It was a life-changing experience, not only for the students but for the faculty and myself,” said Dr. Elise Hepworth, who began her work as Northwest’s dean of the College of Arts and Sciences last September. “We built some very good relationships, a great understanding between our two institutions, and I think we’re really looking forward to that relationship coming to fruition.”

During seven days in China, the Northwest contingent visited several cultural sites. The group was treated to local cuisine and even participated in a “table tennis magical tour.” A student exchange event had Northwest and Hebei Normal students discussing their studies of math, education and computer science in addition to participating in a variety of activities together.

Students were selected and invited by faculty based on academic performance and the ways they represent Northwest values. The students who were fortunate to have been selected called it an honor and eye-opening.

“I really loved meeting all the university students there, especially those within my own program,” said Emily McMurray, a junior mathematics major from Kansas City, Missouri. “I thought it was interesting just how similar we were, even if people try to paint us as different. My Northwest peers and I truly have more similarities than differences with our counterparts in Hebei.”

Darren Ross, a St. Louis native who graduated from Northwest last spring and is pursuing a master’s degree in applied computer science, represented the School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

“The actual experience there seems very similar to ours where they’re teaching teachers,” Ross said. “They also have students that are just so open-minded about learning and also experiencing different things. It was such an eye-opening experience in that sense as well.”

Zane Papek, a senior majoring in mathematics with a data science emphasis, from Smithville, Missouri, enjoyed talking with Hebei students about math concepts and research. He gave a mini-talk about combinatorial game theory and studied Mandarin in the weeks before the experience to help him better communicate with them.

“Even with a heavy language barrier, I was able to get by with a lot of drawings, hand gestures and really basic Chinese,” Papek said. “Both of these experiences were such small fractions of our trip but really meant a lot to me.”

He added, “It really opened up my eyes about how built-in culture is for a lot of us and what that might say about our society as a whole. The entire experience makes me want to continue studying abroad and pursue traveling more.”

Dr. Nissa Ingraham, a professor of professional education, attended as a representative of the School of Education. She said she, too, gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture and traditions through the experience.

“To see our students connecting with their students at a person-to-person level was just amazing, and our students were Bearcats beyond belief,” Ingraham said. “They represented all Bearcats astoundingly well over there, so I was so proud of them.”

For many, visiting the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square and learning about the historical significance of those sites also were highlights.

“It was just so much bigger and grander than any of us had imagined,” Papek said. “No picture really does The Great Wall justice until you’re there.”

During a cultural exchange event, Hebei students performed a traditional dragon dance, a martial arts show, and dance and drum show. Additionally, Hepworth accepted an invitation to perform for the delegation as part of a musical program, singing an Italian art song, “Caro Mio Ben” by Tomasso Giordani, that is representative of vocal music in the Western tradition.

“This trip changed me in so many ways,” said Samantha Westover, a junior elementary education major from Kidder, Missouri, who noted the cultural performances were a favorite for her. “I worried about how the language and culture differences would affect us, but it just taught me that there are so many ways to communicate and get around language barriers.

“As for the cultural differences, it was amazing to experience a place with such a long history and different culture. It makes me appreciate what we have, but I also recognize that there is not one right way to go about things. My greatest takeaway is that it’s important to have an open mind and treat everyone with respect and kindness.”