My Hypothetical Certificate in Applied Modern Chinese Studies
Today marks four years since my graduation from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies. This means I’ve spent as much time as a university graduate as I did as a university student. The experiences feel parallel in terms of topical variety and timeframe. I’ve spent three of the past four years in China and one in California; I spent three of my college years in Berkeley and one particularly fabulous(!) year in Chile. To reflect on what I’ve learned over the past four years, I hereby grant myself a hypothetical certificate in “Applied Modern Chinese Studies.”
A photo from my first week in Jiaxing, in the convenience store across the street from the university.
Looking back at the lessons I’ve learned and the ways I’ve learned them, I propose the following course outline for this certificate:
Applied Chinese Language (3 years):
- Modules include casual chats with vegetable vendors and train travelmates; more than a year of twice-weekly one-on-one lessons with my wonderful tutor Layla; conversations about Barack Obama and basketball with students and taxi drivers; advanced pantomime and guessing; childrens’ books like 喜羊羊与灰太狼 .
喜羊羊与灰 太狼: that translates to “Pleasant Sheep and Big Big Wolf.” My best purchase today: A book featuring these cute characters, complete with both characters and pinyin. Its title translates to “The Blue Frog Prince” and I got lots of amused stares as I read it aloud with a patient, amused Chinese friend over dinner at one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants. Good times.
Cross-Sector Partnerships for Good (3 years):
- Level 1: Research and assess Corporate Social Responsibility in China through close interactions with corporate and non-profit representatives
- Level 2: Apply knowledge to create a Corporate Social Responsibility report for a multinational ports company, to improve its standing with the local government
- Level 3: Provide training and service to non-profit organizations, to help them use a socially entrepreneurial company’s software products
- Level 4: Publicize the work of a non-profit organization that supports small businesses in China and partners with multinational companies for operational support
- Level 5: Support an entrepreneurial Sino-Anglo team in its partnership with one of China’s largest charities to build cross-cultural enrichment programs for young students
Note: I’ve been intentionally vague in these descriptions. If you’d like a more specific version, check out my LinkedIn profile.
Startupology (2 years)
- Wear many hats
- Be aware of the most important stakeholders and make them look good!
Topics in Environmental Studies (2 years):
- Attend dozens of BEER events to learn about a wide variety of green issues and interact with environmental professionals
- Conduct qualitative research on public perception of environmental issues through continuous conversations with clients, friends, and taxi drivers
- Assist an American professor with his research on China’s Renewable Energy Law
Comparative Education (2 years):
- Teach Oral English to 600 Chinese university students, a hands-on exercise in encouraging individual expression amid a strict educational environment
- Design and deliver training programs for professionals in China’s diplomatic, energy, legal, insurance, mining and technology sectors
Chinese Psychology (3 years):
- Facilitate thought-provoking conversations about creativity with Chinese professionals
- Learn to formulate questions in a way that enables individuals trained in a rote educational system to elicit a wide variety of out-loud answers
- Conduct qualitative research on motivations for Chinese parents, particularly regarding study abroad
- Learn “Negotiation with Chinese Characteristics”
Applied Linguistics (4 years):
- Learn to speak “Special English”
- Create lesson plans to explain the proper use of hyphens, parallel constructions, and the word “although” in accordance with a formal, British style guide
- Learn to say No while maintaining a respectful relationship with the person in question
- Practice advanced pantomime
Digital Communications (4 years):
- Maintain connections with faraway friends and family using email and Facebook
- Make new connections through blogs and Twitter
Self-Knowledge and Personal Development (4 years):
- Recognize the characteristics of the best and worst days, and shape circumstances to better facilitate good days
- Thank mentors and supervisors for attention and candid feedback
- Read books. Lots of them. Recent favorite: Flow
This list is far from exhaustive, but it’s been a good exercise for me, to categorize and share the experiences I’ve gained over the past four years. The second-to-last item feels a bit ironic considering that I’ve left this blog fallow for a few months.
If you have any comments or questions, I’d love to hear them. More to come soon, I promise!
you’re too kind! i bet you took that convenience store picture back in 2006
youve learned so many things from the school of life! great job!
Thanks Julius!
Very cool! I want to sign up for this program!
Hmmmm… it’s a very selective program with an extensive application process


nice work, i think you’re in that 3.9-4.0 range,eh?