Change and Cultural Preservation in  China

For summer 2012 join Mr. Hanewald and history master Dana Kooistra, (both of whom have taught Chinese history and culture within the Second Form humanities program), as they travel to China to explore its rich past and investigate the pace of change and its impact on local culture. Arriving in Beijing, students will be in awe as they walk the Great Wall and explore the Forbidden City.

After a few days touring both imperial and modern Beijing, students will head south to the foothills of the Himalaya in Yunnan province to the exotically named town of Shangri La, perched in a verdant valley at 10,000 feet. Here students will work with the Chinese Expedition and Research Society (CERS), headed by Wong How Man. Fall term 2011 Lawrenceville will host Wong How Man as the School's featured Heyniger lecturer. He will discuss with our community his experiences as a modern explorer, but also share with us the work he conducts throughout Asia to preserve both cultural traditions as well as the natural environment.

The focus while working with Mr. Wong and CERS will be to inquire and learn about the fast growth and change that China is experiencing and to look closely at how that is impacting local people and culture. Students will conduct this study with the local population right in Shangri La and around the research center base, as well as with the Lisu Hill tribe located approximately two hours from the center. While with the Lisu, students will explore the forests in search of the Golden Monkey, also known as the Yunnan Snub Nosed Monkey, and will also attend the local Lisu Bull Fight and Crossbow festivals. A key component of this trip will be to learn about Tibetan Buddhism through interactions with the staff at CERS, locals, and monks from the local monastery. As students tour and explore in this region, they will be charged with the task of taking their questions and findings and creating a trip documentary that helps evaluate the degree of change associated with modernization and its impact, if any, on local traditions and culture.

This is a trip of extremes, and students need to consider the hardships that will present themselves during this trip. The temperatures will range from the mid to upper 90's in Beijing, to potentially damp and cool 40's in Shangri La. Snow is possible during travel to certain elevations. Shangri La itself, at an elevation of 10,000 feet, can present health issues and discomfort as a result of the elevation, though this can be managed through rest, ample water, and if needed, medications. Lastly, the diet is quite different and may take some time becoming accustomed to. This all said, through a site visit, and the services and professional care provided by the CERS organization, this is a phenomenal trip. Students who participate will come home fully inspired by Mr. Wong's activism and the mission of CERS, and will have a better understanding of the Chinese culture and the pace of modernization and change this world play is experiencing.