Building global citizens

When Professor Art Svenson received a 2016 Fulbright award to teach American constitutional law at Sichuan University in Chengdu in China, he didn't know his instant friendship with Professor Susie Hong would lead to an incredible opportunity — transporting six U of R students across the globe to experience Chinese culture through an innovative four-week University Immersion Program (UIP).

This past summer, Hong, a prominent member of Sichuan University's School of International Studies, welcomed those students along with Provost Adrienne McCormick to the panda capital of the world and China's "happiest city."

"Susie and I envisioned Sichuan University inviting U of R students to Chengdu as part of what we like to call the Bulldog-Panda Exchange," Svenson said. "U of R students would take a deep dive into China's history, culture, traditions, and ways of life, coupled with an intense classroom experience. In return, Bulldogs would invite Sichuan University students to Redlands for a similar Southern California experience."

The adventure began with three days exploring Beijing's iconic landmarks — the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven — before continuing to Chengdu for two weeks of intensive study and cultural immersion, including a weekend excursion to Chongqing.

For political science and public policy major Wendy Aguilar '26, the trip offered immersion in an unknown yet welcoming environment.

"The experience provided an opportunity to learn about factors that shape cultural differences and similarities," she said. "Through conversation, I explored different perspectives on issues such as how sports address social concerns and contemporary challenges in international relations. I gained insight into how China is considered to have a collectivistic culture — meaning much more focus on the needs of the group compared to the individual. We saw this in multigenerational homes and learned it's common for grandparents to help raise their grandchildren."

Participating in the UIP to continually develop University partnerships, McCormick taught a poetry course to Chinese students majoring in programs such as engineering, animation, mathematics, international studies, and, of course, English.

“I was thrilled to learn that the students found the poems engaging and had great readings,” she said. “We studied poets who play with voice and identity, often by rewriting figures from Greek myth and Latin American and European folk and fairy tales. The students introduced me to many interesting connections to Chinese myth and folk tales, which became my favorite part of the class.”

The trip was made possible through support from alumnus James Mitchell '89, whose gift established travel grants for political science students. Mitchell's own Salzburg Semester abroad was a highlight of his Redlands experience, inspiring him to help students "explore the world and learn from it."

"Our Bulldog representatives were exemplars of friendship, compassion, kindness, curiosity, and grace," Svenson said, "fulfilling the dream of promoting international understanding."

Next summer will see a new cohort of Bulldogs venturing to China, and Chinese students finally making their way to Redlands, completing the exchange and strengthening bonds between two universities, two cultures, and countless future global citizens.