American Studies

A delegation from the US-China Education Trust (USCET) and Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) joined other Americanists in Atlanta, Georgia earlier this month to attend the 2018 edition of the American Studies Association’s Annual Meeting. 

Award-winning authors Shirley Lim and Karen Yamashita held a series of lectures and discussion sessions in Shanghai and Beijing last month as part of USCET’s continuing Asian American Author Series.

The two authors highlighted American diversity and gave Chinese audiences a glimpse of America through the eyes of Asian Americans.

Tian Yi Zhang is a graduating master’s student at East China Normal University (ECNU). She recently spoke with USCET about her interest in American studies and her experiences in the program.

Guo Shuting is a 2018 graduate of Yunnan University’s graduate program in American studies and international relations. She is originally from Chengdu, China.

Guo first heard about American studies seven years ago, when she was an undergraduate at Jincheng College in China’s Chengdu Province. At the time, Guo had been interested in foreign affairs for many years. She wanted to pursue the study of the United States specifically because, in her words, “America is a major power with international influence.”

Hongkun Wei is a PhD candidate in American studies at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Wei first became interested in studying the US as a high school student, when he took an American history class. Upon graduation, he became an English teacher, through which he was able to conduct research on American studies.

After five years of working Wei knew that the job “was not enough for him.” He thus applied to the doctorate program in American studies at Shanghai International Studies University.

Lana Zhang is a second year masters’ student in American Studies at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, China. She recently spoke with USCET about her experiences in the American Studies program and about what she hopes to use her degree to accomplish in the future.

From April 20th to 22th, more than 70 graduate students and academic participants gathered to share the 14th Annual American Studies Network (ASN) Conference in collaboration with Sichuan University in Chengdu. The Conference theme was "US-China Relations after the 2016 Elections: Trump, Congress, and the Issues"  which brought insightful discussion on the pertinent issues of our time. USCET thanks the participants and speakers for their efforts and looks forward to future collaboration with all who attended. 

----------