SMU Update 4/26/11

We went to SMU’s Old Campus in Shanghai city today for a presentation by Zurich Financial Services Ltd on “Zurich Day.” The most interesting presentation was by a marine insurance underwriter out of Singapore, as he really was able to hold our attention and make the presentation relevant to us as students. I only wish I had already taken Marine Insurance so that I could’ve had a better conversation after the presentation!

We attended a buffet with our roommates and the master’s students that were also at the presentation afterward, and we were very pleasantly surprised by what was served: lasagna, lamb, chicken, steamed vegetables and SALAD! Very good meal for those of us who were missing home and Easter activities!

SMU Update 4/19/11

The other day Denis Kelleher and I went to Shanghai Wild Animal Park. It took us about twenty minutes to get there via taxi, and we arrived about twenty minutes before the gates opened. It was great to get there early because as soon as the gates opened, it was like we had the entire zoo to ourselves. The zoo consisted of two sections. The first section was the walking section, and the second section was the safari section.

The walking section was filled with a huge variety of animal species. Our first encounter was by a man holding the reins of a camel. He offered to let me ride the camel for 50 RMB, which is under 10 USD. Of course I couldn’t say no! The ride was enjoyable especially since it was something I have never done. It was a great start to a day that would only get progressively better and better. We continued our tour and got to see things like the endangered golden monkey, kangaroos, crocodiles, a rhinoceros, anteaters, ostriches, and many more. What was even more amazing is that these animals were not in cages, it was as if they were out in the open. Next we came to a section called the “Animal Kindergarten.” This was an area where the young animals were kept. We saw animals such as baby monkeys and meerkats. The most exciting however were the baby tigers, and baby brown bears. We got to see baby tigers wrestling on the ground two feet in front of us! When I thought it could not have gotten any better, a man offered us the opportunity to hold the baby brown bears. Again, of course I could not say no. Denis held the baby, and I held one that was a little bit older. It was funny because the bear acted similar to the way an infant would. It was so great playing with them that I did not want to leave. I really wanted to take one home.

From there we headed to the lion and tiger section. Along with seeing typical lions and tigers that you would see at every zoo, we also saw the White Lion, and two Ligers. The White Lion (see picture) was ferocious, and judging by his loud roar it seemed as if he was not too happy to see us. The Liger is a mix between a tiger and a lion (see picture). Its skin was similar to a lions, but it also had faded stripes of a tiger. Its face was like a tiger, but its head had the mane of a lion. What is even more amazing is that the possibility of this happening is about 2% and it is believed that there is only eight existing in the entire world! From there we were again greeted by a man standing next to an elephant. Before he even asked I handed him some money to ride it. He told me to put my hand on the elephant’s head, so I did. Instantly the elephant’s trunk wrapped around me and he lifted me over his head! For a second I thought he was going to put me in his mouth! The elephant was great, and definitely my favorite part of the day. To top it off I hand fed a giraffe right afterwards. The safari section was surprisingly a disappointment. The ride was way too quick, and the bus was severely over packed. Even after that, I can still say the zoo was my favorite experience here so far, and my close encounter with so many animals is something that not many get to experience. I recommend for any one who ever comes to China, to make a pit stop at Shanghai Wild  Animal Park.

SMU Update 4/16/11

Today was “Open Campus Day,” for Shanghai Maritime University. The campus was opened to the public, mainly for prospective students and their parents. Along the “lake” in the center of campus, booths were lined up giving away food from other international students or with activities and prizes. We participated in a filming for an organization for people with disabilities, and learned to say “We Love Your Strength” in sign-language.

The business students were asked to do a performance of  Walt Whitman’s “Going Back to Cambridge” alongside our Chinese roommates. The US students read in Chinese and the Chinese students read in English. From L-R in the picture are John Coogan, Bob, Adam Vieira, John, Brendan Dickinson, Leo, Jack Gomes and Leo. Their performance got rave reviews!

The deck students were asked to set up a booth of “typical US food,” so they made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches; both were a big hit!

We will be doing something similar on May 18, which is “International Day.” We’ve been given a stipend to buy food and décor for our stand and we were thinking of performing “YMCA.” More on that in a month…

SMU Update 4/12/11

Here at Shanghai Maritime University we are privileged to have excellent living accommodations. We are staying in one of the school’s hotels. Our hotel is building number 23, and it has six floors. The building is in great condition, and it looks as if it is brand new. Our hotel is home to all International students that our studying here.

      The students that live in this hotel are from all over the world. We are surrounded by students from Poland, Russia, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Mongolia, Cameroon, and there are even more that I have yet to encounter. Mostly all of them speak descent English, which is great. We have had some classes with them, as well as gone out to dinner with most of them. They all are very nice, and have huge interest in American culture. What is even more interesting is that mostly all of them are from maritime schools as well. It’s cool to see the difference in their uniforms, and their regiment. For example the Russians’ uniform are all white and they almost resemble an old navy sailors uniform. The students from Poland wear Dress Blues at all times, and the students from South Korea wear blacks (although they are much different from ours). From my understanding for the most part our regiment at Massachusetts Maritime Academy is taken much more seriously. The German students do not have a regiment at their school, and their college resembles a normal one. It has been a pleasure to meet all of these people, and as time passes our friendship with all of them grows.

   A huge benefit to living among diverse group people is our actual living accommodations. Mostly all of us from MMA live on the same floor, and down the hall from us is a community kitchen with a stovetop oven and microwave. Each student lives with a Chinese roommate. Each student is given the luxury of having two rooms. The first room is where we sleep. This room consists of a bunk bed with full size mattresses. It sure beats our twin bunk beds at home! In this first room I have my own personal closet, bathroom with shower, an air conditioner, a TV and a balcony which overlooks the entire campus. The second room is right across the hall, and it is known as our study room. In our study room is my roommate’s personal bathroom, another flat screen TV, two study desks for our laptops, and another balcony. We are also provided with a fridge, and cold/hot water dispenser. The best part of living here is once a week a house keeper comes in to our rooms. The housekeeper changes our sheets, and cleans our rooms! With all this luxury combined with being in China, I often feel like I am on vacation!