Jason Becomes Resident China Expert

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a sixth-tier city, meaning, "there's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt like the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.)

When Jason arrived in the small rural town of Evansville in 2007, China was preparing to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. All eyes were on this far-off country. Jason, as one of two Chinese at the University, was met with Hero Worship.

“They asked me to give talks about China, to organize talks about Chinese culture. For a World Culture Class they invited me over (pulling me out of class) to give my perspective.” 
At this image, I erupted with laughter. Not only could I see that happening in Evansville, but I could see myself doing the exact same thing--meeting someone from (insert name of country) and assuming they know the answers to all my questions about the area. 

Jason said he felt honored to be given this responsibility as China's spokesperson….but also somewhat overwhelmed. He wasn’t an expert on Tibetan culture or Darfur or any of the other myriad of topics he was asked to offer an opinion on.

“I felt that they really don’t understand China. They really don’t know China at all. Everything is what they hear from commentaries they hear from BBC/CNN/Fox.”

“Everyone was involved in Human Rights' activities and 'Free Tibet,' and all these things. There were lots of demonstrations. Not always big demonstrations. Sometimes just two people holding a poster. I didn’t expect people to be so pro-active on China issues. A lot of people, when they talked to me, it was all about how evil China is."

But while people around him viewed China as evil, they loved Jason. 

(To be continued. Next: American Homestay Experience Makes an Impact.)