I leave for Beijing in two weeks. After staying there for three weeks in order to teach English at a summer camp, I will spend a fourth week traveling throughout the country with stops in Xian, the Three Gorges, and Shanghai.
This is an amazing opportunity for me. The Chinese culture has always fascinated me. I have taken two semesters of Mandarin language in college and focused any cultural study for my major (anthropology) on China. As children, we dig holes in our backyards with the intention of reaching this mysterious destination: the other side of the earth. To experience China not as a tourist but instead stay in one place for weeks presents me with the opportunity to briefly use the past two years of my ethnographic training. My goal with this blog is to communicate with family and friends about my adventures and my well being, and also to chronicle my observations and come away with some sort of conclusion.
My academic interests lie in behavioral health and, ideally, I would ask as many Chinese people as possible about the state of their country’s behavioral health care system. However, while applying for my required visa, I stumbled over this surprising and rather offensive warning:
“Any person suffering from a mental disorder, leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, contagious tuberculosis or other such infectious diseases shall not be permitted to enter China.“
(can be found at: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm)
I don’t want to say that the Chinese government believes that “mental disorders” are infectious. That implication could be a mistranslation, the ignorance of one individual or any number of other errors. What truly saddens me is the fact that mentally ill people are not permitted to enter the country at all. The obvious stigma (that mentally ill people are dangerous, uncontrollable and a general liability) is outrageous. I wonder what American’s policy is on this matter? Do we ban visitors with schizophrenia? depression? obsessive compulsive disorder? alcoholism? attention deficit disorder?
The point here is that gathering ethnographic information on the state of behavioral health care and the general opinion and stigma regarding those in need of such will indubitably lead to a chastising, at the very least. I haven’t decided, yet, how to focus my quest for understanding this culture (which I realize is quite impossible to do). I know that I have to find some kind of a niche to analyze and gather information on or I will find myself restless and overwhelmed. The course of my latest studies has not only prepared me to scrutinize the details of “the other,” it has fed my already unhealthy appetite to do so.
Please, as I post during my stay on the other side of the world, leave me comments. I will need to know that the people I love are thinking of me and that my home does still exist while I am immersed in the unfamiliar.
well wishes,
Jamie
Best of luck, Jamie. China has always seemed like a dangerous place to me, but there is undeniable beauty to be found there… just be careful, and try to enjoy yourself.
Comment by Peter — July 3, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
You’ll be fine, sit back and enjoy the culture.
Comment by Zdizzle — July 7, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
I am happy about your trip; it may be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do in your life. If you get overwhelmed find an american fast food place. I hear they are everywhere and many travelers say that they find strange comfort in the golden arches, or whatever you find, because it gives them a break from the overwheming sensory imput.
I think that the chinese government is like most governments, in that they don’t want other countries dumping off all of there crazy, diseased citizens in some sort of wierd biological warfare attack. Thats why when we dig down in holes as kids, to reach the other side of the earth, the chinese government comes and stops us…. wait, that did happen to you too right?
Comment by Joe — July 10, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Jamie, Your blog is awesome. The pictures really help tell the story. I can’t believe I randomly called that phone number this morning (here) and you just happened to be in the room. Are you allowed to take pictures of your students? Wow, what great memories you will have. We miss you and love you very much. Stay safe. Mom
Comment by Mom — July 17, 2007 @ 8:08 am
You’re journal is fantastic! keep up the great entries and pictures. I’m actually jealous of your experience!! You sound so confident and sounds like you’re making a great hit with the local Chienese people. I’ve always heard that the Asian people are always amazed that Americans learn their language.
Your class looks huge. But I bet you’re having a great time. I’m sure you will teach them a lot!
(((big hugs))
Comment by Patricia_somegirlygirl — July 18, 2007 @ 11:31 am
your blog is amazing! u r a natural journalist!
Comment by Kareena — July 19, 2007 @ 10:28 am
Never met you but stumbled on it looking for pics of Jiao currency. Well done, I really enjoyed it.
Greg
Comment by Greg Rudd — October 5, 2008 @ 4:36 pm