Chapter 4 Economy

No country has ever experienced an economic growth that China has had in the past few years. China has grown 10% annually for the past 25 years. China is growing so fast that other countries see China as a threat due to their economic prosperity. Yes, China may take a big chunk of the worlds GDP pie, but every year that pie is getting bigger and bigger. Everyone is able to get more money every year due to the pie growing. MMMMM pie, I’m craving a home baked apple pie now. Back to Chinas economy, there has actually been some economic controversy in China. There is a huge problem with intellectual property rights. It’s so bad that some companies, such as Nintendo won’t do business in China. The Xiushui silk market is the prime spot to get counterfeit goods. In fact, I bought a cheap Celtics jersey when we first got to China. I was able to barter a fanny pack from 400 yuan to 50 yuan and then I walked away because I lost interest in the fanny pack. Yea, I know, that was a total savage move. Surprisingly the government does not set the prices for goods, instead they establish the exchange rate of the currency. The Chinese yuan is not freely convertible, yet the yuan is convertible on current account transactions. In my time in China I have been able to experience some basic economic principles. The photos below is of me rocking my 100 yuan Isaiah Thomas jersey. I have to rep the UW alum in the city streets of Shanghai. Also that bus in the background hit. He gave me 300 yuan and we called it good…..

Chapter 3 Culture

There are eight dimensions of China’s natural culture, some of these aspects include power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, context, and communication. In this post I will touch on the power distance culture. I’ve always lived in the U.S. and never experienced a power distance culture. In China there are the rich and the poor, the rich feel inclined to push around the working class while the poor are unwilling to cross the power distance line. I’ve been able to witness and partake in the power distance culture at a family style meal. The father or the highest respect individual sits in the back and orders for everyone. It is very disrespectful for anyone to place an order or make suggestions due to the power the father has. In my case, I went to family style restaurants with the Strothers multiple times. We always let the Strothers sit in the back and order for everyone. One of the biggest things I’ve learned in China is that you always want get dinner with the Strothers. Just a few nights ago Professor Stuart Strother, Babatunde, Brandon, and I had a hot pepper challenge. After 8 peppers Babatunde was laying on the ground, Strother was crying while he was chugging ice tea, and Brandyn and I were determined to win the challenge. After 12 peppers I waved the white flag, but this is a typical dinner with the Strothers. Sadly, I know my dinners with my fellow employees won’t be the same nonetheless, I feel prepared for the diffrent cultures I will be experiencing. This is a photo of a typical family style meal setting. In this case the Strother's took us to a traditional duck restaurant and we feasted on duck. 

Chapter 2 History, Philosophy, and Religion

China has a lot of interesting history. I find it interesting how China had all these different dynasties’ such as the Qing Dynasty, the Song Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty. Each one of these dynasty’s brought something different to the table. The Ming Dynasty brought in numerous technological innovations into the country while the Zhou Dynasty over threw the Shang and expanded geographically. Each dynasty was different and it’s mind-blowing that every time I walk through the streets of China, multiple dynasties were responsible for the development of China. Know you might be wonder “well josh this is great and all that you realize that China has multiple dynasty’s, but how are you applying it to your time in China?” Easy answer, I’m exploring historical parts of shanghai. A few days ago we went to a garden YuGarden which has been a major historical landmark in China. It was absolutely beautiful with incredible sculptures and mind blowing agriculture. I also tried to catch a koi fish with my bare hands….. I spent around 30 minutes on my stomach just so I can catch one of those suckers. I failed, those suckers are to slippery and to fast for me. I plan on going to more temples, gardens, and the museum in my time in shanghai. The photo above is of me exploring the YuGarden.