China Dream Practicum
This was one of the most unique experiences that I have had in a study abroad program. The practicum was just as much a networking opportunity as it was a learning experience. Although the practicum was only two weeks, we were able to capture multiple interpretations of the China Dream and what it means at the individual level, by sector, and at the national level. The most rewarding part about the practicum for me was having the opportunity to ask experts in the field about the issues I’m interested in, understand their responses in context, and apply their perspectives to the knowledge I’ve gained through my coursework.
The two discussions that stand out in my mind are the first and the last sessions of the experience. Coming into the practicum, I decided to direct my research towards environmental enforcement in China and how environmental conservation fits into the China Dream. The first meeting at Tsinghua University in Beijing was a presentation on environmental enforcement at the local level. Professor Mei shared his research from multiple studies describing how environmental surveys at the provincial level shift blame avoidance behaviors of Environmental Protection Bureaus by elevating the relative importance of local level environmental enforcement. I was also able to contribute to his work by asking questions about discretionary power, and its effect on work ethic. In that moment, I didn’t feel like a student, but like a professional in the field.
The last discussion held in Shenzhen at the Future + Academy helped me realize the distinction between pollution reduction and environmental protection. In my mind, these two sectors have always converged, however, in the case of China it has become evident to me that pollution has been recognized as an environmental challenge by the central government, while environmental protection may not be addressed to the same degree. Through the discussion I learned that in Shenzhen environmental protection is taken seriously in that 50% of land is set aside and not used for development however, environmental enforcement is addressed to a lesser degree in that of the 50% of land designated for development, industries may develop the land however they like. The incentive for green development in Shenzhen was making permitting for green development projects easier, thus expediting these development projects over traditional means.
During our time, we were also able to visit the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank headquarters, attend the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference, tour the Microsoft offices, explore Suzhou Industrial Park, and walk through the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Even though some of the experiences were outside my areas of interest, I was amazed by how much new information I was able to absorb for every sector we investigated. Even if the Understanding China Dream Practicum doesn’t align perfectly with your degree program, I would say it is well worth the experience.
Click here to check out Emily’s blog, “Understanding the China Dream”
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