The Chinese Experience
Christmas in Beijing � PAGE 2
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SDC
Sino-Danish Culture Shock? � PAGE 5-8
Shibao
FeBrUarY 2013 • VOLUMe 2 • SINO-DaNISh CeNTer FOr eDUCaTION aND reSearCh
Three new MSc prograMMeS aT SDc in 2013 Nanoscience & Technology, Omics and Chemical & Biochemical Engineering.
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he educational and scientific activities at the Sino-Danish Center are developing fast. In order to strengthen the connection between education and research, three new Master’s programmes will launch in September 2013. SDC Director Hans Gregersen views the new programmes as a natural development for SDC: “When we develop new Master’s programmes for SDC, we focus on forging a strong connection to existing research environments and we aim to implement the unique aspects of the Sino-Danish collaboration. China has many technological resources and Denmark adds the unique Danish project-based teaching method to the programmes. The three new programmes
are rooted in existing collaboration between Danish and Chinese researchers and we look forward to welcoming close to a hundred
new students in September 2013.”
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internships - an opportunity for challenge One of the major goals of the SDC Master’s programmes is to produce high quality candidates, ready to work in an international business setting and capable of creating value for their new employer from the very first day.
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cademic learning and knowledge is the foundation of all SDC Master’s programmes. The students, especially in the social sciences programmes, will be challenged in the third semester, where the students can join a company in China. The internship has two distinct purposes. First of all, the internship should prepare the student for life after graduation. Getting
hands-on experience during a Master’s programme is invaluable. SDC students get a chance to test their newfound knowledge and theory in real-life settings and to deal with real challenges.
Secondly, the internship can serve as the foundation of the Master’s thesis, where the students structure their experiences working for an international company, apply academic theory and analyze the result.
SDC firmly believes that the integration of the internship at the core level of the two Social Sciences programmes is the key to producing exceptional candidates. Students are free to choose the internship best suited to their interests and skills. SDC helps facilitate the selection process by offering an Internship Database. Here, SDC students can upload a Student Profile, presenting their skills, CV and direction of study. International companies with branches in China or Chinese companies can then upload new internship offerings or contact SDC students directly through the system. Interested companies can visit the new Internship Database at www.sinodanishcenter.com
Moving forward Looking back
The SDc christmas party 2012
By Hans Gregersen and Zhu Xiangbin, Directors of the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research
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he year 2012 was a pivotal year for the Sino-Danish Center. SDC now has almost fifty PhD-students working on research projects in Denmark and China and 2012 marked the beginning of their journey towards new research discoveries. Meanwhile, SDC launched its first four unique Master’s programmes in Beijing. We knew that getting Danish students to move across the globe to China was going to be a big challenge but in the end over 100 students applied for the four programmes. In September 2012, 48 students from the eight Danish universities joined 56 Chinese students at the UCaS Olympic Village Campus in Beijing. Launching the four Master’s programmes has been an exciting experience and SDC, the students and the many dedicated professors teaching at SDC, had to adapt to changes and solve unforeseen challenges along the way.
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hallenges are to be expected when you launch a completely new and ground-breaking project like the SDC. Fortunately, the 104 students are all exceptionally adaptable, innovative and helpful. The formation of social bonds between Danish and Chinese students has been very important to the process. Intercultural activities are pioneered by the students, in particular by the student organization, Zhong Dan. The team organizes a number of social activities, where Danish and Chinese students meet and socialize. We believe that intercultural partnerships, both on a social and academic level, are a crucial part of the Master’s programmes. We are very pleased with the constant development of SDC and we encourage the students to help us improve SDC even more, by pitching new ideas and by sending us feedback. From September 2013, SDC will move to the Zhongguancun campus in Beijing and will offer three additional Master’s programmes: Nanoscience & Technology, Omics, and Chemical & Biochemical engineering, increasing the total number of Master’s students to approximately 200. The current students will then have a new role to play. They will be experts helping the new students adapt to life in Beijing and their new cross-cultural academic education. The next phase of the Sino-Danish partnership is about to begin and we are excited to see what the future holds for SDC.
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� SDC had a wonderful celebration of the Christmas season.
And Christmas time came to Beijing! Though we are far away from the cultures where Christmas is considered the most important season of the year, SDC still had a wonderful celebration of the season. By the Zhong Dan Team
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he Christmas party was based on Danish traditions, with elements from the Chinese culture incorporated to make the celebration complete. The party was arranged the Zhong Dan Team, which is the SDC students’ social club. The Zhong Dan Team aims to bring SDC students together to interact and have fun, so for the team, the holiday season seemed like the perfect excuse for a party. And a party it was! The Chinese students got a chance to see how Christmas is celebrated in Denmark. The most important goal of the Christmas party was to recreate a lot of the special Danish concept ‘hygge’ - cozy togetherness and relaxation with the people you care for. The celebrations began in the afternoon, where hours were spent on making Christmas decorations for the Christmas tree. The art of plaiting paper hearts and stars was shared, and
the traditional Danish Christmas decorations got a new twist with the Chinese traditions of making paper lotus flowers and other beautiful decorations. The afternoon was also spent baking and decorating Christmas cakes, and it began to dawn on the Chinese students that Danish Christmas has one major focus: Eating! The night was filled with the smell of roast duck and red cabbage form the traditional Danish Christmas dinner. The students performed on stage, first the Scandinavian tradition of a lucia parade, where a train of white clad girls sing about bringing the light out in the dark times. Next he Kunyi played traditional Chinese music on the Pi Pa, a Chinese string instrument that filled the room with the most harmonious sounds. After desert everyone danced around the Christmas tree. The participants
sang in both English Danish and Chinese, despite the unconventional element of having about 100 people walking around a 1.2 meter high tree. The long day ended with an energy boost during the present game. Everyone had brought a small gift for the game, and dices rolled with great speed in the struggle to get the best presents. And what a wonderful day it was – the students and teachers at SDC shared traditions, talks and laughs and enjoyed the holidays together.
February 2013
Photo: Lmichelle roedgaard-jessen
The Chinese Experience Michelle Roedgaard-Jessen is a Danish student at SDC, living in Beijing. Michelle blogs about life in Beijing at: www.michelleroedgaard.dk. Michelle blogs about her experiences moving to Beijing and starting life as a student at SDC
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’ve had many new and interesting experiences since I moved to Beijing in September 2012. 10 years ago, I spent half a year in Guangzhou in southern China, while my father worked in China. Because of my earlier experiences with the Chinese culture and society, I felt I had a pretty good sense of the country and thought I would be im-
mune to the big culture chock common to westerners moving to China. I quickly learned that a lot has changed since I spent half a year in China. I won’t deny that there are certain challenges when you move to a country such as China. Although many admire China’s rapid economic development,
one should not forget that China is still a growing country currently undergoing massive changes. One of the things I had to get used to is the enormous number of people in Beijing, crowding the streets and the public transportation systems. Even when I tried to use the metro during the less busy parts of the day, the metro is
often packed with people trying to get in and out of the train. As a newcomer to Beijing, experiences like these can really be a challenge. Ten years have passed since I last visited China and I had a feeling that a lot would have changed since my last visit. The fact
Three new MSc programmes at SDC in 2013 Continued from p. 1 The Nanoscience and Technology MSc programme is an interdisciplinary and research-based programme with a focus on theoretical, experimental and practical subjects. The programme enables students to understand and apply nanoscience and nanotechnology concepts and methods. Professor Per Hedegaard is in charge of the new programme: “The MSc in Nanoscience and Technology at SDC is the first Nano-education in China! We are pioneers in this field and together February 2013
with our Chinese scientist friends, we are pleased to welcome Danish and Chinese students, who are willing to try something new and different. We work with some of the best researchers in China, including the Nano-Science Center in Beijing. We have contacted several Danish high-tech companies already established in China, to ensure that students can do projects together with them.” The Omics MSc programme focuses on research in the post-genomic area of bioscience where data from public available databases are crucial in the design of experiments and the interpretation of the
attained data. Omics encompass several different areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, interatomics, and metabolomics. The MSc programme Chemical and Biochemical Engineering focuses on theoretical, experimental and practical aspects of the field of converting biomass and waste to energy and chemicals. The students will learn about processes rooted in chemical or biochemical engineering, applied to manage energy use and to control the environmental load of production facilities. The three new Master’s programmes lauch in September 2013. 3
that I was going to Beijing for two years as a student at SDC added to my expectations, as I had always thought of Beijing as a modern major city. Beijing is definitely big, but still quite unique. When I arrived, I quickly learned that the language barrier is still present, although younger people seem to be quite good at communicating in English. The metro system, apart from the huge crowds, is very efficient and I have yet to experience any problems relating to public transportation. In addition, I feel very safe in Beijing. There are guards posted throughout the city and people are very friendly and calm. In general, it is my impression that Beijing is a very safe city and I haven’t heard about anyone having bad experiences in the city. Living in Beijing is definitely more expensive than I had anticipated. Rental pricing is almost as high as in Copenhagen, if you want an apartment of a certain standard. There is one big plus - eating out is very affordable! Buying food in supermarkets is not especially cheap and the cost of living in Beijing has definitely increased since
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I lived in China ten years ago, especially in the major cities. Regarding pollution in Beijing, I have to say that I was worried about how I would physically react to the increased level of pollution. Even though the pollution is bad and some days I’m not very keen on leaving the house, I have to say that it’s not as bad as I had predicted. I have no trouble in my day-to-day life and I have not experienced any physical problems due to pollution. Thinking about the health cost for the citizens is definitely the worst consequence of the pollution. I’ve noticed a lot of small differences between Western and Chinese people, and I have to note that the Chinese mindset is completely different from the Danish mindset I’m used to. Some of my more interesting encounters have been at my local fitness. The changing room is always filled with elderly ladies, using the fitness center as a health spa. They each carry a big bucket full of soap, shampoo and towels, which they use frequently during their long baths. Blow-drying the feet and opera singing in the shower is also not a rare sight. A big cultural difference is also the approach to
nudity. I’ve noticed that Chinese people are very open-minded, as they often walk around the changing room completely nude, while using the bathroom, drying their hair and doing all sorts of small things. Danish people are definitely very quick to get dressed before doing anything else, so I think that the Chinese people have a more relaxed view on nudity.
pushing is needed for everyone to fit. Coping strategies should definitely be used, as there is a big difference between Danes and Chinese. Our approach to life is very different, but it is important to note that no way is right or wrong - it’s just two different very different worlds.
Even though some of the things I just mentioned might seem strange to a Dane, this is all a part of the cultural learning process. I learn so much from living in China, by learning to engage with the citizens of Beijing. Everything is different and the language barrier just motivates me to learn the language. Generally speaking, it’s just very exciting and educational to be in a country where things are so different from what I’m used to. A good advice on living in China is to learn to do as the Chinese. If these are the rules, you have the play by them. I most often use this tactic when I need to use the metro during rush hour. If you don’t use the same approach as the Chinese people you will never get on the metro, meaning a bit of shoving and
� Michelle Roedgaard-Jensen finds that eating out in Beijing is very affordable.
February 2013
Sino-Danish Culture Shock?
� Ao Jingning studies Innovation Management at SDC in Beijing.
Ao Jingning studies Innovation Management at SDC in Beijing. Ao Jingning loves to learn new languages and have taught herself French and English. SDC Shibao interviewed her in November 2012 about life as a Chinese student at SDC.
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think I’m very fortunate to be a student at SDC. I was a student at the School of Management at UCAS and my supervisor told me
February 2013
that about a Sino-Danish programme where I could learn a lot and meet new people from the land of fairytales – Denmark. I was told that I would gain knowledge through teamwork and that I would get a chance to practice my English. I would also be able to compare the overseas European view on innovation to the Chinese view. That is the main reason why I chose to study at SDC. I went to an interview with the SDC and luck-
ily, I got accepted into the Innovation Management programme. Currently I’ve been at SDC for three months and I’ve had a lot of different professors, who are all really good! I’ve had professors from China, Europe and even Sweden fly to Beijing to teach us. I think that the Chinese students really feel that the teachers are hard-working and 5
I believe that I learn a lot by being a part of SDC– both from the teachers and from the Danish students. It really has been a great journey so far. It’s challenging, but I learn more all the time. The first thing I learned during classes, was that I had to raise my hand to say something because the Danish students are all very active and ask a lot of questions. That approach is not very common to Chinese students, so we had to learn to talk more in class. But after three months, I think we are getting a lot better! The different social events we do together are a good chance to collaborate and socialize. As an example, we have the quiz night where all the students from different programmes and different countries meet
and have fun. Some people may think that it takes time away from studying, but I really think that the social events are worthwhile. Every SDC student should definitely join us. We also had a girl’s night out with all the Chinese and Danish girls. We went out and shared a lot of Chinese food – but the most important thing was to go shopping! We all like to go out shopping, so I feel that, in a lot of ways, we are very similar on a lot of levels. We really feel familiar with each other and I like the Danish girls a lot. I also do a lot of teamwork with the Danish guys, and they are really friendly, helpful and smart! The Danish youth seem to have a lot of different experiences and are very dynamic, so I think that we can learn from them. They go to classes in the morning, go to the fitness
We had a girl’s night out with all the Chinese and Danish girls. We went out and shared a lot of Chinese food - but the most important thing was to go shopping!
center in the afternoon and then study in the evening, so they seem to be very good at balancing the different aspects of life – work, fun and study. I think that’s a very good thing. I don’t really feel that the Danish students need advice from the Chinese students about living in Beijing. They know a lot of different and unique places in the city, and it’s almost as if they know the city better than us. For new SDC students, I think that the most important thing for Danish students coming to China is to learn the language, even though a lot of young people in China speak English just fine. Some workers like hairdressers can’t really speak English though, so sometimes the Danish students call me for help, and I’ll communicate with the Chinese person for them. I really like to help the Danish students! I think that the culture shock was actually bigger for the Chinese students. The shock was definitely most evident during the first month, as we had a lot of teamwork exercises with both Chinese and Danish students. Doing assignments with Danish students was a very new experience, as the two cultures have very different approaches to the writing process. It can be difficult to work together, but by using our different skills to create a balance, the teamwork aspect makes us better. The culture shock is a challenge, but it is not a problem.
� We all like to go out shopping, so I feel that, in a lot of ways, we are very similar on a lot of levels, says Ao Jingning. 6
February 2013
Studying Innovation Management at SDC Innovation Management is one of the seven Master’s programmes at SDC in Beijing. SDC Shibao asked two students about their experiences as students of innovation and management.
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asse Andersen and Michelle RoedgaardJessen study Innovation Management in Beijing at SDC. The chance to study in China proved to be the deciding factor when they had to select a Master’s programme: “I chose to study Innovation Management because I found it very interesting to be in China for two years. As the economy is growing, there are a lot of issues arising and by living in China; you’re close to all the issues and challenges. Being in a country that’s developing rapidly is fascinating – the culture is completely different and you encounter all sorts of interesting aspects of Chinese culture each day.”, says Lasse. For Michelle, the opportunity to complete an interhship in China was also an important factor:
professors are adapting to the new cultural inputs.”, says Lasse. Michelle feels that the different educational backgrounds of the different students have provided insights and new ways to work in groups: “Launching a new university collaboration combining two very different cultures and education systems, results in certain challenges. But as the programmes are new, the students also have the opportunity to influence and shape the programmes. Furthermore, there is the challenge of work-
ing in groups across nationalities, which can be challenging because of language and cultural barriers. What surprised me was that it also was quite challenging to work with other Danish students from other universities and with other educational backgrounds. I studied Business Administration & Psychology at CBS and I’m the only student with that particular background. Now I have classmates from Aalborg University, Aarhus University and Roskilde University, who have primarily been studying Economics and Business
I acquire a relevant Master’s degree, challenge myself by living in a foreign country, and get to know a different culture.
“I originally wanted to study Innovation Management in Denmark. When I heard about the Sino-Danish Center, it was a chance to join the programme I wanted and spend two years in China at the same time. In the Innovation Management programme, you’re also supposed to complete an internship during the third semester, which I really liked. It seemed to be the complete package – studying within my field of interest, while living abroad. That’s why I chose to join SDC. “, says Michelle. For Michelle and Lasse, living in Beijing and studying with both Danish and Chinese students has been a huge challenge: “Studying with the Chinese students is definitely a lot of fun, but it’s also a challenge. You notice a lot of differences, both in culture and language. The different teaching methods are completely different and that is actually very fun to experience. I feel that both the Chinese and Danish students and February 2013
� Launching a new university collaboration combining two very different cultures and education systems, will result in certain challenges. 7
� My fellow Chinese students have already helped me with so many things, especially with practical issues, says Michelle Roedgaardjessen.
Administration. You quickly learn that we have different approaches and different ways of working in groups.”, says Michelle. The courses focus on management in a global context, and allow the students to apply their newfound knowledge: “As I’m studying Innovation Management, I naturally have a lot of management courses. The interesting part of being here at SDC is that I’m not only learning the traditional management theories. I also have the chance to apply the theories in an Asian context and see things in a new perspective. We also have field trips where we visit different companies in China. We went to Novozymes and learned about their production process and how they manage the process. It’s really good to see the things you learn about, used and applied in context. We also have classes on the relation between business and government. That’s very interesting, as many big businesses in China are owned by the state and they are governed differently than private companies. By living in China, you can relate everything you learn to
your everyday life in Beijing.”, says Lasse. Both Lasse and Michelle have also had a lot of help and advice from their Chinese co-students: “Even though it can be time-consuming and frustrating to work in cross-cultural groups I experience it as very rewarding culturally, as it is an unique opportunity to get to know the Chinese students personally and professionally. It’s my impression that Chinese people can at first seem a bit reserved and difficult to get to know. But when you actually get to know the Chinese students and become friends with them, they are some of the most caring and helpful people that you’ll ever meet. My fellow Chinese students have already helped me with so many things, especially with practical issues that can be difficult to solve without knowing the language. They have done a lot more than I could have expected and I always find it extremely interesting to learn about their perspective on China’s challenges, career, family life and more.”, says Michelle. Life in Beijing can be challenging, especially when you don’t speak the language:
“just taking the bus is a big challenge. You don’t really know where to go and you can’t really communicate with anybody. I just jump in and see where the bus takes me. When I had to figure out how to get to my classes, I just took a bus that seemed to move in the correct direction. If the bus did not take me to the school I noted it on my smartphone, took the bus back again and tried a new bus until I found the right one. It’s all part of the adventure in China.”, says Lasse. The adventurous nature of the students studying at SDC is profound and as Michelle notes, it’s the new experiences and cultural insights that make SDC students stand out from the crowd: “You definitely have to be prepared for both benefits and challenges when studying Innovation Management in China, but I definitely think that the benefits and what I learn from living in China overshadows the difficulties. I acquire a relevant Master’s degree, challenge myself by living in a foreign country, and get to know a new culture. Hopefully I will stand out just a little when applying for jobs, after graduating from SDC.”
Published by the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research 2013