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After a long, strange trip, Chinese grad student no longer 'a frog at the bottom of a well' By
Curtis McInelly When Wenlan Xu left her family in China and boarded a plane Sept. 10, she had no idea it would take her five days to get to Logan. She was sleeping at her brother's house in San Francisco when terrorists attacked New York and Washington, D.C. Xu is one of the few Chinese people of her generation to have a sibling. Xu was born in 1979, just three months before the Chinese government created the policy that limits families to only one child. Her parents feel lucky that she was born when she was. "My friends normally are the only kids in their family," said Xu. She said many people prefer to have boys rather than girls, her grandparents call her the precious stone of the family, because she is the only girl. "When I was a child my father would kid with me, saying, 'I want to strangle you 'cause I want to be honorable,' because we have a saying that a single child is honorable," said Xu. Xu said many people are interested in China because of this policy and look at it as negative, but it works and the Chinese people accept it. It is a very, very severe policy, but it works, Xu said. "If 20 years ago it was not carried out, our country would be very very poor now." She said in 1978 China was having problems with class struggles between rich and poor. The Communists had a convention that brought about economic development to solve this problem. "My generation grew up with the economy," said Xu. Xu grew up in better circumstances than her parents. "My parents have suffered some tough periods, but I never experienced war, I never experienced economic crisis. I lived peacefully, healthily, intellectually. My mom said we are a lucky generation," said Xu. She said her parents grew up during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), when it was hard to get into universities. University life was not viewed as important and few were allowed to enroll. Later when the policy was changed her parents got another chance to go to university, and are now high school teachers. She explained it is easier to get into university now, but competition is hard. Fewer people get into university than into senior high school or junior high school. There is a limit on how many can enroll in university, but that number is increasing very fast, she said. University studies are available online and at night. There is also adult education for those who are not satisfied with their job; they can study and pass examinations to get a degree. In the 1980s a bachelor's degree was very valuable, but now only master's and doctorate are valuable, said Xu. Xu graduated from Yantai Teachers University with a bachelor's degree in English education. She is now a graduate student at Utah State University, emphasizing in communication and broadcasting. She said the school system is very different here. "I like the system here better because it is so full of freedom. In China we have a lot of regulations and rules that you have to obey," said Xu. "We live in a big dorm with eight people and have time restrictions when you must sleep and when you can"t," she said. They study five and a half days a week with many classes and have few extra-curricular activities. Another big difference Xu noticed is the libraries. She said the libraries are always full in China. "Even on weekends you must go early just to find a place to sit," said Xu. The libraries in China need to be updated with newer information, said Xu. She said the libraries at USU are better and there are not as many people. Describing her impressions of the library, she said "It's big, it's bright, it's great, there is a lot of space to breathe freely." She explained that she does not like to talk about her college experience in China, because she doesn't want to sound negative about her country. "Everyone in China complains about it (university life), we enjoy less and we know that it"s not rewarding," said Xu. Those who have returned from America say it is a better atmosphere, and you learn more. "You are no longer a frog at the bottom of a well, you jump out and see the world, your eyes are opened and you become international," said Xu. To study in the United States means a lot to a Chinese student, said Xu. "Most of China believes that the best education is in America, the best chance of your life is in America. So if you"ve got a visa, you've got a chance, you've got a future," said Xu. She explained that getting a visa is difficult because China is afraid that when people get out they will not want to return. Therefore getting a visa was the greatest thing in her life. Her brother is four years older than she is, and came to America on a student visa, but has changed it to a working visa, breaking his promise to the immigration embassy that he would not work here. Xu thinks this is why she was rejected a visa the first time she applied. "I didn't want to immigrate as an American. In my concept I am Chinese, I am not American, and I never ever want to be American," said Xu. Though angry that she was denied, the second time she was confident because she only wanted to get her studies done then go back. "When I came out of the embassy with my visa and my passport in my hands and I waved to my best friend waiting outside, I jumped, yeeees! It was just like a victory, a big victory, and that moment was my happiest memory," said Xu. She said getting a visa and coming to America was like a reward for all of her hard work. Her friends and family were also happy for her. She came to Utah because of the six schools that accepted her, USU was the closest to San Francisco. "My parents chose Utah because they want my brother to take care of me," said Xu. "My parents urged me and my brother to study hard in order to qualify to study in the U.S.A." said Xu. She said her parents wanted her to read books and study rather than going outside and doing activities, so she did not experience much of the culture but learned everything from what she read. She said her parents complained a lot about everything they had gone through in China, and she is glad they pushed her so she could have this experience and gain a better life. But her trip to Logan was more than she had bargained for. Her plane landed in San Francisco on Sept. 10, and she went to her brother"s house for the night. She had planned to fly to Salt Lake City the next day, but all flights were canceled after the terrorist attacks. School had already been going for two weeks and Xu was eager to get here. She was e-mailing back and forth to Ted Pease, professor and head of the journalism and communication department, who suggested she take a train to Salt Lake. But when the Amtak trains collided near Wendover, that was no longer a good option. After four days she decided to take a bus. The bus ride took 21 hours and when she changed buses in Salt Lake City, she lost one of her suitcases. After arriving in Logan and realizing she had lost her suitcase she was heartbroken. Pease picked her up from the Greyhound station. He said she was starving and wanted something to eat. He took her to Burger King and got a burger, fries and a drink. "She was too polite to eat it in my presence," said Pease. He took her to campus and introduced her to the other graduate students, then to her housing. She still had her burger after four hours. Pease said that Xu seems quiet, bright and is very adaptable. She has to be to go through that experience, said Pease. "Imagine going to a new country where the culture is different, the language is different, plus terrorists attack the country, and you have to take a bus that loses your luggage. That is quite an ordeal," said Pease. "I don't know her very well, but I"m glad we got her here," said Pease. Pease wondered if her attempt to get an education would always be linked to tragedy. Xu said "I am a brave girl, I am not afraid of anything." The terrorist attacks did not seem to bother her too much, although she is not in any hurry to go to Salt Lake because that is where she lost most of her possessions. She knows she will go there next year for the Olympics so that she can see the heros from her country. Xu loves Utah because it is peaceful and not so fast paced. She said everyone is friendly, and the little houses look like something out of a fairy tale. She has been here two months, and has many friends already. But she misses China, especially the food and clothes. She said that the best clothes are made in China and they are prettier and cheaper.
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