Meet Our Students: Andrew Zimmerman

1.) Why did you choose to be a Asian Studies major?

I chose to become an Asian Studies Major because I wanted to learn about Asia. In all my schooling previous to college (history classes, math, art, economics, psychology, philosophy) no one ever talked about Asia. So senior year of college I had to write a thesis and I chose the Meiji Restoration of Japan. It was fascinating to me that a country like Japan could in 50 years, do what western nations had taken 150 to do, industrialized and become an imperial power. That sparked a so far unquenched curiosity for Asia. Besides personal reasons, I have had the most motivating mentor in my exploration of Asia, Richard Bohr. Him, along with Joe Rogers and my old Chinese teacher Carolyn Ford were receptive of my questions and instrumental in my understanding of China that I have today. So the support staff were incredible. I don’t know why I picked a focus on China and Mandarin, but it has been a blast every since.

2.) Why did you choose to go on the China study abroad program?

I went on the China study abroad program because for East Asia, China was the grandfather of Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese culture. I also had the chance to extend my trip by going to teach English in the summer before the trip which helped so much in getting acclimated to the culture. The energy that China brings to the world is very unique especially in the context of western history and culture. I also prepared by studying for Chinese for two years so going to Japan didn’t make much sense. The stories that come from people that visit Asia are mysterious and warrant exploration or validation. I guess I just heard more from China too.  Also, for less idealistic reasons it was cheaper for me at the time. Luckily I was able to get my ticket paid for but otherwise I assumed the rest of the cost.

3.) What were some highlights of your study abroad program?

Specific to the study abroad the biggest and best highlights were all the people I met and relationships I built. I lived and learned of ‘guanxi’, the Chinese term for relationships. Not only was I lucky enough to meet some very hospitable Chinese people but experiencing China with people from Korea, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Japan, Ukraine, Guinea Bissau, Germany, Sri Lanka, Brasil, Laos, Kirgizstan, Malaysia, and Zimbabwe was spectacular. The spirit of the Chinese people in their own country as they watch themselves transform into a world power and industrialized nation is contagious enough but, being there with other people from around the world experiencing China and each other is an unforgettable feeling.

4.) What are some of your favorite Asian Studies courses?

Asian Philosophy with Chuck Wright is enlightening, any class with Bohr will be worth every second you spend paying attention. Our Chinese teachers past and present (Ford and Geng) do a thorough job with teaching Chinese. Their sympathy is so helpful and nothing is ever hard for too long. I took an Non-Western Art survey class and a China art class with Jennifer Joffee which was awesome. One never gets such a comprehensive understanding of how connected Asian culture is with language and art and history than from learning about art.

5.) What are your plans for after graduation?

Good question. Maryknoll has invited me back to teach English in China. That would be sweet to explore the nation as a teacher again. It would be awesome to work with US-China/US-Asia relations via business or through government. I am not done learning Chinese yet and will never be done learning about China but I thought since I have Chinese under my belt it might be fun to go to Korea and learn Korean and teach English at the same time. But it would also be fantastic to work with a business out of the Twin Cities that has resources in Asia.

6.) Why would you recommend students get involved with the Asian Studies program?

Well… For most of the reasons I state above: the wonderful support one gets from teachers, the people you will meet, the positive energy that comes with learning and exploring Asia, the taste for something new, so many opportunities to work with people and simultaneously, countries. When I taught English this past summer I never thought I would be in the positive to be diplomat and represent the US but I had to. I had to any time I interacted with Chinese people but when I was with my younger students we got to work a lot on US/China stereotypes and problems. That was enlightening and a lot of fun.