Buddhist Monks

1. What do you “know” about China?

China is a country in Asia that has the largest population of any country in the world. There are about 1.3 billion people who live there. China is a vastly diverse country that has a long and continuous history. Unlike the United States, which has only existed for a few hundred years, China has been China for about five thousand. The vast majority of people living in China believe a combination of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. In China, as well as other eastern countries, it is not uncommon to simultaneously believe and practice many different aspects of each view. There are a number of different spoken dialects in China, the most popular being Mandarin and Cantonese. Although the languages sound different they are based off of the same written characters.

Because China is such a vast country there are many different ecosystems with in the country and different climates. This can be seen not only in the wildlife but in the cuisine. In the southern part of the country the staple of the diet is rice; in the north, the noodle is king. I also know that because of the large population combined with a lack of usable land for agriculture has caused over time the need to create platforms to grow rice up the sides of mountains. The process takes decades, and today there are chains of terraced mountains filled with rice paddies.

Noodle Making

2. Where does your “knowledge” about China come from? (Can you identify various sources – direct experience? Specific media outlets? etc.?)

My information about China comes from years of picking up bits of knowledge, my reading of the Tao te Ching, as well as from various teachers and lectures. Living in a world that is constantly bombarded with information it is hard to sort out where all of the knowledge comes from. What I do know is over the past three years I have been exposed to information that has changed many of my stereotypical views to ones that are more accurate and open. I know now that not everyone in Asia or China is the same; when I was 10 that was not really the case.

3. What do you wish to learn more about re: China - be very specific here.

I am fascinated by history. I feel that it is important to know where we came from to know where we are going. Learning more about the extensive past can help me understand the current culture. I also would like to learn more about the educational system and what it would be like to teach at the primary level in a Chinese city as well as a small village town.

First Graders

Here We Go

1. Where are you from? State or province, and town?

2. Describe a fun media experience you had during your holiday vacation. BE SPECIFIC.

3. Describe one thing you LIKE about our 21st century media culture, and one thing you DON'T LIKE about our 21st century media culture. BE SPECIFIC!

4. What vision do you have for your future, professionally?

5. A question about China


1. Amherst, NH

2. I watched movies with my family

3. I like the convenience of access to information. I dislike that it has take away from enjoying more basic aspects of life.

4. I want to be a teacher.

5. What is the ratio of males to females?


New York Times