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Archive for June, 2011

I Survived a Chinese Hospital

30 Jun

This wasn’t a post I was anticipating, but hey I got sick.

Walking to the hospital, though, here’s what I did anticipate: less than ideal conditions, less than ideal physicians, and plenty of paperwork. This is China: kids pee on the sidewalk, litter is dispensed in the most convenient fashion–drop it where you are. People here don’t mind things a bit more raw.

They also don’t mind a bit more chaos mixed in with their order. If you want a seat on the bus, don’t be meek and wait for the line to form. Even the little old ladies run along side before the bus comes to a stop. It looks like the baitfish swimming alongside a whale. I’m dreading the day someone falls underneath the wheel. I hope it ain’t me (yeah, I’ve gotten caught up in the routine, too.) It’s become a system of operation here. If you don’t play along, you pay the price as I did when I foolishly waited “in line” at a potluck. I was hungry all afternoon.

It’s the way things are around here. Take it or leave it. I’ve taken it for ten months and I thought I’d have to take it one afternoon under their medical care.

Here’s the rundown…

And here was my hospital.

My friend, Sally, a Chinese employee at my school acted as my guide. We entered and it looked quite nice inside. It wasn’t the carpeted, homey atmosphere of some American hospitals and clinics, but the tiled floors were shiny and the entrance spacious and modern. We filled out a form about a quarter of the size of a full sheet of paper, entering my name, sex, and DOB. Then we registered, collected a packet (oh boy, here comes the paperwork). Oh, and the registration fee: 5 yuan. Less than $1. Sally filled in the cover page—all that was needed, (hmm, so much for paperwork)—and we went upstairs to the directed area: internal medicine. Ladies behind some glass waited on us and gave us our room assignment.

That's not Sally, but that was the lady who helped us.

We walked to the Dr.’s office and instead of waiting for him, he was there waiting for us. In a matter of 15 minutes (or less), of my first visit, I was being examined. Holy Jeez.

Dr. Now. Oh, and there, that's Sally.

His examination didn’t seem too thorough. I had a super sore throat, swollen glands (or nodes, or something) on the sides of my throat/base of my jaw. My muscles ached and I had a fever sporadically for a few days. A headache was consistent, appetite was nil, nausea was spotty, and sleep was plentiful. He seemed to ignore most of that, looked at my throat, and ordered a blood test in minutes. We went out for it.

But hold on there, Sonny. First you gotta pay for that service. The cost: 24 yuan. Less than $4.

So we walked to the where these happened. A long counter that resembled bank tellers, each division with slotted glass through which to transact. Replace cash and paperwork with arms and needles and you get the idea:

Thanks for banking with us.

I stuck my arm inside and she took my deposit.

We, ourselves, took the blood vile to the testing area just a few steps away. They took the sample and tested it. Immediately. In a matter of seconds Sally had the test results in her hands!

good work

We then went back to the same doctor and after examining the results, prescribed me antibiotics and something for my throat pain. Tada!

Went entered the hospital at 4:55. We left at 5:35. And today as I write this, I’m feeling fine. :)

We in the U.S. have got technology and luxury fused in our health care system. (And I’ll take this any day of the week.) But somewhere along the line we lost some efficiency and a lot of affordability. I can’t talk too definitively as this was just one visit at just one hospital, but it sure was world away from the paper work, insurance, and multiple visits that a trip in the U.S. takes.

Here in China, there certainly is a lot that has me missing home. With that, it’s fun when I experience things that are done better.

to new plateaus,

-Brandon

p.s. Readers, I soon begin my three week trek through central China. Look for posts soon about this awesome exploration! Also, “like” me on facebook and follow me on twitter to keep up to date on my latest updates as I travel through Beijing, Xi’an and Lanzhou!

 
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Made in China: Makin’ Stuff

26 Jun

Last time I talked with you about the lives of the workers at Flextronics; this time I write about the reason they’re all here–making stuff.

The migrant staff lives on the campus grounds, much like a college student living at their university–except these staff don’t have frats; I’m pretty sure they can drink in their rooms, and I doubt they have Homecoming and rivalries. But on the other hand, they do have class.

As I write this article, I’m riding in the back seat of a Flextronics company car. I’m leading an English event this evening, an occasion for employees to speak English about fun topics of choice. I’ll do my best to impart my Minnesota brand of English—the gold standard, I understand.

A couple weeks back, though, I came out here for another purpose: I wanted to know what a Chinese factory looked like. Coming to just one company isn’t a very good study of all factories in China, but it makes for a great case study. :) Here’s Flextronics and what they do…

Twigy, my tour guide—yes, she named herself after the 60’s sex symbol (glad to know the Chinese haven’t forgotten the classics)—got the okay to show me around, but unfortunately, it was no pictures for this inquisitive foreigner. Policy: who needs it, right? Well, I didn’t want to get Twigy in trouble, so I was a good boy and put away the camera. Which means you’ll have to rely on my writing skills to “see” the sights inside.

But I did sneak in one shot before it was cameras off: Twigy getting us past security and onto the factory floor.

In we walked: super-high ceilings; noisy, big machines pumping and grinding. Rows of them churned out product the employees were tasked to inspect. Large banners hung over head, across the corridors between the rows of machines. They read generic sayings like, “The Customer is Always Right” and something else about compliance.

On the floor, I watched one machine. In a matter of seconds a large compactor clapped together vertically, pivoted, and separated. Out came a piece of plastic freshly molded. I wondered if it was hot. It was warm. The workers took razor blades to the new product to shave off edges and made sure they were tip-top. The piece that resulted was a football sized hunk of black plastic to be installed in printers. The machines themselves were Hewlett Packard. (Ever wonder what machine makes the machines? I always wondered how any melting and molding originated. The molder had to be molded, and that molder…. What do they use to contain and withstand the heat of molten steel, for example? Readers?)

We left this area, headed down a wide hallway, and hung a right into a cool room full of large, dense metal cubic hunks. They reminded me of cylinder heads on an engine, where a good part of the piece is just solid metal, only these pieces were the size of an end tables. They were the molds that shaped the pieces. Perfect, sharp 90’s highlighted their edges–and the precision. The shape of the mold was etched into a level plain.

Some had metal tags bolted on stamped “Microsoft”. Flextronics executes the orders from their clients staying behind the scenes. Actually, in a country known for uncooperative intellectual property standards it surprises me that so many companies trust China with their secrets. But from what I’m told, companies like Apple do a lot of the info-sensitive manpower state side. They then send the products over to China for assembly.

But it seems something somewhere gets out because iPhone knock-offs are plentiful and cheap (and lousy). But apparently all this copy-catting is outweighed by the draw of good labor, a good price, and business-friendly policy–and who would’ve thought this?–in Communist China!

The last room we entered was an enormous space and contained four enormous machines. Ever open up your PC? If so, you’ve seen what’s made here. Unrolled from a large spool, shiny sheet metal about 18 inches wide was fed into the back end, the center stamped and stomped and shaped the heck out of it, and the exit saw these familiar-looking pieces picked up by workers. These thin pieces of metal, strewn with holes and grooves for various modification, are what the internal components of your computer attach to.

Of course, the stamping was the cool part. A large (about 4 feet across) “stamper” punched the metal. Each punch fed the metal forward a few inches and 6 different stamps inside the large stomper do progressively different things to the metal–from a few indentations at the beginning to an independently cut and shaped product at the end.

Until you get something like this:

The pieces made resembled these internal casing.

And lastly, the very evening I was here for the English event, I came across a viewing area of a different floor:

Sort of reminded me of Willy Wonka.

It’s easy to be so removed from the manufacturing process anymore, especially with the U.S. not having many factories these days. We use our gadgets and appliances and probably take all the work into making it for granted. Well, maybe now you can look at your PC with a little more “truth” to it. It’s a lot like learning the history of a place before you visit. Coming here added depth to my understanfding of these products–the people behind them, the international relations involved, and the creation of the product itself.

We’re a lucky people to be alive when all this production is done so efficiently. We are on the receiving end of global teamwork and the beneficiaries of those who founded the infrastructure.

to new plateaus,

-Brandon

 
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Made In China

19 Jun

“Oh that’s probably made in some sweatshop in China!”

So go the remarks addressing the quality of a product and/or the ethics behind its making. Being half a world away, it’s easy to let rumors rule. Luckily, I’m right here to check things out myself. :) So from Chinese college (see previous post) to a Chinese factory, New Plateaus is showing you how institutions work in these parts—and, interestingly, how they aren’t that different from each other.

I spent a Thursday touring a factory just west of Zhuhai. Though it is just one of a gazillion factories here, at least it gives us some idea to recall next time you hear about the ominous “factory in China”. Sweat shops? No breaks? Dude with a whip looking over 8 yr olds’ shoulders? Well, at least not where I went…

I had a solid hour commute out to the site. On the way, and probably being a little over-excited for a factory visit, I made chit-chat with the woman next to me with whom I could share a whopping 100 words:

But who needs conversation when there's a beautiful baby?

Then she exited and I was left with this motley crew:

Our destination was an industrial park not too terribly different than ones back home. This one was enormous, though, and featured some names you may recognize:

Out here reminded me of “The West” back home: desolate with some hills and mountains. It was even dry and sunny that day for an added, “deserted” feel. Filling in the sparseness are these plants. There are several. Zhuhai is designated as a Special Economic Zone in China. That means there are tax benefits provided for exporting manufacturers. It’s a boon to the area as clothes and electronic manufacturers loom large (and other industries, I’m sure).

Time to hang a right:

Bus needs new wipers. You see it there on the upper left? Flextronics.

Here we were:

You’ve probably never heard of them. That’s because they’re a company for companies. They make common items, but they are masked behind the labels and packaging that graces products by Dell, Microsoft, and Samsung. Because of all the intellectual property, things are pretty secured. Like my experience elsewhere in China, this is done effectively but not coarse:

Soon my friend and tour guide, Twigy, arrived:

'...and to your right you'll see an attractive tour guide; to your left, a nerdy tourist.'

We started off. And in this post I focus on the people. What’s it like working in a Chinese factory?

Far away from much, these large plants create communities unto themselves. In America there are great campuses like Google with cafeteria, gymnasium, and the whole ball of wax. Here in China, some take it up a notch. Because of a strong migrant worker culture, some factories offer housing as well. That’s right; employees live here. They never get to leave and go home! Or wait a minute, maybe they’re always home. (I guess this’ll depend on how you see the half-full cup, eh?) But few cars and a willingness to come from long distances means having them stay here 24/7 is the thing to do.

It’s insular, but it’s convenient, and the company works to make living here enjoyable. In this respect, it’s got a similar feel to college. In fact, most of the employees are young and single. So hey, all you students who wish you’d never have to graduate and leave the campus life. Well, here you go! And naturally, other businesses sprout up–eateries, night life–as a result, making these industrial parks seem more like little towns.

The staff were out and about as my arrival coincided with lunch:

All the fun of college without the homework.

Here are some workers exiting the factory:

Cooome aaaaand get it!

Let’s see what lunch looks like:

Eaten without expression

Since the workers were good and chill, I could approach for an easy strike. (Are we talking journalism or hunting?) I talked to one guy, one of many front line workers who live here–there are thousands. Like 50,000. He’s from Hunan province, adjacent to the north. His friend worked here and connected him with the opportunity. That was a year and a half ago. He’s single; other’s aren’t and send money back home to their wife and kids. Some arrive as a family and are provided housing for that. Others meet their spouse here. :)

My Hunanese interview says he misses his family so enjoys going home twice a year. This again, is one of these situations which isn’t ideal, but it obviously beats what they got back home, hence their presence. It may be tempting to look askance at circumstances in other parts of the world. But for the company and the employee it’s a win-win.

A win-win-win as I get a cool interview out of the deal. :)

The environment on campus is nice, especially compared with what I’ve experienced elsewhere in China:

And it's growing; building more apartments there.

Another perk is educational opportunities…

On a another occasion I had the chance to come to Flextronics to help lead their “English Club”, an opportunity for employees to learn and practice their English. Each leader assisted a group with discussion and putting on a skit. Here’s mine:

A mix of front line and white collar workers

Here’s one of the skits:

'O, I am fortune’s fool!'

Seeing this lifestyle is a chance to reset preconceived notions and see things from another angle. Heck, people have told me more than once how isolated my upbringing must have been in northern MN! Plus, I can better appreciate our everyday electronics when seeing the humans who assemble them:

Well, them and huge machines. The factory floor is what I’ll get to next time: )

to new plateaus,

-Brandon

 
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Bamboo U: Part 2

12 Jun

Well, with a full belly of Chinese eats, it was time to let it settle into the relaxing, calming environs of a lecture hall. Good for digestion I hear—and sleep deprivation.

But you won’t be nodding off with this post. It was a kind of homecoming for me as I met a couple fellow Minnesotans. :) Come meet them yourself and see what a college lecture in China looks like.

Lei and I sauntered out of the cafeteria and toward her class, Contract Law. Yippee! Here we are on the way. Too bad the blasted sun had to be out, ruining my chance of taking shots of other students:

We got in the lecture hall, and of course the students were surprised to see me—I did kinda stick out. I mean I am thirty.

The room had the look of some old-school institutions in the U.S. White, bland. This is indicative of what I’ve experienced in a few academic settings in China:

A few random flocks of early birds, nesting and chirping before the prof comes to quiet things down.

The vibe of the student body was pretty reminiscent of my college days. Most wanted to lay low in the back of the room; several arrive with phones and music players buzzing; none look too thrilled to be there:

'Is it over yet?'

Actually, and surprising to me, there’s a fair amount of lethargy on campuses here. According to my friends who teach at colleges, students are pretty low-energy when it comes to learning. This went against the idea I had that students here are all “front row” types with hands eager to raise.

Then again, this was Contract Law, right? But if Hollywood’s taught us one lesson about school, (besides that 25 year old’s make great high schoolers) it’s that a rockin’ teacher can come in and make anything seem interesting! So who do we got today? Drum roll for Professor Wang Jian please.

Tada!

Though I know nothing about him, except he had that same kind of professorial manner in his delivery, he’s cool in my book for allowing me to take pics and video during the lecture:

The class filled in nicely.

Okay, now that we’re versed in Chinese contract law, I don’t want to hear any excuses for not finding that job. Just gotta move a hemisphere. You wouldn’t be the first Minnesotan to come over here for work. (ahem)

I gotta tell ya, it’s a whole different job market, Readers. At the risk of jinxing what they got going on, it’s a scene of no-end-in-sight economic expansion, with opportunities easier to come by or make yourself. Take English teaching; as more Chinese make more money (and continue to have one child) they’ll have the disposal dough to spend on something like English classes. Consequently, it’s pretty easy to find work. Yes, pretty easy. (As oppose to what I’m hearing about back home.)

But there is one catch. You gotta live in China. That didn’t stop the Minnesotans I met, though. Turns out there’s a whole slough of ‘em working as teachers and teaching assistants at a neighboring college to the one I was visiting. I walked on the red-brick road from BNU to UIC:

Bamboo

And I arrived at United International College:

Impressive building

Impressive, because it’s really the only one on campus. This is a small, expensive, tightly knit college that encompasses 3-4 departments in one, large building:

Lovely, hilly back drop, too.

So, whereas I was worried about finding the English department here, it turns out it was literally “just up the stairs and down the hall”. And here is where I met this guy:

Ya, sure. I'm in China you betcha.

This photogenic primed-to-be-professor young gentleman is named Jonas. Recognize him? Well, probably one of you at least knows someone who might, because Jonas is from Grand Rapids. He’s a recent college grad and now enjoys the time teaching English in China.

Unfortunately, the pic was all I really had time for as he was preparing for a class, but I did get a chance to talk to a couple other young ladies. Jessica Steinbauer is a teacher who’s been here over a year now and enjoying the experience. She’s from Owatonna and graduated from UMD. Amy Gilk is a Canon Falls native and a graduate from Augsburg in Minneapolis. The best part about being here, says Amy, is the karaoke bars and trying to communicate in conversations via broken English/broken Chinese. The worst, no surprise, is missing her family.

In total there are at least a half-dozen Minnesotans who make up a good chunk of the English Department at this tiny college north of little-known Zhuhai. But enjoying the proximity to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, Zhuhai offers “real Chinese charm” with all the modernism one craves.

There’s actually quite a connection between China and Minnesota. If you recall, Tim Pawlenty made trips out here. In fact, the Executive VP of UIC had met with Pawlenty in the past. And these recent grads get to take advantage of the exchange programs and teaching opportunities as a result of these relationships.

Me? I just got lucky to have a friend work at my school previously. And you? Who knows? Maybe China will be in your future, too. Or at least you’ll be wearing, playing with, listening to, or preparing food with something that was made here. :)

As China continues to build their wealth, their interest in education will increase. This means something to Minnesotans like Jonas, Amy and Jessica. And yet, this is just one small slice of the increasing pie that a better China means for Minnesota…and the rest of the world.

to new plateaus,

-Brandon

 
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Having Me for Dinner

08 Jun

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog with a quick-hitter about some ethnic home-cooking and company I got to share over a recent Chinese Holiday. (Don’t worry, Bamboo U: part 2 is coming up.)

China from a tour bus is one thing. Being invited over to a senior couple’s apartment for a holiday meal (who speak absolutely no English) is quite another. This is the genuine experience I’m always on the lookout for. Wanna see what it was like for this Minnesotan to share an evening with them? Good, cause I’m eager to show ya! :)

Now I’ve always had these neighbors since arriving last fall, but hey, you know how it is, right? I sometimes didn’t know my apartment neighbors back home. Never mind the fact that I can’t speak with the ones I got here. But sometimes a smile and a nod will get you places.

One such set of neighbors is a senior couple who care for their grandbabies while the daughter and son-in-law are working. “Ni hao” was as far as it ever got, though sometimes the grandmother holding a dear one in her arms broke the ice, too. Recently, I tried to say a few words to her in Chinese. It finally amounted to a mini-conversation and an invitation for dinner. It was Dragon Boat Festival–something about a legendary man throwing himself over a bridge to protest the emperor. Anyway, it’s a time to enjoy good eats and family.

It’s kinda daunting to agree knowing there’ll be little in the way of conversation, but I would impress myself by focusing on what we could say. I let my roommate know and we arrived Monday night. Knock, knock, knock. Hello? And in one second (or so) the door was open, and I can only assume Chinese “welcomes” and “come ins” being spoken. Ralf had the sense to buy a gift for them:

Okay, older Chinese women are smaller, but not THAT much smaller. A little optical illusion there.

There was Grandma playing hostess. Where’s Grandpa?

Getting the food out. He was slaving away in the kitchen when we got there.

We sat and chatted in very broken Chinese fashion. But you know what? Comfort is comfort, and when you feel welcome you focus on what you can communicate with: pleasantries, phone app translators, and pantomiming. :)

And soon we were joined by those that specialize in non-verbal communication, anyway:

I'd love to tell you their names...if I had a talent for remembering Chinese names. Oh well, what's in a name, right Mrs. Zea? (my 9th Grade English teacher) They were adorable no matter what you call 'em.

From grandparents to grandchildren, three generations of Hunanese Chinese were hosting us for this evening. Here were the daughter and hubby:

They were quite peaceful. (and I can't resist to mention that the fan in his hand is graced with a photo of yours truly: )

We ate. Some was spicy–as Hunan cooking is known to be–and most was delicious. One pink, seaweed-ish salad threw me, but mostly it was beefy, porky, hard-boiled eggy goodness.

After the dining, a couple nice shots:

What a nice thrill, and this destination was 15 feet away! Being in their home during a holiday meal might be as “real Chinese” as one can get.

And I took a little footage for ya that brings some of it into motion:

Oh, and it wasn’t done there. See, 67-year old Grandpa wanted to show another classic Chinese custom:

He absolutely smoked us.

After the initial welcome, and the time with the babies, here was the third lesson of the night in communicating without speaking. He gave me more and better ping-pong tips than I had ever received:

...but he still smoked me.

And with a simple invite, a polarizing truth: that there are limitless varieties of humanity to experience. Yet at the same you realize, by bonding, just how similar and close we all really are to each other.

to new plateaus,

-Brandon

p.s. If I may, I’m doing a little “membership drive”. If you’re a facebooker, considering “liking” New Plateaus on the right column of this blog. On this page, I post more pictures and other material and updates as well. Thanks a million. :)

 
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Bamboo U: part 1

04 Jun

So, I keep hearing from the New York Times and such that we’re supposed to be threatened by the countless graduates being pumped out of the universities over here in China. Well, I figure I’d better get down there and check things out for myself.

But threat schmet. I was just darned interested in seeing what a college setting out here looked like. I had met a couple local gals who talked up their campus something special. So I agreed to pay them a visit and get a tour. It was great. I got to meet other students, a professor, and even sat in on a class. Perhaps most interesting, though, was that I met a bevy of young Minnesotans :) taking part in a teaching exchange program.

So I turned back the clock a few years, grabbed my book bag, and headed out to commingle with the young adult population known as college students. Come see what this looks like…in China!

A half-hour bus ride and I arrived at Beijing Normal University in Zhuhai. Sorry, I didn’t do my homework (ironic) to figure out why it’s called “Normal” but the Beijing part is because it was originally founded there.

I waited a moment at the bus stop and tada!, my guide cometh:

'And if you look to your left, you'll see a fraternity hazing a freshman by having him run blindfolded and naked into the Dean's office.'

I met Lei at the World Music Festival that I wrote about a few articles back. And off we went. Signs of campus life were unmistakable. Like bikers:

And with a Chinese twist. Can't see where they're going, but they'll be good and pale getting there.

And here were the jocks. (Do they still call them ‘jocks’?)

Dudes, this is our year to win the Wooden Gong from our rivals!

We made a right and entered the main campus area. There’s no large gate or entranceway, just a sidewalk nearing the buildings. The grounds aren’t as well-groomed as American campuses, but it was still nice and hills in the background made for nice setting.

Here's where all the books hide out

And for those who like to imitate life; or is it the other way around?

No, it's not shabby. It's on purpose. The art building.

We approached the library first. Apparently, the whole student body was studying today:

China: a nation that already loves bikes. College: a bunch of active young adults without cars. That explains it.

But besides bikes, nothing screams “college” like an organization’s table to recruit people or fill out some surveys:

College: a nucleus of young adults looking to make a difference.

It’s interesting what happens after graduation. This idea of “making a difference” dwindles. Whether it’s career and family responsibilities or just the reality setting in that making a difference can be really hard, it’s a wonder what happens to that fire in the belly.

Into the library we went:

Where's the books?

Oh well, horseplay’ll have to do:

Found ya! Actually, dude had the same idea as me.

But not too much horseplay; we were being watched:

Fathers of Chinese intellect, inspiring thought from beyond the grave.

I made my way into the book areas of the library and I wanted to see the old ones–not sure why. So we took the helpful library employee away from his computer card game and were guided to a few shelves. These books were worn:

brittle, discolored pages

I asked Lei (my guide) the print date. She studied the opening pages and agreed that it was an old book, alright. All the way back from 1980. Poor books here in China must have bad lifestyles. They age quickly. Of course, finding a real old book may be tough considering the revolutionary status of China throughout the 20th century. If you head to Wikipedia, there’s a great write-up of the recent history of China. How much it’s changed in 50 years! Heck, 30 years. I’d fill you in on the detentions and killings and book burnings, but college isn’t the place to be learning details like that:

'Hmm, Tale of Two Cities, To Kill a Mockingbird. Oh, here it is! Twilight'

Oh, I’m only kidding. There were myriad malleable minds meandering through the modes of mental exercise.

shhhh

About Chinese education, it has been said by more than a couple people here–locals and foreigners–that China has its strength in numbers in terms of educated youth. But the Chinese system is rote. They teach for the tests, so results are impressive, yet the lack of leaders and creative thinkers is also evident.

After the library, it was time to enjoy some China college cafeteria chow. Lei and I picked up a friend along the way:

Oh, Brandon. You and that camera of yours.

It was what you’d expect, assuming you expected anything. Typical Chinese food–noodles or rice with meat and egg and veggies–done fast and greasy. The environment was like any cafeteria. I watched a table next to ours. Four college fellas. After we struck up small talk, one said he’s going to study abroad in Wisconsin this fall. Hey, ho! Marquette University, Milwaukee will be graced with the presence of the guy in green:

Better be careful, Marquette students, this guy'll be pushing up the grading curve.

Well, Readers, there’s more to say, but not today. Soon, I’ll write you about the class I sat in on and the Minnesotans I bumped into. One was from Grand Rapids, of all things!

Until then, here’s to another slice of life delivered to your plate.

to new plateaus,

-Brandon

 
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