Thoughts on Covering China Workshop (Session #3/4)

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed Saturday’s workshop very much and learned about what it’s like to work as foreign journalists in China. The three speakers’ stories are so compelling and touching that tears came down my face while listening to Fei Fong’s recount for her report on the Earthquake in Sichuan. I also like Ching-ching Ni’s stories about how she was inspired to become a journalist.

In addition, after hearing Rob Schmitz’s story about the 25 year-old worker at Foxconn, I can’t help thinking about his tedious and repetitive job when I use my iPad now.

It was a great and successful workshop. Thank you Clay and Yingjia.

[Anonymous]

I cannot thank enough my having an opportunity to spend time with Rob Schmitz, Mei Fong, and Ching-ching Ni. Thank You! Clay, Yingjia Huang, and Staff for a highly insightful and thoroughly enjoyable time. I walked away from the seminar feeling as though I finally had a clear vision of what the world situation is regarding China's renaissance. Our presenters delivered their information from not only an academic point of view; but also from a compassionate human perspective as well. My desire to one day teach in China has been ignited.
edited by rnuranen on 4/23/2012

[Anonymous]

I think our three journalists got it right: Human-intereste is the way to go. It's more interesting to read and to cover. I'm glad none of them are based in Beijing, as far as I know. I thought Clay did a great job moderating, balancing focus of topic with room to speak about what they wished. Also thanks to all those who worked behind-the-scene to put it together. I enjoyed it thoroughly! The book fair was fun, too.

[Anonymous]

Amazing stories - made me wish that I had pursued journalism! The piece the Apple labor abuses was really good, making me think about how difficult it is to figure out what is real.... Great stories by the second journalist about her own ezxperiences between China and the California over the last 30 years....

[Anonymous]

Although all the presenters were great but I enjoyed the second journalist a lot. I loved her stories and I can relate to some of her childhood experiences. After hearing their stories as a journalist, I too wanted to at least try it because of the adrenaline rush they have trying to get their stories at times.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed the seminar. While I do understand some of our peers questions about how to convey this to our students, I think that if anything it was underlining the fact we NEED to cover China and pay more attention to it in our classrooms.
I find myself watching NHK World this evening, no doubt a result of my new interest in Asia.

[Anonymous]

Back to the journalists, I really appreciated their passion and dedication, and how they brought their human story to the experience of broadcasting China to the rest of us. They are trying to present a human story of a seemingly foreign culture/population, and I think they are successful--whether its economics or human rights or environmental, they make it relatable and interesting.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed and appreciated the stories, thoughts, and opinions presented by the journalists at the workshop. The stories were though provoking, inspiring, and provided a basis for learning about China's culture and its precious people. I was able to share some of these stories with my daughter and I'll be sharing them with my students. I believe by hearing these stories and realizing their impact on us, as a society and as individual human beings, we are able to appreciate how important the impact China is making on our global economy and society is and will be. If we only know about China's economy but not it's people or culture we are missing the big picture. These stories and the workshop were awesome.

[Anonymous]

I thought the journalist and their remarkable stories kind of lit a fire under my seat because I had never thought about how provoking individual stories are to me and my heritage. The thought of just sitting and hearing old stories from what I consider my elders and how their description through vivid words and inviting me to picture in my mind a different way of life. The stories by the reporters all striking the same way and how a culture many miles away are not that different but, inspiring just the same.

[Anonymous]

This session gave me two major threads of thought about reporting in/from China:
1. It is difficult to get the right story in terms of access and what gets published.
2. It is easy to get the story wrong as a consumer of media if one doesn't cast a wide net.

What a pleasure and a privilege!

[Anonymous]

I appreciate more than ever the hard work of journalists covering China. Climbing over hurdles (and even mountains) to get the story was inspiring. Also, it touched me how Ching-ching Ni and Mei Fong opened up their lives and experiences to a group of essentially strangers, with the risk that that involves. Revealing the truth seems to be a part of their natures and is part of what makes a great journalist. Rob Schmitz' unrelenting search for the truth rather than easy answers revealed his courage and commitment to what journalism is, in its best moments. Thank you for asking them to talk to us. I will not forget them, nor their stories.
edited by scraig on 4/28/2012

[Anonymous]

Saturday workshop was a great success! Thank you Dr. Clay for introducing the great journalist to our class and opened our eyes about the journalist and about China. Thank you for being a great facilitator, making sure every one stay on the topic.Thank you Yingjia for the very clear map instruction, and for the colorful print out of USC campus.

I was touched for Rob Schmitz love of China, it was not easy for a foreigner to live there, as well as to eat local food, and deal with the local people. I love his dedication to follow up, and his courage to correct the wrong news for the media.

Mei Fong is a dedicated, and observant journalist. Through reading a small section in the magazine in the plane led her to literally climb up the mountain to get the information. Through her sharing, I am willing to go China to teach the poor village kids because I was touched by the village teacher. Through Mei Fong's writing people in the East coast was touched too.

Ching-ching Ni is a journalist who showed empathy for the people around her. It made me cried when I learned about the people who suffered from the earth quake were mostly workers from Beijing.

[Anonymous]

The DVD on Assignment: China "Opening Up" made me appreciate freedom. It is something more people take for granted of.

[Anonymous]

The DVD Assignment: China " The Week That Changed The World" tells me how frustrated the journalists was, specially Barbara, she was the only female journalist and she felt so left out, but she was able to do her best. She was a pioneer for female journalist. China mapped the places for journalist to visit was just a show, I can't believe that when the journalist were gone, the children holding flowers were taken back to the bus. China did not want the world to know how poor they were at that time.

[Anonymous]

I did not know what to expect as I sat down at first to listen to the journalists. I was very intrigued with their personal stories and the way they conveyed them with such emotion. I would like to be able to do that as a teacher: captivate and hold the attention of my audience (students) while informing, amusing, and connecting with them all at once. This was a very unique, rewarding experience!

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