An Historic Moment

UVA's (departing - hmm) Provost Gene Block and International Affairs mogul Leigh Grossman arrived in Shanghai last night for this morning's breathtakingly well-organized and completely un-awkward opening of UVA's new Center at East China Normal University (where I am right now). After flying some odd 10,000 miles, the UVA delegates graciously spent five minutes with us students before being whisked off by ECNU's president and the University's party secretary for tours of the vicinity, etc.

Fortunately, several patriotic students saved the occasion with flags, school ties, and auspicious (red-colored) shirts. We are featured marching along the lane as bewildered Chinese students assume that Gene Block is George Bush. Coincidentally, perhaps arranged by the party secretary, processional marching music played over the loud speakers as we made our way from the press room to the future UVA in Shanghai Center.

While the Chinese themselves have proven remarkably informal, I fear our own UVA diplomats needed to spend a little more time preparing their own remarks and at least being able to say hello in Chinese. Highlights from the ceremony include an ECNU official reading Leigh Grossman's biography off the internet, particularly his vivid description of her newest book, Controlling Infectious Diseases in Daycare Centers.

A lesson to us all: always carry an American Flag with you. Bamboo poles and foreign flags can be obtained along the way. Another lesson: prepare formal remarks ahead of time.