Name: Steven Wilson
Nationality: the U.S.
Time spent in Wuhan: 8 months
Occupation: Master student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Starting again in Wuhan
Steven became interested in China during his time at Wayne State University (WSU) in his hometown of Detroit. His academic interests included economics, liberal arts, and Asian studies. As an undergraduate, he came to China for the first time in the summer of 2012, doing a summer service learning program in rural China provided by Tsinghua University. That first experience in this mysterious country triggered an interest in China that eventually led him back here again.
As a student in the WSU Confucius Institute, he studied Chinese language, history, and culture. He talked to his professors about his plan to further his studies in China; they suggested that he apply to schools in Wuhan, which offer international students scholarships. "Most of the staff in the WSU Confucius Institute are from Wuhan. They are nice people who are always willing to help. My first impression of Wuhan was quite pleasant because of them. They told me a lot about Wuhan and helped me prepare for my future. It was at that time, that I first began to familarize myself with the city," Steven explained.
Huazhuang University of Science and Technology (HUST) is the sponsoring partner for the WSU Confucius Institute. Steven was admitted to HUST, and he also received a scholarship. He left his home in Detroit and set out to pursue a master's degree in public administration here in Wuhan.
Wuhan may not share Detroit's fate
Lately, there have been a number of reports that suggest that Wuhan might be the next Detroit. The city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy on July 18, 2013. It is the largest municipal bankruptcy filling in American history by debt.
Steven shared his thoughts on these reports. "I've heard the negative reports that suggest that Wuhan is the next Detroit. Wuhan and Detroit are similar in many ways, such as water resources, shipping, and automobile production. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that Wuhan will go on the same way as Detroit."
Tne way Steven sees it, there is always hope. He sees the potential for success in Wuhan. He condiders many of China's policies and strategies uniquely clever; he plans to study them carefully and bring them back to his hometown. Steven said, "I think the key to overcoming problems like these is education. Wuhan has more educational resources than Detroit; there are many decent universities in this city, and that is likely to bring about more innovation and creative problem solving. A city in the shadow of a crisis needs fresh ideas and intelligent decision makers; that comes from education. Wuhan's economy is currently booming; there might be issues in that, but it also give Wuhan the ability to properly handle certain issues. I expect that Wuhan will be able to overcome any problems that arise."
International and multi-cultuarl community
When he first arrived at HUST, Steven encountered a completely different culture and way of life. He always finds it exciting to go out and explore. He doesn't always end up where he planned to, but he tends to be pleased with the results just the same. Once, he accidentally found himself at a comic exhibition; he had his picture taken with many "cute" cosplay girls. He finds it interesting that here in Wuhan, girls may choose "cute" over" sophisticated" or "professional"; in the United States, this is a rather uncommon. He says that this phenomenon is "amusing".
Steven works part-time as a teacher at the primary school affiliated with HUST. He said, "Every time I walk into the class, 58-year-olds excitedly yell out my name. The large class size was challenging at first, but he has been truly satisfied by the results and the achievements of his students. It is clear that his students like him a lot; he also cares very much for them. He said, "Seeing their faces and their willingness to learn warms my heart."
In addition to getting to know China, Steven has been connecting with other foreigners. Once a pround junior Olympian, a member of the roller hockey team, Steven is passionate about sports. Although he has retired as an athlete, sports are still a part of his life. For the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Steven and his friends, using a projector and a laptop connected to the internet, turned one of their dorm rooms into a home theater. Students from various countries gather together there to root for their teams.
Steven is starting his life a new in this city. He is living life to the fullest while he is "Stuck in this place." He said, "Meeting friends is the best part of my life here at HUST." Through his classes, workshops, and living situation, Steven has come to know people from all over the world. "The days I have spent here in Wuhan are sure to be an unforgettable memory that I will cherish forever."
Steven's story reminded this reporter of the scene from Richard Linklater's 1993 filem Dazed and Confused, the scene where the sporty protagonist stares into the distance, into the future and his friend saying on the background, "All I'm saying is that when I look back, I want to be able to say that I did the best I could while was stuck in this place, that I had as much fun as I could while I was stuck in this place, that I played as hard as I could while I was stuck in this place..."
