History Made at NENU Today

They looked for me for a week, they told me. When they finally found me, I almost wasn't able to attend their meeting, but everything worked out. They asked me to prepare a speech, preferably in Chinese.

What's with all the formality?

Today was Northeast Normal University's International Students Association's election day. It happens every spring, but the historic part is the fact that the foreigners were even involved at all. First off, a group of representatives from the different continents was chosen. Then three of those people, one of them being me, were chosen to act as the president 部长 and the co-vice presidents 副部长 (that's my job). Last year there were plenty of foreigners included in the association's activities, but this is the first year that foreigners have been inducted into the association. The true news, however, is that we were also asked to attend the meeting where the members vote for its officers, and then, WE ALSO GOT TO VOTE! If all caps didn't do it, I don't know how else to show that this is BIG news. 

It's just an election. They happen all the time, all over the world.

Yes, that's true! Yet, just as there are cultural and social differences, so it goes with voting. China being as it is, the votes come from within. This past fall, when Xi Jinping was chosen to be China's new president, it happened behind closed doors, although for days CCTV broadcast each new leader's resume and experience on television.

Our election went pretty much the same way. Our sponsors and his team sat behind a large pile of the candidates' resumes. One by one, they went up to the front, dressed in business suits, and delivered speeches accompanied by Power Point presentations. It lasted all morning. Some people used clever words or catchy design to capture the audience, and, hopefully, swing a vote. I quite enjoyed those few who employed Mao-era shouting techniques and one guy's resorting to a comedian's infamous style. A couple of candidates tried to play things cool, but you could tell most were really taking this seriously. In fact, those least prepared were the ill-informed foreigners (a common occurrence). 

The meeting then turned a corner. Half election, half audition for American Idol, our candidates began to show off their talents. There was singing, dancing, and one girl presented some of her drawings. Rather than being surprised at the demand to see their talents, they actually seemed to expect it! In all, I thoroughly enjoyed the "show," but most of all, I am really looking forward to being more involved. There are a lot of things I'd like to see happen for the foreign students at NENU.