(by Wing Yan Man, Twente University)
8 lane roads, crossing the Pudong River day and night and a perfect lit Shanghai skyline, it all seems a long time ago since we went there with 15 Dutch students to become a student ambassador for water studies. Our purpose was to let China and the world know that water is important to life and that it should be studied. Together with the Chinese students of all prominent universities in China we have created solutions for projects which are valuable for present and future.
The organization of this all made it possible to show our bilingual projects at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. For this big event, we have formed mixed groups combining Chinese and Dutch water expertise to gain synergy in the solutions for present global projects. These included the increasing sedimentation around river areas, stabilizing ground water levels in urban areas and area development with levees. For these problems, we have put our minds together to create unanimous solutions, which are reasonable in time and budget.
Before the big trip to Shanghai, we have corresponded with the studen
ts in China with all thinkable ways of communications. We have started our own consultancy firm, which exchanged information through email, skype, dropbox, and other forms of social media. By clear communication we have brainstormed on creative thoughts and adapted our cultures to each other’s. Hearing different kinds of working methods and ideas of the Chinese students made us to think beyond our Dutch scope. With this thought, we were ready to take the plane and meet our Chinese friends.
Being in Shanghai and putting the names to the unknown faces, we shortly felt comfortable around each other. By teambuilding we could mingle easily and get to know each other as a student. We have learned some interesting things in their student’s life which are imaginable in our Dutch life. Having the lights shut off at 11, you won’t see that on our campus?
Despite the cultural difference we have worked hard to create a poster which made us both happy. The cultural differences has worked in our advance and broadened our perspectives. In the end we, as a multicultural consultancy firm, presented our beautiful posters and pitches to an audience of experts to show that internationalization is our future. Different perspectives give us more ideas and more valuable solutions.
As to answer if this student’s project should continue, I would definitely say YES! We have seen how valuable it is to have creative ideas from the other side of the world. Water problems are not country related, they are global, international problems and they will urge us from all over the world to come together. So why shouldn’t we, as future experts, already start to put our minds together?
