Day 11

  Today was such a full day. We started the morning going to an animation software producing company. We tested a Chinese-learning program that is meant to be a supplement to any course you might be taking. We gave constructive feedback to help them further improve this already well-crafted product. We ended the day by hosting many different fun activities, such as playing Ping-Pong and basketball, watching movies and playing cards, etc. with the WLSA Fudan students. Getting to know the WLSA students has been fun and we are quite sad to say goodbye tomorrow after having known them for so little time yet having made lasting friendships. While with the WLSA students we have exchanged our preconceived notions of our respective countries, on our own we have noticed subtle cultural differences.

            One of them is graffiti, but more specifically, the absence of graffiti. In many populated cities in America such as New York, Atlanta, etc. it is not uncommon to find graffiti on the buildings of the city. In such a bustling city like Shanghai, I was surprised to not find that there. No one staking their claim on buildings by the use of spray paint is something that I was taken aback not to see. It is weird if you think about it, those of us who live in the city, don’t really think much of the graffiti we see. To us, it’s just a childish teen trying to make himself feel known or someone expressing their emotions through a misunderstood medium, depending on how you like to view it. But it shows a respect for the buildings themselves by not tagging them without it being wanted. If you think about it, there was an extensive group of people hard at work, whether in city planning or designing the building itself, or even actually constructing it, that came together to have the building made. By putting one’s mark on it without previous request belittles the work of those who have tried so hard to make their vision reality. The people of Shanghai, though most probably do not realize it, have respected the buildings, letting them stand in peace without feeling the urge to make their mark. I feel that when I go back home, I will see graffiti on buildings in a new light.

Ibante Smallwood and Malik Gaye