Page 23 - Sphere No.23 (Dec 2008)

them like he had known them for years. It was exciting to have
my picture taken with him, he put his arm around me and I
told him that I am a student from China here to observe the
election. He was very kind and said that I should be proud of
my country. It was a great moment, but the thing that stuck out
the most was his friendliness.”
When the economic crisis became news during the campaign,
some of the students travelled toWall Street, the famous financial
district in New York City, to get reactions from people about the
crisis and observe activities at the New York Stock Exchange.
They also attended hearings on Capitol Hill where they
heard Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke testify before the Joint Economic
Committee in Congress as part of discussions about legisla-
tion designed to stabilise the American economy. The students
had front row seats when President George W Bush signed
that legislation into law.
Having the opportunity to observe the political process in
the United States has given all the Shantou students a unique
perspective on the democratic experience.
“When I was watching the election on TV at home I just
looked at it as two parties competing to get into power,” said
Zhang Yan. “Not until I arrived here and started reporting did I
realise how active and involved the American people are in the
political process regardless of race, age, or gender. They enjoy
SPHERE 21
participating and take it seriously because which candidate gets
elected has an impact on their future lives.”
While the Shantou students received an education in Ameri-
can politics and the passion that many have in the process, the
Utah students gained insights into Chinese culture and a deep
appreciation for the impressive work ethic of the students from
Shantou University.
“Living with the Shantou students has been one of the most
educational and fulfilling experiences of my life,” said Utah
student Christine Angstman. “They are the hardest workers I
have ever met. They are driven, determined, and will stay up all
hours of the night to perfect their articles, video and pictures.
“On the surface our cultures are very different, however at
the end of the day we are all very similar. We talk about what
girls in their young twenties talk about: our days, our lives back
home, and our dreams and aspirations.”
For those lucky enough to have been part of it, Campaign Cov-
erage ’08 was about the endowment of knowledge to students that
will remain with them as they move forward in their careers. It
also gave all involved a deep appreciation of the Li Ka Shing Foun-
dation for making this unique opportunity possible. The students
unanimously reported that the Foundation’s objective to “nurture
a culture of giving and to foster creativity, constructive engage-
ment, and sustainability through supporting empowerment fo-
cused projects,” was attained in Campaign Coverage ’08.
Reporting from the front line:
(opposite page) A demonstration
in St Paul, Minnesota. (Clockwise
from top left) Gauging the public
mood as the bears triumph
on Wall Street; children
celebrate on election night
in Grant Park, Chicago;
interviewing members of
the Chinese community.