How I Survived China's Top University as the Only American

i grew up next to the campus of Fudan university and seeing you show all those buildings that I would frequently go to play around as a child made me so nostalgic 🥲

Re-educated?!!! Muricans can not be unbrainwashed.

Your parents have NO idea where your studies and experiences will take you... even you can't make any sure predictions. All good things. I was 38 and went from New York to Beijing and started the first multinational ad agency there back in 1986.

Dislike is from CIA 🗿🗿🇨🇳🇨🇳

Well done! How interesting!

It seems that anti-China sentiment runs deep in the U.S., and I hope you can contribute to meaningful diplomacy rather than the one-sided narratives that often prevail. On a positive note, China has significantly expanded its presence in Africa, especially as many nations there distance themselves from Western influence—perhaps a sign of shifting global dynamics.

It's also worth considering that universities worldwide have varying degrees of academic freedom, influencing what can and cannot be openly discussed. Meanwhile, China’s diplomatic influence continues to grow, and its global trade networks have reduced reliance on the U.S., which now accounts for just 3% of China's GDP. In contrast, by early 2024, the U.S. had already engaged in military action in multiple countries and imposed sanctions on dozens more.

With BRICS now surpassing the G7 in economic influence, the global balance of power is shifting. Kudos to Oriental Pearl for learning Mandarin—it’s a valuable skill. For those thinking about the future, languages like Russian and Mandarin may be increasingly important, especially as Western dominance wanes, much like the Roman Empire before its decline.

get rid of the fuking background noise

Unfortunately many western foreigners in China are still exercising/ showing their white supremacy.. naturally. For example, the district I live in has a lot of those nasty whites!
In the video Pearl said "... I've really come down a lot" ..... Did I get it wrong?

It’s funny that many years ago I was the only Chinese international student attending a US university graduate seminar class taught by a Neo Marxist professor. I tried to argue against Marxist ideas and was pro free market, but my English wasn’t fluent at that time to compete with all the native speakers. Many of them were quite concerned with systemic oppression and inequality between socioeconomic classes, the typical CCP talking points. That experience was quite surreal.

Many people join CCP to advance their careers.
They don’t really believe the stuff (the official “correct” answers), instead they just keep the pretense to stay in the favorable circle of resource allocators.

You are such an amazing, brave, smart and charming young woman. I really admire your spirit and love of life. Much love and happiness to you and Tommie. You are such a lovely couple.❤❤❤❤❤❤

The kingdom of evil is best, all the way USA 🎉😂

Amazing lady. hopefully, in the future, you can use that knowledge to help other people's to understand china culture 🇨🇳 ✌️

amazing how you didnt get your organs stolen in China. Hehehehe

People like Oriental Pearl should be fast tracked on a path that leads to high level position in the State Dept but, pandemic aside, the economics has discouraged that as many young folks have discovered that even a fairly decent social media career is already more lucrative and now the political climate only encourages hucksters and yes men to join the ranks (this was true of both political parties, but now it has been cranked up to 1000). Plus currently, they are even dismantling the security that makes working for the government worthwhile.

You reveal your biases by calling the CPC the CCP, a term only used by bigots. By the way, Wikileaks revealed US government communications that indicates that there was no massacre in Tiannamen. You are a product of US propaganda, just you believe it to be the truth.

I first started business involvement in China in 1991. They have made major advances through coupling capitalism with socialist policies that benefit the population.

Very brave to study there as i know the mainstream media daily report negative stuff of China. They always scare people not to visit and even now 2025 still many people are scared based on the biased media.

Haha they probably thought "how does that make any sense" when you talked about the free market regulating.
What would be one regulation that has been made by the free market?

I think China has proved that a regulated market is better both socially and financially than an unregulated markets. Long term strategies are much better than short term gains. This is a fact proven by Japan as well through the Keiretsu system.

When you brought up the Tiananmen “incident” did it occur to you to bring up the US role in stealing from and murdering innocent Palestinians in Gaza you ignorant hypocrite?

Thank you, beautiful and insightful story. Have you also had a chance to explore their cultural side of things, other than the academic and political environments you describe here?
What I'm trying to gauge in my recent interest in the "East" is if modern Chinese society still lives in the dualism described by it's own history. In other words did you feel Confucius was still just as present as Tao in their daily reality as people and as a nation?

Not sure if it’s your nature or you purposely avoided going much into reflecting what you think between the two system’s after graduating? However you should share that because your background sounds quite uniquely qualified.

all good for the most part ty for the insight
one disappointment for me: how someone can still claim the free market wil regulate it all is beyond me. when we can see all the companies that have a monopoly or a near monopoly or simply are to big to fail, and can basically do whatever they please, unchecked.

🤣

In France, we study both Marx and Smith :)

Cool. You are an asset to the CCP in terms of hostage diplomacy. 😅

It was an interesting perspective. You and your fellow students are clearly very smart, still you are brainwashed by the system you grow up in.

not necessary right - if free market regulate Electricity/water/daily staple. during winter,summer the demand is high, the supplier should hike up the price 😆

美國需要新的觀點，也許她將來成為總統，她會了解中國想要成為世界強國的夢想與決心，就像她想瞭解美國川普總統的政策

good channel…fresh, down to earth, genuine.

I studied Chinese at Fudan in 2006 and taught English in Pudong after that, staying until the end of 2008. There were a lot of foreigners in my Chinese class, but it wasn't a degree program. I really enjoyed my time in Shanghai. They didn't have a train station at Fudan then. The closest one was at Zhangtan, and I'd take one of those small taxis. I think they put the line 10 in after I moved closer to downtown, and then there was a stop at the Wanda Plaza east of Fudan. I miss living in China a lot, but I'm going to Latin America soon instead of going back to Asia. I'll probably get back to Asia eventually.

You keep saying they're teached the same things like you aren't. Even your Tienanmen comment is the most used internet argument on the internet. In that aspects china and US is the most propagandized populace in the world.

Her mandarin is like a locals

So where did put the purple heart huh ?

China is freaking awesome, God bless this beautiful people!

Why can't we just call China's government "the government"? Why is it always "The Chinese Communist Party"? They're just kids who want to work in politics who are born in China. There's no dichotomy to uphold.

Your "free market" point stumped your classmate because he's never been exposed to American propaganda of that level. There is no free market.

You mention that you learn Marxist theory. No shit, dude, you're learning poli sci in China.

You mention that the US curriculum teaches students about capitalism. But Marxist theory also focuses on capitalism, probably even more than a US curriculum would, and more in depth.

You wanted to talk about Japan relations, but didn't mention the tens of millions of Chinese that the Japanese killed?

No offense but did you learn anything? I feel like you still view them as "Other" and are just doing oppo research.

Big trouble in Little China

"the only American" in a Top university in China????? I don't think so....Surely there are plenty of Americans from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, etc., etc.

You will never feel the way Chinese felt about Japanese! I m from south east asia! I know this feeling because of the massacre of kxll in my country in town. The history.pls don't cross the line when you and your country just know how to make use of other countries and bullies others countries and abuse others countries. Stopped being hypocrite! If China is no good just leave.😊 Don't abuse, bully and make use and throws attitude in China.😊

Gutsy move. The most important relationship in this world is between China and US. These 2 countries can solve world's problems. Both countries need each other.

Actually, yes, it is re-education. Dont sugar coat it. 😂😂

In China University , foreigners are not put to the same high standards as the PRC nationals. So you should change ‘survived’ to ‘holidaying’. In fact , foreigners face no “barriers” into getting tshinghua , Peking , Fudan or any other C9 universities.

You study international relations and yet your are here expressing China sympathizing views ?

If you are a diplomat with a cultural and historical understand of a specific country but you still belive in the rigid propaganda of your own country you are not a diplomat you are a puppet (soldier).

amazing accomplishment

CCP is anti Capitalist....LOL. I think you should go back to university and re-take many of the economy and financial classes ma'am. Let's put it this way...If China CCP is anti capitalist and why on earth they are number 2 economy in the world? The US debt is sitting on $36 trillion USD and counting. As of the end of March 2024, China's outstanding external debt, excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, was RMB 17.827 trillion (equivalent to USD 2.513 trillion). Let's not embarrass all of us in the western world on how much we spend on Medicare and Medicate versus the service that we get.

Many times I saw republican on TV has been saying that the democrats are communist. America is excellent on re-branding. The outside looks have been renovated and remodel but the inside is still conservative and close minded compare to European. China on the other hand keeps on improving and changing. How about Japan? Japan is dying in slow motion. Now Trump 2.0, it will expedite the process.

Back in the days during Nixon to Bush Jr....China and US get along just fine even Communist and democracy. All change after Obama, pivot to Asia. Obama join Trans-Pacific Partnership...in the Asian economic summit, he does want to include China in financial economic discussion among Asian countries like APEC, then come Trump trade war, export control like chips to Huawei, threating with SWIFT & decoupling, and then Biden Chip Act and backlisting Chinese companies .....The list is ON AND ON. Put yourself in their shoes....How do you feel if someone do that to you? The good thing from all of this....Chinese are more determine and focus then ever to be more powerful and self reliance.