Members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams enjoyed a trip of a lifetime, May 16-26, as they traveled to the Far East as part of the $1.9 million grant from the Freeman Foundation. The grant, awarded to Wittenberg earlier this year, supports the university’s prestigious East Asian Studies (EAS) program.

During the 11-day tour, students had the opportunity to explore new cultures and see the beauty of China. Stanley Mickel, professor of languages and tour organizer, decided to have the group visit parts of the country that would show them contrasting features of modern and traditional China. For example, they visited the cities of Shanghai, Guilin, Xian and Beijing. Shanghai and Guilin are in Southern China where rice is the traditional staple food, while Xian and Beijing are in northern China where wheat, and to a lesser degree, millet are the traditional staples. Shanghai is a financial and industrial center, while Guilin is the tourist center and is famous for its natural beauty.

“I wanted the students to experience as much of real China as they could in the 11 days of the tour, so I arranged for us to stay in Chinese-run hotels in all four cities, rather than stay in Westernized hotels such as a Sheraton,” Mickel said. “They also had the chance to discover the shops and attractions in the neighborhoods around the hotels.”

“One cannot genuinely understand nor appreciate America without allowing themselves to be subject to such a different culture,” added Paul Redman, a sophomore from Huber Heights, Ohio. “The most important thing I learned while visiting China is to appreciate our true freedom in society.”

B.J. Harris ’03, from Riverside, Ohio, spoke of being awed by the Great Wall of China and how photos just don’t do it justice. The large apartment complexes, instead of houses also, made an impression on him.

“The Chinese dress up and always look nice,” he said. “We even saw a man come out of a shack, and we were surprised to see him wearing a nice business suit,” he added. “The people were so respectful and polite, and it really made a good impression on us. It definitely opened my eyes.”

Mickel explained that the Freeman Advisory Committee at Wittenberg decided the first group of students to travel to China should be a group that was already cohesive and used to working together, so a sports team seemed ideal. Because the basketball teams were chosen, two sets of games were played in Shanghai and Beijing during the trip.

The Tigers won both games against the Shanghai College of Physical Education and the Beijing Physical Education University, establishing a stellar record overseas. Before the games, the Tigers exchanged gifts with the Chinese, so shirts, key chains and bumper stickers sporting the Wittenberg logo are now in Beijing and Shanghai. The Tiger men also scored a banner from the Beijing team.

“Playing against the women in Beijing was like playing against guys in that they were very athletic, and the game got very physical. We beat them by just two points, 63-61,” said Katie Rolf, a senior from Ft. Wayne, Ind. “The atmosphere was quite different than what we’re used to because the gyms were small, and there were no bleachers, so the fans stood around the sides of the court. The Chinese loved it when the boys dunked the ball.

“I must say that I’ve realized what an awesome place America is, and I feel extremely blessed to have been born here,” Rolf added. “I think this trip helped me realize we need to be more aware of common routines that we take for granted here in the United States.”