Political science major studies abroad in China, encourages students to do the same

By Maureen Kolodziej
Collegian Editor
September 20, 2006

Senior Luke Bollerman took a direct flight from Newark, and flew over the North Pole in order to reach China, his study abroad destination. Eighteen long hours later, Bollerman was ready to experience more than just the infamous Chinese food.

Luke Bollerman always wanted to study abroad. He spent five-and-a-half weeks in
China taking finace and business classes. - Courtesy of Luke Bollerman

Bollerman says he always wanted to study abroad. Although La Salle didn’t offer a trip to China, he was able to look online at schools that did. He applied through Syracuse University. Being a political science major, he spent five-and-a-half weeks in China taking finance and business classes. The first week Bollerman spent by himself in Hong and the remaining four-and-a -half weeks he in Shang Hai.

The amount of time he spent in class somewhat parallels the time students in the United States spend in class. His classes consisted of two, three-hour classes a day, totaling six hours a day. He spent his weekends touring factories of all kinds: clothing, wireless technology and pen.

However, it was outside the classroom and with the help of his professor, Chung Chen, that Bollerman really learned what China was like.

Although he felt almost everything he had seen and did was important, one of his biggest fascinations came from seeing people work on huge buildings. He said that after Hurricane Katrina, nails and screws were in high demand, and building has become a 1.8 million dollar a year business.

“Being in China really made me see all that we take for granted in the United States,” he said.

He found it fascinating to see items that said made in China, while he was there. He was so used to glancing over tags in the United States and thinking nothing of it when the label read, “made in China.” After being in China, he appreciates the value of that tag much more now.

Other facts and items about China that Bolleman finds wild include the chance to eat turtle and donkey. He said Pizza Hut is the only relative Italian food they have in China.

“It’s considered a classy food place,” he said.

It was Chen, however, who guided Bollerman with his expertise outside of the classroom.

“He [Chen] made us do things to really immerse ourselves in the culture. He even made us open up our own bank account in China.”

However, it wasn’t always easy for Bollerman. When arriving in Hong Kong, there were more business people, so it was easier for outsiders to blend in the atmosphere.

“It was like a safe haven,” Bollerman said.

After stepping into Shang Hai though, Bollerman felt much more intimidated. Although he knows some Chinese and could get by on it, he found communicating to be very frustrating. He felt that some people were frustrated when responding to him as well.

“On a whole though, they [the Chinese Natives] were enthusiastic to meet people who have been around. In particular, they liked the fact that I have been to places like New York,” Bollerman said.

Another difficulty for Bollerman was standing out. He recalls people being fascinated with his clothing, and both men and women wanting to take pictures with him.

“I stuck out like a sore thumb,” he said.

Still, clothing wasn’t the only difference in culture that he noticed. He found that tone means a lot to the Chinese.

According to Bollerman, another difference is their manners. Bollerman says the Chinese spit and belch while at the dinner table.

Bollerman is very excited to go back to China again soon and hopes to return this spring. He encourages people to study abroad any chance they can get.

“It really enhances your education,” he said.

kolodziejm1@lasalle.edu