After the tour we entered the hall of champions, where friendship matches with students from Fudan University and Shanghai University of Sports were scheduled. Unlike our match at Tsinghua University, I had met my doubles partner the previous day at the UVA Club of Shanghai reception where we drew the order of matches for today.
My partner Xinran Feng from Fudan University and I continued our conversation from the previous day to learn more about each other and how university life was alike and different for the both of us. Being able to speak mandarin definitely helped me communicate a lot smoother, although we also spoke in English to help improve her English skills.
I also learned from her that unlike us, the session is still ongoing for the students and they are in the finals week. I had always assumed students in China follow a similar schedule like us in the United States, and was surprised to learn that she was still in school, and break wouldn’t start for a little while.
Ping Pong with Friends from Fudan University and Shanghai University of Sports
Ping Pong with Friends from Fudan University and Shanghai University of Sports
oday was our highly anticipated first full day in Shanghai. Immediately after breakfast, we left for the International Table Tennis Federation’s table tennis museum where we learned more about the history of table tennis, from its origins in England, to its current status as a truly global sport. The highlight of the tour was seeing all of the major trophies in table tennis. These trophies are the dream goals of every table tennis player and seeing them in person was such a treat.
As the matches started, we immediately connected as table tennis players in addition to our shared role as students. I have primarily been a singles player my entire life, and playing doubles today proved challenging. We had to establish hand signals to better communicate with each other and strategize between points.
The matches ended and several national and international champions were there to hand out awards. Zhang Yining, often called GOAT of women’s table tennis handed out awards to the winners and Wang Liqin and Yan Sen played tennis with the winners.
After the matches, we ate a group lunch with the other students, and I was able to talk with students from both Fudan and Shanghai University of Sports. It was interesting to hear about the differences between the two schools. I learned that you can major in table tennis at the Shanghai University of Sports!
After lunch, we left for a for Shanghai Institute for International Studies for a class on differences in US and China world views. There, UVA professor Harry Harding, UVA professor emeritus Bruce Reynolds, and Chairman Yang of SIIS led an informative session. My key takeaway was how far we have come in our mutual understanding of our cultural differences and differences in world views.
We ended our night with a visit to a local Yunnan restaurant. I had never tried Yunnan food before, and I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the dishes. I particularly enjoyed the lamb and cauliflower dish. Overall, I would say my first experience with Yunnan cuisine was extremely positive and I will certainly go looking for it when I am back in Charlottesville.
-- Allan Cheng
