July 2009-October 2009 - CLEA Intensive Chinese Study in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
October 2009-August 2010 - Fulbright Research in Kunming, Yunnan, China
So, after nearly 7 months of waiting, I received word last week that I have been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to China, as well as a Critical Language Enhancement Award to study Mandarin intensively for an additional three months before beginning my research. I began preparing my Fulbright application in February 2008, so I'm very glad the months of working, rewriting my proposal, and waiting paid off in the end. I have proposed to do a cross-generational linguistic study of a set of minority languages, called Yi, in and around [[Kunming]] in South-West China (the red marker on the map below) in order to see how China's development is affecting its minority languages. I will be affiliated with the Yunnan Nationalities University in Kunming, and will audit a Chinese linguistics class there in addition to carrying out my own research.
Kunming is a vibrant city with over 6 million people. It is a sister city with Denver, CO, and at an elevation of 1,892 meters above sea level, it is almost 300 meters higher. Kunming has a long history, and has been influenced by many of the minority ethnic groups who live there and many of the nations with which it has had contact. Kunming is often called the City of Eternal Spring, because of its year-round temperate climate. Palm-lined streets and blossoming gardens can be found year-round, and French bakeries are common in the downtown area (a remnant of the influences of French Indochina in the 19th century). It is a largely industrial city, and is China's trade and transport hub with the rest of South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Kunming has land connections (land or road) with Vietnam, Burma, and Laos, and is currently in talks with Bangladesh and India to begin construction on new rail connections. What's more, Kunming is one of China the top golfing cities in China (as well as the mini-golf center of China--soon hosting the international 2009 China Open Mini Golf Tournament). (To see a really over-emotional and somewhat corny tourist video about Kunming, here's Part 1 and Part 2 on YouTube. Here's also a shorter tourist commercial/music video with some cool shots of Kunming.)
Prior to beginning my research in Kunming, however, I will be using the Critical Language Enhancement Award to take part in the CET Fulbright Summer Chinese Language Program in [[Harbin]], China (the blue marker on the map below) at the Harbin Institute of Technology. Harbin is a located in Heilongjiang Province in North East China, south of Russian Siberia and east of Mongolia. As a critical city in the area formerly known as Manchuria, Harbin has had much influence from Russia over the years, and still maintains that influence in its architecture and smattering of Russian restaurants. Harbin is also one of the coldest places in Asia, with temperatures sometimes reaching below -40 degrees in the winter (at -40, it doesn't matter if you're using F or C!). Surprisingly, the winter is also the busiest tourism season in Harbin, as it hosts the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I will be there from July through the end of October, missing most of the cold winter months. There is also a history of jews living in Harbin due to its proximity to Russia. (Here's a short video about Harbin and Heilongjiang for an international winter sporting event--only watch the first 4 minutes.)
I will definitely try to keep up with this site again throughout my time abroad, so check back for further posts and information!
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