PROGRAM PREPARES TEACHERS LiU Shichang, or Peter in America, seemed like he was an established professional to most Harding students. But yet, he was a student again. Shichang, who was assistant to the president at Otangsha University in the Hunan Province in southern China, was one of 16 students, ranging in age from 22 to 43, who came to Harding as part of the Sino-American Studies Institute, a subdivision of the American Studies Institute. All of the students pursued graduate degrees in education, and most were English teachers at Chinese universities who plaIU1ed to return to their native country once they finished the program in the summer. Officials hoped the year-long program would educate the Chinese students on how to incorporate Christian education into their teaching regiments. Milo Hadwin, lecturer in the College of Bible and Religion, said the students who studied in America would help strengthen the Chinese education system once they returned to their country. "Their teachers will be better trained, and [the scholars] will be able to do a better job of educating their people," Hadwin said. Unlike the other students, Shichang had been to the United States before. He worked as a diplomat for two years in Washington, D.C Shichang said his classes at Harding were more interactive than classes in China. He said he was looking forward to applying in China what he learned in America. "There is great potential for the development of China's higher education program," Shichang said. Complimenting Harding's students and teachers, Shichang said he enjoyed the relationships he formed in Searcy. "They are very nice to us," he said. "They invite us to every special occasion and treat us just like scholars." Shichang planned to return to China to teach administrative work and English. He also planned to get his Ph.D. All students in the program received master's degrees in the summer. -STAff REPORTS ACADEMICS - 192
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