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daily nebraskan Wednesday, September 20, 1978
Counselor finds Chinese gracious
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The Republic of China is far from UNL if miles are the
only measure of space. But if the distance is gaged in
friendship and understanding, it can shorten considerably.
Peter Levitov, UNL's coordinator of international
educational services, traveled that distance recently as a
guest of the Republic of China's government.
He was one of 10 people from throughout the United
States chosen to make the official visit.
Levitov, who includes about 75 Chinese from Taiwan
among the foreign students counseled by those in his
office, was invited because of the Chinese government's
gratitude for his past work and because of its hope that he
and the Chinese students might benefit from his learning
more about the educational, economic and social condi
tions of Taiwan.
"I think the principal professional benefit of the trip
to me, to this office and to the university is the fact that
theChinese students may now feel more comfortable
about coming in, knowing that someone here knows more
about their heritage and may lend a more sympathetic ear
to their problems," Levitov said.
Trip provides experience
Acknowledging that the trip can provide him with only
a limited common experience with the students, he adds,
"I don't pretend to be a great expert after several weeks,
but at least I know a little more than I did."
Levitov says he finds many of the differences between
Chinese and American culture intangible, but he hopes
that by having observed the Chinese way of life, family
structure, communications and transportation is will be
able to better understand and help Chinese students.
He already has made efforts to share his knowledge with
others on campus.
Although they were invited primarily to learn about
the educational system of the country the 10 visitors also
saw sights which gave them a cultural and governmental
view of the islands which compose the Republic of China.
They visited such places as the National Institute of
Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of
Justice's Bureau of Investigation, the world's newest ship
building company, capable of building some of the
world's largest ships, the National Palace Museum and the
China arts factory.
People were gracious
"Every place we went we were always served tea, and
encouraged to relax. The people were very gracious; it
was much more informal than I had expected," Levitov
said.
He adds that for him the highlight of the trip was meet
ing students who planned to attend UNL.
"About a week before we arrived on Taiwan articles
appeared in Chinese newspapers saying that we'd be there
and that students who would be attending the univer
sities we represented could come meet with us."
About 10 students came to meet with Levitov, and he
said they were pleased to be able to ask questions and
hear about the school.
The Republic of China places a heavy emphasis on
education, Levitov said. Recently compulsory education
increased from six to nine years. The number of students,
schools and teachers has increased, while the teacher
pupil e ratio has dropped.
Students are briefed
Only graduate students receive passports to study out
side the Republic of China because the Chinese feel they
have adequate facilities for student's first degrees, Levitov
said. Before students can continue their studies they serve
two years in the military. Republic of China students
coming to the U.S. usually are 25 or older before they
continue in graduate school.
Because of the Republic of China's great concern with
the threat from the mainland, a precondition for students
applying for passports to study elsewhere is that they
must attend a briefing session, Levitov said. At that
session they are warned not to be persuaded by the argu
ments of people with leanings toward the People's Re
public of China on the mainland, and they are told to let
the concern their country feels about communism be
known.
One thing Levitov enjoyed during his visit was the evi
dence of the Chinese reverence for age. He cited two older
men they visited, one of whom, in his 70s, was president
of the National Taiwan University.
People revere age
"He was an alert and active man and it was a pleasure
to be with him," Levitov said. "It's heartening to see
someone in his 70s in such a responsible position."
He adds that another sign of the reverence those in the
Republic of China have for age is seen in the ways old
people are encouraged to stay healthy.
"It is the custom for the aged there to go to parks early
in the morning where they do body movement exercises
in groups. They get to see their friends, they retain their
physical strength, and they go home about 7:30 ajii.
before it gets too hot. At home they're cared for in some
thing of an extended family situation," where several
generations live together.
Country of Contrasts
To Levitov, the Republic of China was a country of
contrasts. "In the city ofTaipei you can see a 15 story
building and five blocks away a rice paddy," he says.
"Every available inch of space in the country is used.
They have tremendous industry-it's a very commercial
ized, industrialized area and the Chinese have been known
as merchants all through history-and there are more
taxis per square inch than any place in the U.S., except
maybe Washington.
"Unemployment is very low there," he continues,
"People are not starving in Taiwan, although they lead
different lifestyles than we do here and may make do with
simpler things."
After the 10 days spent in the Republic of China
Levitov flew to the Philippines where he met with several
UNL alumni from that country. He said that all are doing
well in their professions, and that he thinks it is good for
the university to know how far away its influence is felt.
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