by Bridget M. Rohrer
Staff Writer
Dr. John Jang, professor of history and government, who has been at the University of La Verne since 1969, is a believer in international exchange programs and feels that it is important for people to understand other cultures.
“It has always been my philosophy that we have much to learn about other cultures,” said Dr. Jang. “I believe that many people are being convinced that it is important to learn about other people and places to be more effective in their careers.”
The Asian semester program started in 1984. When the interest is there, Jang takes six to 10 students for a semester and introduces them to the Asian culture. For five weeks, the students attend a university and take classes in Chinese Language and culture, brushpainting and calligraphy, Modernization of Asia, Reforms in China, Asian Americans and Martial Arts.
They spend two weeks touring China, visiting such cities as Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Hangzhou and Guangzhou (Canton). Ten days are spent with the students visiting Southeast Asia.
Dr. Jang points out that Americans have always been interested in the European culture because that is what the history books teach but, it is also important, he notes, to learn about the Asian culture because they are the United States’ largest trading partner in the world.
“Since World War II, Asia is the most important area for the U.S. to concentrate on because of our trading,” said Dr. Jang. “By the year 2020, all tariffs will be done away with.”
Dr. Jang believes that students can benefit from learning more about the Asian culture because the Asian influence is great in this country. With the way history is taught now, students only learn Asian history in passing. However, with a semester in Asia, students obtain a much more detailed history.
”I’m not faulting the educators, but before World War II, the Americans were not interested in Asia,” said Dr. Jang.
“Only recently have students begun to understand the differences in the Asian culture and the fact that a number of people in America have a history concerning Asia.”
Several students, since they have visited Asia through the University of La Verne, have gone to work there. One student now works for CNBC in Hong Kong.
“We enjoy taking students that are interested in learning and using what they learn,” said Dr. Jang. “We want students that are at least sophomores because in most instances, freshman are not mature enough and are adapting to a number of things when they first start their college career. There are exceptions, nonetheless.”
Dr. Jang encourages students to get involved at school in a number of ways and feels that there are programs that are of great benefit to them, such as the Asian Study Program. The next group leaves in February. Interested students can contact Dr. Jang.
