Training Freshmen

This week, a new group of freshman arrived on campus. In America, this would be visible via orientation groups, move-in procedures, and increased number of lost students. While the prior two qualities were notable, the arrival of the freshman was extremely apparant for a third reason: a week of mandatory military training.

The campuses' public spaces were littered with teams of students partaking in basic military training. I was suprised that the training is primarily limited to basic drills (turn right, turn left, squat, stand at attention, march, etc.)  and yelling. All of this was conducted in uniform so the freshman are easily identifiable for their first week on campus.

Being the inquisitive soul I am, I asked several of my Chinese acquantances if they got to learn anything interesting during the week. All responded that the week was very boring and all they recalled was constantly standing and sitting. I had hoped that the week may involve firearm or other training but given the short timespan, I imagine it would be difficult to offer anything but the most basic primer on any topic. The concencus is that the training is to condition the students to be prepared (after a summer of fun) to again be obediant in class and follow rules.

On a fun note, the structure of the week allowed me to enjoy the festivities at my leisure. That included distracting four sections of students by standing on a skybridge and taking some video (I should emphasize here that my appearance/blonde hair distracted them, nothing else). Of course, the usual suprised statements and looks spiked this week with the new incoming class and everyone has been very friendly. I had hoped to perhaps get a picture with a group of students in their army uniforms. But I missed the opportunity so I will have to wait until the next time new students come to campus.

For your viewing pleasure, some photographs taken from an unfinished balcony and a video from the skybridge.

 

Edit: I will upload the video tonight so you can expect to see it on site tomorrow. Also, next week is a vacation week due to the National Day. I will be doing some fun things so expect to see an awesome Friday post and possibly an extra post sometime during the week.