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| Knox in Shanghai Reunion |
On March 14th, about 7073 miles (11383 km) from Knox College, a group of 6 Knox alumni, 2 prospective students, and 1 prospective parent walked into a Japanese restaurant in Shanghai, China for the first ever Shanghai Knox reunion. Out of the alumni present, 2 were from the class of 2008, 1 from 2006, 2 from 2000, and 1 from 1981. Despite the age gaps, the conversation flowed more than the sake as the alumni recounted their tales of being Knox students. Meanwhile the prospective students and the prospective mother were overloaded with an abundance of information that seemed to interest one prospective so much that she and her mother stayed later than some alumni did.
Most of the alumni that came have already been discussed in earlier blog entries (Sable Helvie and Abbie Kramer- 2008, Gina Tojo- 1981, and Lynne & David Moo- 2000). There was one new face amongst the alumni, Robin Soto (class of 2006). Up until about a month ago Robin thought she was the only Knox alumnus in Shanghai and possibly China. Knox also did not know she was there, so she did not even receive the letter announcing the Knox in China project. Then one day she was looking through the Knox Gizmogram and saw the title, “Knox in China”, and thought, “me?” She continued reading and discovered that Sable and Abbie were living and working in Suzhou, China while working on the Knox in China project. After she finished reading, she automatically sent them an email. “I just randomly read the Gizmogram and found out that there are two recent Knox graduates in China! I had no idea.... Suzhou is so close, we are practically neighbors!”
The conversation at the Japanese restaurant started with tales of studying abroad, of going for coffee with interesting professors, and, of course, of the legendary Flunk Day. The nostalgic alumni painted a vivid picture of their old lives as college students as well as the college that they still consider a home. Though many minor details change between the pictures (the mascot, the professors, etc.), the same themes still managed to appear: intellectual freedom, academic flexibility, a strong community, and the encouragement necessary for personal growth long after graduation.
Then the conversation shifted to the struggles of being a foreigner living and working in China. Advice as well as business cards were exchanged as much needed connections in a world so far away from the known and familiar were forged. In a way living here is much like going to college all over again. One has to readjust to new ways and new perspectives while learning to fend for one's self in a new environment. In such a case, it's only natural to seek out connections that share a common link. Forging a community here in China is becoming more and more important, not only for the alumni here, but also for the campus back in Galesburg. Every year Knox is becoming more and more tied to this country as the Chinese student population and the interest in Asian Studies increases. As these students graduate, the alumni community in China will be extremely beneficial.
According to Robin, there are rumors of another Knox alumnus from her class in Shanghai, but she has no idea of how to get in touch with him. The biggest question, however, is what happened to all the Chinese Knox alumni? Please help us reconnect these people to our community!
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