GCI In-Depth Exploration Journey of Chinese Economy and Art: Field Research Concludes Successfully
The eight-person team of GCI In-Depth Exploration Journey of Chinese Economy and Art successfully completed their field research in China and returned to the Netherlands on October 15, 2024. The activity was organized and hosted by the Groningen Confucius Institute (GCI) in the Netherlands. The exploration team was personally led by Ms. Cao Xuefei Knoester-Cao, the Dutch Director of GCI, alongside project manager Ha Shu, GCI’s office manager Annemarij van der Ploeg, and independent filmmaker and group photographer Kevin.
Meet the Team
The four explorers—Sjoukje, Nicholas, Steven, and Alexander—hail from different cities in the Netherlands and work in diverse professions. After several rounds of selection, they stood out from over 50 applicants thanks to their rich personal experiences, deep cultural enthusiasm, exceptional communication skills, insightful research questions, and meticulous research plans. Together, they formed a diverse yet harmonious team for the research.
Members of the field research team meeting with GCI team
members at Schiphol Airport, Netherlands (Photo by Kevin)
Cultural Immersion and Research at the Heart of GCI’s Chinese Journey
Over the course of a week, the team visited a wide array of locations across Shanghai and Shenzhen. These included museums, parks, a classical Chinese garden, skyscrapers, an ancient town, the Dafen Oil Painting Village, and a medical instrument fair. They also engaged with a university, a consulate, and an international chamber of commerce. To immerse themselves in the local culture, they experienced karaoke, traditional Chinese attire, outdoor hotpot, Yunnan cuisine, and even drone-delivered drinks. Through firsthand observation, personal participation, and direct conversations, they sought answers to their individual research questions.
The exploration team visited the College of Design and Innovation,
Tongji University, Shanghai (Photo courtesy of Steven)
The exploration team posed for a group photo after touring
Shanghai Century Park (Photo courtesy of Sjoukje)
The exploration team experienced traditional Chinese clothing culture
(Photo courtesy of Kevin)
The exploration team posed for a group photo after visiting
the Shenzhen Urban Planning Exhibition Hall (Photographed by Kevin)
Members of the exploration team attended the Shenzhen
International Medical Instrument Fair (Photo courtesy of Ha Shu)
A drone delivering beverages to the order point where the
exploration team members are located (Photo courtesy of Nicholas)
Hands-On Observations and Firsthand Experiences
Over the course of seven packed days in China, the research team appeared to set aside the challenges of jet lag, immersing themselves in close observations, hands-on experiences, and in-depth reflections on China’s economy, arts, and urban planning. Currently, they are in the process of drafting their respective research reports. Additionally, a short video documenting their journey is in production.
Inspired by 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'
The project drew its initial inspiration from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) by American author Lyman Frank Baum. In the story, four protagonists embark on a journey to fulfill their individual aspirations. Inspired by this concept, the program took an unconventional approach: instead of finalizing the itinerary before recruiting participants, prospective members were first invited to propose their own research questions. From there, destinations were chosen, and the itinerary was tailored accordingly. GCI’s planning team further supported participants by refining the research plans as needed.-
This bold experiment marks a departure from GCI’s traditional cultural exchange formats, showcasing its commitment to innovation. Thus far, the program has progressed smoothly, with each stage offering its own unique surprises. The initiative is poised to yield constructive outcomes and will likely serve as a valuable model for future cultural exchange programs at GCI.