Summary

The web content describes a vivid morning scene at Renmin University in China, detailing the activities of students and local citizens, and provides an overview of the university's dormitory facilities, emphasizing the cultural and communal aspects of life on campus.

Abstract

The article paints a picture of the lively atmosphere at Renmin University, highlighting the public space that becomes animated each morning with students and citizens. It captures the essence of the university's name, which translates to "the people," by illustrating the diverse activities taking place, such as a man in his 30s confidently practicing English in public and elderly citizens engaging in square dancing. The narrative also touches on the university's strong relationship with Korea University, as evidenced by the provision of single rooms in the Korea University Hall for visiting students. The dormitory is described as luxurious and hotel-like, complete with modern amenities including laundry facilities, a kitchen, and private bathrooms. The piece concludes with practical information about internet usage and costs at the university.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for the confidence displayed by a man publicly practicing English, suggesting it challenges the author's own self-consciousness.
There is a sense of surprise and reflection on personal inhibitions when comparing oneself to the boldness of the public English practice.
The author finds the integration of the local community within the university grounds refreshing and impressive, setting Renmin University apart from more typical student-centric campuses.
The piece conveys satisfaction with the new dormitory accommodations, noting the luxury of having a single room with private facilities, which is a contrast to the communal living often associated with university housing.
The author seems to appreciate the cultural experience of witnessing square dancing, a popular activity among middle-aged and retired women in China, indicating its significance as a communal exercise routine.

LIFE/TRAVEL/LANGUAGE

Morning of Renmin University

Journey back to 2013 in China

Morning of Renmin — Image created by ChatGPT

From Renmin University, the word “Renmin” translates to “the people”.

Much like the name of the university suggests, the mornings here become a public space bustling with students heading to classes and diligent citizens, creating a fascinating scene.

One particularly impressive citizen, who appeared to be in his 30s, caught my attention: he was holding an English book in his right hand and wearing a headset, reading out English words loudly, one by one. Personally, I would have felt embarrassed to do such a thing in public. Yet, he seemed not to care about his surroundings. Some people might say he was inconsiderate, but this encounter was somewhat shocking to me and made me reflect on myself. Perhaps I’m overly concerned with others’ perceptions of me.

Meanwhile, older adults can be seen performing dance moves, holding fans in their hands, to the tune of Chinese songs.

A Little bit of Square Dance

In the People’s Republic of China, square dancing or plaza dancing is an exercise routine performed to music in squares, plazas or parks of the nation’s cities. It is popular with middle-aged and retired women who have been referred to as “dancing grannies” in the English-language media. Due to its low cost and ease of participation, it has been estimated to have over 100 million practitioners, according to CCTV, the country’s official television network.

The university’s sports field is alive with numerous citizens walking or jogging.

Citizens walking or jogging in sports field— Image created by ChatGPT

In front of the Mingde Building’s spacious square, groups of children, seemingly around five years old, appear to be preparing for some performance or dance.

Unlike typical universities primarily filled with students, Renmin University stands out for its lively integration with the local community, offering a fresh and impressive atmosphere.

July 30, 2013,

To strengthen the bond between Korea University and Renmin University, Renmin University has arranged for us to have single rooms. After our classes, we headed straight to our dormitory, picked up our packed belongings, and moved to the new dormitory called “Korea University Hall.”

I was assigned to room 711.

The building’s exterior was impressive, but its interior felt almost hotel-like.

There were laundry facilities and a kitchen. The laundry room used a rechargeable card system (buying a 40 yuan(5.5USD) card with 10 yuan as a deposit and 30 yuan for laundry fees, costing 3 yuan per wash).

Kitchen and Laundry Room and its usage — Credit : Author

I was quite satisfied with the new dormitory. Having a single room with a private bathroom was a luxury, and there was even a TV.

The internet at Renmin University comes with a 10GB allowance for which they charge 20 yuan(2.7USD). Considering an average daily usage of 100MB, it’s quite a generous amount.

Moving the luggage and settling in was exhausting.

Reference

China Square Dance : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_dancing_%28China%29