{"id":5468,"date":"2021-01-29T15:32:19","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T15:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.luksicscholars.org\/?post_type=ls-admin-announce&p=5468"},"modified":"2021-01-29T15:59:49","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T15:59:49","slug":"what-is-it-like-visiting-chile-from-mainland-china","status":"publish","type":"ls-admin-announce","link":"https:\/\/luksicscholars.org\/en\/admin-announcement\/what-is-it-like-visiting-chile-from-mainland-china\/","title":{"rendered":"What is it like visiting Chile from mainland China?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This month\u2019s Featured Scholar is Chengyao Gong, or Justin! Justin traveled from China to Chile for the first time in 2019 through the Chile-China Luksic Scholars exchange program and he describes what his experience was like, from taking Zumba and salsa classes, to touring the vineyards, and immersing himself in Chilean culture. He even provides us with his favorite wine recommendation. Scroll to the \u201cWine\u201d section to find out!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Name<\/strong>: Chengyao (Justin) Gong.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are you from?<\/strong> Beijing, China. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did you study?<\/strong> I received an MBA from Peking University. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you do?<\/strong> I work for Ultra Power China – a high-tech company that focuses on 5G, AI, and IoT (Internet of things).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Luksic Scholars program did you complete?<\/strong> I completed the Luksic Scholarship for Chile-China Undergraduate Exchange<\/a> in 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without the Luksic Scholars program, I never would have gotten the chance to visit this beautiful country and get to know its people, its culture, its amazing landscape, and its tasty wine! <\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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International Day at Universidad de Chile in Santiago. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cHola amigos! Mi nombre es Chengyao Gong, o puedes llamarme Justin! Hi friends, my name is Chengyao Gong, or you can call me Justin! I currently work for Ultra Power China – a high-tech company that focuses on 5G, AI, and IoT (Internet of things). Two years ago, thanks to the Luksic Scholars Foundation\u2019s program, I received an opportunity (PKU-UCH exchange program) to study in Chile for an entire semester. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until now, I still remember the day when my friend curiously asked me, \u201cwhy Chile? Why not the US or the UK?\u201d. I replied, \u201cbecause the pronunciation of \u2018Chile\u2019 (\u667a\u5229) in Chinese is the same as \u2018intelligence\u2019(\u667a\u529b), and I was hoping to become smarter!\u201d<\/strong>. Kidding, this is only a joke :P. China is strikingly far from Chile, requiring 30+ hours by flight, and although the internet has now bridged many worlds, South-America was still an unknown region for me. Without the Luksic Scholars program, I never would have gotten the chance to visit this beautiful country and get to know its people, its culture, its amazing landscape, and its tasty wine! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PEOPLE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

UCH provided a buddy program or system to help exchange students transition to their new environment. My buddies Jos\u00e9 and Isaac showed me valuable friendships, and Mar\u00eda, the owner of the house, patiently taught me Spanish and even cooked local cuisines; she truly made me feel at home. Even strangers showed me their hospitality. For example, when I couldn\u2019t find my way somewhere, bystanders would choose to walk me to my destination without any hesitation. The people I met in Chile were beyond kind!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As a huge wine-lover, and with previous experience working in the wine industry, I also had a personal interest in attending this program – that was to visit Chilean vineyards. Thanks to Jeff – the Executive Director of the Luksic Scholars Foundation – he arranged a unique and unforgettable visit to the vineyard Tarapaca. I was even able to talk to the manager, and in doing so, received a more holistic and concrete understanding of Chilean wine. I wouldn\u2019t have acquired so much practical and infield information without actually being there. By the way, “Azul” was my favorite of all the wines we tasted.<\/strong> It was high in quality, full-bodied, fresh black fruit flavors, and had just the right level of tannins. I would recommend every one who reads this article to try it; you have my word that you won\u2019t regret it!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wine tasting class at the Chinese Culture Center in Santiago, Chile.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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CULTURE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I also participated in many cultural activities while in Chile, such as Zumba and Salsa classes. These experiences allowed me to take a glance and understand Chilean culture. Meanwhile, as the only student from mainland China, I ended up organizing an activity to introduce the Chinese culture and language to my fellow students, and to my surprise, many came to listen and they all showed a great interest in China. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the most invaluable part of the Luksic Scholars exchange program – that beyond geographical distance, beyond language barriers, beyond social differences – the program offered us a lifetime opportunity to see and experience the real world.<\/strong> Not one that media or fiction comes up with, filtered, or rebuilt under a certain ideology or perspective, but one by which we can define ourselves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was the most invaluable part of the Luksic Scholars exchange program – that beyond geographical distance, beyond language barriers, beyond social differences – the program offered us a lifetime opportunity to see and experience the real world.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Luksic Scholars community to me is a big warm family, we can reach out to friends all over the world. I am very glad to be a part of it! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I conclude, if anyone is interested in my industry (5G, AI, IoT), please feel free to contact me. And if anyone happens to drop by Beijing, I\u2019d be happy to give some advice or recommendations. :)\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FUN FACTS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n