Global Power Struggles

Two news stories grabbed my attention over the last few days.  In my opinion both are indicative of a where we are with globalisation and the shifting powerbases of the global economy.  First, Apple apologised for the perception that they showed arrogance to their Chinese customers.  Secondly, The Indian Government refused to extend the patent of a cancer drug made by Swiss Pharmaceutical giant, Novartis.

Record low birth rates in South Korean: Is higher education really to blame?

Does good education lead to low birth rates? If you are a young, thirty-something, childless couple, you will have probably spent a lot of Christmas fending off questions about the arrival of ‘the first little one.’ This can be very irritating. If you are a South Korean couple these questions may have been particularly annoying. Birth rates have fallen to an all-time low. A recent article says that the quality of their higher education is to blame.

STUDY ABROAD / INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE : City University of Hong Kong

Pascal Masapollo, a graduate management student from Grenoble EM, talks about his experience at City University of Hong Kong.

   

Hong Kong is a city where all your dream become reality ! It is not just about buildings and noodles but also about amazing landscapes, people, and cultural experiences ! The City University of Hong Kong offers amazing facilities (even a swimming pool!). Everything is made so that you can enjoy your time like never before…   So you’d better not forget your camera !!

    

Text and photo by Pascal Masapollo

 

STUDY ABROAD / INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE : China, Guangzhou

Foucauld Watine, a graduate management student from Grenoble EM, talks about his experiences at Sun Yat-Sen Business School.

If you can seize the opportunity of an exchange program – do it! I experienced Guangzhou but I am not sure everybody enjoys this city. I am far from saying it’s beautiful, no, but it’s highly instructive. Guangdong Capital, located on the shores of the Pearl River delta, is the cradle of world´ manufacturing. Therefore this place grabs attention of anybody who wants to benefit from its infinite supply capacities.  The fascinatingly complex Chinese culture is mixed with Cantonese culture but it doesn’t get the things more difficult than anywhere else in China – it hardly can!

  
Photos and text by Foucauld Watine
  

Censorship: The Berlin Wall and the Great Firewall of China

If you are reading this before the 18th October, you have a privilege that I do not have. I am currently in Beijing and my blog is censored by the Chinese government. I am free to write this article, send it back to France and ask a colleague to post it up for me. (Many thanks for that.) However, I cannot read what I have written on my own blog.

OK, OK, I can hear you. Considering the reading of my blog as being a “privilege” is pushing things a little bit, but that is just the point, isn’t it? Why anyone would consider it to be sufficiently important to censor is quite beyond me. China is a country that I love visiting and after many years of coming here I have many good friends. I have only written two articles specifically on China and they just deal with education and the new generation of students. So why bother blocking it?

 

The Chinese National Holiday: Celebrating the changing generations

Today is the Chinese National Holiday and a time for young and old to celebrate. Everyone knows just how quickly the country has changed in the past few decades. But just how different are young Chinese students today compared to their parents? 

STUDY ABROAD / INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE : Singapore

Jessica Grenat, a graduate management student from Grenoble EM, talks about her experiences at Singapore Management University.

With a thriving environment, Singapore is an amazing experience to live, willing to preserve its traditions in an advanced society! Symbolizing the Asian golden coast by excellence, it is quite Americanized, focusing on shopping, but also impressively developed in terms of growing companies and infrastructures. And, at the same time, Singapore is alive keeping a deep Asian culture celebrating each tradition and religious event in the streets.

   

Photos and text by Jessica Grenat