Some UIC students got a taste of the U.S. presidential election thanks to the American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham SC)
On November 7, while it was still the election night in America, 9 UIC students attended the 2012 American Chamber Presidential Election Party in Guangzhou.
AmCham SC organised the party so that people can track the results of the election together. The party-goers came from various fields including entrepreneurs and students from China and other countries.
Welcomed by Harley Seyedin, President of the AmCham SC. Consul General of the U.S Consulate General in Guangzhou, Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, gave a speech to the audience. Ms. Galt emphasised the importance of the right to vote and the General Election, and thanked AmCham SC for allowing those Americans who live in China to be able to wield their rights.
UIC’s Project Manager of the Four Points Education Coordination Office, Gifford Searls (left), explains the structure of the U.S. Presidential Election to students.
Students and the rest of the audience watched the American news coverage of the incumbent President Barack Obama, who beat his Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Many supporters applauded for Mr. Obama’s re-election victory.
UIC student interviewing Jennifer Zimdahl Galt (left), Consul General Consulate General of the United States of America Guangzhou, and Harley Seyedin (middle), President of American Chamber of Commerce in South China and Vice Chairman of Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce
UIC students got the opportunity to interview Ms. Galt and Mr. Seyedin. Ms. Galt believed that the American policies towards China would not change much after the election. “China and America cooperate in every issue, and the cooperation will become broader and deeper.” Ms. Galt said.
When being asked about the educational exchange, the Consul General thought that the exchange between two the countries will continue and she is pleased about it.
Mr. Seyedin also talked about the impact on business and trade after the result of Mr. Obama’s re-election. He reckoned that the trend will be the continuing expansion of bilateral business and investments. UIC students regarded the evening as a memorable experience.
Fourth-year student Nika from the Government and International Relations Programme (GIR) said the party was her first experience to feel the real atmosphere of the U.S. general election, such an experience to “cohesively connect to what we have learned in class”.
GIR first year student, Alea M. Gardner, is an American who has studied in China for three years. She was excited at the event and she felt so close to home because so many people gathered there for the same reason-the election, even though she lives so far away from America.
Reporter: Yihan Xu
Photographer: Niki Cheung
Editor: Sze Ying Cheong, Mike Igoe
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC and IJ Programme)
