Teaching in Shanghai

The School of Accounting, Financial Services and Law have continued to develop teaching links with overseas universities. In September 2012 Rachel Holmes, Lecturer in Accounting, visited the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade (SHIFT) to teach accounting to marketing and finance students. 
‘The experience was intense with full teaching on all days’ said Rachel. 
‘But the students were excellent, highly engaged being specially selected from the best in the university. SHIFT is one of the higher ranking universities in China and this was reflected in the ability of the students.’
Teaching in China is similar to teaching at ENU. But there are differences:
‘It was week one, and hundreds of new first years were doing drill practice in military fatigues round the campus.  My 3rd year students told me this was compulsory to instil discipline. During my conversations with the students I found that they share accommodation in the student dormitory, four to a room in buildings strictly segregated between boys and girls. Drinking alcohol is banned and there was no evidence of other ‘traditional’ student activities we associate with the West. They also have classes 9 until 4pm every day. It makes me wonder how this routine would go down at ENU!’
Rachel found the experience highly enjoyable:
‘It sounds a little bit of a cliché but teaching these students and seeing them gain an understanding of the concepts reminded me that accounting really is an international language, telling the stories of businesses the world over.’