Reflectionson UCBerkeley study tour

                                                                                                                   Yue Jin 2021·Humanity·CHC

It has been about a week since I came back from the San Francisco Bay Area. Now the time difference seems to be reversed.Reflecting on my three-week study tour, I realizethatdespite the relatively short period, my feelings about the experience are quite complex and multifaceted.

Rather than scattered impressions, I intend to provide a cohesive account of my observations in the Bay Area. I will focus on three key aspects: firstly, the educational system encompassing the campus and classroom environment; secondly, the transportation infrastructure; and finally, the urban centers. My selection of these topics is based purely on personal interest and holds no inherent rationale.

Firstly,the destination of our study tour was the University of California, Berkeley. Situated in the city of Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area, the university is located on a sloping terrain, with Berkeley nestled between the slope and the mountain.

The University of California, Berkeley is known for its open campus policy, where all the teaching buildings and libraries are accessible to the public. Unlike traditional institutions, the university lacks conventional walls, with the exception of a memorial at the south gate. Instead, the boundaries of the campus are demarcated by a series of road piles. The campus boasts well-maintained green areas, adorned with numerous old trees and succulents. Squirrels are a common sight here. The university exudes a simple and serene ambiance. The atmosphere on campus is relaxing and unhurrying, devoid of any palpable tension or urgency.

The focal point of the campus is the bell tower, which serves as its center. Moving down from the bell tower to the right of it lies the library group which consists of the main library, the East Asian Library, and the undergraduate library. Adjacent to the library group is the administration building. On the left side of the bell tower is the teaching building, followed by various college buildings. Going further down, one can reach Downtown Berkeley and eventually the beach. Located behind the bell tower is the Haas School of Business and its associated buildings. Beyond that, there is a hill that houses the Berkeley football team, residential areas, and a botanical garden.

I resided in Berkeley's International House, situated adjacent to the football stadium at the base of the hill. The apartment complex, which dates back a century, features a domed exterior and a retro interior design. Notably, there is a charming garden positioned in the center of the apartment, adorned with numerous orchids and succulents. The garden seems to serve as a habitat for a handful of hummingbirds, which visit the window twice daily to feed on the nectar, likely once at dawn and once in the evening.

Security at the school was inadequate, with a noticeable presence of vagrants and occasional marijuana smokers near the periphery of the campus. The teaching building lacks proper control, resulting in occasional trespassing by the homeless. While the interior of the school maintains a relatively clean environment, the surrounding outskirts and nearby roads are in a state of disarray. Generally, the northern section of the campus is considered safer compared to the southern part. This discrepancy could be attributed to the fact that the southern part of the campus is geographically situated south of Berkeley, in close proximity to Oakland, which is known for its lack of stability within the Bay Area region.

Neither of the two courses I took was directly related to my major. The one that impressed me the most was "American Language and Culture: Humor". This course was rich in teaching content, had a relaxing atmosphere, enthusiastic teachers, but strict tasks. In this class, we learned a significant amount of knowledge about American humor, understood its classification, and learned many local jokes in the United States, which deepened our understanding of American culture. The most notable feature of American courses is their clear and transparent grading standards. Regardless of the level of detail and subjectivity of the assignments, the instructors always provide detailed reasons and feedback during grading. This is in sharp contrast to the approach of some courses and teachers at our school who simply assign points without justification. Over these three weeks, I found the grading of every assignment in this course to be at least "convincing" and truly helpful in adjusting and identifying areas for improvement.

Transportation in the San Francisco Bay Area primarily relies on driving, specifically for traveling from Berkeley to San Francisco, one must first reach Oakland and cross the Sea Bridge to reach downtown San Francisco. Despite the presence of abundant bus lines, public transportation in the United States lags behind in development, resulting in lengthy travel times and delayed construction of rail transit systems. The main mass transit system in the northern Bay Area is the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), consisting of seven lines covering a total distance of 180 kilometers. BART functions more as a fully developed suburban rail system instead of a typical subway system, similar to the rail transit development in China. For instance, Beijing's Subway Line 13 originated from the original Wanghe Branch Line. The key difference lies in the fact that in recent years, China primarily bases its rail transit planning and construction on passenger flow, whereas the United States does not prioritize passenger flow to the same extent. Although BART encounters occasional safety concerns, such as peculiar individuals and unclean interiors, which may deter passengers, it remains a convenient transportation option. A BART ride from downtown Berkeley to downtown San Francisco costs a reasonable $4. Additionally, downtown San Francisco offers public transportation through Muni, including trolley cars, trams, and buses, although due to time constraints, I was unable to experience them firsthand.

The primary rail transit in the southern part of the Bay Area is the renowned Caltrain, a typical commuter rail line distinct from BART's subway operation. It primarily connects downtown San Francisco and downtown San Jose, and primarily serves technology companies in Silicon Valley as well as Stanford University, situated in the suburbs of Palo Alto. Covering a distance of 124 kilometers, I chose to take the Caltrain to Stanford University during my visit. Compared to BART, Caltrain is considered much safer, with a relatively cleaner interior. The journey proved to be exceptional, reminiscent of train rides from over a decade ago. As the train exited the station, it felt exhilarating, akin to riding a roller coaster. Overall, it provided a great deal of enjoyment.

The final topic I wish to address pertains to cities within the San Francisco Bay Area. During my visit, I primarily explored three cities: San Francisco, Berkeley, and Palo Alto. Out of these three, I found Palo Alto to evoke the most positive sentiment, while San Francisco left the least favorable impression. In the following sections, I will elaborate on my observations and impressions of these urban centers.

San Francisco is a cosmopolitan city and its reputation goes without saying. However, the city of San Francisco is still very uncomfortable, and the security situation in San Francisco has deteriorated in recent years, and some streets are even completely impassable. Homeless people and drug addicts are everywhere, the streets are littered with dirt, and the smell of marijuana wafts from time to time - the feeling is like the putridity of swelling prosperity. From a distance, San Francisco is indeed extremely prosperous - all kinds of high-rise buildings, and mirror glass all show its status as the core of the Bay Area, but beneath these towering tall buildings, there is a lot of decay, stink, and crime. The better part of San Francisco is the mountain area on the north coast, where scenic spots such as Lombard Street and Alcatraz Island are found, so the security is relatively good and the scenery is good.

And then Berkeley, where I spent the most time. Berkeley is a university town, more like the countryside, but it is completely different from many so-called "university towns" in China - because Berkeley is open, and domestic universities are not fully open, so the so-called "university town" is not established. Although Berkeley is a university town, the public security is very bad, which has been described above. Downtown Berkeley, in particular, is chaotic because of its proximity to Oakland. Berkeley has fewer drugs than San Francisco, but it still has the same number of homeless people. North Berkeley, because it is far from Oakland, has fewer people and gives people a stronger sense of security. The streets of Berkeley are basically grid-shaped, and you can hardly get lost. Restaurants and shops are clustered on the southeast side of the school, while downtown Berkeley has a BART station and supermarkets.

Lastbut not least, Palo Alto.As a passionate cycling enthusiast, I was particularly delighted to discover that Palo Alto boasts a thriving cycling culture. The city is incredibly bike-friendly, with a wide range of cycling options available to its residents. Everywhere I looked, I saw a variety of bicycles, reflecting the city's tolerance and acceptance of cycling as a mode of transportation. It was refreshing to witness such a strong emphasis on cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of getting around.

Palo Alto is not the only city in the Bay Area that promotes cycling. The entire region is known for its bicycle-friendly infrastructure and policies. Public transportation systems often have designated spaces for bicycles, and the relevant policies are clear and accommodating. This commitment to cycling as a viable mode of transportation not only promotes a greener environment but also encourages a healthier and more active lifestyle for residents.

Stanford University is in the suburbs of Palo Alto City, the school has a free bus to provide Caltrain station shuttle service, Stanford University is a private university, although the main campus is open, teaching buildings and college buildings are required to swipe cards to enter, security is higher. The buildings near the campus gate are very beautiful and elegant Spanish architecture, and the school environment is excellent, the streets are clean, and the tourists are many, which is fascinating.

Additionally, one aspect that stood out during my visit to Palo Alto was the extended operating hours of its shops and restaurants. Unlike Berkeley and San Francisco, where many establishments close as early as 6 p.m. or even 5 p.m., Palo Alto's businesses often remained open until around 9 p.m. This stark contrast in operating hours not only speaks to the vibrant and lively atmosphere of Palo Alto but also hints at the security concerns faced by the other two cities.

This study tour has been an eye-opening experience, offering me a glimpse into the intricate tapestry of life in these cities. While the time limitations prevent me from delving into every aspect, I can confidently say that I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and insight throughout this journey.

In conclusion, this study tour has been a transformative experience, allowing me to witness the beauty, challenges, and resilience of these remarkable cities. I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained, the insights I have acquired, and the memories that will forever resonate with me. This journey has sparked a fire within me to be an active participant in creating a better world, one that embraces diversity, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.