University of Michigan - Flint

The first part of the beautiful, hot July morning takes place on North Campus.
The class takes a drive to see the interesting buildings and abstract art that makes up North Campus.

The group then goes to the Bentley Historical Library.
The Library has made a display about  international students at the University of Michigan since 1847.

This is a photo of the Barbour scholars in 1939.  Apparently 'barbering,' or hair-cutting, was in high demand in China during this time.  Because of the founder's name on the scholarship, several students inquired as to whether they could only study hair.

A quote from the exhibit, in a letter to a student from a University of Michigan advisor:
"All young men of sufficient ability are admitted on equal footing irrespective of complexion.  It not being the amount of pigment matter deposited in the skin that is sought after; but the quantity and quality of brains in the cranium.”

Next stop is the main campus of the University of Michigan!
It is a busy day in the city, so we park the car and take the bus.

Sin-Young Kim (Shin), ELP Instructor Patricia Speers and Hyun-Chul Lee (Kyle) wait in the shade for the bus to Central Campus.  Kyle holds onto his map of campus. Everyone is excited to see the big campus and the Art Fair!	Yi-Xuan Chi (Akon) also waits in the shade.  His cell phone keeps him connected with local friends and family at home in China.

The weather is so hot, the whole group takes turns using Shin's cheerful fan. Ann Arbor Art Fairs are famous for the incredibly hot weather!  The sun boiled the city to 93°F (34°C). The International Student Center's Samantha Siebert decides she's a "fan" of Korea!

The class takes a moment in the center of campus, called the 'Diag,' to learn about the story of the 'M.'  A Michigan myth says it is bad luck for a student to step on the M until after their first test!	Kyle, a trained architect from Korea, wonders at the beauty of the Law Library.  The Law complex at Ann Arbor was modelled after the famous King's College Chapel in London, England.	Shin is amazed at all the books in the Graduate Library.  Nine floors of stacks tower on two sides of the building.  It is a very special place - one of the many libraries on campus.

Every summer in July, Ann Arbor is host to one of the largest art shows in the country.  Four different fairs happen at the same time, closing streets through the entire downtown and campus area.  Art, music, shopping - this place has it all!

After a lunch of 'carnival food' - greasy fried sweet potatoes, sausages, pierogies and more! - the ELP group begins to explore...

Kyle enjoys one of the famous landmarks on campus - The Cube!  Made of steel, many people enjoy how easy it is to spin this huge work of art.	Shin is an artist currently working for a Flint-area school.  Enjoying the store's air conditioning, she imagines what it would be like to study Art on this huge campus!

Patricia takes a moment to enjoy some colorful photography from around the world. Thanks to Lisa Kristine for letting us take a picture with her art!	Shin loves the charming clocks, exclaiming 'they're so beautiful!' Thanks to Duane Scherer's Ecletic Timepieces (and friend) for making the day so great!

Ignatius Creegan & Rod Givens make fabulous wheat hats that Sam and Patricia just had to try on.  After a long day in the sun, the hats feel cool.  The booth is across the aisle from a jazz piano player - a fun place to be! Next stop is the bus stop... what a great day!