Feature: "Tolerating comprehension" is what we learn from Chicago internship

By Xu Jing, Miao Zhuang, Wang Ping

CHICAGO, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Standing on the podium of the Chamber of City of Chicago, 20-year-old Chen Zeng was a bit shy. Encouraged by the smiling faces of officials from different departments of the city sitting in the chamber, she expressed her gratitude to her supervisor and colleagues working in the Committee on Finance of the City Government of Chicago.

Chen is a sophomore at Renmin University majoring in law. She is one of the 15 university students from China who have interned at the City Government of Chicago and the State Government of Illinois for a month in this winter.

Chen's main job at the finance committee was clipping news from the website, and following the city council in the chamber. She finished a report comparing the political structure between China and the U.S. during the internship.

"If we talk about laws, we have to talk about politics. So when I have an insight into the American politics, I can better understand American laws," Chen told Xinhua in an interview.

Talking of her internship, Chen said: "I really want to send my gratitude to my supervisor and colleagues, because they gave their most kindness and encouragement for me as a young student." "They encourage me to harbor hope, think big."

"I'm very glad to be here. They are very kind. They are out of my imagination. I mean they don't have that privilege thinking for Chinese students, they are so kind to everybody. I think we are equal," Chen added.

Chen thought that the biggest benefit she got during the internship is to have "a tolerating comprehension in both Chinese and U.S. culture."

The other 14 Chinese students who have interned in different departments also expressed their gratitude for supervisors and colleagues, saying the internship is a unique experience that helped them learn how Americans treat people as well as the cultural differences between the two countries.

After expressing his thanks, Su Dongli, the only male intern from Beijing International Studies University that interned at Chicago Department of Procurement Services, especially told his supervisor sitting below that he admired the way he walks, bringing applauses and laughters.

The supervisors spoke highly of the 15 Chinese student interns.

Jamie Rhee, Chief Procurement Officer of Department of Procurement Services under City Government of Chicago, said, "they are part of our family, help us reach more Chinese business." He promised that this is "the first time, but not the last" for his department to have Chinese student interns.

It is not the first time for Samantha Fields, Director of the Office of Budget and Management under the City Government of Chicago, to accept Chinese student interns into her office. She told the interns: "We learn just as much from you as I wish you from us."

Addressing the graduation ceremony, former U.S. Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III talked of his visits to China and meeting with Deng Xiaoping twice, saying "the changes in China are unprecedented, unlike anything has happened in the world and very very positive."

He holds that China soon will have the world's largest economy by one measure or the others, and therefore cooperation and mutual understanding between U.S. and China are very important.

"There is nothing more important than the cooperation between China and the United States. So you interns are going to go back and be able to contribute to that cooperation and mutual understanding on which the whole world depends for peace, security and economic welfare," Stevenson told the interns.

Winter in Chicago is cold. Alderman Edward M. Burke of City of Chicago gave every intern an ear warmer printed with Chicago flag, saying "it is cold outside, but it is warm inside (our heart)."

He hopes the interns to keep the memory of Chicago in their heart. "When you see the city flag, you will remember Chicago. And you are always welcome here in Chicago," he told the interns. Enditem