In the Year 1999 , when my medical study started once again to disatisfy me (not a happy time at all ), I luckily had the sense and courage to take a break from it all and finally widen my view , work on growing my experience in life , seeking and trying new challenges. I felt i was wise to do so because -in my view- the medical world- or experience was starting to choke me and my talents were for a large part wasted.
I just "had to" get out of the narrow white confinds of the Hospitals i had been taught in for too long. This was NOT what I wanted, for my interests range far further than that. I had to do something international I told myself. I knew this was true.
Later that Year I had two very Lucky experiences.
accepted me as a student to follow their introductory courses on International Relations.
I had applied for their Major "Course on International Relations" (LBB (in Dutch) ) and was very happy to receive their warm support -and later invitation- upon doing so. The Clingendael Institute has been very helpfull in introducing me into Interntional Relations as a serious occupation. They were also very helpfull in helping to expand my initial experience & and with making contacts beyond my earlier (medical) world. I still have warm relations with some of their experts on International Relations and in the Future i hope to receive more of their education. ( Yes, Ladies & Gents. A Fan ! )
It was at after my initial contacts with the Clingendael Institute that I decided upon China as my main country of interest. For China , at that time , still seemed to be a sort-of "forgotten country". That is , in The Netherlands in the Study of International Relations. At least in our cozy little European corner of the World , far away. And in the University City where I usually live. It would go to far here to explain the details of why I came to this choice for the country of China , and more widely the region of Eastern Asia , but in General one could say : After the fall of the Berlin Wall , what is known as "the End of the Cold War" it seemed interest in all communist countries had suddenly diminished. World Polarisation was now at an abrupt end. Old divisions were cast aside, went meaningless and new possibilities had not yet arisen. Only "Globalisation"was taking off hugely as was reflected in the World Economy and in everything from TV commercials, teen fashion to Sports Tournaments.
The eyes were now either searching, or stealing a rest for now they could. Or they were pointed more Westward toward the now center-staged United States of America. Interest in Economy was booming !
There were a lot more factors involved, but considering the field of International Relations it seemed that China , as an emerging economy , as a newly emerging player in the now opening world of "Globalisation" seemed to hold a promise. The country of China, far away , seemed to be forgotten. But, in all fairness it was showing us exactly what "Globalisation" is all about. For .. was it not China that had been closed off from the World for some 40 Years? By choice?
Today it is opening itself up. The Chinese Society is as vibrant as never before. It is changing , and changing rapidly. No one knows exactly what will come. But , one thing was already clear then : China was coming. And it has nowcome to our attention that our Chinese friends are here to stay.Therefor, my choice -always loving the underdog- was for China.
I still hold to my view and follow the subject with interest. One expression of this is the website you are now logged into.
