Spring semester 1986, in HangZhou China

I spent the spring of 1986 in mainland China, on an exchange program (which no longer exists) through Indiana University.

There were 15 of us on the trip, including one graduate student and the faculty sponsor and his spouse.  Our backgrounds and interests in China were all different.  The preparation for the semester abroad was unusual -- an intensive fall semester of language, history, and culture classes, and a double-speed, two month "semester" in the spring, followed by four months in China.

My own interests in China were mainly centered around an idealized vision of the religious and philosophical traditions, and their influence on Chinese life.  Of course, since the communist revolution in 1949, religion has been discouraged, and the philosophical tradition of post-revolution China is mostly Marxist ideology.  Ah well.  The trip was still very interesting, I learned a great deal, and am very glad I went.

I was given a grant for photographical supplies by my eastern religion professor Judith Berling, and finally, after 13 years, I hope that parts of this web of photos and narratives will repay her kindness.

I have organized this web into several overlapping structures, to give you, the viewer, choices of how you want to approach your "trip to China through Kevin's lens".   You will see the same photos and narratives appearing in multiple places if you choose to view all the paths.  Wherever there is an overlap, I will give you the choice to switch branches, and try out a different perspective.