Pursuing a Dream

Left: Wen Yin Luo & Deng Wen Hao are the first students from CIW to pursue their bachelor's degrees at Incarnate Word in San Antonio

For many years, Deng Wen Hao, a native of mainland China who goes by the nickname of Denggo, had been dreaming of pursuing a college education in the United States.

His dream finally became a reality this fall when he began studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting at the University of the Incarnate Word.
“America has the best businesses and I plan to learn from the best,” said Denggo, whose family owns a construction business in China. “My destiny in life is to make my family proud of my accomplishments.”

Denggo and Wen Yin Luo, who goes by Jenny, are the first students from China Incarnate Word (CIW) to study in San Antonio. In the process, they have helped the University achieve another important milestone toward globalization.

“It is truly rewarding to be a part of this,” said Dr. Patricia Watkins, Vice President of Academic Programs at CIW, which is near Guangzhou, an ancient city of eight million people about 100 miles northwest of Hong Kong. “It is truly amazing to see these two students maintain the values of their culture while studying in America. It is such a sophisticated thing to do at such a young age.”

Jenny, 23, grew up in Guangzhou City, which is located in Guangdong Province in Southern China. Like Denggo, she also is pursuing a BBA in Accounting.

“My time here has been wonderful. The students have been extremely helpful,” said Jenny. “I have adjusted well, but getting used to the weather will take some time. San Antonio is very dry in comparison to China. Although I miss the food back home, I am definitely enjoying the pancakes and steaks from IHOP (International House of Pancakes).”

In October 2000, UIW became the first American university to offer accredited associate’s degrees in China that students could earn without leaving the country. This historic development was made possible because of an agreement between Incarnate Word and South China Normal University in Guangzhou, a university ranked in the Top 45 of the 1,100 universities in China. That’s an important ranking as the top 100 universities in China get the bulk of the educational funds available from the government.

After earning an associate’s degree, CIW students can continue for a bachelor's either in China; at an English-language institution elsewhere in the world; or at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, like Jenny and Denggo have chosen.

“This agreement was a long time in the making and involved the work of many people, especially the vision of Dr. Louis Agnese, (UIW President)” said Dr. Watkins.
Incarnate Word first developed a relationship in China just over three years ago when the University furnished teachers to teach English to elementary, middle and high school students. The teachers taught on the grounds of the Kangda College, which is where China Incarnate Word is located. In the meantime, the agreement between the two parties was taking place.

“Our goal was to provide the students an American education while respecting the culture of our host country,” said Dr. Watkins. “Opportunities for these students will be enormous. They will have an advantage in working with the plethora of American companies that are currently locating in China.”

Jenny and Denggo were given the chance to study in San Antonio one year ahead of schedule after meeting certain strict conditions. They had to test appropriately on their TOEFL exam; they had to have a minimum of 30 semester hours of course credit with a 3.5 G.P.A.; and they were subjected to a series of interviews with the American consulate while applying for their visas.

“In 2000, I began my classes at CIW, which entailed one full-year of extensive ESL (English) classes,” said Jenny. “CIW provided me with an enormous amount of help in preparing me to come to America and apply for my visa.

“Norman St. Clair, the on-site director of the academic program, quizzed us with a series of question and answer sessions for three hours in a one-month period. I feel that his guidance prepared us and gave us the confidence we needed for our interviews before the consulate.”

Denggo, 21, grew up in Maomin City, located in the Southern part of Guangdong Province. He says his biggest obstacle so far has been his Principles of Accounting class, although the sweltering Texas heat is a close second.

“I tried out for the soccer team, but I could not take the heat,” he said. “They practiced every day for two whole hours and it was just too intense for me.”

Denggo’s parents were apprehensive about their son leaving the familiar surroundings of China in order to study thousands of miles away in South Texas.

“‘Don’t become too happy, you still have a long way to go in reaching your goal.’ That is what my father said to me when I first got the news that I was leaving for America,” said Denggo. “My family knows that coming to America has always been my dream, and they knew I could possibly fulfill that dream if I (first) attended CIW. My goal is to absorb as much of American life as possible while I am here.”

Jenny’s family was just as apprehensive as Denggo’s, but in the end just as supportive of her dreams to study in Texas.

“My parents were a little scared about me coming to America, but they understood that it was a turning point in my life,” explained Jenny. “In the end they were excited and proud of my accomplishments.”

History will once again be made at CIW next summer when 40 students receive their associate’s degrees, with many of them eager to travel the same path blazed by Jenny and Denggo to San Antonio.

“Upon receiving my degree, I plan to move back to China and study accounting there,” said Jenny. “I will have an advantage (over) the graduates back home because I will be skilled in Eastern and Western accounting (methods).”