Oral history interview with Christina H. Falcon, 2022
Abstract
Christina Falcon discusses her upbringing and life in the United States and China, participation in Chinese-language and educational programs, and service as a student ambassador at the U.S.A. Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010. She remembers the major themes and exhibits included in the U.S.A. Pavilion, the relationships formed among the cohort of American student ambassadors and with representati ves of other national pavilions, interactions with Chinese visitors to the pavilion, and visits by Secretary Hillary Clinton and Ambassador Jon Huntsman. Later, Falcon worked at the Bryant University U.S.-China Institute (Confucius Institute), and she describes the Institute's Chinese language and culture programs in local schools, public programming for the Bryant University community, and programs for interested local corporations. Also discussed are the significance of the Obama administration's efforts to increase the numbers of Mandarin speakers in the U.S., including through the 100,000 Strong and One Million Strong initiatives, the role of corporate sponsors in the U.S.A. pavilion, Falcon's experience of Chinese economic and infrastructural development over the course of her early life, and recent political opposition to the activities of Confucius Institutes
Presidents--United States; Exhibitions--China; Chinese language--Study and teaching; Falcon, Christina H; Obama, Barack; Clinton, Hillary Rodham; Huntsman, Jon M., 1960-; Expo (International Exhibitions Bureau) Shanghai, China) (2010
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2022
Physical Description
35 pages
Note (Biographical)
Christina Falcon was a student ambassador at the U.S.A. Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010. After her service as a student ambassador, Falcon worked at the Bryant University U.S.-China Institute and at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University
Note
Interviewed by Evan D. McCormick on May 25, 2022. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Christina Falcon, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023