We had a one-on-one with Jeremiah Jenne, who’s been exploring Beijing’s ancient alleys and hidden corners since 2002.
Jeremiah has taught Late Imperial and Modern Chinese History for over ten years at the IES Abroad Program. He is featured in today’s blog with an exclusive interview. Jeremiah’s dedication to history and culture has taken him to Beijing, where he has made his mark as a writer and historian. With over 17 years of teaching experience in Chinese history, his passion for educating others has only grown stronger. Through his organization, Beijing by Foot, he has inspired countless people to explore the city’s hidden gems and historical landmarks.
Getting to know Jeremiah
The conversation started by discussing how he ended up living in China. He took a deep breath and, with a smile, said, “It’s an old story, Rachel. I, like a lot of people, came for a one-year research grant 22 years ago. For a variety of reasons, I ended up staying and working here. But it wasn’t always the plan.” He studied abroad in Singapore for his undergraduate degree, where he started learning Chinese. He then returned to the U.S. and participated in a committee to promote the implementation of a Mandarin program in his school. Jeremiah first came to Beijing in 2002 for a summer language program at Peking University. Then, he continued to an IUP program at Tsinghua University.
Unearthing a passion for China:
He always wanted to study history. As he reminisces, back then, you signed up for classes by running to the gymnasium as fast as possible and physically writing your name on a piece of paper. He ended up taking a variety of courses, including Asian history, which became his focus. Jeremiah is not just a history buff – he’s also a master of the art of storytelling. He prefers teaching history through immersive experiences, and said thatwhile teaching history to foreign students, instead of simply using a PowerPoint, he would rather go to Mingyuan Garden (圆明园), which has a “much more visceral impact. ” That’s why he started Beijing By Foot, “That was just an outgrowth of teaching rituals,” bringing people to explore the city’s history, walking through the ancient hutongs of Beijing while telling tales of emperors, warriors, and love stories. Beijing Favorites? It depends on the season. At this time of year, “You gotta love all the cherry blossoms or some of the parks.” He loves visiting places like the Great Wall in wintertime because “there’s no bugs and there’s no people.”
Experience at the TBC
Jeremiah reflects on his teaching experience at TBC, where he was first asked to collaborate when Father Gene was still at TBC. Soon after, Simon took over, and Jeremiah has been with TBC every semester since. At TBC, he mostly leads research courses and the Yunnan Excursion class. His contributions also included modernizing the programby updating articles for students with current news and history. “It’s important to ensure content is relevant as attitudes and ideas change.” He found the original material outdated due to its anthropological perspectiveand decided to incorporate current events to bring a fresh and contemporary approach.
Advise for students:
Jeremiah has taught many students studying abroad in China. His advice is to be open-minded, patient, and always maintain a sense of humor, especially in a place like China. The people who take themselves too seriously don’t last very long here. “You gotta kind of learn to laugh at the situation that you find yourselves in because, often, the problem is pretty damn funny. In retrospect.”
He even told the students this semester, you “gotta put it out there, can’t be afraid to fail.” According to Jeremiah, failure is actually a little bit of growth. In terms of improving their Chinese, he uses an example: “Don’t mistake having the same conversation 20 times with having 20 different conversations.”
About changes in students over the years
Jeremiah notes that the first groups were mostly millennials, but now we have a different generation. That’s a conversation worth having. In the early 2000s, there was a surge of interest in China driven by its growing openness and global influence. Many people, from hardcore China enthusiasts to those seeking business opportunities, flocked to the country. However, as China’s international presence and economy have shifted, the demographics of students coming to China have changed. Today, there’s a return to a more niche group of passionate China enthusiasts reminiscent of the 1990s. The future influx of students, especially from North American universities, remains to be determined, with factors like the economy and global perceptions playing a role.
China’s perception
How do storytelling and journalism shape perceptions of China’s image abroad? This topic has sparked much debate in recent years, so let’s explore Jeremiah’s take on the matter. He said, “I don’t know if the storytelling has changed. If anything, journalists are always going to be biased, but the difference is that good journalists are aware. Just like academics try to be as objective as they can be. But knowing that is impossible.”
He points out that outside of China, the portrayal of the country has become highly politicized, leading to a lack of nuance in the stories. This polarization means that people tend to either focus solely on one perspective or completely disregard opposing viewpoints.
Learning from the heart
Most of his research is in the 19th century and the 20th century. He adds, “Because the way I teach it isn’t that different from where it’s taught in China? Colonialism sucks. Foreign imperialism has had devastating effects on China that still have important ramifications in the present day, and also throughout the entire world.”
The story remains mostly the same, but there might be some small differences in the details. Quoting Jeremiah, “I think the only difference comes more in the 20th century because obviously, there’s a lot of things that aren’t taught here that are important parts of the story.” That’s where the narratives differ. But there really isn’t any way to tell the story. The same way when he is doing lectures on U.S. history, the first 6 weeks are all about “why white people suck. Because that’s the story you gotta tell if you’re gonna tell the actual history. The same thing here. I haven’t had a lot of pushback.”
A tapestry of memories
Jeremiah’s travels have taken him to every nook and cranny of China, from the vibrant streets of Beijing to the remote villages of Gansu and Qinghai. But what makes his journey truly unforgettable are the countless moments of connection he’s shared with students and locals alike.
“How much of that experience, when you think about it, took place in the classroom?” He continues, “When we’re traveling, and I see students on an overnight train. All of a sudden, I turn around and see three students have been adopted by an entire Chinese family and are now being force-fed sunflower seeds. That’s one of the great things about China. It’s still one of the friendliest places in the world.” Jeremiah’s adventures are filled with heartwarming encounters that leave a lasting impression.
A feast for the senses
Jeremiah knows that the key to understanding a culture lies in its food. He praises Yunnan’s culinary fusion, where different cultures blend to create a gastronomic paradise. And let’s not forget about Yunnan, where the stunning landscapes are matched only by the warmth of its people. “And you can go from like alpine scenery and one whole cultural group to tropical rainforest, another whole cultural group, and everything in between.” Speaking of cuisine, He mentioned that what he will miss the most is definitely the food. He elaborates that every province is special in its own way, but Yunnan cuisine is at the top of his list.
TBC as a hub of exploration
And what better place to start your journey than at The Beijing Center? Jeremiah reflects on his time at TBC, praising the vibrant community of students and the spirit of exploration that permeates the center. From cultural events to overnight train rides, there’s never a dull moment at TBC. “I was glad I got a chance to at least be a part of that. Got to see some of the books in the library. It was also fun to realize that nobody here knows what’s in that library.”
Diverse topics, diverse audience
He talked about his other project, “Barbarians at the Gate.” When it comes to engaging their audience, Jeremiah admits they’ve never had a solid plan. Instead, they’ve let their curiosity guide them, exploring diverse topics and interviewing a wide range of guests, from academics to educators and everything in between. Their audience is just as eclectic, with listeners tuning in from all corners of the globe.
What about the podcast’s name? Where did that come from? Jeremiah explains that it’s a nod to the perpetual outsider status many expats feel in China. No matter how long you’ve been there or how fluent your Mandarin is, you’ll always be a “Laowai” in the eyes of the locals. Embracing this identity, Jeremiah and David wear their outsider status as a badge of honor, always ready to ask questions and learn from those around them.
For those looking to break into the world of writing, Jeremiah offers some advice: Read voraciously, jot down your thoughts regularly, and don’t be afraid to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) even if your first drafts aren’t perfect. The key is perseverance—pushing through 99% of rejection until you find success.
Here’s a glimpse into Jeremiah’s journey. As he says, “You learn as much from people as you do from books.” See you soon, Jeremiah!
By Laury Castro, TBC Intern
Recently, Thomas Michael, a professor at The Beijing Center (TBC), was interviewed our staff and shared with us his perspective on studying Daoist thought and living in China. Professor Michael is a researcher at the School of Philosophy at Beijing Normal University.
Five Loaves and Two Fish is a volunteer organization centered on providing support and international education opportunities to the local migrant children who comprise its student body.
Snuff bottles represent a centuries-old cultural exchange between Europeans and the Chinese, where the import of tobacco products met the craftsmanship and artistry of Manchurian Beijing in the height of the Qing Dynasty. Manchu culture relished in entertainment and creature comforts, and snuff, being a mixture of ground tobacco and dried herbs, became very popular.
It’s not every day we get to make history! This week, The Beijing Center proudly welcomed—for the first time ever—27 curious and enthusiastic students from the University of Lima, along with Internationalization Coordinator Claudia Valencia and David Barriga, our partner from AsiaB Consulting, for an unforgettable Beijing adventure.