The University of Michigan and China
The University of Michigan and China, although separated by thousands of miles share a rich and longstanding history. Beginning inthe 1840’s, Michigan and otherAmerican universities sent their top graduates to China to begin their careers as missionaries abroad. Large missionary organization and church connections gave young graduates the opportunity to establish themselves overseas. The life of a missionary in China was far from easy, many missions were in isolated communities where they found themselves surrounded by a culture and people who were very different than their own. The flow of Michigan graduates to China and backto Ann Arbor was a primary vehicleforknowledge about China, its people, and its customs in Michigan.
In addition to the path of Michiganders to China, students from China made their way to Michigan for studies. Officially beginning in 1917,Chinese women were granted the opportunity to study at the University of Michigan through the Barbour Scholarships for Oriental Women. Despite its name (only offensive by modern standards!), the Barbour Scholarship was a unique opportunity for Asian women to further their education and gain opportunities not afforded to them in their home countries. Chinese women were represented in strong numbers and joined the Michigan community while studying in Ann Arbor at a time when there were only 34 non-white or black individuals in all of Washtenaw County (As identified in the 1920 census).