Ethnographic Research Initiative

Cultural immersion and research with ethnic minority communities in China

Project Background

I was hired by Tsinghua International School for my background in anthropology and ethnographic research, which made me uniquely suited to lead their ninth-grade semester-long Ethnography Project. This initiative partners with the nonprofit Prop Roots to engage students in ethnographic fieldwork and social work with ethnic minority groups in China's Yunnan province near the Myanmar border.

Skills Demonstrated

  • Anthropological Expertise: Applied professional ethnographic methods to educational context
  • Program Development: Created a comprehensive semester-long research curriculum
  • Adaptability: Successfully pivoted during COVID restrictions
  • Partnership Building: Established and maintained collaboration with Prop Roots
  • Logistical Planning: Coordinated complex fieldwork for large student groups

Collaboration with Prop Roots

Prop Roots is a community development organization working with ethnic minority communities in Yunnan. Our partnership provides students with authentic cultural immersion experiences.

Visit Prop Roots Facebook Page
Prop Roots fieldwork in Yunnan
Ethnographic fieldwork with Prop Roots in Yunnan
Shangpin Mall ethnography in Beijing
COVID adaptation at Shangpin Mall in Beijing

Year 1: Beijing Adaptation

When COVID restrictions prevented travel to Yunnan in the first year, I organized an innovative ethnographic study in Beijing at Shangpin Mall (δΈŠε“). This required:

Site Selection & Negotiation

Identified Shangpin Mall as a suitable fieldwork location and negotiated access with mall management for 60+ students.

Activity Design

Created structured ethnographic activities including customer observations, worker interviews, and cultural mapping.

Permission & Safety

Secured all necessary permissions and implemented safety protocols for student researchers.

Participant Observation

Arranged for students to work in specific stores to conduct immersive participant observation.

Successful Adaptation

"Despite the challenges of finding a location for 60+ students during COVID restrictions, the Shangpin Mall ethnography was a remarkable success. Students gained practical research experience while examining contemporary urban culture in Beijing."

Year 2: Yunnan Fieldwork

In the second year, we were able to travel to Yunnan for the originally-planned ethnographic experience with Prop Roots.

  • Cultural Immersion: Students lived and worked with ethnic minority communities near the Myanmar border
  • Participant Observation: Engaged in daily activities, ceremonies, and community events
  • Social Work Integration: Combined research with meaningful community service projects
  • Collaborative Learning: Worked alongside Chinese department colleagues for cross-cultural understanding
  • Research Reports: Students completed comprehensive ethnographic reports based on their fieldwork

Fieldwork Activities

Cultural Documentation

Recording traditional practices, rituals, and oral histories

Community Interviews

Conducting structured and unstructured interviews with community members

Social Projects

Participating in community development initiatives

Reflective Journals

Maintaining daily fieldwork journals and observations

Educational Outcomes

This project develops essential anthropological and research skills:

Cultural Competence

Developing understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures

Research Methodology

Learning ethnographic techniques and qualitative analysis

Critical Thinking

Analyzing cultural patterns and social structures

Empathy Development

Building connections across cultural boundaries

Student Research & Legacy

Students completed comprehensive ethnographic research reports based on their fieldwork. These projects demonstrated:

  • Deep engagement with research methodologies
  • Cultural sensitivity and ethical research practices
  • Critical analysis of cultural patterns
  • Effective communication of complex cultural insights
"The ethnography project completely changed my perspective. Living with a community in Yunnan and documenting their daily lives taught me more about cultural understanding than any textbook could."
- Grade 9 Student

This project has become a cornerstone of the ninth-grade curriculum at Tsinghua International School, providing students with transformative learning experiences that bridge academic anthropology with real-world cultural understanding. I used some of this experience at Delta Global School to organize a cultural field trip to the Perfume Pagoda outside of Hanoi and to plan future field trips.