The 29th Olympic Games gave China an opportunity not only to treat the greatest athletes in the world, but also to present a "new China." The game also inspired one UT professor to expand his art program in China.

The Olympic Games gave Paul Lee, former UT school of art director and founder of UT-Shanghai University art exchange program, a strong incentive to expand his art program. Lee said he is impressed with how well the Chinese government hosted the games.

The focus of the Olympics turns from athletics to China’s new role in the world, although it’s bold and very risky, China did a really good job. Paul Lee, professor,former director, the founder of UT-Shanghai University art exchange program,UT school of art

Lee also pointed out that in terms of international communication this Olympics has been "very successful."

"It’s internal communication, meaning that China is communicating to their own people including overseas Chinese… And it’s also external communications presenting China to foreigners… They have really changed the perception that China is being backward, poor, uneducated and weak country.”

But it's too soon to judge whether China's new role has been accepted worldwide. Lee thinks his program can simply reflect the post-Olympic effects on students in UT.

When the program first started two years ago, few students were willing to visit China, because they still see China as a "communist country."

Lee is expecting an “overwhelming enrollment” on the trip to China in the coming summer.

Students who enroll in the program will spend three weeks in four different cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau. Lee considers this a great opportunity for students to truly understand the history of China through architecture.

After seeing the new buildings and competition venues including Chinese Central TV Station Building, water cube and bird’s nest national stadium, Lee feels that Beijing represents a "new China."

It(Beijing) is a really interesting metaphor of the new Chinese world view. Paul Lee, professor,former director, the founder of UT-Shanghai University art exchange program,UT school of art At the same time, Shanghai is considered to present the colonial period of history while Hongkong is a hybrid modern Chinese city built under British governing.

The total cost of the trip will be around $4,000 including program fee, tuition, airline tickets and major personal expenses. Lee encourages every student to come to the trip, with the fact that it is inexpensive compared to the trip to some European countries.

An information booth will be set up in University Center on September 24 during the study abroad fair hosted by Center for International Education.