This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with John von Seggern, founder of Futureproof Music School. It has been edited for length and clarity.
In the 90s, the music scene in Asia was booming. I’m a bass player and jazz musician, and I was drawn to Japan in particular. Japanese people are known for being music lovers, and I enjoy their culture. It seemed like a good place to start a career.
There, I connected with a well-known artist in Hong Kong. I started touring Hong Kong and mainland China. After five big tours, I was tired. I’ve always loved studying, reading, and learning. I was dating a graduate student at the University of Hong Kong, and I thought that getting my master’s degree would give me a much-needed break.
I had a few class requirements in Hong Kong
I didn’t need to pass any tests to get into the program; I just submitted a research proposal. My area of study — the intersection of music and the internet — was unique at the time, which I think helped me get in.
The University of Hong Kong follows a British model, which depends a lot on self-directed learning. I had a few small seminars during my roughly 18 months at the college, but most of my work was done on my own time. I’d meet with my advisor weekly, and then go off and do the reading and research he recommended.
I received a fairly generous graduate school stipend in Hong Kong. It was enough to pay my rent and live on, and because of the relaxed time requirements, I could supplement my income by playing music gigs in the city.
I was the only American, and most students were Chinese
I was the only American in my program; most of the others were Chinese. There was a high regard for education in Hong Kong. Although it was unusual for a student to be in their 30s, people respected that I had returned to school.
I did occasional work as a graduate assistant, and most of the undergrad students were Hong Kong natives. They were very disciplined and turned in top-quality work. Later, when I was a graduate assistant in the US, I was sad to see that my students’ writing wasn’t as strong as their Chinese counterparts.
I really enjoyed being at the university, but I was getting concerned about the future of Hong Kong. The island was returned to China in 1997. During my travels, mainland China had always felt black and white, whereas Hong Kong was technicolor. Now, it felt that Hong Kong was beginning to fade. This was a big point of conversation among foreign faculty at the university.
In the US, I had more classes and less control
I decided to return to the US, just as lots of musicians settled in California. When I enrolled at the University of California, Riverside, I immediately noticed differences.
To begin with, the college didn’t recognize most of the work I’d done in Hong Kong. I was able to bring my original research, but I didn’t get credit for seminars, mostly because the British approach didn’t equate easily with the American system.
The study in California was much more prescriptive, with required classes. At first, I didn’t like that because I wanted to pursue my own intellectual interests. In hindsight, however, I was forced to learn a lot of fundamental knowledge that was beneficial.
Being in grad school in the US felt like a struggle to survive. I was expected to work more hours for a much smaller stipend — not even enough to cover rent. When I graded papers from undergrads, I was surprised when people handed in papers with obvious misspellings. It felt like a level of carelessness that I hadn’t seen in Hong Kong.
I wouldn’t say one approach is better
I wouldn’t say that either China or the US was better for grad school; they were just two different approaches.
Ultimately, I’m glad I did both. The Hong Kong system was more personal, whereas the US system felt like boot camp, full of requirements I needed to meet.
Both experiences have benefited me in the years since. Although no one has ever asked me for my degree, the knowledge I gained in Hong Kong and Riverside has been really helpful.
Have you attended college in both the US and China? Please email Frank Olito at [email protected]
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