Hulick ’11 Eager to Witness China’s Ascent on World Stage From Front Row Seat

Before arriving at Holy Cross, Henry “Hank” Hulick ’11 knew nothing about China. After taking a course on Buddhism during his first year, however, he became fascinated with Eastern culture and pursued his interest by taking a Chinese language class his second year.

What happened next illustrates the transformative power of a liberal arts education. Hulick, from Cumberland, R.I., played three seasons of varsity soccer at Holy Cross before he decided to retire from his college sports career and pursue his newfound passion for Chinese. After completing the CET Intensive Chinese language program in Beijing, he landed a summer internship with the U.S. State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Now, the economics and Chinese language double major has every intention of returning to China after graduation.

“Five days after we arrived, we signed a language pledge,” Hulick recalls. “It prohibited us from speaking English and forced us to immerse ourselves in the Chinese culture.”

Despite wariness and admitted pessimism, Hulick and his classmates eventually found themselves discussing all things from casual topics to serious social issues in Chinese. “You realize the progress you’ve made when you begin to think, and even dream, in Chinese.”

After finishing the spring semester at Beijing, he was eager to learn even more about the country that possesses a unique economic and political relationship with the United States.

“Many forget that the People’s Republic of China is only 60 years old, and is only just beginning to accept the responsibilities of being a major world power,” he says. “China’s future role in this system is still being determined, but the nation is changing before our eyes. I want to be there to witness these changes and contribute to improving China's economic and political relationship with the United States.”

Recognizing the passion Hulick had acquired for work in this foreign country, Anthony Cashman, director of the College’s Office of Distinguished Fellowships and Graduate Studies, helped him plan for a future in China after graduation and introduced him to the possibility of working with the State Department as a summer intern.

That’s when Cashman put him in touch with Amy Murphy, the director of the Career Planning Center at Holy Cross, who helped Hulick prepare an application for the internship. Murphy assisted in contacting alumnus Harry K. Thomas Jr. ’78, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, who helped Hulick land the two month internship.

At the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Hulick served as a policy analysis intern with the Economic Section of the State Department. He completed two major projects during his internship. The first was a report on Chinese government scholarships to African exchange students, in which he offered valuable insight on the experiences of African exchange students in China and their perceptions of China's growing economic footprint in Africa. For his second project, Hulick prepared the Embassy’s annual Investment Disputes and Expropriation Claims Report for China, for which he solicited information on nearly 20 investment disputes between the Chinese government and American companies. This project was particularly meaningful as Hulick worked alongside Tim Donovan ’11, another Holy Cross student staying in China and interning with the Department of Commerce.

Outside of the office, Hulick had many other memorable experiences. He took a 48-hour train to Tibet, where he spent a week traveling around the region. He also traveled to China’s countryside where he taught Chinese middle school students about American culture. And, of course, he joined an international soccer league and played with and against other foreigners living in Beijing.

Hulick discovered how important immersion experiences are and values the unique opportunities he was able to take advantage of while following his passion and interests.

“There is only one way to understand what life is like on the other side of the world,” he says. “And that is to experience it for yourself.”

Now heading into the final stretch of his undergraduate career, Hulick hopes to return to China following graduation through a Fulbright research grant or otherwise, and continue to immerse himself in and contribute to a culture he has come to greatly appreciate. He currently has an interest in the impact that environmental sustainability and green energy investments are having in China.

“I plan to devote the next few years to continue studying Chinese either at a Chinese university or at another foreign language institute in Beijing,” he said. “Full professional proficiency in Chinese will be necessary for whatever career path I choose in China, whether it be with the U.S. government, or with an American company or non-governmental organization. Ultimately though, I hope that I will be directly or indirectly contributing to improve the economic and political relationship between the United States and China.”

By Mary Moczula ’11

Related Information:

• Study Abroad