Prof. Sloane in a Volunteer's Eyes
Mr. Robert David Sloane, a prominent professor from Boston University, enjoys a high reputation in the academic circle of international law. Graduated as magna cum laude from Columbia University, he later obtained his J.D. Degree from Yale Law School, and furthered his academic pursuit in The Hague Academy of International Law. His academic interest mainly lies in the field of international criminal law, the law of war and international human rights law, and he has published more than 40 articles in these relating fields.
The fabulous C.V. of Professor Sloane gave me the impression of a rigorous scholar caring nothing but his own academic research. However, such impression of mine was turned upside down after I had the opportunity to get along with and get to know him. For example, there’s one time that I failed to pick him up on time from hotel, because no cab was available back then. Instead of scolding me, he gently comforted me to relieve my self-accusation. ‘A real gentleman is a man of noble virtue.’ This Chinese proverb suits Professor Sloane just well.
Through further communication with him, it’s not difficult to find out how deeply intrigued Professor Sloane is in the law education in China. He asked about the professional courses that undergraduates take in each semester, as well as how to practice as a lawyer in China. He told me in a humorous tone that both Chinese and American students tend to memorize textbooks intensively right before examinations, which made me feel a little bit ashamed.
When I was showing him around the campus, I felt our identities switched, as I became the expert of Xiamen University while he being the student who barely knew anything. I told him all the things I know about our university, explained the historic stories and great spirits behind them, just like what he was trying to do in his class. From my perspective, that’s what impressed me most of this voluntary campaign: it provided a chance to exchange ideas and personal views with great scholars like Professor Sloane, despite of ages or professions.
Many thanks are owed to Professor Sloane’s patience, and I will always cherish this rare experience.
Report by CHEN Lifan, Photo by Zhong-Ding-Wen Studio