On October 7, 2020, People’s Daily website published a vlog titled “Inquire into the sea”, telling the story of how a group of students from Tianjin University’s School of Marine Science and Technology (SMST) conducted a social survey in a small fishing village in Haiyang City, Shandong Province.

Every summer, SMST organizes students to do social surveys in places closely related to marine study, “to help students get a glimpse of what they are studying about, and how their studies may affect other people’s lives intertwined with the oceans,” some school teacher noted.

During the survey, students talked with the villagers, learnt about their stories on the sea and investigated on the problems the village facing for better development.

“Even though our survey may not bring an immediate solution to the problems, we are hopeful that it will show effects in the long run.” Yang Xiaotong, an undergraduate student said after he interviewed the elder fishermen.

It was the first time for Zhao Lixi, also an undergraduate, to get close to the ocean. “It’s a peaceful and mysterious place where people can calm down. We should do our best to make it better and develop it further.”

By the School of Marine Science and Technology

Editor: Eva Yin