Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow and the Chinese Revolution - KU ...

administration if the weight of the vacationer had not increased by the
time that he checked out. A poor record in this respect for the whole
season was a matter of grave consequence for the director of the house
and could very easily cost him his position. As taking a nap was considered
the surest way of putting on weight, the meortvii chac was
strictly enforced. However, there were also sports and amusements of
all kinds. A concert, movie, or special show was available every evening
in the open-air club. These events were usually very well attended.
We students had nothing to worry about, since the university took
care of everything related to summer vacations. We enjoyed every
summer both as foreign tourists and as members of the big "Soviet
family." We always returned to the university happy and full of
energy. In addition to my own impression of these vacations, let me
give the recollection of Teng Wen-i, the prominent KMT member who
has described himself as the first Russian-educated person to turn
against Soviet Russia:
In the summer, the university set up a summer camp in the countryside with
woods and flowing rivers, close to the camps of Russian workers and students. It
was a rare opportunity for relaxation. Facilities were not luxurious, but they were
adequate and comfortable. No classes were held, and we were not allowed to read
too many books. Instead, we were encouraged to go swimming, canoeing, sunbathing,
or to participate in the many other available recreational activities.
Thousands of young people mixed together to have fun, rest, and enjoyment, and
to experience the thrill of falling in love. Everybody gained weight after two
months of delightful experiences and happy times. I think the whole world should
attempt to have similar summer-vacation programs. 4
The university provided health services to the students during the
academic year, and it had a health clinic and a small hospital. Upon
entering the university, each student was given a thorough medical
checkup, and files of his medical history were compiled and kept at the
health clinic for handy reference. The health clinic had two full-time
doctors, one of whom was a surgeon. There were also nurses and
maids. Sick students were generally treated by the health clinic.
Patients with severe illnesses were sent for treatment to a hospital
owned by the government.
In the Soviet Union all medicine and medical expenses were free
through an almost perfect insurance plan. Although as foreign students
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