I am writing in support of Zhang Shuai in his application for admission to Xuchang Xueyuan. Mr. Zhang appears to have great potential as a scholar of history.
During my research visit to Nanjing in the summer of 20XX, I became acquainted with Zhang Shuai in the reading room of the Second Historical Archives. I was impressed by his knowledge and devotion to history, and also by the fact that in all of my experience working in archives in North America and Europe as well as in China, I had not yet met such a researcher at the secondary-school level.
Other researchers in Nanjing were also favourably impressed by Zhang Shuai.
A researcher from Chongqing and I discussed Zhang Shuai after reading an article he had contributed to a journal of military affairs. We agreed that Zhang has a good future as a writer and researcher in the Chinese history field. We also found him an interesting conversationalist.
In my observation, historical studies in China are not developing as fast as other areas of scholarship because many young people do not understand the relevance of history in their daily lives. It is refreshing to consider the exceptional case of Zhang Shuai. I sincerely hope that he will have the opportunity to receive the formal training he needs to become a professional historian.
Please contact me on e-mail if you would like me to make further comments.
With best regards,
Emily M. Hill
Assistant Professor
Department of History
Queen’s University
Kingston, CANADA K7L 3N6