The "Uhl Mao Zeh" in Harbin 2

     Most uhl mao zeh were, at the very least bi-lingual while many were multi-lingual.  Quite a large number had received university education, many had graduate degrees.  Generally speaking, those uhl mao zeh that wanted to study engineering usually went to Germany.  For fine art and  humanities, usually France was the choice, while England was reserved for those who generally wanted to study at Oxford or Cambridge for prestige more than anything else.  There were, of course, other countries where uhl mao zeh went to study.  A few chose Japan and China, while others (a small number) went to America.  But Europe appeared to be the biggest attraction for studying abroad.  Interestingly, even those who studied in non-English speaking countries learned English.  Most were very well prepared by the better "gymnasiums" (Russian high schools) in Harbin where it was mandatory to study at least one foreign language.  The most popular foreign language was English, followed by French and German.  It was therefore, not unusual for someone who graduated from one of the better high schools in Harbin to already be fairly fluent in English as well as French or German.  Some parents sent their children to English or international ("colleges") schools in Shanghai where English was the language.  So, all in all, the uhl mao zeh received a very good education, those who could afford it.
     A typical young uhl mao zeh in Harbin in the 1930s and early 40s was a university educated who spoke at least three languages - Russian, English or French or German (or all three!), and Korean.  Many also spoke Chinese and added Japanese to their list of languages.  With such linguistic talent and ability, they were able to work in fairly good jobs even if they did not have a professional degree.  Others, of course, were doctors, engineers, lawyers, etc., and could practice their profession, although as stateless people it was not always possible.  Still, they were able to get better than average jobs because they were better than average educated and were multi-lingual.
     Harbin between 1920 and 1945 was a unique place which created an unusual environment found no where else in the world at that time or since.  The uhl mao zeh belonged to that unusual world, in fact, they were responsible for creating that world in large part!  The circumstances and the environment that existed in Harbin was not only unique but very unusual and was never to be repeated again.  It is not surprising that old timers, those uhl mao zeh who lived through that period remember it so fondly.  For despite the fact that they were stateless and belonged to no country, their status was special and they were at the top of the food chain - kind of strange, considering that they had no political clout what so ever!  But once they left that world, they were no longer viewed by others as being unique or special.  Outside of Harbin, they were just stateless, regardless of how many languages they knew and what university they attended.  The world had changed dramatically and they were just stateless and of no importance to anyone.