Chu Wenyi

third week: leaving is a speedway to homecoming

Wednesday, 16. September 2009, 00:51:17

Following is a letter i wrote to all the teachers in China Connections today to start a refreshing week.

Hey Guys
just want to share with you this message quoted from Fernand Braudel who is a French Historian living in England:

live in lodon for a year and you will not get to know much about England, but through comparision, in the light of your surprise, you will suddenly come to understand some of the more profound and individual characteristics of France, which you did not previously understood.

My understanding of this message is:
although he did not mention wether he likes his motherland France or his guest place England better, he is observing his motherland from a new perspective, which brings him to a deeper and wider level of understanding life.

The use of this message for me is:
while i am now teaching and "living" in a coner of the States, i am thinking about China more often, and in a more structured way.
And ONLY as a result i would assume that:
leaving China is a speed way to homecoming, in which sense, i could better think what kind of life i would like to lead and what can i bring back.

Speaking of this culture comparison, the Five Cs strike me, that is the power of language: through comparing languages and cultures, one get to appreciate his own heritage.

This reflection makes me proud of myself as a language teacher.

This letter is dedicated to all the Chinese teachers as international faculty in your indivudual schools, hope you are now busy preparing lessons, bringing Chinese flavor to your school community while exploring more about China.

Hope you enjoy this!

sincerely

4 comments

second week

Tuesday, 8. September 2009, 02:37:22

it is my second week of the new semester
and it is the Labor Day, meaning still working on this "holiday"
some students do not understand why we have classes on this day and complain about it.
I did not really get it from administrative point until one student said: "since we are an international school, we can not celebrat too many holidays and not have classes. if we celebrat Amercian holidays ,then Koreans,Chinese, Jewish studetns will be feeling not fair."

True.
We are international.And in oder to play fair and square, we save all the holidays to Thanksgiving, Xmas and Spring break, easy for boarders, easy for on-campus faculty, easy solutions after all.

However,this brings me to a question: what does it mean to be a Chinese in U.S. a Chinese that just come to U.S,trapped b/t two cultures: my Chinese friends and relatives think I am being too American as to stand up and get my voice heard, yet i do fell strongly that i act, talk and think like a Chinese at this international School.---i endure a lot instead of asking questions, a merit regarded by my family.

Well,
Does being a U.S citizen a kind of previlege? something of life goals?

One of my friends is getting married to an American guy this coming Xmas after seeing eath other for 12 months.
Yes, i admit, I am 80% jealouse, and 20% confused.--like what Richale said in Friends.

I am jealouse since in the same program, definitely someone has made the best of it.
Why best?
Getting a Greencard and stay in U.S.
Why this is a best way of life for Chinese?
............I guess, most Chinese think so.

20% confused.
Yes I have passed the age of hanging out with guys without any purpose of getting married or spending life together.
Yet, until i could take care of myself and know what i want and meet someone who is determined,i would not marry a Greencard.
What if the marriage with a Greencard is not working for me? I will lose too much just for an ID card.

Indeed, with a Greencard, it is easier to find jobs, a lot easier, no matterwhat.
That is why it is considered quite an easy job for any Chinese to teach Chinese,regardless of "professionals"
yes, there are reasons for that: it is at the starting phase and needs tinme to build up a strong teaching force,yes, it is really really really hard for professional Chinese langauge teachers to come to U.S and teach.

That is why joint programs are becoming popular.

Well, back to the question.
Does living in U.S better than my life in China?
Yes and No.
I would never never be a Chinese teacher in China as there are lots of oppurtunities for me to do other stuff.
But being a Chinese teacher in U.S is simpler in terms of comparing life to work. Because here i would still be able to get some of my own time. While in China i will have to devote all my life and time to being a Teacher, simply a teacher.

Well, i do not know.

guess i will still consider this question and do some experiment with my life here.

just keep trying, trying, trying.

2 comments

Changes and Joy Theme One: Getting back and Taking Actions

Tuesday, 25. August 2009, 04:08:14

MDLife changes and joy

Back in Maryland for a week now
despite the fact that my luggage has been ruined by UA with no cash back,school scedule keep me greeting new students and parents, school food tempt me as always,
i am thinking about seeking some changes this year.

I have known myopera for 3 years now.
2006 summer i graduated from college in China and myopera helped me with an international view on my daily topics and reflections,
Then i was kept away from it and i was too lazy to find a way to access it unofficially

2008 summer my first experience in U.S physically and myopear helped me get through the first a few days onf wondering and worry

Then i am all involved in surviving and forget it all

Unlike facebook, i feel this is more of a plae for reading in this picture reading era.
Unlike the Chinese version of facebook, i feel this is more of a place to open my hear more and be a listener

so today i am taking actions to get back to reflect and share and post
and
hopefully
get more views from the forum

love being here

4 comments

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