Yunnan Normal University (云南师范大学 or “ShiDa”）has recently become a real hassle. I will most likely enroll in a different school next semester. The quality of their classes varies — sometimes they’re pretty good, but the quality of their administrative face is consistently miserable. My interactions with THE OFFICE have literally brought me to tears. Their attitude is never accommodating, always combative. I’m exhausted and ready to move on, but until I have my passport back (yes, it is THAT messy) I’ll have to keep smiling at them.
On a happier note, I am finally enrolled in a better class. It suits my level and I already know the teachers. What a relief.
Although I don’t really have a group of people that I regularly hang out with and speak Chinese, I am filling my days with more and more Mandarin. Some of my friends that have been hesitant in the past to stray from English are slowly having more conversations with me in Chinese. It’s very exciting to see everyone else’s progress — much easier to appreciate than your own.
The college for teachers training to teach Chinese as a foreign language announced this week that they’ll be offering free tutoring sessions at our school every day 5-7pm. This is really incredible. Of course the announcement was posted in Chinese only, so most of the people that could use this kind of help (me) looked right past it. Thank god Jeremy can read it and he told me about it.
My language exchange with April is going well. She’s very good about keeping me talking in Chinese. This week we didn’t crack our books at all, just sat and chatted with her friend Nancy. They are both nice women, educated and relatively laid-back. They seem a bit bored with their current situation and are happy to chat with me. April has been twisting my arm to tutor one of her English students, but I am unwilling to schedule class time on the weekend.
Actually, I am thinking about trying to find work for next semester, instead of continuing my life as a student. I would love to find a job with an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) here in Kunming. I think it’s possible with my background in non-profit organizations, working in communications and information technology. Between web design, database programming, and editing I should be able to avoid falling back on just my administrative skills. And Kunming has some interesting things going on with AIDS education and other health issues. Some friends have suggested a few contacts that I should follow through on. Time to spruce up that resume!
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6 comments ↓
Sorry to hear that Shida has become such a hassle. But I’m glad you can look to other situations and try to change it.
I hope something comes through for you with the NGOs.
Eileen is experiencing career ambivalence these days. She thinks maybe she is bored with her current job.
I have been working on compositions and have a couple new gigs booked. Ah the big time.
Sorry to hear about the school administration. It sounds like you have developed a plan (or many ideas!) to get what you want out of the situation. The job thing sounds intriguing!!
I guess it is part of your heritage, as a refugee. My mother was born the oldest of 10 German children. and didn’t speak English until she went to publlic school. Of course she wasn’t up against Chinese. (You really are what seems to me to be high expectations.)
My mother had many “impossible” dreams, but she stuck with her goals. We are proud of you. Keep at it, Liz…
Grand Pa
Hi Elizabeth,
You don’t know me but I’m Barb’s sister, Lucy. I think Barb or Eileen or Steve have mentioned me in connection with my adopted daughter, Yu Mei. Her full chinese name is Ning, Yu Mei. She is proud that she can spell it in ASL!
The fact that you are where you are now is utterly amazing to me; I believed all through school that I was too dumb to go to college and even though I went (twice) I wonder what it would have been like growing up in a different environment. I’m hoping Yu Mei grows to understand her responsibility in learning and education–and all the wonderful things that can go with it, as you are demonstrating right now.
I have some Mandarin Language CD’s that Yu Mei and I listen to. It will probably be my project to learn Mandarin as Barb has her needlework!
Your website is fascinating. I’ll keep reading.
Lucy
Hi Elizabeth
It is a long time not to read your website.It seems that you make a great progress on your mandarin. Congratulations.
As what you said, there are many organizations in Kunming what are working for anti-HIV, anti-poverty, anti-sexual discrimination.Some of them have foreign background or the background of HK. If you want to search a job, i suppose you must get a satisfying opening.
There is a chinese website where you can search NGO’s openings,such as http://www.ngocn.org/Article/ShowClass.asp?ClassID=8. but some details of recruiting informations are in english. I wish you could find sth you like.
Yours sincerely
Adam Chen
Wow! Thanks for all the comments!
Lucy –
Um, I tried to respond to the email you gave me, but it bounced back. Anyway, cool. Thanks for writing! I think we met a couple of times. I have a memory of you introducing me to People magazine’s 50 most beautiful people while we were at a cottage on the lake. Heh.
Anyway, my parents both talk about you and seem to think that you are a fabulous mom! How old is Yu Mei? Did you make a trip to China to adopt her? Where did you go?
I linked to ChinesePod.com as a great (free) learning tool on my website. It has new audio lessons (MP3) every day available for download. They have several different levels, from square-one to advanced. I think they’re very good, and you can search the archives for topics that interest you. Recommended.
Being here in Kunming is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done, but nothing at school prepared me for this. My experience in college was fun, but not educational. Anyway, I am certainly grateful to be here.
So, good luck with your Mandarin studies! Take care!
–Elizabeth J.
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