-
Object of Curiosity
As I walk the streets outside the university, cars blow horns and a busload of people compete for the best positions to see the Westerner. Who is he? Where is he going?
-
Matt Muller — Smethport’s China Connection
Smethport resident Matt Muller is off to teach English at a university in Hunan province in south central China. The province is famous for its spicy cuisine and the birthplace of Chinese Communist revolutionary Mao Zedong. The major city there is Chenzhou, home to about 4.5 million people, most of whom live in the surrounding countryside. After learning that he would have to wait at least a year before enrolling in a master’s level physician assistant program, Matt decided to go on yet another international adventure, having already visited many countries in Europe, Africa and South America. This time the target of his wanderlust is Asia; specifically, China. Continued on…
-
Locked Out
I decided to step out of my college apartment to take a picture of the sunset, not realizing that the door locks automatically. Locked out, dressed only in shorts and sandals…
-
Visit to a Local Shop
A walk around town to visit some local markets, noting the products they have, and to make a purchase of rice wine. The streets are noisy. Many people recognize me as a Westerner and are eager to say…
-
A Dream Come True
After being informed by Xiangnan University that I will be teaching Literature to juniors and Drama to seniors, I head off to dinner along noisy streets to ponder the situation…
-
My First Week in China
Arriving only a week ago in China with my ESL certification, and with only one day before classes begin at Xiangnan University, I was informed I will be teaching Literature to juniors and Drama to seniors!