It is official... after 4 long weeks, we finally have internet in our apartment! Hopefully this will result in a renewed vigor of blogging and e-mailing.
One of the things I value most about teaching is the ability to develop relationships with students. This semester I have 8 classes total, 7 on the new campus and 1 on the old campus (where we live). As a homework assignment for my students on the old campus, I required them to spend time with their teacher outside of class in the first 4 weeks in order to practice their English. This has been a great way to get to know students better! Most of the guys just want to play basketball, but some of them prefer to go out to eat. It's always humbling when they say things like "This is my first time ever eating with a teacher"... or "You are the first foreigner I have ever eaten with." The whole time I'm just hoping that I don't do something to insult their culture and leave a bad impression for all Westerners they may meet in the future! For example, this often happens when we try to pay. Our Chinese students see us as guests and it is their honor to take us to dinner. Yesterday while Allie and I were eating with students, she tried to pay and one of them said "Please don't insult our traditions!" All in all, this homework assignment has been an amazing way to foster relationships and break down walls with my students. Here's a picture of me with Andy, Max, Ryan, and Rob after they took me to a Dongbei restaurant!
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