Work

I'm nearing the end of my first semester teaching at CUMT in Xuzhou. It has been strange, frustrating, sweaty and truly wonderful. It is the best job I've ever had by a country mile. Not only is it perfectly suited to my temperament, it has also been an exhilarating challenge, a creative and professional bullwhipping. (I'm the bull in that metaphor, by the way). I've never before had a job that I loved. This is so strange and alien a feeling that I've had to, at times, remind myself of this pleasant fact.

I have quite a few humorous and demanding students, as well as some who are rather dull (and a handful whose laziness and stupidity are utterly dispiriting). I have come to know many of them quite well, and count most them a friend. It would probably be obvious and boring to say that I have learned a lot. More accurately, I've realized a lot. And my plans for the spring semester are inscribed on the drum of a steamroller. I'm excited for the future. I have a lot of ideas; some of them are sure to be quite good.

And just for a little background: CUMT (China University of Mining and Technology) is a 102 year old institution started in Beijing. After being relocated to a number of cities, it finally settled in Xuzhou in 1978. I work for the Sino-Australian College, which is a private company operating within the School of Foreign Studies. I teach IELTS preparation (IELTS being the examination Chinese students need to pass to study abroad) to second year students, and creative writing to first year students. That about does it.