The tradition continues: 13 graduates to teach in China

Continuing a tradition that goes back nearly 20 years, 13 Skidmore seniors who graduate this Saturday will board a plane for Beijing this August to begin a year of teaching English to college students in China.

Retired Skidmore English professor Murray Levith started the tradition during his sabbatical in 1987-88, when he and his wife Tina taught English at Qufu Teachers University in Shandong Province. The College embraced his proposal to establish a formal exchange and sent a first contingent of new graduates in 1989-90.

Since then, 85 Skidmore graduates have had the experience of teaching in China and the program has expanded to include four additional institutions: Petroleum University of East China and Shengli College in Dongying, Xin Tan College in Qufu, and Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou.

"Our young alums gain a healthy world view by living and working in provincial China," says Sandy Welter, an English faculty member who became director of the program in 2002 after working closely with Levith and teaching for a year at Qufu.

"They become part of a cultural community, learn as much from their students and colleagues as they teach, and see America and American values from a unique perspective, one that highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of the culture to which they identify so strongly."

Skidmore teachers live with other foreign teachers and international guests in apartments on the campus where they teach Each teacher has his or her own apartment with a living area, bedroom, western-style bathroom, and some have kitchens. Others may have a communal cooking area. The apartments are fully furnished and include heat, air conditioning, and Internet connection.

The 13 students who qualified for teaching assignments in this year's program come from a wide range of majors and career tracks. None know Chinese, but from a pedagogical standpoint that makes no difference because they will speak English at all times in their classrooms.

By the end of their year, all of the Skidmore teachers will be able to speak enough Chinese to shop, travel, and communicate regularly with their students and colleagues, Welter says. Some students have extended their assignment in China to two or even three years so as to continue to hone their language proficiency.

Their experience of teaching in China is much different than seeing the country as a tourist or even a study abroad student, says Welter. "During their year, these young alumni are defined and viewed as professionals living and working in a university setting. When they return to the US, their cultural identity is grounded in choice and commitment, not just in the arbitrariness of birth and location."

Many Skidmore teachers come to the realization that they love teaching and move in that direction. Others decide to attend graduate school in international relations, international business, law, human rights advocacy, literacy, and Chinese history and culture.

Between 25 and 30 students typically apply for the program, says Welter. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter that outlines why they want to teach in China, and then make their case in a one-hour interview in which Welter probes for such qualities as flexibility, maturity, problem-solving, teaching, and communication skills.

In January, the selected students begin an orientation workshop that lasts throughout the spring term. Students learn teaching strategies and techniques for cultural assimilation. They also receive assistance with the myriad details of travel and living in a foreign country for a year, such as medical needs, insurance, and visa applications.

Here are the members of the Skidmore Class of 2008 who will leave for China in August:

Stephanie Block (Government and International Affairs): Shengli College, Dongying
Andrew Bockus (Chemistry): China University of Petroleum, Dongying
Fred Braunstein (Women's Studies and Government): China University of Petroleum, Dongying
Lucy Crouppen (Art History): Qufu Normal University, Qufu
Olivia Janczyk (English): Xintan College, Qufu
Dana Marett (Women's Studies): China University of Petroleum, Dongying
Erin McAvoy (Education): China University of Petroleum, Dongying
Travis Roe-Raymond (Religious Studies): Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai
Eliza Rosler (English): Qufu Normal University, Qufu
Rachel Schulman (Social Work): Xintan College, Qufu
Natalie Singer (International Affairs and Spanish): Shengli College, Dongying
Karrin Varucene (English): Xintan College, Qufu
Carrie von Glahn (American Studies and English): Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai