Dinner and an interview

This interview was conducted over a homemade meal made by three exchange students from China.  Scarlett, Hope, and Mei had many things to say about their adapted American life as well as their Chinese heritage. What surprised me were their reasons for studying abroad in America, why they speak our language, and the contrast between Chinese food as I know it and traditional Chinese dinners.

Hope, Scarlett, and Mei

            I was invited to have a customary homemade dinner at Mei’s house along with her two roommates and fellow Chinese exchange students Scarlett and Hope.  Arriving about twenty minutes late after getting lost I was afraid I was going to offend some sort of Chinese cultural standard, but I was welcomed with smiles and dinner on the table.  As I sat down at their kitchen table I visually took in what I was being served for dinner.  I love trying new food yet I still had a smidge of hesitation, even though everything looked relatively normal.   

(back to front) grilled chicken with soy sauce, fried egg, potato’s and carrots,the fruit was dessert, and the two other dishes are beef carrots and peppers

The fried egg was my favorite dish, it was unique and quite spicy. The fruit for dessert surprised me a little I had this instantaneous need to buy them a box of Entamann’s. Fruit is a traditional dessert for them though. 

  As we ate, Scarlett and Hope talked to me about their life in China as well as their life in America at Rowan University. They told me their actual names are Kun Chang and Ma Baohui.  Scarlett chose her name because she liked the actor Josh Harnett and at the time he was dating actress Scarlett Johansson who she thought was very pretty.  I thought this way of finding a name was very interesting however, I could relate.  The first day of Spanish class my eighth grade year we were allowed to choose a name culturally suitable, I remember picking Margarita because I was fascinated that my name was an alcoholic beverage.  Hope chose her name because she liked the meaning and she compared the name to a sunrise.   

            I was curious to know a lot about exchange students but particularly, why students who live in another country choose to learn English, I understand it is a good language to know, but what is the sole reason for students to want to learn the English language?  Before I finished the question all three girls were nodding their heads saying the same thing, “We have to learn English and we have to know how to write in English too.  Our tests are given to us in English and if we want to attend a university in China or America we must know English.”  I proceeded to ask them why they chose to study abroad and why America?  I candidly told them that I would want to study abroad to experience life in an unfamiliar world and learn about the country’s history and culture, and hopefully master the language.  Although, they share similar feelings they had an added motive for coming to the United States.  We have better opportunities here; there are many more Universities in America then in China.  Scarlett noted, “It would be much harder for me to go to graduate school if I studied in China.”  According to Chinatoday.com the Chinese Ministry of Education in 2001 tallied 350,000 students were studying abroad.

As we were nearing the end of dinner they wanted to know if I thought Taiwan was part of China.  As I racked my brain trying to remember my last game of, Are You Smarter than a 5^th Grader? I reminded them that my goal in creating this blog was to learn and then I timidly answered with a quiet and unsure no.  Without delay their gasps and wide mouths revealed I was wrong.  They went on to explain that there is a political controversy going on between China and Taiwan. The pro-Taiwan independence party (DPP) does not like the policies of the pro-Chinese unification party (KMT) and have been protesting. Scarlett, Mei, and Hope all felt strongly against Taiwan becoming a separate entity.

 

Q and A

What are you studying here at Rowan University?

S.  I am a graduate student studying finance.

H.  Education

M.  Journalism

I have always wondered about the animals that supposedly belong to a year.  Is this relevant in your culture, if so what are your animals?

There are twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig in that order.  Each animal has a meaning similar to the astrological signs. (Scarlett was born in the year of the pig; she is supposed to be chivalrous and gallant. Hope was born in the year of the mouse, who are known for their charm and hard work.  Mei and I were born in the year of the hare, we are said to be talented and ambitious)

What television shows do you enjoy?

Oprah, Prison Break, Lost, Heroes, Sex and the City, and Desperate Housewives.

Any favorite movies?

Sleepless in Seattle, Finding Nemo, Serendipity, and Notting Hill.

What do you do for fun?

KTV!

I’m not quite sure what that is…

Singing, like karaoke

O! OK

Do you follow a religion? What do you believe happens when a person dies?

No. When a person dies their spirit does not die; there is a cycle to life.

Hope, me, Mei, and Scarlett.

 

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